Each year, 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes, according to research by the Rochester Institute of Technology. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, and even then it’s never really gone. It breaks down, causing harm to animals and wildlife, and is eventually ingested by humans. 

Plastic is almost unavoidable in our daily lives. It’s important for us to be aware – and be smart consumers – of when plastic is necessary and when it’s not. 

For instance, in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, plastic is critically important to protect health care workers and others on the front lines. From disposable plastic gloves to face shields to disposable packaging for sterile medical equipment, plastic products keep health care professionals and patients safe. 

But, do all of us really need to be using as many single-use plastic bags or takeout utensils or single-use water bottles? 

Recycling isn’t the answer.  Much of what we use can’t be recycled. Instead, the best solution is to reduce plastic use from the start. 

We know it’s not easy! Several members of our staff took the Plastic-Free Week challenge last year. They learned that it’s hard to avoid plastic but also learned a lot about making smarter choices. 

Earth Week Challenge: How Plastic-Free Can You Be?

What simple changes can you and your family make to reduce plastic use? 

Take our challenge: How Plastic-Free Can You Be? Use this spreadsheet to track your single-use plastic use for one day. 

For this activity, keep a log of how much single-use plastic your household uses in one day. With the spreadsheet, mark each item you use. 

Email us your total and share your thoughts by answering these discussion questions or having a family conversation about the challenge:

• How much plastic did you consume? Were you surprised? 
• What single-use plastic items are you using more of during the current health crisis?
• What unnecessary plastics did you use – and what is a good alternative?

It’s the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and we’re celebrating our big blue planet. This week, we’ll have three special activities for H.O.M.E.School students and their families. 

This week, we will learn how much of the Earth’s water is freshwater, how we as humans use it, and some ways we can conserve and protect the Great Lakes. We’ll also think about the challenges many families face when they’re unable to get access to clean, safe drinking water.

Time/Materials

These activities will take up to 30 minutes per day. 

You’ll need:

• Computer
• Optional: printer and writing utensil

Ready? Head to the Classroom!

Watch the video below to learn about freshwater and the Great Lakes.

Share the Learning

Discuss with you kid(s): Do you think there is a lot of water on planet Earth? What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater? How do you use freshwater? Why are the Great Lakes important to you? What do you think you could do to help preserve the Great Lakes?

Activity

Complete the Know Your H20 Challenge, where you and your household will log water consumption throughout one day. Then discuss how we use water, and what it means to not have water.

Check back Wednesday for the second activity. 

Deep Dive

Want to learn more? Check out these resources!

• Learn more about World Water Day and how to protect our precious water resources from SCARCE – a local organization that supports teachers and individuals in protecting our planet.
• Learn about water conservation practices:
  • Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Sense for Kids page to learn some easy, everyday ways to save water.
    
  • Then take our Know Your H2O Quiz to see if you know how to conserve and protect Great Lakes water.
    
  • Graph your water use logs before and after water conservation practices with our “Water, Water Everywhere” lesson from our Great Lakes in My World K-8 curriculum (Grades 4 & up).
• Review this “Watery World” activity from Atlantic Cup’s Kids Portal to learn more about the freshwater and saltwater on Earth.

Find more Great Lakes lessons at H.O.M.E.School.

Many of us take the water flowing from our taps at home for granted. The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. Living in the Great Lakes region, it’s hard to imagine life without water. 

But many people in Great Lakes communities don’t have access to, or can’t afford, safe, clean water at home. How is this possible? 

Costs for residential water and sewer service are going up, forcing people to make economic trade-offs to pay water and sewer bills. And water is contaminated in many areas — from lead-contaminated drinking water to PFAS contaminated ground water. No one should have to choose between food and clean water.

Access to clean water is more important than ever. Covid-19 has reinforced the deep connection between water and public health. Hand-washing is vital public health advice in this crisis, but you can’t wash your hands, or prevent the spread of this virus, without access to water. 

Earth Week Challenge: Know Your H20

How much water do you or your family use? Can you imagine what it would be like to be without clean water? 

Take our Know Your H20 challenge. Track your water consumption for one day with our water log. And let us know what you learn. 

