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[Page i]Brilliant Star

A BAHÁ’Í COMPANION FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS       JULY/AUGUST 2011

Tending to Our Earth

[Page ii]Brilliant Star Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central Street Evanston, Illinois 60201 U.S. 847.853.2354 brilliant@usbnc.org

SUBSCRIPTIONS: 1.800.999.9019 WWW.BRILLIANTSTARMAGAZINE.ORG

© 2011 NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

Amethel Parel-Sewell EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR C. Aaron Kreader DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR Amy Renshaw SENIOR EDITOR Susan Engle ASSOCIATE EDITOR Annie Reneau ASSISTANT EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS Peter Adriance • Lisa Blecker • Barbara Brown • Sydney Cameron Neda Alai Changuit • Matthew De Souza • Meg Downey Sylvia Earle • Roxana Hodge • Naseem Serene Koen Gaukhar Kozhasheva • Doug Marshall • Joaquin Medina Lucas Miller • Gil Miller-Muro • Fatima Moldashova Jomei Quddús Newkirk • Gabriel Peer-Drake • Donna Price Mary K. Radpour • Ella Reneau • Mark Schroder • Charlotte Vick

Original illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader, unless noted. By Lisa Blecker: Art for p. 17, colorizing for cover Historical photos courtesy of National Bahá’í Archives, unless noted.

Story and activity credits: By Amy Renshaw: 6, 7, 11, 22, 24, 29 By Susan Engle: 4, 12, 18, 20, 28 By Annie Reneau: 2, 3, 8, 17, 26 By Lisa Blecker: 5, 9 By Donna Price: 10, 14, 16, 21, 27

Brilliant Star magazine invites all kids to explore the Bahá’í Faith. It is the second most widespread religion in the world, with more than five million Bahá’ís.

The Bahá’í Faith was founded by the Prophet Bahá’u’lláh (“Glory of God” in Arabic) in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh taught that all people are part of one human family, and that all religions come from one God. Bahá’ís work to bring peace and unity to the world, and end prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.

Bahá’u’lláh’s eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, interpreted His teachings and led the Bahá’í community after Bahá’u’lláh’s passing.

Brilliant Star encourages kids to bring their virtues and talents to light, and use them to make the world a better place. Brilliant Star is produced bimonthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND RENEWALS To order or renew a subscription, contact Bahá’í Subscriber Service by phone at 1.800.999.9019 or by e-mail at subscription@usbnc.org. Standard U.S. rates: $18 (One year); $32 (Two years) International airmail: $38 (One year); $68 (Two years) Canada and Mexico: $28 (One year); $48 (Two years)

SUBMISSIONS We welcome submissions and ideas from contributors of all ages. For editorial themes or submission guidelines, mail your request with a self-addressed stamped envelope, or e-mail us (above).

RIGHTS, PERMISSIONS, AND CLASS USE All content in this magazine is copyrighted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S. or by individual contributors. For permission to copy or translate material, contact: Rights and Permissions, Brilliant Star, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Teachers may photocopy pages in limited quantities for classroom use. The name of the magazine and issue date must be present on all copies and proper credit given to the copyright owner.

INTERNET RESOURCES AND INTERNET SAFETY We often provide Internet resources to encourage readers to explore a topic, or to share our references. While we make every effort to choose reliable websites, Brilliant Star does not endorse or account for all content in referenced websites. Furthermore, we urge caution and parental guidance when using the Internet. For more information about Internet safety, visit www.wiredkids.org/wiredkids_org.html

ISSN 0884-3635

FAVORITE FEATURES

3	Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Mission of Peace Reveal the virtues in the Ridván Garden.
5	Nur’s Nook Fly a kite up and away with upcycling.
8	Riley’s Rainforest How is the earth like a human body?
9	Maya’s Mysteries Get creative and resourceful with paper recycling.
11	We Are One Explore and care for the place we all call home.
12	Radiant Stars Get to know kids who shine, like you.
14	Lightning and Luna: Episode 45 Has Lightning lost his electric power forever?
18	Stargazer: Peter Adriance Working with others to help save our Earth
20	Music Café A song to sing around the campfire
24	Calendars What’s special about July and August?
26	Shining Lamp: Vinson Brown A biologist who shared his passion for nature
28	Cosmo’s Corner A crossword and more from our favorite chameleon
29	aMAZEing ADVENTURE Take a journey through the Pantanal wetland.

[Page 1]

TENDING TO OUR EARTH

JULY/AUGUST 2011

DESTINATIONS

HOME SWEET HOME HELP! FOR SUSTAINA AINABL EDULON EN VUE DE L'EDUC 2014 PEMENT DURAB

Polar Pals Friends from afar with fur, feathers, and fins

Exploring a World of Wonder Try new outdoor adventures and have fun in the sun.

Stuart & Gabriella: Curious about Climate Change Are you climate-smart? Try Stuart’s quiz to see.

My Path to Going Green Which earth-friendly jobs sound most fascinating?

Animal Planet News Chronicle-Saving Humans Animal Ambassadors call for global action.

