Public-television officials last week announced a partnership with five major education groups that is aimed at issuing a “call to action” to young people on environmental problems.
The effort will coincide with public television’s yearlong environmental theme, “Operation Earth,” which includes special national programming, local broadcasts focusing on regional environmental issues, educational materials for schools, and community-based activities at local stations.
“The obligation to solve our environmental problems belongs to each of us, including children,” Bruce L. Christensen, president of the Public Broadcasting Service, said in announcing the initiative at a press conference here. “Operation Earth will show what can be done now.”
The education organizations involved in the effort are the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Education Association, the National pta, and the National School Boards Association.
The groups will promote materials that suggest actions students and their families can take to help the environment, officials said.
The cornerstone of national PBS programming on the environment is a one-hour special, “Profit the Earth,” which profiles environmentalists and entrepreneurs who have new ideas on economically feasible ways of supporting ecology. The program airs April 16 at 8 P.M., Eastern time, on most PBS stations. It was scheduled to help mark the nationwide “Earth Day” on April 22. (See related story on next page.)
2 Publications Offered
In addition to including environmental themes in “Sesame Street” and other regular shows, PBS plans to air several special series later this year. They include “Race To Save the Planet,” a 10-part series on global conditions, and “Icewalk,” a four-part series featuring teenage scientists on an Arctic expedition. Dates for these programs have not been announced.
Many local stations are producing programs about regional environmental issues, PBS officials said, and even more are planning community-outreach activities to promote Earth Day or Operation Earth.
Two publications are available to teachers interested in planning activities related to Operation Earth.
“Save It! Easy Environmental Tips to Save the Earth,” produced by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Public Television Outreach Alliance, is a 16-page booklet for students. Packets of 35 copies, plus stickers and a poster, may be obtained for $39.95 from Custom Print Inc., 2611 Shirlington Rd., Arlington, Va. 22206. Bulk rates are available.
“Environmental Resource Compendium,” prepared by PBS, is a 66-page booklet containing information on programming, books, publications, posters, and computer resources about the environment. Copies are available for $10 each from the PBS Elementary/Secondary Service, Department PR, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, Va. 22314. A mailing label must be enclosed with each order.