For the challenge, keep a log of how much water your household uses — download our easy-to-use spreadsheet. 

Mark each time you turn on the tap or use water in your home. Record it all…tooth brushing, washing dishes or running the dishwasher, laundry, showers, toilet flushes, handwashing, using water for drinking or cooking, etc.

The spreadsheet will automatically tally up how many gallons you use.

Email us your total and share your thoughts by answering these discussion questions or having a family conversation about the challenge:

• What does your daily water use add up to?
• Were you surprised by the final number?
• What would your day be like without clean water from the tap?
• What are easy steps you can take to conserve water?
• How can you help ensure others have access to safe, clean water?

By Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO

The Covid-19 crisis has turned our world upside down, causing devastating loss of life and economic hardship for many around the Great Lakes and around the world. And the pandemic is tragically highlighting the inequalities in our communities. It’s leading me to reflect on what’s most important to me, my family, and the Alliance for the Great Lakes. 

All of this collides with two big anniversaries. This year, the Alliance celebrates 50 years of protecting the lakes. And this Wednesday, April 22, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Anniversaries and crises both lead to reflection, so there has been a lot of introspection around our virtual office lately. What’s most important to our communities and the Great Lakes? How can the Great Lakes support safe, healthy communities for everyone? Where do we go from here?

We know one thing for sure. Clean water is more important than ever. Our guiding vision of ensuring clean, safe water for all stands strong. Covid-19 has reinforced the deep connection between water and public health. Hand-washing is vital public health advice in this crisis but you can’t wash your hands, or prevent the spread of this virus, without access to water. 

The Great Lakes are our world’s largest surface fresh water supply. Yet many people in our Great Lakes communities do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. It was unacceptable before this crisis that anyone would be without clean, safe water in their home. But in the midst of a pandemic, it is unconscionable that people are without water. We commend the states and cities that have taken action to halt water shut-offs and restore residential water service during this crisis, and this work should continue after the crisis has passed.

We also see that the death toll from Covid-19 is highest among African Americans, the elderly, and those who suffer from chronic health conditions like asthma that are often the result of local pollution sources. Front line workers provide services that are critically needed to support our communities. These health care personnel, grocery store clerks, bus drivers, warehouse workers, and many others are bearing most of the risk. We must support those in need and those who are on the front lines during this crisis. 

Right now, the Great Lakes region can lead by protecting public health, and ensuring everyone has access to safe, clean water. And we – all of us around the Great Lakes – can decide to place safe and clean water at the center of our communities and make them healthier and more equitable than before. We’re urging Congress to invest in fixing our failing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. These investments support getting people back to work and protect public health, a win for everyone.

Looking forward, together we can create a Great Lakes region and a planet with thriving, healthy ecosystems and communities. Fifty years ago, the founders of the Lake Michigan Federation, which eventually became the Alliance for the Great Lakes, had a big vision for protecting our lakes. And fifty years ago, the founders of Earth Day had big hopes for harnessing the power of the people to protect our planet. I urge you to remember that passion, and think big about the next 50 years. 

This Earth Week, we planned to be outside, enjoying the lakes with thousands of supporters at hundreds of Spring Kickoff Adopt-a-Beach cleanups. Like you, many of our supporters also expected to join other Earth Day activities around the lakes, from small community tree plantings to massive youth Climate Strike rallies. 

We’re sad not to join you in person, but we can see you online. Join us to think big this week. What can you do to help the Great Lakes, our communities, and our planet?

The Alliance is organizing a week of activities to get the conversation started. You’ll see via email and social media Alliance activities you can do on your own, or with friends and family. We’ll ask you to chronicle your water and plastic use. And we’ll be asking you to think about the actions you can take to start on the next 50 years of Great Lakes protection. 

Join me, along with a few members of our staff, this Friday at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern for a Facebook Live event to chat about the Great Lakes and share your vision for the next 50 years. Keep an eye out on our social media channels for more details. 

These are tough times but I have faith in the resilience of our communities and our waters, and in the creativity of people like you. I hope you find a way to join me this week to look forward to the next 50 years.