have been looking for a new book that will help me reignite my natural optimism about democracy. Browsing through Amazon’s top choices I was having a hard time finding something positive. I found a page filled with titles like: “How Democracies Die,” “How Democracy Ends,” “Democracy in Chains,” “Democracy in America?” “Unequal Democracy,” and “Democracy[…]
Written by Earth Force President and CEO, Vince Meldrum In a recent blog post, David Beckman of the Pisces Foundation made an interesting comment. He noted that for the first time in his memory the environmental movement finds itself at a place where current “policy is inimical to our basic values—not so much reflecting an[…]
Written by Earth Force President and CEO, Vince Meldrum David Beckman, the President of the Pisces Foundation, published a blog post that really made me think. In it, he talked about how ‘we are committed to expanding opportunities for kids to get the environmental know-how they need to thrive.’ Pisces is one of the few[…]
The power of young people has never been more evident – or important – as it is today. In honor of International Youth Day, I want to take a look back at some of the remarkable change driven by Earth Force young people. Back in 1999, the United Nations endorsed this day as a dedication[…]
Environmental justice is critical to protect under-resourced communities from environmental and health hazards and to ensure residents are involved in critical decision-making around maintaining a healthy environment. Students in Albuquerque, NM are addressing environmental justice in their community head-on by working with the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge to create their first ever Environmental[…]
I’m sure many of you (if not all of you) have seen the proposed EPA budget cuts that came out last week. (The Oregonian created an easy-to-digest list detailing 42 of the specific cuts.) There is no doubt that we all saw cuts that may impact our own work or work that we support, admire,[…]
Guest Post: Jan Sneddon, Director of GM GREEN at Earth Force We have so much to be thankful for here at Earth Force. Through this GM GREEN Series, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the unique people and places that make this program tick. Last month, we met a long-time Detroit educator who is[…]
Last week, I read a great article discussing why science education is important for democracy. We’ve explored this topic before on the Earth Force blog, talking about why civic skills matter in STEM education. The author of the piece, Arthur Camins, argues that, “Great science and engineering education engages students so that they develop the[…]
In September, we traveled to Langley, British Columbia to explore the strengths that the Langley Environmental Partners Society brings to GM GREEN. This month, we’re heading to Detroit, MI to meet a dynamic educator and partner who have teamed up to do big things through GM GREEN. Longtime educator Tracy Ortiz from Clippert Academy has[…]
On the 25th anniversary of GM GREEN, Earth Force formally expanded the program into Canada, welcoming seven new Canadian communities, many with unique climates, environmental challenges, and educational approaches. One such community is Langley, British Columbia, sitting on the edge of urban and rural landscapes. Langley is located on the border of Washington state, just[…]