What Shade of Green Are You? Find your “ecotype”—how you like to help the earth.

Robot Recyclers Where does all the trash go?

Green City of the Future Imagine an earth-friendly place of your dreams.

The Mysterious Orchard What do two friends do when they discover a treasure?

Saving Sea Turtles How can we help these endangered creatures?

PRINTED WITH SOY INK MIX Paper from FSsponsible sources FSC® C000000 PRINTED IN THE U.S. AT AN FSC®-CERTIFIED FACILITY USING FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER, AND ALSO PRINTED WITH SOY-BASED INKS.

DEAR FRIENDS

Earth is home to nearly seven billion people. It’s the only home we’ve got, and it’s in danger like never before. Our planet is getting warmer because pollution from factories, cars, power plants, and other sources traps heat in the atmosphere. That’s changing our climate in big ways. Heat waves, droughts, melting glaciers, floods, and other hazards threaten people, animals, plants, and habitats.

Scientists continue to study our changing climate and what it means for our future. One thing is certain—we’ll need unity, justice, and cooperation as world citizens to solve these global problems.

In this issue of Brilliant Star, you can learn more about our environment and how climate change affects life on Earth. Meet Peter Adriance, who educates people about caring for our planet. Take a quiz to discover your “ecotype,” draw a green city of the future, and make your own recycled paper.

Now and in the years ahead, you can be a leader in helping to save our one and only home.

With love from Brilliant Star

EARTH NOW [Page 2]

Polar Pals

Imagine living in the Arctic Circle, where temperatures stay below freezing most of the year, and ice covers much of the land and sea. This frozen habitat is home to a vast number of creatures, from huge land mammals to tiny zooplankton. But climate change is causing major problems. Floating sea ice, which many animals rely on to hunt, rest, and breed, is melting. Animals are being forced to live in unfamiliar habitats or are having trouble finding food. Some species are decreasing rapidly.

Arctic ice is important not only for wildlife, but for all life on Earth. Polar ice helps keep the earth cool by reflecting the sun’s rays. The more the Arctic melts, the faster global warming occurs. Melting glaciers also cause sea levels to rise, which can threaten coastal areas.

Our actions make a difference. Saving energy and conserving natural resources help protect our polar pals—and the rest of our planet.

These Arctic animals have adapted to a frozen climate. Match each one with its statement.

Ivory Gull Arctic Hare 4 Beluga Whale 1 Caribou Polar Bear 6 Harp Seal 5 Narwhal 8 Arctic Fox

A MY LARGE HOOVES ARE CUP-SHAPED ON THE BOTTOM, LIKE SCOOPS. THEY HELP ME DIG THROUGH THE SNOW FOR FOOD.

B I COMMUNICATE WITH CLICKS, WHISTLES, AND CHIRPS. I CAN SWIM BACKWARD, TOO.

C MY FUR IS TRANSPARENT, BUT IT REFLECTS LIGHT TO APPEAR WHITE. UNDERNEATH, MY SKIN IS BLACK.

D I CAN HOP OVER 6 FEET (1.8 M) IN ONE LEAP. MY LARGE BACK FEET ACT LIKE SNOWSHOES TO HELP ME MOVE ACROSS THE SNOW.

E I’M CALLED “UNICORN OF THE SEA.” MY TUSK CAN GROW TO ABOUT 9 FEET (2.7 M) LONG.

F MY WHITE COAT MAKES ME HARD TO SPOT IN THE SNOW—I’M BROWN OR GRAY IN SUMMER. MY LONG, FLUFFY TAIL HELPS ME STAY WARM.

G I FLY AND HUNT AT NIGHT. BUT I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME NEAR FLOATING SEA ICE. IN CANADA, MY SPECIES HAS DECLINED 80% IN THE PAST 20 YEARS!

H I GIVE BIRTH TO MY PUPS ON FLOATING ICE. I CAN IDENTIFY MY OWN PUPS OUT OF HUNDREDS BY THEIR SCENT. [Page 3]

A Brief Timeline: The Life of Bahá’u’lláh

The highlighted area marks the time in which this story takes place.

1817 November 12 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran

1844 Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God

1852 Imprisonment in the "Black Pit" of Tihrán

1853-1863 Exile in Baghdad, Iraq. From 1854-1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.

1863 April 22 Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith

1863-1868 Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Turkey. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity

1868 Last exile, to prison-city of ‘Akká, Israel

1877 Finally free to live in countryside homes of Mazra'ih and then Bahjí, outside ‘Akká

1892 May 29 Bahá’u’lláh passes away at Bahjí.

Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Mission of Peace

Garden of Paradise

What if you couldn't see trees or plants for nine long years? This happened to Bahá’u’lláh, Who loved nature from childhood. Officials who wanted to stop His new religion sent Him to the prison-city of ‘Akká, in what is now Israel. From 1868 to 1877, He didn't see a single blade of grass.

When Bahá’u’lláh was finally released, He visited a beautiful garden that His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and others had prepared for Him outside of ‘Akká. The fragrant flowers and fruit trees brought Bahá’u’lláh great joy. He wrote, "Every tree uttered a word, and every leaf sang a melody." He called it Ridván, which means "Paradise" in Arabic.

