Plant-for-the-Planet

Plant-for-the-Planet
A 'cheeky' and fun global campaign
Becoming an international cause
Proposals for the future of the world's climate
A child's idea for the planet
A global youth foundation with a democratic structure
Planning the campaign
The beliefs behind the campaign
Convincing leaders through actions at large meeting
1. A child's idea for the planet
The children's initiative Plant-for-the-Planet, first launched in 2007, was brought to life by the then 9-year-old Felix Finkbeiner, who felt inspired to take action following a school report on the climate crisis. While carrying out his research, Felix became aware of Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai and her initiative that had led to the planting of 30 million trees over 30 years. By the time he had finished his research project, Felix had developed his own vision of 1 million trees being planted in each country by children around the world. Felix went on to other classes and schools to present his report and his vision. Just a few weeks later, on the 28th of March 2007, the first tree was officially planted.
2.
Over the next two years Felix brought the Plant-for-the-Planet initiative to the world. In June 2008, at the UNEP children's conference in Norway, Felix presented his vision. 700 children delegates, from over 105 countries were so inspired that they voted Felix onto the UNEP Junior Board. Felix has since spoken at many important environmental and climatic events. In August 2009 at the UNEP Tunza Children and Youth Conference in Daejeon. South Korea, Plant-for-the-Planet officially progressed into a global children's movement. At this time hundreds of children from 56 different countries committed themselves to join the initiative and work towards planting 1 million trees in their own countries
3. 
Of particular importance to the children is the conviction that it is most often developing countries that are hit hardest by the consequences of climate change. The children are convinced that a solution for climate justice can only be reached through the implementation of a binding global treaty. Plant-for-the-Planet children have been campaigning tirelessly and the children are also taking action themselves by planting trees. This is viewed both as a practical act, as each tree removes harmful C02 from the atmosphere, and as a pivotal symbolic action for climate justice.
4. 
On May 4th 2010, 45 children from Plant-for-the-Planet, together with Environmental Ministers from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Turkey and Mexico planted the one millionth tree in Germany. This planting initiative was held under the programme heading "Stop Talking. Start Planting", and took place alongside the so-called "Petersburg Climate Dialogue" being held in Bonn. This was also the location where preparations were being made for the climate summit in Cancun. Together with delegates and important participants in the World Climate Change Conference COP 16 in Cancun, December 2010, the children planted another 193 trees. Through this action the children were able to demonstrate to the participating representatives just how important it is that they adopt a global contract for climate justice.
5. 
If the children were the government leaders, and had to face the big decisions at the next climate summit, they would already have a clear plan of action for the future. On 1st July 2010, the children handed over their "3-Point-Plan" to 133 embassies in Berlin. They also put forward their challenge to the government leaders to reveal their plans and proposed solutions for the climate crisis and subsequently the procurement of a safe future. Their plan:
1) Carbon to be shipped to the Museum: Zero emissions by 2050.
2) Climate Justice: If you want more carbon you have to pay for it.
3) Planting Trees: If 500 Million trees were planted every year, this would mean an additional 5 million tonnes of C02 could be removed from the atmosphere.
6. 
The world-wide slogan for Plant-for-the-Planet is "Stop Talking. Start Planting". The children are adamant in their belief that talking alone does not achieve results and that now is the time for action. This slogan has been adapted into an eye-catching promotion where the children stand along side high profile community members, holding their hand over the respective community member's mouth and face. A number of prominent community members, such as Prince Albert II of Monaco, Gisele Bundchen and Muhammad Yunus, have already participated.
7. 
Plant-for-the Planet is set up as a worldwide network. The individual clubs are represented by a world-wide board of directors. Children everywhere are able to cast their votes through the internet. The Foundation helps to fund the activities of children worldwide and the board, with an average age of 12, is probably one of the youngest foundation boards in the world. The tenure of a board member is one year and re-election is not allowed. Adults help the children with advice and practical support.

