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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is leading a global initiative on Sustainable Energy for All to mobilize action from all sectors of society in support of three interlinked objectives to be achieved by 2030: providing universal access to modern energy services; doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The Earth's population is soaring, but its resources are finite. Can we provide food, water, energy - and televisions, cars and holidays - for everyone, and leave future generations more than a planet-sized rubbish tip? BBC News Online explores sustainable development in a six-part special.

The Environmental Literacy Council (ELC) is an independent, nonprofit organization made up of scientists, economists and educators striving to connect teachers and students to science-based information on environmental issues. ELC's website offers more than 1,000 pages of background information and resources on environmental topics-Air & Climate, Land, Water, Ecosystems, Energy, Food, Environment & Society-along with curricular materials.

Using a fun, interactive style, Spriggles: Health & Nutrition introduces your child to important concepts he or she will use for life. "Eat a balanced meal, Seal" opens the door to discussing the importance of selecting foods which provide the proper balance of vitamins and nutrients. "Take a bath, Giraffe" lets you explain the need for proper hygiene, reinforcing it with "Scrub between your toes, Crows." Spriggles: Health & Nutrition will increase your child's vocabulary, teaching them words such as healthy, active, and energy, while at the same time increasing their recognition of different animals. It's fun and beneficial!

Seymour Simon, Guts: Our Digestive System (New York: HarperCollins Children's Books, 2005). Age Level: 6-10 years Publisher Description: The latest in Simon's books about the human body explains how the digestive system works. In his signature style, accessible without being cute or condescending, he describes the complex facts and processes of the physiology, from the time food enters the mouth until all the various organs transform it into energy, nutrients, and waste. Some of the text is quite dense, but the clearly labeled, full-page color photos show the anatomy close-up, from an X-ray of the colon and a photo of a dissected pancreas to a microscopic view of what heartburn looks like in the stomach. Simon also includes a page about a healthy diet. The facts of how the body works are astonishing. Readers older than the target audience may want to look at this, too.

David J. Smith and Shelagh Armstrong, If the World Were a Village (Tonawanda: Kids Can Press Ltd., 2011). Age Level: 8 and up Grade Level: 3 and up Publisher Description: The 2nd Edition of the best-selling book which has sold over 400 000 copies in 17 languages updated with new content and insights about the world's people. First published to wide acclaim in 2002, this eye-opening book has since become a classic, promoting "world-mindedness" by imagining the world's population all 6.8 billion of us as a village of just 100 people. Now, If the World Were a Village has been newly revised with updated statistics, several new activities and completely new material on food security, energy and health. By exploring the lives of the 100 villagers, children will discover that life in other nations is often very different from their own. If the World Were a Village is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens. Organization Affiliation: CitizenKid

Center for Disease Control. "Food and Nutrition." Accessed March 25, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/bam/nutrition/index.html Grade Level: 3 and up Description: The character Kendra is the 'Food & Nutrition' expert. Get advice from her about smart food choices and ways to stay powered up. The Right Fuel Delivers for You! Healthy foods and drinks give your body what it needs to give you back lots in return - energy, powerful muscles, and more. There is an interactive game to play and a link to healthy recipes.

O'Sullivan, Joanne. 101 Ways You Can Help Save the Planet Before You're 12! New York, NY: Lark Books, 2009. Age Range: 6 and up Publisher's Description: It's easy being green! Kids have enormous potential to affect change, and this enlightening book harnesses children's natural energy, enthusiasm, optimism, and drive to make a difference in the world. Young eco-activists will feel empowered as they begin doing simple things such as cutting down on water use, starting a compost bin, and creating litter-free lunches. From these activities will grow even greater sensitivity to how they, their families, schools, and neighbors can have a positive impact on our planet. A list of websites encourages further exploration.

Kelsey, Elin. Not Your Typical Book About the Environment. Toronto, Ontario: Owlkids Books Inc., 2010. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: This is an intriguing, fact-filled book about saving the environment in unusual ways. Imaginative, comic-booklike illustrations add to a lively layout that will keep readers moving from one paragraph to the next, and funny wordplay prevents the facts from becoming overwhelming or dry. The accessible narrative will help readers to realize how their purchases of food, clothes, and electronic equipment nurture or hurt the world around them, and achievable goals and ideas will enable them to pitch in and help. The concluding chapter discusses new and unique ways to create energy. Each chapter ends with an "Elin Explains" spread that describes ecological interrelatedness ("How Video Games and Cell Phones Are Connected to Gorillas") in a graphic-novel format. This hilarious, information-packed work is an excellent addition

Gutman, Dan. Recycle This Book: 100 Top Children's Book Authors Tell You How to Go Green. New York, NY: Yearling, 2009. Age Range: 8 and up Publisher's Description: This lively collection of brief essays (and a poem) by 100 outstanding children's and young adult authors teaches through example. Each selection highlights a small step (or steps) taken by the writer toward a greener Earth. From Mem Fox's very serious "When the Rain Refuses to Fall" to Robert Lypsyte's silly "Captain Mean-Green's Ten Rules to Save the Planet," readers are encouraged to reduce their consumption (and waste) of energy and goods. The essays are grouped by location: "Your Home," "Your School." "Your Community," etc., and most end with a practical, doable suggestion, from the humble-use a clothesline-to the more complex-set up a worm compost. The essays also provide insight into the lives and thoughts of many familiar and beloved authors such as Laurie Halse Anderson, Ralph Fletcher, Gary Schmidt, Lois Lowry, Susan Patron, and Rick Riordan. Several pages of Web sites offer a starting point for action and information. Highly useful for classroom and family discussions and science-project ideas.

In 2013, Green In Action Awards will be granted to inspiring projects based on GEF's sustainability themes. Winners are those schools, classrooms or youth groups who have demonstrated their commitment, creativity, or passion for sustainability in their application. Great application materials include photos, videos, essays, or artwork describing your environmental project, weigh-in, activity, community service project, or green team program! There are so many ways to participate and make a difference so show us how YOU are a champion for sustainability!