One day, a swarm of locusts began eating the trees. The gardener, Abu’l-Qásim, was distraught. Bahá’u’lláh smiled and said, "The locusts must be fed; let them be." Still, Abu’l-Qásim was upset to see the destruction, and he begged Bahá’u’lláh to do something.

Bahá’u’lláh then said to the locusts, "Abu’l-Qásim does not want you; God protect you." He shook the hem of His robe, and the locusts flew away. To this day, the Ridván Garden remains a paradise for all who visit it.

What virtues help us care for nature? Discover some in the Garden of Ridván. Fill in the blank oranges with letters. Connected oranges have the same letter.

M RESPECT R B M

The story of the locusts is based on an account of a conversation with Abu’l-Qásim and may not reflect Bahá’u’lláh’s exact words. [Page 4]

Exploring a World of Wonder

"The country is the world of the soul..." -Bahá’u’lláh

ave you ever watched a jewel-toned dragonfly zip through the air on transparent wings? Hiked up a hill and felt a rush of excitement at the top? Turned over a rock to study the ants, beetles, and worms underneath?

Investigating nature is fun and fascinating-and it has lots of other benefits, too.

Scientific research suggests that being in nature can reduce stress and help you feel more peaceful. It can even boost your focus and creativity. It can help you stay physically fit and active. And sunshine helps your body produce vitamin D, which is good for your bones and muscles.

You can give all your senses a workout as you enjoy forests, fields, lakes, or the ocean. So come on outside and explore the world—it's great for your body, mind, and spirit. Ask your friends to join you on these fun adventures in nature.

Alphabet Kike

Ant, birch, cardinal, dragonfly As you hike through the woods or park, find one object for every letter of the alphabet. Name something for each letter before you go to the next. Bring a nature field guide to help you identify cool plants, animals, and insects.

Backyard Camping

If you don't have a tent, make a blanket tent in your yard. Drape blankets over chairs or a fence. Imagine you're miles away from civilization or in an ancient kingdom, before the invention of electronics. Play games, tell stories, and sing songs.

Awesome Obstacles

Make an obstacle course in your backyard. Leap over twigs and puddles, run around trees, jump like a frog, or dribble a soccer ball. Bring a stopwatch, and see how fast you can complete the course. When you're done, replace anything you've moved from its natural home.

Natural Treasure Hunt

Ask someone to hide a small "treasure" for you to find in your yard or neighborhood. Then they give you the directions to find it, using landmarks in nature (Run to the biggest oak tree, turn right at the rose bush, etc.). When you've found your treasure, switch places.

Rainbow Expedition

In a notebook, write the colors of the rainbow across the top of a page-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. Take a walk around your yard or a park, and list what you find in each color. You might see red ladybugs, purple violets, or a green snake. Which lists are longest? [Page 5]

Turn Trash into Treasure

"Humanity must learn to make use of the earth's natural resources... in a manner that ensures sustainability..." —Bahá’í International Community*

You've heard of recycling, but how about upcycling? That's when items that would normally be thrown away are used to create something new and useful. Upcycling doesn't involve breaking items down before they're reused (such as when aluminum cans are melted in a recycling plant).

An example of upcycling is making tote bags or umbrellas from old drink, food, or detergent packages. These are imaginative and helpful ways to reuse trash that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

Upcycling saves Earth's natural resources. It can also help decrease pollution, because the items may require less energy to produce. And upcycled products are often more valuable than the original materials they were made from.

Turn trash into treasure right in your own home. Check out the activity below to see how you can upcycle by creating a cool kite from used grocery bags.

You'll Need Two grocery bags (one brown paper and one plastic) • ruler • pencil • markers • ball of thin string at least 30 ft. (9 m) long • hole punch • thin bamboo skewer about 10" (25 cm) long • clear tape • scissors

Make a Grocery-bag Kite

1. Cut paper bag open along side and bottom creases. Measure a 13" x 17" (33 cm x 43 cm) rectangle and cut it out.

2. Fold paper in half so short ends touch.

3. Fold top wing diagonally so 1" (2.5 cm) of top edge is exposed and 8" (20 cm) of bottom edge is visible.

4. Tape along inner seam.

5. Flip paper over. Fold wing (a) to meet corner of wing (b).

6. Open wings and turn paper so taped side faces up.

7. With an adult's help, carefully cut point off of skewer. Lay skewer across top of kite wings, touching corners. Make sure skewer isn't longer than wing tips. Secure with tape.

8. Turn kite over, with flap facing up. On flap, punch a hole 4" (10 cm) from top of kite, about 1" (2.5 cm) from flap's edge. Thread string through hole and tie a knot.

9. Decorate kite with markers. To make tail, cut plastic bag into 1 1/2" (4 cm) wide strips and tie them together until tail is 6 feet (1.8 m) long. Tape one end of tail to bottom of kite.

