Posts in “Environment” Category

Individuals, businesses, and organizations around the world participated in Earth Hour on March 31. This global observance is held to demonstrate how much we can do to cut back power use and stop climate change if we all work together. Participants shut off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, causing a wave of darkness to sweep across the Earth's 25 time zones.

The next Earth Hour will be on March 30, 2013.

Learn more about Earth Hour.

Get more power saving tips from National Geographic Kids.


Photograph by Jorge Sierra, WWF Spain

Did you know that kids living in the U.S. spend 50% less time outdoors than kids did 20 years ago? Forests are great places to have outdoor adventures, spend time with your family, and learn about nature. You never know what you'll discover. Grab your parents and tell them you want to go on an outdoor adventure this weekend.

National Get Outdoors Day is on June 11. What will you do outside to celebrate?

Visit the Discover the Forest website to find a forest or park near you.

Getting outdoors doesn't have to mean a long trip. Find out how to go camping in your own backyard on National Geographic Kids.


Image courtesy USDA Forest Service and The Ad Council

Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day. It's a global celebration of the ocean and its creatures. The ocean is important to all of us. Are you doing anything to celebrate World Oceans day? What does the ocean mean to you? Leave a comment and let us know!

Check out cool ocean animal facts, great games, and more on National Geographic Kids.

Learn more about oceans on National Geographic.

Get more information on the World Oceans Day website.


Photograph by Gary Brennand, Your Shot

Snowmelt and heavy rainfall in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota have swollen the Mississippi River to near-record levels. Flooding has occurred in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Some rural areas have been flooded by opening spillways on the river. Doing this might help keep flood water out of big cities.

Learn more and see pictures of Mississippi floods past and present on National Geographic News.

See pictures of wild weather on National Geographic Kids.


Photograph by Patrick Semansky, AP

The tamarisk tree was brought to the United States in the 1800s as a decorative tree, and it was also used to help stabilize the soil on rivers. The tree has thrived in the southwest, crowding out native trees. For many years, biologists have removed the invasive trees by digging them up or using herbicides In 2001, land managers began releasing imported salt cedar leaf beetles in an attempt to help stop the spread of the trees (tamarisk trees are also called salt cedars).

The beetles are doing their job more effectively than expected and have migrated up to 100 miles away from where they were released. Scientists are now concerned that species that have gotten used to the tamarisk trees may have trouble adjusting when the trees are gone. One example of this is the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, which prefers nesting in tamarisk trees even when there are other native trees available.

Read more about this invasive species problem on National Geographic News.

Iggy Arbuckle has tried a similar trick to eliminate invasive species in the Kookamunga! Watch the video on National Geographic Kids.


Read more about invasive plants on National Geographic Kids.


Photograph by Michael Melford, National Geographic

One year ago, on April 20, 2010, an oil rig called Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank into the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill that started with the explosion was the worst in U.S. history. A year after the disaster, the Gulf appears to be bouncing back--at least on the surface. Many animal populations were affected by the oil, and there is still oil in the depths of the Gulf, even if it cannot be seen on the surface. However, scientists warn that the true scope and lasting effects of the oil spill won't be known for a long time.

Read updates on the state of the Gulf on National Geographic News.

Learn more about the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill on Green Scene.


Photograph courtesy Stephen Lehmann, U.S. Coast Guard

Planet Earth has gotten windier over the last 20 years, according to a new study. Scientists looked at satellite wind measurements going back to 1985 and learned that winds have increased by about 5 percent. Very strong winds caused by storms have increased by 10 percent during the same time period. Study leader Ian Young says that it is not yet clear if our windier world is a result of global warming, or if it is a result of a cyclical pattern.

Learn more about the study on National Geographic News.

Check out ten freaky forces of nature on National Geographic Kids.


Photograph by Norbert Rosing, National Geographic

Geography Awareness Week is being celebrated from November 14 to 20 this year. The focus on 2010's Geography Awareness Week is on fresh water. The Geography Awareness Week website is full of facts, quizzes, and other features you can explore to learn about fresh water on Earth.

Geography Awareness Week was created in 1978 as a time for families and classrooms to promote geography literacy. Is your class doing anything special to learn more about geography this week?

Visit the Geography Awareness Week page on My Wonderful World.

Are you a geo-whiz? Quiz Your Noodle and find out!

Is your class looking for a green project to do together? Tell your teacher about the Find Your Footprint contest! Your classroom can choose one of three categories: Save Water, Reduce Waste, or Save Energy. Your class must think of a way to reduce your school's footprint in one of these areas, and create a description of your proposal. The winning classroom or school will get some pretty cool prizes, including five Promethean ActivBoards and $1000 worth of National Geographic books.

All entries must be received by December 3, 2010, so go green and get going!

Send your teacher to the Find Your Footprint page for more information on the contest.

Want to find out how big your family's water footprint is? Grab Mom or Dad and check out the Water Footprint Calculator.


Image Source / Getty Images

Have you ever thought about how much water you and your family use each day? Grab your mom or dad and find out your water footprint using the National Geographic water calculator! You can also compare your family's water usage to other people in your area, and pledge to reduce your water footprint.

Check out the water footprint calculator on National Geographic.

Learn more about conserving resources on National Geographic Kids.