Tree By Tree

“StopTalking. Start Planting.” – Felix Finkbeiner

The decreasing of trees around the world does not help future generations. We are trapped unless we take action. Planting trees helps inspires us to make our world a better place .  Cutting down of trees does not increase the amount of healthy trees that are being planted but only increases the structures of buildings. Without trees we would not have any fresh air to breathe . The decreasing of trees has come to mind for a 13 year old boy named Felix Finkbeiner. He believed that by planting more trees it will reduce the effect of climate change . His journey began in his home country Germany, where he was inspired by a women in Africa named Wangari Muta Maathai, started thinking about the perception of the future and trying to reach out to adults and children about taking action and not hiding behind climate skeptics. 

When Felix Finkbeiner was 9 years old, he needed to do a school presentation about climate crisis. What came to be a school project has inspired him to do more . He was inspired by one woman Wangari Muta Maathai who planted 30 million trees in her home country Africa in 1976. Wangari Muta Maathai goal was to help women in their rights. From doing this it, she has develops an organization for women to focus on planting trees, which helps them improve their life style and environment. Wangari Muta Maathai has inspired not only Felix Finkbeiner but others children in the world today. She has taught us, just from planting in her own country the women who are in poverty can improve the increasing of access to wood for cooking and clean water. By planting more trees it also helps the women of Africa to improve the way they live . Wangari Muta Maathai has created her own organization called “Green Belt Movement” which helps plant trees in Africa. This has affected Felix Finkbeiner to do the same . His goal during the end of his presentation in 2007 when he was 9 years old was to inspire other children in the world that they could help plant one million trees in each of their country so that the world will have an equal balance of CO_{2 .}  He started his own organization called “Plant For The Planet” which helps people pledge on how many trees they will help plant. Through this organization you can also donate money. Not only has Wangari Muta Maathai become Felix Finkbeiner inspiration but he has inspired others to do the same . Felix Finkbeiner and Wangari Muta Maathai have increased the amount of trees being planted. From this Felix Finkbeiner has a perception of the future . 

At the UN (United Nation) Felix Finkbeiner had given a speech pointing out the crisis of the future . The two main crises that he has recognised are the poverty crisis and the climate crisis. From these two crises he has spoken out what has happen in the world today. He believes that if we do not start now our future will suffer from all the pollution being sent into the world today. The poverty crisis that shows the decreasing of trees has affected many people in the world from getting fresh air and getting fresh water. Felix Finkbeiner says in his speech to the UN, “The poverty crisis with 30 thousand children dying of starvation every single day…” which shows us without fresh water and fresh air to breathe in, many children are dying because of unsafe water to drink, poor sanitation, and lack of hygiene . The climate crisis shows how the world is changing the weather in each country will change to become hotter or colder. Felix Finkbeiner says in his speech to the UN, “The climate crisis with one part of the world, rich part, a small minority, exhausting the most of CO₂ and the ones that already suffer will suffer even more in the future .” This shows that during our years, we must start planting trees if we want our future to become non polluted and filled with fresh air. The decreasing of trees isn’t going to help our future unless we increase the amount of trees being planted. On his website “Plant For The Planet” Felix Finkbeiner says, “Talking alone isn’t going to stop the glaciers from melting!” This shows that if we really want to care about our future we must “Stop talking. Start Planting.” Furthermore he also said in his speech to the UN, “…Forest is our future…”which means that if we want to take care of our planet then we must start taking care of the forest too. Felix Finkbeiner has proven that by changing the environment one tree at a time we may increase the amount of trees being planted. Although Felix Finkbeiner has thought about the future, he has now to figure out about the climate skeptics.