ON A WINDY DAY, FIND AN OPEN AREA. HOLD THE KITE CLOSE TO YOU, WITH THE FLAP STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN. WHEN A GUST OF WIND COMES, RUN AND SET IT FREE. SLOWLY RELEASE STRING WHILE KEEPING IT TAUT, AND WATCH YOUR KITE SOAR!

• The Bahá’í International Community is an organization that works with the United Nations and other groups.

[Page 6]

STUART & GABRIELLA: Curious about Climate Change

STUART & GABRIELLA: Curious about Climate Change

DOES RECYCLING REALLY HELP STOP CLIMATE CHANGE, STUART? THE EARTH IS SO BIG, AND WE’RE SO SMALL.

EVERY BIT HELPS. I’VE READ THAT EARTH HAS WARMED ENOUGH TO MELT POLAR ICE AND PUT WILDLIFE IN DANGER.*

AND THERE ARE MORE HEAT WAVES AND DROUGHTS!

STILL, IF WE ALL PITCH IN, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

LIKE BIRDS OF A FEATHER, WE’LL FLOCK TOGETHER!

TRY OUT THIS QUIZ I CREATED FOR MY SCIENCE CLUB. SOME QUESTIONS HAVE MORE THAN ONE RIGHT ANSWER. MAKE A CLIMATE QUIZ DISPLAY FOR YOUR SCHOOL, CLUB, OR SCOUT TROOP.

1. Which of these are likely to contribute to climate change? a. Driving gas-burning vehicles b. Taking walks and riding bicycles c. Burning fuels in power plants

2. Why are some gases called greenhouse gases? a. They trap heat in the atmosphere, warming Earth like a greenhouse. b. They are made by greenhouses growing green veggies around the world. c. They give the air a greenish color.

3. Which of these are greenhouse gases? a. Carbon dioxide and oxygen b. Carbon dioxide and methane c. Methane and oxygen

4. Which are used by scientists to study the history of our climate? a. Time travel b. Rings in tree trunks c. Ice core samples

5. Which countries have the highest levels of carbon dioxide pollution? a. The U.S. and Canada b. China and the U.S. c. Russia and Greenland

6. What are fossil fuels? a. Fuels made from the remains of ancient plants and animals b. Coal, oil, and natural gas c. Foods eaten by dinosaurs in prehistoric times

7. About how much of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, which are limited resources that take millions of years to form? a. 20% b. 50% c. 80%

8. Which of these are likely results of our warming planet? a. Increased space travel b. Rising sea levels c. Changing weather patterns

9. How can climate change affect some animals? a. They may have difficulty finding food. b. Their habitats may change or disappear. c. They may become extinct.

10. Why are solar and wind power called renewable resources? a. They’re replenished by nature and we won’t run out of them. b. They were invented recently. c. They can only be used once.

• On average, Earth has warmed about 1.3°F (0.74°C) in the past century, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

[Page 7]

My Path to Going Green

When you think of farms, the word "green" may come to mind. Although many farms have acres of grassy land, some are green in another way. Green farms often grow organic crops using methods that protect the environment, such as conserving water and choosing natural fertilizers. They also make special efforts to treat animals with care and respect.

Even if you don't have a "green thumb" for farming, there are plenty of jobs that can express your passion for the planet. In any field, from sciences to the arts, you can find an earth-friendly role. If you love writing and research, you could write about the environment as a journalist. If science excites you, you could work with renewable energy or wildlife. And if you long to travel, you could lead adventurous ecotours in natural areas.

Start exploring careers by volunteering in your community. No matter where your interests lead you, there's a green way to get there!

ON OUR GREEN FARM, WE USE BOTH SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY TO HELP CUT DOWN ON POLLUTION.

KIDS ARE TOURING OUR FARM AS THEY LEARN ABOUT EARTH-FRIENDLY CAREERS. SEARCH FOR CAREERS GOING FORWARD, BACKWARD, UP, DOWN, OR DIAGONALLY. WHICH ONES WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT?

PRODUCE AIR QUALITY ENGINEER ARCHITECT CLIMATOLOGIST ECOTOUR GUIDE ENERGY AUDITOR FORESTER GEOLOGIST HYDROLOGIST LAWYER ORGANIC FARMER PHOTOGRAPHER RECYCLER REPORTER SOLAR TECHNICIAN SURVEYOR TEACHER TRAIN OPERATOR URBAN PLANNER WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST WIND ANALYST

NQXBZURGHMCVGAJKOX AO SEED IUGRUOTO CEWR IRETROPERECYCLERNE CJ X ROTAREPONIARTYT I ORGANIC FARMER PIPS NG WOROTI DUAY GRENEE HID JSW PHOTOGRAPHER CT HYDROLOGIST BHNSO EURBAN PLANNER JY ECF TSIGOLOIBE FILDLIWL REENIG NEYTI LAUQRIA ARCHITECTS IGOLO EGW LMT SYLANADNI W CLNVY OQTEACHERHRNFSCKKE SURVEYOR WYE HELP JAR [Page 8]

RILEY'S RAINFOREST

"Send down... from the clouds of Thy mercy the rains of Thy healing..." -Bahá’u’lláh

Moderation Is Magic

Have you ever liked a food so much that you kept eating, even after you were full? Overeating can make you feel uncomfortable, sluggish, and even ill. Moderation in food, exercise, and sleep is essential for feeling your best.

