What can I do to help protect our planet?

I want to find out through research what kind of action I can take in order to help save our planet. I would like to educate myself and help to educate other people about the things we do on a daily basis that are damaging to our planet. I would then like to try and help people realize the importance of recycling and reusing things in order to prevent pollution.
Lately I've been curious to learn what contributions or efforts have been made or are being made by other countries as far as recycling industrial products, and protecting our planet from further pollution is concerned. What changes have these countries implemented in order to diminish or stop flow of toxic waste and pollution?
After doing some exploration of my City, I have noticed that the great majority of people are in total ignorance of what’s going on, ignorant of the fact that little by little, we are destroying our planet. Most people are unaware of how responsible everyone of us is for the pollution caused by the garbage we produce. Lately I've been more keen to notice the unconscionable behavior of people everywhere, disposing of their garbage by simply throwing it on the floor. Walking through Broadway, I can see all the trash everywhere on the sidewalk, on the streets, and in the park. I wonder if the people who litter our landscape with their trash are aware their behavior attract rats and other pests-not to mention the fact that they are contaminating the environment itself.
After doing some research on the internet I've come to learn that I'm not the only one concerned about pollution, and looking for some education on how to help remedy the problem. As it turns out, many people have been educating themselves through the use of videos found on the internet, or by reading articles that offer sensible suggestions an ideas on how to help protect our planet from further contamination. For example, I read a article written by Sarah Penniman and Lisa McColl which talks about the different things done by libraries in order to contribute to the recycling and reuse of different materials, as a measure to help protect our planet. For example, libraries donate “paperbacks to nearby prison, popular fiction books to stores like Goodwill, and picture books to a literacy initiative run by the Police Athletic League, (p. 1).” ).” According to Jane C. Neale, the author of “Go Green,” libraries are also donating books to their communities, (p. 1).” In her article, Sarah Penniman also points out that libraries are doing their best to use electronic mail as much as possible so as to avoid the use of paper.
In many schools, teachers are educating their students about the importance of recycling and reusing things in order to minimize the use of resources, which is a way to reduce garbage. For example, in an article written by John Wood, he mentions how some teachers are teaching their students such skills as recycling paper to make new paper, as well as other skills that involve the use of a recycled component.
Having read the above articles made me realize that there are other people out there who are doing something in benefit of protecting our planet. Unfortunately, however, it's sad to realize that there is so much more to be done. One very important thing remaining to be done is educating our communities. My contribution in trying to combat this problem will be to promote recycling through the lessons and activities I do in my school from here on out.

Philly Trash Matters

http://phillytrashmatters.wordpress.com/

I like this blog because it provides many interesting links related to recycling.
It also gives you ideas on how to re-use many of the items we use on a daily basis,
such as light bulbs, plastic cans, and cardboard. This Blog has many images, videos
and slide shows, with more information on recycling-related topics. One of the most
interesting videos I found on this blog is one called “ 12 Amazing Objects Made from Plastic Bags,” which shows how a Chilean industrial designer uses plastic to make boots, bags, and other useful things.
Going Green-Ask Anna

http://www.giveme20.com/blog/-

This is another great blog where you can find very interesting posts and comments that make you reflect on the importance of recycling, and the things that we could be doing to make it a practice. For example, there's an interesting post on this blog that tells us of how we often forget to bring reusable bags to the store. The creator of this blog provides us with interesting information about the ways in which we are destroying our planet, such as by throwing away millions of bags that end up in the ocean. On this blog, you can also find great ideas about the many recyclable gifts that we can give our children and loved ones, such as used toy truck, car, or doll. This blog also provides many videos and pictures of items that can be reused or recycled.
Mother Nature Network
http://www.mnn.com/

This is a blog where you can find many educational activities for parents and teachers. This blog also provides you with great tips on how to raise healthy kids. Here you can also find the news on important current issues in our schools, such as how our kids are not getting an adequate meal for lunch, and how we can protect our kids from toxic water.
I picked these blogs because they provide really useful information and ideas about
how to reuse and recycle things, such as bringing out reusable bags every time I go to the store. What I have learned by on these blogs is very valuable information that I can pass on to my students or fellow teachers.

Teaching people that are close to you about the importance of recycling is a way of helping your community become a cleaner, and safer place.

The blogs below are also other important and

interesting blogs were you will be able to learn

a lot, and share your ideas about recycling.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/blog

http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/