Climate Change Dynamos
Oct. 30, 2020
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Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, widely published writer, and founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank focused on the future of coastal cities. Her pragmatic approach inspired the APW team at the North American Association of Environmental Education conference this month! In addition to her other endeavors, she co-hosts a podcast called How to Save a Planet. In a recent episode, they shared the story of MrBeast, a YouTube star focused on 12 year-olds who raised $20 million through his 30 million viewers and planted 20 million trees for the planet.
Arizona Project WET is proud to be contributing to this effort as well as Tucson Mayor Regina Romero’s 1 Million Trees project by supplying the water to nourish trees through rainwater harvesting practices. In our Recharge the Rain project with Watershed Management Group, K-12 students design and install schoolyard rain basins across Tucson. We’ve planted 72 trees and 484 plants that, once established, will be able to survive on rainwater from roofs and sidewalks directed by earthworks. Trees not only add beauty and shade to our communities, but also offset 12% of our country’s CO2 emissions annually, according to Johnson's podcast. Additional student-led schoolyard rain basin installations are planned once we are able to work safely with students in-person again. See our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram about this podcast and send them to your friends!