In many ways, Earth is like a human body, with built-in systems that keep it balanced and healthy. Plants and trees act like lungs, cleaning and recycling our air. Oceans and rivers flow continuously, like blood circulates through the body. The ozone layer, a shield of gas in Earth's upper atmosphere, protects us from the sun's intense rays—much like skin protects our inner organs.

Just as moderation is important for your body's health, it's also vital to the health of our planet. When we use too many resources and produce too much waste, it upsets Earth's balance. The result is major environmental problems including water shortages, pollution, and global warming—which affect all living things.

To help our planet stay in balance, we have to make choices that are sustainable. That means they meet our needs while keeping in mind the needs of future generations. We must conserve energy, water, and other precious resources. We can also reuse and recycle items to reduce garbage in landfills. By using only our fair share, we can help create a healthy environment for all to enjoy—now and in the future.

Explore and Soar: Be a Green Shopper

If you get an allowance, do you save some money, donate some, then buy something you need? Are you a green shopper who spends wisely to help save Earth's resources? Grab your reusable shopping bag, then ask:

Do I really need this item? Do I already have something similar that I can use instead?

Is it recyclable or made from recycled materials?

Is there a more earth-friendly version, such as one with less packaging?

Could I find a used version at a thrift store?

Is it just a fad? Or will I use it for a long time?

Canopy of Questions

What do you want to know about staying healthy and happy? Health can involve your body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Send your questions to brilliant@usbnc.org. Responses are given by a health professional.

"How is your spirit affected by the health of your body?" -Sydney, age 10

Dear Sydney,

Our spirit is definitely challenged by the body's illnesses. Though your true spirit or soul isn't harmed when you're sick, it's difficult to remain optimistic and enthusiastic when you do not feel well. Stress increases the level of the hormone cortisol in the body. In small amounts, this can be helpful, but when you have too much cortisol for too long, it can lead to serious health problems.

Our spirit also affects the body. The way you think and feel about things affects your health. If you are pessimistic, you will not recover as quickly from illnesses. If you see difficulties as a chance to train your spirit to be patient, you can grow stronger and healthier.

Wishing you health and happiness, Mary K. Radpour Licensed Family Counselor [Page 9]

Maya's Mysteries: Precious Paper

Cell phones, digital tablets, and computers. Our world is full of electronics. But paper, invented about 2,000 years ago, is still a big part of our lives. We may not even realize how often we use it. It's in everything from egg cartons to masking tape to money—to the magazine in your hands.

A lot of paper gets recycled, but a lot ends up in the trash, too. Nearly 26 million tons of paper products are not recycled each year—in the U.S. alone.

CHECK OUT MY RECYCLED PAPER. I MADE IT MYSELF!

You can find lots of ways to help cut down on wasted paper. Use cloth instead of paper napkins, write on both sides of your paper, and reuse gift-wrapping materials.

Recycling paper also helps reduce landfill waste, energy use, and pollution. When your family buys paper products, look for ones made from recycled materials. You can even create your very own recycled paper with the technique below.

Make Your Own Recycled Paper

You'll Need: Six full sheets of non-glossy newspaper • 7" x 9" (18 cm x 23 cm) sheet of aluminum foil • empty 1-gallon (3.8 L) milk jug • dried leaves or flowers • rubber gloves • scissors • water

1. Carefully cut off top half of jug, with an adult's help.

2. Tear two sheets of newspaper into stamp-sized pieces and place them in jug. Add warm water so it just covers the newspaper. Let soak overnight.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, shred paper into fine pieces so paper pulp is the consistency of oatmeal.

4. Lay four sheets of newspaper in a stack and place foil flat on top.

5. Cup hands to scoop up pulp. Let water drain off, then place pulp on foil. Repeat until you have a layer of pulp with a 1" (2.5 cm) border of foil. Make sure there are no holes in pulp layer. Add dried leaves or flowers on top.

6. Gently press pulp flat. As water emerges, pick up foil and pour water back into jug. Continue until no more water can be drained out of pulp.

7. Let paper dry for about two days. Drying time may vary due to thickness of paper and climate.

8. When dry, peel foil off. Use your paper to write a message to a friend or family member about helping the earth.

Paper statistic from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009 [Page 10]

Saving Humans

Isle d'Unité (APNC) - Ambassadors from all continents met today to discuss climate change. The United Animal Ambassadors (UAA) are frustrated about the snail's pace of human action to save Earth. Quick, global efforts are needed to decrease pollution from cars, power plants, factories, and other sources. The gases are trapping heat in our atmosphere, intensifying the "greenhouse effect" and raising Earth's average temperature.

"Animals and humans have a long history together on this planet," said Mr. Izuba A. Gorilla, President of the UAA. "Humans are smart and determined once they decide to do something. We need to take matters into our own hands and act fast to save the planet we all share."

