Earth Systems Science, Inc.

Y.E.S.--Youth, Environment, Sustainability

You Should Say Y.E.S.

The health, vitality, and future of the neighborhood are in the hearts and minds of the people and especially the youth. The environment is the general background for the neighborhood. People want to see their community endure. Caring for the people and the local environment makes for a sustainable neighborhood. [Note: ESSI teaches neighbors to use the Geographic Systems Model to systematically characterize their neighborhood. To learn more about this model, use the hotlink at the bottom of this page.]

Earth Systems Science directs its community-based geography / environmental awareness and education curriculum to youth and their families. The goal is to strengthen neighborhood families by shared outdoor learning activities directly related to the local environment. [Note: To learn more about Community-based education and its successful use, see the hotlinks to relevant articles at the bottom of this page.]

As youth and families become more aware of the neighborhood environment, they can learn how to protect it. Better environmental protection of the neighborhood leads to a better quality of life.

Local Government Should Say Y.E.S

People living in neighborhoods vote for their local government. There are many issues and concerns in a city as large as Los Angeles. Each neighborhood is just one small community among many hundreds or thousands of others. Local governments cannot effectively deal with all neighborhood concerns. If you neighborhood is considered “low priority”, it may be a long time before you get any help from the government. If local governments nurture neighborhoods toward sustainability, they can better serve all neighborhoods.

Local neighborhood residents can stand together. When they all say Y.E.S. loud enough, and long enough, local governments will hear them. Adjacent neighborhoods can combine their efforts and make local government better aware of their combined greater needs. Youth and families use their knowledge about their local geography and environment to get the necessary local government services to help improve their neighborhood. Knowledge is power.

The Nation and the World Should Say Y.E.S.

Everyone living on Earth should have access to clean air, clean water, and a safe environment (neighborhood) for their children and families.

It may not happen all at once. It may not happen tomorrow. But it won't happen at all if we don't start today --- in our own backyard---in our neighborhood. After one neighborhood succeeds, another may follow. When enough neighborhoods succeed, then one city may succeed, and another may follow. And when enough cities succeed, then it might be a state, and then a nation---and possibly the world. A dream you say? Maybe. But it is a very nice dream, isn't it?

This page last updated: 26 Feb 2005

© 2002, revised 2005. Earth Systems Science, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Geographic Systems Model
Community-based Education
Community-based Education in Northern Thailand