Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Action for Earth 2024
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is thrilled to thank everyone who participated in our month-long Action for Earth celebration!
Throughout April, schools across the state expanded their climate change education efforts. They embraced the opportunity to be stewards of our environment by planning and sharing various engaging activities focused on the four themed weeks: Energy, Food, Waste, and Nature and Wellness.
We were blown away by the creativity, passion, and commitment to environmental action that students, educators, and administrators demonstrated. From planting pollinator gardens to hands-on learning across disciplines, your dedication to protecting our planet truly shone through.
Social Media Buzz
Social media was abuzz with the excitement of Action for Earth! We loved seeing photos and videos of your events shared using the hashtags #ClimateEd, #ClimateChangeEducation, and #ActionforEarthNJ.
Looking Ahead
The NJDOE is committed to supporting climate change education efforts throughout the year. We encourage you to continue fostering a love for our planet and empowering future generations to be environmental leaders.
Stay Connected!
Please check out our other resources on the webpage for information on the science of climate change, instructional resources, partner organizations, and more to keep the momentum going!
If you have any questions or want to invite the team for a visit, please get in touch with the Climate Change Education Unit at climateeducation@doe.nj.gov
Together, we can make a difference!
Join us in our first Action for Earth theme, Energy, and investigate what it means to be energy literate. Did you know that between 2006 and 2020, New Jersey has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by about 25%. Learn more about how New Jersey is transitioning to a clean energy future.
This week, we encourage you to:
- Explore the sources of energy used to power our schools and homes.
- Learn more about renewable energy resources.
- Conduct energy audits at your home and at school.
- Consider best practices for conserving energy in your home and at school.
Resources
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
- Teaching Energy
- Energy Literacy: Essential Principals for Energy Education
In our second Action for Earth theme, Food, we investigate how we can achieve a healthy and Earth-friendly diet. Did you know that eating food seasonally is one way to get the most nutritional value from your produce and lower the carbon emissions that are required to transport them from the farm to your table? Learn more about what produce is in season in New Jersey right now
This week, we encourage you to:
- Investigate where your food comes from and how it makes its way to you.
- Examine the environmental impacts of how we grow, produce, and transport food.
- Consider how shifts in our food choices might result in better outcomes for our bodies and the environment.
- Explore options to source food locally.
- Start a school garden.
Resources
- New Jersey Department of Agriculture
- New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
Did you know that food waste is the single largest category of material sent to municipal solid waste landfills? When food breaks down in landfills it generates methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Learn how to reduce methane emissions and enrich your local soil as you recycle your food waste into compost. In Week 3, we encourage you to explore how our consumption and waste practices impact climate change.
This week, we encourage you to:
- Conduct waste audits to determine how your community, school, and home handles waste.
- Start composting.
- Determine and implement other strategies for reducing waste.
Resources
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- S. Environmental Protection Agency
In the final week of Action for Earth, get outside and investigate nature around your home and school. Take a walk, ride your bike, or sit and meditate. Notice how being in nature can have a positive impact on your mood. Explore ways that you can improve the natural world around your home and school. Did you know that you can use Seek to help you identify plants and animals in your neighborhood?
This week, we encourage you to:
- Get outside and explore the types of plants and animals that are endemic to your area.
- Engage in learning outdoors.
- Explore ways to integrate green spaces into your school grounds.
- Collaborate with community-based organizations like the local Green Team to plan the development of green spaces in your community.
- Investigate strategies for support self-care and healing in nature.
Resources
- 2024 City Nature Challenge
- G3 Program
- More resources are coming soon!