At a UAA convention this summer, ambassadors talked about environmental threats in their regions. Fill in the missing letters to complete the words.

IN SOUTHERN EUROPE, HOT, DRY W AT ER MAY LOWER CROP PRODUCTION AND LEAD TO FOOD SUPPLY ISSUES. 5. Giorgos Frog

DISASTROUS DROUGHTS AND FLOODS ARE CAUSING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND MANY ANIMALS IN AFRICA TO FACE FOOD AND WATER SOR_AG_S. 1: Izuba A. Gorilla

LESS RAINFALL COULD THREATEN SOUTH AMERICAN R_IN_ORE_TS. THE TREES PROVIDE VITAL OXYGEN AND STORE CARBON DIOXIDE. 3. Ophelia Otter

WARMER OCEAN WATER NEAR AUSTRALIA DECREASES ALGAE THAT FEED CORAL REEFS. THESE ECO_Y_TE_S EAS ARE HOME TO THOUSANDS OF SEA SPECIES. 2. Wilma Wallaby

NORTH AMERICA MAY SEE MORE HEAT WAVES, SHUTTING DOWN POWER, INCREASING ILD_IR_S, AND CAUSING MANY OTHER PROBLEMS. 6. Christina Crane

SPECIAL REPORT

RSI G SEA LEVELS MAY FLOOD RICE FARMS IN ASIA, THREATENING FOOD SUPPLIES. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIVE NEAR COASTS AROUND THE WORLD. 4. Santoso J. Rhino

SOME PARTS OF ANTARCTICA ARE WARMING RAPIDLY. GLACIERS AND SEA ICE ARE M_LTI_G. SOME ANIMAL SPECIES, INCLUDING PENGUINS, ARE DECLINING. 7 Emilio M. Whale [Page 11]WE ARE ONE EXPLORE AND PROTECT THE EARTH AND ITS CREATURES

"All the members of this endless universe are linked one to another." -Bahá’í Writings

OUR CONNECTIONS

Earth's changing climate is studied by thousands of scientists from around the world. Many work with the IPCC-the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC reports that there is no doubt that our climate is warming, and it's very likely that the changes are due to human activities, such as burning coal, oil, and gas in factories and cars. The IPCC won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, shared with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

EARTH-SAVING TIP

Recycle your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are energy savers, but they contain small amounts of mercury. Recycle them to keep this toxic chemical out of the environment.

PROTECTING OUR PLANET

Dr. Sylvia Earle seeks protection for "Hope Spots"-marine areas vital to ocean health. An oceanographer from California, U.S., she's spent about 7,000 hours underwater and won over 100 awards. She says, "With every breath we take, every drop of water we drink, we are dependent on the existence of Earth's living ocean."

WOW, REALLY?

90% of all large fish, such as tuna, swordfish, and cod, have disappeared due to overfishing.

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Earth's highest point, this mountain reaches over 5 miles (8 km) in the Himalayas between Nepal and Tibet. Its glaciers are melting, which could cause devastating floods. Unscramble the letters to reveal its name:

TOMUN VEREETS ●●●●● ●●●●●●●

AMAZING ANIMALS

These critically endangered creatures use their beak-like mouths to dig sponges and other food out of coral reefs. A major threat is illegal creation of jewelry and other items from their shells. Fill in the blanks to find their name:

HA KS I L LE [Page 12]

RADIANT STARS

Getting to know kids who shine

Connect with kids around the world! How are they like you? How are they different? Each of us has a unique story to tell. What's yours?

Joaquin M.

Age: 10 I live in: California, U.S. I want to be: Film photographer

Best quality or virtue: I just try to be myself. I don't try to be "cool." I'm also very honest, caring, and loyal.

Something I like about me that makes me unique: I like old things, especially old technology (1840s to 1989).

Hobbies or sports: Dance, theater, music, photography

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Teaching the [Bahá’í] Faith, attending children's classes

Favorite animal or pet: Mountain lions, wolves

Place I'd love to visit: The whole world!

I like to help people by: Cleaning and repairing things for them

What environmental problem concerns you the most? The Amazon Rainforest and also other forests being cut down, because we all depend on them for oxygen, and so many animals live there.

If you could make one law to protect Earth, what would it be? Stop making shopping malls and start using smaller, older businesses.

Ella R.

Age: 7 I live in: Illinois, U.S. I want to be: Painter and horse trainer

Best quality or virtue: Love

Something I like about me that makes me unique: I can gallop like a horse.

Hobbies or sports: Playing outside and doing cartwheels

Favorite Bahá’í activity: Going to [Bahá’í] Feast*

Favorite animal or pet: Horses and kittens

Place I'd love to visit: Australia, to visit my cousin

I like to help people by: Giving people bandages when they need one

Ways I help care for Earth: Picking up garbage

What environmental problem concerns you the most? I don't like garbage in the water because the fish might eat it and get sick.

If you could make one law to protect Earth, what would it be? Don't throw garbage on the land.

What are the most amazing places or creatures in nature? Horses, because they run fast, and they are friendly.