Many times adults hide behind climate skeptics saying ‘There is no climate change .' Felix Finkbeiner believes that now, children are planning what to do if they were in the position of the government. In March 2011 Felix Finkbeiner organization consisted of 14 children democratic from eight nations. Although they may be children they are taking a stand on what they believe in and not hiding under climate skeptics.  Children are now taking a stand for what needs to be done in the world, starting today. Children understand what is being taught to them such how they need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being sent into the atmosphere . As Felix Finkbeiner says at the UN in New York, “We have an answer. If we follow the scientists that tell us there is a crisis and we act, and in 20 years we find out that they were wrong, we didn’t do any mistake . But if we follow the skeptics and in 20 years we find out that they were wrong, it will be too late to save our future .” This shows how climate skeptics is getting to everyone and if people want to do something they should start taking part in planting trees and not only say they will but make a pledge towards their action. From taking part and knowing that there is a climate skeptics then our world may become a healthier place . He also says, “We children (have) understood we cannot trust that adults alone will save our future . We have to take our future in our own hands.” Felix says this because he believes that although adults minds are more develop they do not understand about what will happen in the future and how to prevent it from happening. Since children will live more than adults they do not recognize the dangers of the future . Felix Finkbeiner also says, “For most adults the future seems to mean 20, 30 or even 40 years. But for us children 2100 could still be in our lifetime .” It shows that although children are taking part in planting trees, we still need adults to take part in it, so that our world may become a healthier place .

Although the decreasing of trees has become a huge impact in climate change and change the way of some people’s perspective, it has change one 13 year old boy to make a difference to the world. Felix Finkbeiner has helped inspire and increase the amount of trees. He has now made a difference to the world today, not only for children and adults but also for the future . Although cutting down of trees does not help but planting of trees can help make a difference to the world today. No matter who you are in the world and what you believe in you can make a difference just like Felix Finkbeiner who was inspired by Wangari Muta Maathai, starting thinking about future generations and reaching out to adults and children about not hiding under climate skeptics.


Picture URL:
http://en.forumimpulsa.org/2011/pwhfimg-ponent-440-300-1-0/felixfeinbenker.jpg
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A Journey Of Hope

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"I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to." -Terry Fox

Through cancer, Terry Fox believed in hope. He believed that by hoping for the best no matter how much pain he was in, he could still try to accomplish his dream of running  across Canada because he wanted to raise the public awareness of cancer and the money needed to find a cure. . His hopes and dreams were to fight cancer, step by step. He believed that hope was worth fighting for. Hope, is to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence, this is what Terry Fox did, he believed. His journey started when he wanted to run across Canada raising money for Cancer Research, which then lead to his last stop in Thunder Bay, and although he died, his journey still continues with the hope of our hands.

On April 12, 1980 Terry Fox journey began to raise money for cancer research. His journey was to run across Canada to raise money needed to find a cure for cancer.When he dipped his right leg into the Atlantic Ocean and filled two large bottles with water, he intended to keep one of the bottles with him until he finished his run. He would then pour the other one into the Pacific Ocean in recognition that he had finished his 'Marathon of Hope.' Terry Fox said, "It's one thing to run across Canada, but now, people are really going to know what cancer is." Although he was raising money for cancer research, he didn't want people to think that he was just running for himself but also to help those in need with cancer just like him. He proved that no matter what had happened, he would try to lift up people's hopes to help him raise money for cancer. Terry Fox also said, "When I started this run, I said that if we all gave one dollar, we'd have $22 million for cancer research. " He showed that if every Canadian gave one dollar, this might help him raise money and to continue his journey with hope to accomplish his dreams. If everyone did this, the level of finding a cure for cancer might be possible. Although he was feeling pain every day on his 'Marathon of Hope',  he still kept going to achieve what he started. By the end of August, Fox felt exhausted in the morning which lead him to stop.

