Montreal Students get Down to Earth and Announce Forthcoming Book on Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 11, 2008 -- This May 100 students at Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal will launch their very own book titled Down to Earth. The collection of literature is an emotional response to global warming, environmental change and, most generally, Mother Nature's plight. The book features poems, essays and short stories which take an in-depth look at what our world might become if we do not act now to change the way we live.

Justin Trudeau, son of Canada's fifteenth Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, will speak at the launch. Trudeau wrote one of the two introductions to the collection along with Canada's first woman in space Roberta Bondar.

The publication is a project of the award-winning non-profit educational organization Learning for a Cause founded by Montreal educator and writer Michael Ernest Sweet. Learning for a Cause aims to engage students morally and socially through the act of creative writing. The organization holds a firm belief in the idea that the quill is mightier than the sword. The organization along with the dedicated leadership of Michael Sweet has made significant change in the way creative writing is approached in public schooling. The organization is leading the way internationally for classroom publishing having just been featured in Europe at the 6th International Forum for Education and Culture.

"We have to stop throwing away the brilliant, creative, poignant and often eye-opening creative works of children. Why do we ask children to write for the recycle bin? We are shutting out a whole generation of visionaries. Publish with your students, offer their voices to the world." - Michael Sweet, Founder Learning for a Casue

The anthology has already received wide advance praise. Canada's legendary environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki has said, "nature has inspired poetry for centuries, and it is clear that it continues to do so today. It is inspiring to see how the students of 
Lester B. Pearson have responded to the environmental changes we are beginning to witness. There are important lessons here for all of us, especially adults."

The first Canadian in space, Mark Garneau, has also endorsed the book. "I am arrested by the words in this book. They stop me in my tracks. They scream for action. I cannot dodge them, rationalize them or whisk them away. They speak of natural rhythms, of aching memories, of beauty that once was but is no longer. They sadden me. They madden me. They also galvanize me and tell me that I must act before another sun goes down.”

Down to Earth is a different kind of book about the environment. It is not filled with facts and figures, with reports and graphs... Down to Earth is packed with emotion, passion and vision. It is a book which poignantly illustrates our feelings in the face of change.

One student, Michael Langella, writes passionately about the sad day when polar bears will be the stuff of stories. "Thick and creamy, his fur glowed in the cold arctic night... Majestic and sovereign - He was a part of who we are and who we have become. We called him Polar Bear." Another student Anthony Perrozzi, who designed the book's cover, writes about our senseless energy consumption. "I stand here, in these illuminated streets, all the pretty lights surround, giving way to a dark future. Imagine, all these buildings aglow, despite what we already know."

Down to Earth will be launched at Lester B. Pearson High School, 11 575 PM Favier, Montreal, Quebec on May 14 at 7pm. The public and press are invited to attend. RSVP is required by leaving a message for Michael Sweet at (514) 328-4442 or fax (514) 328-4443.

The student authors from the collection are available for interview and/or readings from the collection as is the organizations founder. Requests for interview should be directed to Ms. Vani Sood, Executive Assistant to Michael Sweet at (514) 771-8640.

More information can be found online at http://www.learningforacause.org

environment     Learning for a Cause     Lester B. Pearson High School     Michael Ernest Sweet     poetry