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Children's needs and rights are interdependent to sustainable development. This is the central argument for a new report from UNICEF, "Sustainable Development Starts and Ends With Safe, Healthy, and Well-Educated Children," which makes the case for purposefully considering children in the post-2015 development agenda in which sustainable development is a core tenet. Divided into three parts, the report first provides the context: how and why children are central to the concept, principles and future progress of sustainable development, and why sustainable development is essential for children and their future. The second part conveys three key messages for those involved in deciding upon the Post-2015 Development agenda. Subsequently, the third and final part of the report provides supporting evidence and recommendations on how children's rights and well-being can be integrated within future development goals. The three key messages that the report highlights for decision-makers to actively consider are: 1. Sustainable Development starts with safe, healthy, and well-educated children 2. Safe and sustainable societies are, in turn, essential for children 3. Children's voices, choices, and participation are critical for the sustainable future we want. Sustainable development is an integrated approach that considers the complex societal, economic, environmental, and governance challenges that directly impact the lives of the world's children. According to the report, which is described as a "call to action," the Post-2015 Development Agenda is a unique opportunity to aspire to a world truly "fit for children."

Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a national non-profit organization committed to creating a sustainable future through education. GEF aims to identify key factors and impediments influencing sustainability education, evaluate existing approaches, and develop effective educational materials and programs to promote behavior change towards sustainable practices. GEF offers free programs that provide curricula and hands-on activities to inspire K-12 students and teachers to think holistically about global sustainability concerns and solutions.

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!

Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future is a UNESCO programme for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. It provides professional development for student teachers, teachers, curriculum developers, education policy makers, and authors of educational materials.

Willie Nelson, Coldplay, Chipotle and director Johnny Kelly have made a creative alliance with the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation to create BACK TO THE START, a short animated film highlighting the issue of sustainable farming. Chipotle founder Steve Ells met with Johnny Kelly in London to talk about his passionate efforts to source food on a more sustainable and ethical basis. Music legend Willie Nelson, well known for his support of family farmers, was a perfect collaborator for the music.

In November 2012 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests. The aim of the Day is to celebrate all types of forest and raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development for the benefit of current and future generations.

Our food system is broken. Some people don't have enough food, while others are eating too much. There's only one way to fix this problem and it starts with you and me. Food Tank: The Food Think Tank is for the 7 billion people who have to eat every day. We will offer solutions and environmentally sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty by creating a network of connections and information for us to consume and share. Food Tank is for farmers and producers, policy makers and government leaders, researchers and scientists, academics and journalists, and the funding and donor communities to collaborate on providing sustainable solutions for our most pressing environmental and social problems.

This requires comprehensive efforts to ensure that every man, woman and child enjoy their Right to Adequate Food; women are empowered; priority is given to family farming, and food systems everywhere are sustainable and resilient. The challenge of Zero Hunger means: 1. 100% access to adequate food all year round 2. Zero stunted children less than 2 years 3. All food systems are sustainable 4. 100% increase in smallholder productivity and income 5. Zero loss or waste of food

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.

In this interactive game from WGBH, players learn about sustainable practices by growing crops, protecting them against unforeseen problems, and determining how best to conserve resources.

We are a charity called Send a Cow and we work hand in hand with poor families, teaching them the skills they need to leave poverty behind for good. By providing training in sustainable techniques, livestock, seeds and support, we help restore hope and create stronger communities. We also value the importance of making a positive change here as well as in Africa. Helping children become more clued-up and empowering them to change the world that we will leave them is our investment in the future.

UNICEF Contributing to Sustainable Development, Equity and Children's Rights: Tree Planting, Ethiopia.........................................................................21 Rainforest Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction, Guyana..................... 26 Swimming Lessons for Emergencies, Bangladesh....................................31 Preparing for Natural Disasters, Philippines........................................... 33 Cyclone Proof Schools, Madagascar...................................................... 35 Skills-based Learning Materials and Packages, Nigeria............................ 44 Junior Ambassador Programme..................................................... 50 National and International Conference for Children and Youth, Brazil. 53 Children Advocating United4Climate, Zambia................................. 61 Voices of Youth............................................................................ 64

Understanding world hunger

Katie Smith Milway and Sylvie Daigneault, The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough (Tonawanda: Kids Can Press, 2010). Age Level: 8 and up Grade Level: 3 and up Publisher Description: From the best-selling author of One Hen comes the inspiring story of one struggling farming family in Honduras and their journey to growing enough food to meet their needs. Based on the real story of farm transformation underway in Honduras and many other countries, this book offers children ways they can be part of the movement to grow "good gardens" and foster food security. Eleven year old Mara Luz and her family live on a small farm. This year their crop is poor, and they may not have enough to eat or to sell for other essentials, such as health care, school uniforms and books. When Mara's father must leave home to find work, she is left in charge of their garden. Then a new teacher comes to Mara's school and introduces her to sustainable farming practices that yield good crops. As Mara begins to use the same methods at home, she too sees improvements, which allow her family to edge their way out of the grip of the greedy "coyotes" the middlemen who make profits on the backs of poor farmers. Little by little, the farms and the hopes of Mara and her neighbors are transformed as good gardens begin to grow. Organization Affiliation: CitizenKid

Yann Arthus-Bertrand was appointed by the United Nations to produce the official film for the International Year of Forests. Following the success of Home which was seen by 400 million people, the photographer began producing a short 7-minute film on forests made up of aerial images from Home and the Earth from Above television programmes. This film will be shown during a plenary session of the Ninth Session of United Nations Forum on Forests (24 January - 4 February 2011) in New York. It will be available to all from February 2 - for free - so that it can be shown worldwide. To have all information or to download the movie offorestsandmen.org

The GoodPlanet Foundation's mission is to raise awareness and educate the general public about environmental protection. It encourages us to adopt a way of life that is more respectful of the Earth and its inhabitants. It offers realistic and optimistic solutions, and encourages each individual to take action for the planet using a series of programs in order to "bring ecology to the forefront of awareness".

Goodman, Polly. Coasts: Earth in Danger. London, England: Hodder Wayland, 2001. Age Range: 7 and up Publisher's Description: Most of the Earth's people live near coasts. Many animals and plants also make their homes here. This book tells you how coasts can be damaged or protected. It also helps you to find out how pollution and tourism are changing coastal life.

Burns, Loree Griffin. "The Garbage Patch." In Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007. Age Range: 10 and up Publisher's Description: Aided by an army of beachcombers, oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer tracks trash in the name of science. From sneakers to hockey gloves, Curt monitors the watery fate of human-made cargo that has spilled into the ocean. The information he collects is much more than casual news; it is important scientific data. And with careful analysis, Curt, along with a community of scientists, friends, and beachcombers alike, is using his data to understand and protect our ocean.

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.