No matter where Fox was through the marathon, his determination was to succeed even with his illness. Terry Fox saw that people were motivating him through the marathon, he was trying his best even if it was his last run. Terry Fox said, "Maybe that's why I've made it as far as I have, 2,521 miles. If I ran to a doctor every time I got a little cyst or abrasion I'd still be in Nova Scotia. Or else I;d never have started. I've seen people in so much pain. The little bit of pain I'm going through is nothing. They can't shut it off, and I can't shut down every time I feel a little sore." He didn't give up just because he was sore. Terry Fox kept going to accomplish his dream of hoping that he could run across Canada not only for himself but for others who are also suffering from cancer. He also said, "People were still lining the road saying, "Keep going, don't give up, you can do it, you can make it, we're all behind you." There was a camera crew waiting to film me. I don't think they even realized that they had filmed my last mile people were still saying, 'You can make it all the way Terry.' I started to think about those comments in that mile too. 'Yeah, I thought, this might be my last one.' Therefore the support of the people, Fox kept going even though he suspected it was his last run, he still kept on going and didn't stop because he felt pain." As he kept going, he tried to be hopeful, lifting his chin up high for what he had accomplished and done. On September 1st, 1980, Terry Fox's last run was outside of Thunder Bay where he needed to stop since he began to cough and feel pain in his chest. Although he had kept going to achieve his hopes, he needed to stop, no matter how much he wanted to finish what he had started. After his hope of overcoming cancer and trying to complete it, his marathon ended nine months later. His hope now lies in other peoples hands to raise money and helping Terry Fox accomplish his goal.

After Terry Fox stopped his 'Marathon of Hope', he died one month after his twenty third birthday. He died on June 28, 1981. Even though Terry Fox's journey is over, all across the world, people are supporting this cause and running to raise money for cancer research. Through his story of running across Canada, no one will ever forget his hope to accomplish his dreams. As his journey still continues, the first Terry Fox run was held in September 1981. More than 300,000 people joined in memory of Terry Fox and raised $3.5 million for finding a cure for cancer. The 'Marathon of Hope' is being supported by schools and other organizations to help support the cause. People still have hope that by supporting Terry Fox they can make a difference by raising money for cancer research.  As Mr Shaps, a man who lost his son to melanoma in 1978 just a year after Terry's diagnosis, said, “Terry did not lose his fight, perhaps he finished all he had to. Terry is like a meteor passing in the sky, one whose light travels beyond our view, yet still shines in the darkest night.” This shows that Terry Fox will always be with us, through his 'Marathon of Hope' By giving everyone hope to believe they can make a difference if they fight for it.

Through day and night Terry Fox ran to raise money for cancer research. Fox will always be remembered for his bravery and confidence, setting up a goal for himself and hoping for the best. He started the run across Canada, stopped in Thunder Bay because he couldn't go anymore, but his journey still continues with us every step of the way. Terry Fox's hopes and dreams lie in our hands to make a difference in the world.

Bringing Peace Together On One Day

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“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” 

–Mother Theresa

This quote talks about peace, and how it encourages us to believe in peace without war and conflict. This demonstrates the freedom in people and how everyone will live a happier and healthier life with peace in the world. Peace helps us become a better person through the years. This creates everyone to become equal in the world for one day. I believe peace is worth being fought for.

On September 21^st, 1999 was the day the United Nations (UN) declared peace day as an international day around the world. On this day, peace will bring closer each nation for just one day. 'Peace One Day' was founded by a film-maker named Jeremy Gilley. He created this day to promote equality, and non violence. He thought that the world did not have enough peace to contribute to the world. He also demonstrated peace to encourages others because he believe this will help our nation. This encourages people around the nation to consider the fact that peace is everywhere and it is our job to make it happen everyday and not only on September 21^st every year. 

Jeremy Gilley goal was to make a difference in the world, he was idealistic and the impetus of change toward our world. He stood up towards the nation and made a difference. The reason peace is important to fight for is because many places in Asia are fighting and having war. For example, when war starts what happens to all the children and women when men are out fighting? This day helps us to stop and think about the future and how it will affect us, especially the future children. Peace helps us to consider how there will be no violence and war and everyone will put down their weapons for a least one day and hopefully realize how better the world is with love and compassion. Love and compassion lets us figure out what helps us encourage peace and become humane.  One example, Jeremy Gilley did was he went around the world first to interview others on what they think about having 'Peace' for one day means to them. When he got many different answers, since they were listening to the popele on there ideas, it helped him realize what he needed to do. Peace gives us hope for the future to make it better for others. 


