WATER-DASH!

3 games in one! You are an arctic penguin out to prevent disease, save the environment, and deliver clean water to the needy. Grab a bucket and get started!

FACTS ABOUT WATER

• As an American, you probably can't imagine not having access to water. You get up in the morning, take a shower, go to the bathroom, flush the toilet, wash your hands--come on, what child hasn't been lectured by grandma on washing their hands after playing outside, before eating.... Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, many people, more than 3 times the total population of the US, do not have access to clean water.
• Tragically, more than 5 million people in poor countries die every year from water-related diseases, of which the majority are children. We can prevent this from happening.
• Right now, in the U.S. Congress, there is a bill that can strengthen American efforts to provide affordable access to clean water and sanitation to the world's poorest countries. This bill would also help us reach the Millennium Development Goals, improving the lives of people across the globe. Make a difference--send a message to your Representative asking him or her to support the Water for the Poor Act.

THE O-ZONE

It’s a hot summer day in the city. Pollution is on the rise, threatening to burn away the O-Zone. It’s up to you to save the city!

FACTS ABOUT THE OZONE

• NASA reported that in the year 2000, the hole in the ozone layer was three times larger than the United States. The good news is that the ozone can repair itself when we reduce harmful pollution.
• To cut back the release of harmful chemicals into the air, countries came together to sign the Montreal Protocol in 1987. To date, 183 countries have signed this international treaty, agreeing to gradually stop producing the substances responsible for the hole in the ozone.
• The Montreal Protocol represents the kind of success that can be achieved when countries work together to tackle global problems.
• Now it is time to go even further to protect ourselves and our environment. 140 countries have signed the Kyoto treaty which will further reduce greenhouse gases. Though the United States did not sign this treaty, it's not too late for us to to do something. It is time to start thinking about smart solutions and strategies beyond Kyoto, in which the United States should take a leadership role.

TUMBLING TRASH

There's trouble brewing at the Puddlestown recycling plant! The recycling sorting machine is broken and it’s your job to make sure things work out ok!

FACTS ABOUT RECYCLING

• In 2005, recycling is projected to save enough energy to power 6 million American Households.
• Recycling one aluminum can will produce enough energy to power your computer for 3 hours.
• Recycling one ton of material sustains 10 times more jobs than if that material were thrown away.
• The money saved from recycling one soda bottle could pay for an hour and a half of television.
• Right now, the US recycles about 11% of waste and other materials. The benefit of recycling is clear. Are you doing your part to make sure that every soda can is put in the proper bin and recycled instead of thrown away? Such a little thing can make a huge difference!

CRATE-CROSS

A humanitarian crisis has erupted and people urgently need supplies. As an aid worker, it is your job to deliver the food and other material to the people as fast as possible. Good Luck!

FACTS ABOUT HUMANITARIAN AID

• When it comes to giving money and resources to help the less-fortunate abroad, Americans are some of the most generous people in the world.
• In response to the 2004 tsunami crisis, Americans and the United States government joined individuals and countries around the globe in donating billions of dollars in relief aid.
• The U.S. government, American citizens, and NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) donated more than $2 billion to tsunami relief!

TOXIC TOWN

Poor air quality has become a serious problem for the people of Tocksey. Can you convince the skeptical town’s people to save themselves?

FACTS ABOUT ENERGY

• Cars and trucks use 40% of America’s oil and account for 1/3 of the country’s production of carbon dioxide, the "greenhouse" gas that contributes most to climate change.
• Climate Change is a global problem that needs a global solution. No country can solve the problem of climate change on its own, so everyone needs to work together to make sure that in 20 years we can all live as well as we do now.
• With today’s technology, a wind turbine can produce power more cheaply than gas or coal -- and with NO pollution. So let's encourage our friends and family to use more technology that helps the Earth.
• We already know that driving accounts for most of our greenhouse gases that lead to climate change. 31% of car trips in the US are one mile or less. So it would make a huge difference if we all started walking or biking those short distances--not only is it good for the environment, it's also good exercise for you!

GLOBAL WARNING

Island factories are harming the atmosphere with sky-high levels of industrial pollution. As an international watch-dog with a wicked speed-boat, you have to make sure they know and abide by the Kyoto Treaty.

FACTS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

• Climate Change is a global problem that needs a global solution. No country can solve the problem of climate change on its own, so everyone needs to work together to make sure that in 20 years we can all live as well as we do now.
• Climate Change is caused by greenhouse gases, produced by the burning of fuels like oil, gas and coal. The gases get trapped in the atmosphere and cause the surface temperature of the Earth to rise.
• The Americans make up only 4% of the world's population, yet we are responsible for more than 25% of the world's greenhouse gases. We need to be more responsible and do something to turn this situation around.
• The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty in which 140 countries agree to reduce their production of greenhouse gases and global warming. While the U.S. hasn't signed this treaty, it's not too late for us to do something. Let's do our part to stop climate change!

THE BRINK

So you want to save the world, huh? Let’s see if you can pass the test of re-allocating resources like food, water and medicine to give everyone a fair shot at survival.

FACTS ABOUT POVERTY & DEVELOPMENT

• Growing up in the United States is, in many ways, a unique experience because we are the richest country in the world. You probably don't worry about where your next meal is coming from and, for kids, school is a way of life.
• Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, not everybody can go to school, meaning that many people never learn to read or write. If you happen to be a girl elsewhere in the world, your chances of attending school are even smaller. Not to mention that since one out of every five people lives on less than $1 a day, too many go hungry every night and way too many die every day of hunger. This can be prevented.
• That's why the United Nations came up with the Millennium Development Goals. Achieving these goals would mean that every child, no matter if they live in the U.S. or Uganda, will attend school and that the world's poorest people will be helped. Want to make sure the U.S. does its part to combat global poverty? Sign the petition to President Bush.

RECYCLE MANIA

Did you know you can make energy out of what you recycle? You can do your part by testing your reflexes and see how much you can recycle in a minute! Be prepared because this game moves fast!

MORE FACTS ABOUT RECYCLING

• Every day American businesses generate enough paper to circle the earth 20 times.
• Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water--how many swimming pools is that?!
• Americans use more than 67 million tons of paper per year, or about 580 pounds per person. So, if we recycled all of the paper that we use, we could save over 1 billion trees every year. Which brings us to the next cool fact:
• One tree can take out up to 60 pounds of pollutants from the air each year. So if we save all of those trees by recycling, we can help the environment and improve the quality of the air we breathe tremendously.
• This simple thing--making sure that paper and cans and other recyclables go into the right bins--can have a huge impact and can begin to address the problem of global climate change.

FOOD FORCE

The UN has created their own cutting edge learning tool! In this game, you learn about food aid, and work towards a world without hunger. Each mission represents a part of the process of delivering food aid to an area in crisis.