Matthew D.

Age: 8 I live in: Trinidad and Tobago

I want to be: Professional soccer player

Best quality or virtue: Creativity

Something I like about me that makes me unique: I make people around me feel happy.

Hobbies or sports: Playing with LEGO [toys], drawing planes...soccer

Favorite Bahá’í activity: Children's class

Favorite animals or pets: Our six dogs

Place I'd love to visit: Rio de Janeiro [Brazil]

I like to help people by: Making them smile

Ways I help care for Earth: Not to litter

What environmental problem concerns you the most? Pollution, because it is destroying our planet, and we need clean air to breathe.

If you could make one law to protect Earth, what would it be? I would make it against the law to destroy animals' habitats.

• Feast is a Bahá’í community gathering with prayers, consultation, and fellowship.

[Page 13]

Jomei N.

Age: 10 I live in: Fort Smith, Canada

I want to be: A musician, author, and screenwriter

Best quality or virtue: Compassion

Something I like about me that makes me unique: My imagination

Hobbies or sports: Writing stories and songs, drawing, basketball

Favorite Bahá’í activity: I like to serve others.

Favorite animal or pet: My dog, Eko

Places I’d love to visit: Haifa [Israel] and China

I like to help people by: Giving them confidence

What environmental problem concerns you the most? The pollution created by removing the oil from the sand, [which] is being dumped into the water and the air, downstream from where I live. This pollution is affecting the health of the people, of animals, and of the land. Fish are sick and plants are contaminated. The food chain is being poisoned and it is ruining the Dene way of life.*

If you could make one law to protect Earth, what would it be? To not use cars that run on gas

Gabriel P.

Age: 9 I live in: Wisconsin, U.S.

I want to be: Video game designer

Best quality or virtue: Creativity, because I like to draw stuff and make stuff up.

Something I like about me that makes me unique: I always try to improve myself. When I get a B in school, I work hard to get an A next time.

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Sunday School. I have visited the House of Worship in Illinois. I read ... about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh, and I say prayers.

Favorite animal or pet: I have an iguana named Mr. Frenacles.

The most amazing places or creatures in nature? Orangutans... they're so intelligent. [And the] arapaima [fish].** It can jump...out of the water and head-butt you...

Ways I help care for Earth: Pick up trash outside. I have a garden and feed it compost. I recycle and remind people if they don't recycle.

Neda C.

Age: 9 I live in: Maryland, U.S.

I want to be: A teacher and then become the President of the United States of America

Something I like about me that makes me unique: I can speak... Farsi, and [I] love cats.

Hobbies or sports: Basketball, softball, ballet, swimming, art, piano

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Singing at Holy Days and chanting prayers at Feast* and attending Bahá’í children's classes

Places I’d love to visit: China, Iran, Italy, France, Rwanda, India, Brazil, Australia

Ways I help care for Earth: Plant trees, flowers, and other plants

I like to help people by: Someday helping build good homes for people who need them. I like to give food and supplies to shelters.

What environmental problem concerns you the most? I am concerned about people who are destroying trees and polluting by littering.

What are the most amazing places or creatures in nature? Deer, gorillas, birds, Machu Picchu, camels, llamas, and people!

"God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!" —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

You can be a Radiant Star!

Here's how:

1. If you're age 7-14, write us at brilliant@usbnc.org or Brilliant Star, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201. Include your name, age, mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone number. Mention "Radiant Star" in the e-mail subject line or in your message.

2. When it's your turn to shine, we'll send you questions and a form for you and your parents to sign.

3. Answer the questions and send them to us with the signed forms, along with at least two good-quality, close-up photographs of your smiling face. Photos should be in sharp focus and show your eyes clearly. Please don't send color copies, low-resolution digital images, or copyright-protected images (like school portraits).

• The Dene Nation is a First Nations community in Canada.
  • One of the world's largest freshwater fish, found in South America

[Page 14]

LIGHTNING AND LUNA

POWER HUNGRY (#45)

IN THE UPLIFTERS’ HEALING CENTER

WH—WHAT HAPPENED?

WE STOPPED DR. DEVIOUS! ARE YOU OK?

I—I THINK SO.

LIGHTNING, YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED FROM THAT MUCH ELECTRICITY.

I REGENERATED THE SKIN ON YOUR BURNED HANDS.

I REMEMBER NOW. I CONNECTED THE BROKEN CABLE WITH MY ELECTRIC POWER . . .

NIMBUS GOT YOU AWAY FROM THE CABLE JUST IN TIME. LUNA’S PLAN WORKED. WE DEFEATED DR. DEVIOUS WITH GREAT TEAMWORK!

DR. DEVIOUS AND HIS MINIONS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED. HIS MEDIA EMPIRE IS GONE.

DR. DEVIOUS HAD A CRAZY IDEA, TO MAKE EVERYONE THINK AND ACT ALIKE.

I CAN SEE WHY IT ALMOST WORKED. PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG.

BUT HE WAS JUST ‎BRAINWASING BRAINWASHING‎ PEOPLE. NOW IT’S WEARING OFF AROUND THE WORLD.