As Jeremy Gilley believes in peace he encourages others to promote peace. The Coca Cola Company, and Puma AG collaborated and help to continue money for awarenesses. Just on one day in the world it allows us to reach out to the children who are dying and hungry in the world and help them by donating and making a difference in our life to help others. Going back to the quote, it makes me realize that by helping others it will make a difference, just by setting a goal for ourselves. 

Jeremy Gilley went on a journey, not only for peace but to also help others. In 2006, there was a life saving activity that helped other countries in the world with starvation. On Peace Day the World Food Programme donated 30 tonnes of food to Southern Sudan, to help them. This created big change on September 21^st, not only did many people participate but it was going around internationally and being spread around through different cities. Although many people are helping the world become a better place, Jeremy Gilley is also going to schools and helping children understand the meaning of peace and how we can make a difference through the future. 

As peace brings people closer together it also helps us. It helps us to understand and have power and control on life and our future. Without peace our world will become corrupted and have wars every time. With peace it gives us a better understanding to put away our guns and fustration and just live a day with a soul for our family and friends. Just by doing very little for yourself on Peace Day you can accomplish anything.  

Speak Out!

You need wisdom
to be able to
question authority
to implore opinions.

Questioning society
about what you
personally believe in
challenges generations
to declare
and speak out
for
themselves.

Group Work

(Ali, Cathrien, Marisa, and Megan)

I Have A Dream

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote shows it doesn’t matter what skin color you are or where you come from in the world you shouldn’t be judge, but by the things you do. It encourages us to consider the fact that everyone in the world is equal no matter who you are. I believe that Equality is worth fighting for.

America, 1963. Racial Segregation and Racial Recrimination demonstrates the different equality between the types of people due to there skin color. The differences caused great chaos between the two types of people, black and white. This shows in the early 60’s how black people did not have the same equality as white people in America.

America will always remember Martin Luther King Jr who decided to stand up for what he believes in. This was a story of hope and peace. One man stood up to both races and bravely told a speech. He believed that racism between black and white was becoming unequal. Martin Luther King Jr died on April 4, 1968, which happened to become a tragic death. This demonstrates how no matter who you are in the world or how you look they should be equal. His speech, “I Have A Dream” approached many people to realised what has happened in the world. This created a big changed through the nation. Equality is important to fight for because they are both the same but different because of there skin color.

As Martin Luther King Jr fought for what he believed in, he was inspired by one specific man who also influences two different types of man. His name was Ghandi. This heroic man stood up for what he believes in. Ghandi as a power of faith used non violence to win over the freedom and civil rights for India. He still inspires many across the world. The two other men’s that was also influence by Ghandi were Howard Thurman a classmate of Martin Luther King Jr father, who was an educator and civil right leader. His mission was to meet Ghandi, who told him to bring back the words of “Non Violence” back to the United States. Later Howard Thurman decided to create the first racially integrated, intercultural church in 1944. The other man was Bayard Rustin who was also inspired by Ghandi work with “Non Violence”. He mentored Martin Luther King through out his political actions. Bayard Rustin was an American Leader for civil rights and gay rights for human rights. Three people all inspired by “Non Violence” showed Martin Luther King Jr what he needed to do.

The Montgomery Bus Boyott showed him what he needed to work on. This demonstrates the lack of equality in the world. On March, 1955 a young girl by the age of 15 decided to sit at the front of the bus. Claudette Colvins refused to gives her seat on the bus to a Caucasian man. Her reason was fairly simple, Claudette was a pregnant woman, and was still in high school. Martin Luther King Jr decided to look into the case, but later the court decided to close the case and wait for a better case to chase. After several months later, on December 1st 1995, Rosa Parks also refused her seat for a Caucasion man. All of the black people in her row moved but not her. She was arrested and sent into trail. Martin Luther King Jr decided to lead this trail. It lasted for 385 days, which ended with Martin’s house being bombed. Towards the end they came to an agreement which ended racial segregation on all the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. Martin Luther King believed in what he needed to do.