Beowulf
Origins of Beowulf
Appeal and Value
Proud acceptance of his fate
An anonymous author
Learning from their predecessors
The Beowulf manuscript
Religious influence in Anglo-Saxons- Extra Heading
Advances in weaponry
1. Origins of Beowulf
The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English, is the earliest existing Germanic epic and one of four surviving Anglo-Saxon manuscripts. Although Beowulf was written by an anonymous Englishman in Old English, the tale takes place in that part of Scandinavia from which Germanic tribes emigrated to England. Beowulf comes from Geatland, the southeastern part of what is now Sweden. Hrothgar, king of the Danes, lives near what is now Leire, on Zealand, Denmark's largest island. The Beowulf epic contains three major tales about Beowulf and several minor tales that reflect a rich Germanic oral tradition of myths, legends, and folklore.

2. Advances in weaponry (qurol-aslaha)

The Beowulf warriors have a foot in both the Bronze and Iron Ages. Their mead-halls reflect the wealthy living of the Bronze Age Northmen, and their wooden shields (qalqonlar), wood-shafted spears (nayzalar), and bronze-hilted swords are those of the Bronze Age warrior. However, they carry iron-tipped spears, and their best swords have iron or iron-edged blades. Beowulf also orders an iron shield for his fight with a dragon. Iron replaced bronze because it produced a blade with a cutting edge that was stronger and sharper.

3. Learning from their predecessors (ota-bobo, ajdod)

The Northmen learned how to forge iron in about 500 B.C. Although they had been superior to the European Celts in bronze work, it was the Celts who taught them how to make and design iron work. Iron was accessible everywhere in Scandinavia, usually in the form of “bog-iron” found in the layers of peat in peat bogs. The Beowulf epic also reveals interesting aspects of the lives of the Anglo-Saxons who lived in England at the time of the anonymous Beowulf poet. The Germanic tribes, including the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes, invaded England from about A.d. 450 to 600. By the time of the Beowulf poet, Anglo-Saxon society in England was neither primitive nor uncultured.

4. The Beowulf manuscript

Although the Beowulf manuscript was written in about A.d. 1000, it was not discovered until the seventeenth century. Scholars do not know whether Beowulf is the sole surviving epic from a flourishing Anglo-Saxon literary period that produced other great epics or whether it was unique even in its own time. Many scholars think that the epic was probably written sometime between the late seventh century and the early ninth century. If they are correct, the original manuscript was probably lost during the ninth-century Viking invasions of Anglia, in which the Danes destroyed the Anglo-Saxon monasteries and their great libraries. However, other scholars think that the poet’s favorable attitude toward the Danes must place the epic’s composition after the Viking invasions and at the start of the eleventh century, when this Beowulf manuscript was written.

5. An anonymous author

The identity of the Beowulf poet is also uncertain. He apparently was a Christian who loved the pagan heroic tradition of his ancestors and blended the values of the pagan hero with the Christian values of his own country and time. Because he wrote in the Anglian dialect, he probably was either a monk in a monastery or a poet in an Anglo-Saxon court located north of the Thames River.

6. Appeal and Value

Beowulf interests contemporary readers for many reasons. First, it is an outstanding adventure story. Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon are marvelous characters, and each fight is unique, action-packed, and exciting. Second, Beowulf is a very appealing hero. He is the perfect warrior, combining extraordinary strength, skill, courage, and loyalty. like Hercules, he devotes his life to making the world a safer place. He chooses to risk death in order to help other people, and he faces his inevitable death with heroism and dignity. Third, the Beowulf poet is interested in the psychological aspects of human behavior. For example, the danish hero’s welcoming speech illustrates his jealousy of Beowulf. The behavior of Beowulf’s warriors in the dragon fight reveals their cowardice. Beowulf’s attitudes toward heroism reflect his maturity and experience, while King Hrothgar’s attitudes toward life show the experiences of an aged nobleman.

7. Proud acceptance of his fate

Finally, the Beowulf poet exhibits a mature appreciation of the transitory nature of human life and achievement. In Beowulf, as in the major epics of other cultures, the hero must create a meaningful life in a world that is often dangerous and uncaring. He must accept the inevitability of death. He chooses to reject despair; instead, he takes pride in himself and in his accomplishments, and he values human relationships
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