Additionally Martin Luther King Jr was disappointed, by the lack of respect for black people. He decided to represent, “March of Washington for Jobs and Freedom”. This encourages him to do this role, since he was a representative to ascend President John f. Kennedy changes. This concerned President Kennedy that the impact of negativity of civil rights wouldn’t proceed, but due to there organizer it was a march that would precede no matter what happens. Different people that supported civil rights for African American were there. About 70-85% of the people were black and the rest where white. Later that day Martin Luther King delivered his, “I Have a Dream” speech.

This is important because everyone has a dream but nobody is willing to stand up and fight for what they believe in. Martin Luther King did. He delivered a speech that was touching and used the terms, racial equality to end discrimination. Over all the people that supported him and civil rights were over 2,000. He had a powerful, peaceful speech at the Lincoln Monuments to all the people around him. “I Have a Dream.”

No matter who you are in the world you can always stand up for what you believed in. Just like this heroic figure Martin Luther King stood up not only for equality but for the hearts of others.

A World With Peace

“Everything in life has an opposite. While one brings devastation; the other brings peace.”
- Freddy Mella

Peace is defined as hope.

If I were given the opportunity to begin a New World, I would hope the society would be built around Peace. Peace is an important characteristic because it’s explain the freedom of the people living the new world, it stops war from happening, and it gives people and animals a healthier place to live when pollutions stops.

Additionally it is important for a society to be built around freedom in peace. It allows people to live wherever they would like, and not be accused of the crimes they did because of their ethnicity or religion. I think it is important that freedom in peace will bring people together. This allows the new world to become free. People will not have to worry about what is going on in the world. Since they are allowed to do whatever they like. If there were many rules in the Old World that strictly disallowed you to do things, for example walk out at 5pm-9pm. Then the New World at least give you freedom to walk whatever time you like and not be judge what time you have to be home.

Secondly do to the fact of freedom, peace will also allow war to stop. It allows war to stop, so that the world will become peaceful. Peace gives an opportunity for war to stop because then it will make the world a happier place to live in. The countries in the world will stop fighting with each other and the people will not have to worry and hide from the war. The new world is important because it will help to establish many new things, so that the people would not have to worry about the fights going on. This will decrease the levels of crimes in the world due to peace. When war stops the world will become in peace. Peace will allow everyone to live in a safe environment and not worry about the different types of arguments that are going on.

This society of the new world will also help the economic welfare. I believe it will stop pollution because then there would be fresh air to breath, making the society healthier. Peace will create a clean environment for the animals and the people living in the new world. This will stop animals from dying since there is peace for every living thing. If we had peace in the new world there would be more hope for the people. Creating the new world will provide everything to change so that the importance of peace will change the Old world. Without peace, the new world would become terrifying, everyone would be devastated, and pollution would be everywhere.

Just picture in your mind the thought of the old world....

What about sunrise
What about rain
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain.. .
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores?

Aaaaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaaaah

What have we done to the world
Look what we've done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son...
What about flowering fields
Is there a time
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores

-Michael Jackson

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Friendly, frightening Frim

During our field trip to Frim it was very frightening and friendly at the same time. There where four activities that we did but the one that I am focusing on is the humanities activity. The humanities activity was based on the Hunger Games by Susan Collins. We had to survive. The teachers where the Capitol and the rest of us where set into districts. This was very intense because the teacher where the Capitol and they didn't describe much about what we where going to do. Since we couldn't disturb the Capitol it was hard to ask question.

First off we had a list and we needed to choose 5 items from the list. We where aloud to choose five items and the items my groups chose was a first aid kit, matches, mossy net, compass and the camping crockery. We needed these 5 items to survive and we needed to compete for the item, since they where only one item in the Capitol. We needed the first aid kit incase anyone got hurt, a match to lit up fire, a mossy net to protect us from critters, a compass to know where we are if we got lost in other districts trying to fight, and a camping crockery to use it for utensils to cook. However most of us did not get all our items because other groups where faster. When we didn't get all ur items I felt destroyed inside because my group didn't know what do use it for, so we had to create a new idea for the new items we got and I felt relieved that we could work with the items we got even though it wasn't the ones we want. We got a frisbee, tarp and a tissue box. We decided to use the frisbee for a shield or throwing it at someone, my group decides to use the tarp to protect us if it rained at night and we use the tissue box to wipe of blood off our enemies so later on we could eat them for food.

After we got our items we needed to choose where our district would be. The capitol gave us instructions what we needed to do but it was not clear because everyone was in a rush. Once we got to our district, my group seted up for our drama activity that took time. When we heard we needed to dance and sing our group quickly got an idea but then it failed because some of the group members did not like the idea. Then we decided to sing, " We are the Champions " and all the members of our district like the song and the dance moves. It was hard to get the dance move right when suddenly the Capitol came to ask us what we used the item we got for. Then we needed to dance and sing. Once we started singing and dancing after a while the Capitol told us to stop and we felt confused because we where not done. After our performance the Capitol gave us 2 items because they where impress with our performance. They gave us fettel seed which could heal people and an invisible bag where we could sneak up on other groups with.

The dangers in our district would be the enemies at night because we could see all the district but where our district where we could attack on only one, since we where behind a tree so my group got protected by the big tree. Since our district decided to build our district on top it was not bad because when it was raining the water would not drown us since we where not very low since the forest was slanted and we went on top. Another danger was the trees because many of our enemies could hide behind the trees since we where in a forest and sneak up on us and kill us. If the enemies killed us we could not be able to keep our district safe because other group would have taken over our district.

What I would have wish for if I needed more protection for my district. I would have wish for weapons or a rope because if we had weapons such as a knife, shield, etc . This would have helped us because if an enemies came or we went to another district we could have just taken our weapons and started killing them if they where attacking them. I also would have wished for a rope because we could tie it on a branche on top of the tree then we could have slept on top of the tree and watch our enemies from the tree because we could use the rope to build a ladder or just use the rope. The strength that I used to participate in my group was being the thinker and helping other what we could have use the items we got for. Another strength I used was participating because even though I thought some of the move we did where not my type of move I did it anyways because I wanted to participate and not be the sour loser.

The connections I had with the book the Hunger Games is knowing how Katniss felt when she was being watch by other Districts and other people. I felt another connection with the book and Katniss because of surviving in the forest and becoming a District and working with others. If we where really playing the Hunger Game I think it would be hard and tough and I would have felt like Katniss, frightened and scared. During our group and how we didn't choose our group I didn't feel bad about it because I knew we needed to work and at least get something done. Even though my group was very loud I didn't care because I knew the people in my group would work.

What I learned about nature is that we should care about it and the organism around us. This is because if we don't many of the rare organisms might be extinct and we would not be able to see it. When we went on the night hike it was very beautiful because you can hear, see and smell nature. You can hear the sounds of the birds, chirping and the monkey's screeching. The natural organism you could see where the tree that never touch each other and the dragonfly that looked like a caterpillar with glow in the dark eyes. Finally what you could smell was the Latex that the guild burnt to let us smell which to me smelled like rubber.

I things that I learnt about myself is how much effort I put into caring about nature, myself and others around me. The SLR's I used to learn about myself are think creatively, communicate effectively, and collaborate constructively. I think I did all of these SLR's because I think creatively by helping my group in the humanities activity, to help what we used the items for, communicate effectively with my group when we went hiking and with the humanities activity and finally collaborate constructively to keep a positive attitude with the teachers and the students.