HE FOUND HQ. WON’T HE TELL THE OTHER ERASERS?

CAN WE USE THEIR OWN PROGRAM TO ERASE HQ FROM THEIR MEMORIES?

NO, EVEN ERASERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO THINK ON THEIR OWN. WE’VE WIPED ALL THEIR DATA ON HQ. AND FOR NOW, WE’LL SEAL THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND USE OUR TUNNEL SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL.

YOU KNOW YOUR HAIR LOOKS LIKE GRANDPA’S?

I’VE SEEN THIS WHEN AN UPLIFTER EXHAUSTS A POWER—IT’S USUALLY TEMPORARY.

YOU MEAN—I COULD LOSE ELECTRIC POWER FOREVER?

DON’T WORRY. WE’RE TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOU. JUST REST AND RECOVER.

FOOD! I’M STARVED.

CRUNCH! MUNCH! CHOMP!

IT’S NORMAL WHEN YOU’VE USED SO MUCH ENERGY.

OR MAYBE THAT’S JUST NORMAL FOR LIGHTNING. [Page 15]LATER, IN THE HQ AUDITORIUM . . .

DR. DEVIOUS HAS BEEN DEFEATED. BUT ANOTHER ERASER WILL RISE TO CAUSE CHAOS. STAY ON ALERT.

NOW, ZAPPO HAS AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY WE’RE CREATING.

INTRODUCING SOME TRIAL DESIGNS* FOR NEW AND IMPROVED UNIFORMS! WE’RE CONDUCTING MORE TESTS. WE’LL GET YOUR INPUT, THEN FINALIZE THE DESIGNS.

Tioukavkin Design

Zamani Design

WE’RE WORKING ON NEW, POWERFUL TOOLS AND FEATURES TO KEEP YOU SAFE . . .

FROM THINGS SUCH AS EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND ELECTRIC SHOCK.

WOW!

SO RAD!

Atwood Design

MEANWHILE, IN THE ERASERS’ LAIR . . .

DR. DEVIOUS TURNED OUT TO BE DR. DISAPPOINTING. HE PROMISED US THE END OF THE UPLIFTERS.

MISERABLE UPLIFTERS!

SOON THEIR END WILL COME!

LATER, AT THE HQ POD BAY . . .

LUNA, YOU’LL FLY WHILE LIGHTNING RESTS?

MORE LIKE I’LL FLY WHILE HE EATS!

• GREENPOD

zero-emission

I’M VERY PROUD OF YOU TWO. ENJOY YOUR BREAK.

PULSAR, WHAT IF MY ELECTRIC POWER DOESN’T COME BACK?

NO MATTER WHAT, YOU’LL ALWAYS BE AN UPLIFTER!

LET’S STOP AT PIZZA CANYON. I’M STILL HUNGRY.

WOW, REALLY? ANYWAY, WE CAN’T.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE A FLY-THROUGH LANE!

• GREENPOD

zero-emission

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

WILL LIGHTNING’S POWERS EVER BE THE SAME? [Page 16]

ROBOT RECYCLERS

About 161 million tons! That’s how much trash gets thrown out each year—in the U.S. alone.* That’s about the weight of 10 million school buses. Then we use new resources to make new stuff. Finding those new resources is getting harder than ever, using more energy and causing more pollution.

The trash we throw out doesn’t disappear—it gets burned or ends up in landfills. But much of it can be reused or recycled instead. Recycling conserves valuable resources and prevents toxins from leaking into the environment. It also saves lots of energy and cuts down on greenhouse gases that can cause climate change.

An important part of recycling is knowing what to recycle and how to sort it. Communities have different rules about separating materials such as paper, glass, metal, and plastic. Check with your area’s recycling programs. You might be amazed at how many things you can turn from trash into treasure!

AT ROBOT RECYCLING, WE COLLECT AND SORT MATERIALS. UNSCRAMBLE THE WORDS TO SEE WHAT OUR ROBOTS HAVE TO REPORT.

1 ALUMINATOR RECYCLING ONE CAN SAVES ENOUGH (EGYNRE) _ _ _ _ _ _ TO RUN A TV FOR TWO HOURS.

2 GLASSOR GLASS CAN BE RECYCLED (ELSSENDYL) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, BECOMING PART OF NEW BOTTLES IN JUST 30 DAYS.

3 INKY 5000 PLASTIC INK CARTRIDGES TAKE AT LEAST 1,000 YEARS TO (DPOSEMOCE) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _! RECYCLE THEM TO SAVE PLASTIC AND ENERGY.

4 STEELDROID RECYCLING STEEL USES ABOUT 74% LESS ENERGY THAN MAKING NEW. IF A (TEGMAN) _ _ _ _ _ _ STICKS TO A CAN, IT’S STEEL.

5 CELL BOT OVER A BILLION CELL PHONES ARE BOUGHT WORLDWIDE EVERY YEAR. EACH ONE HAS RECYCLABLE (LTSEAM) _ _ _ _ _ _, SUCH AS SILVER, COPPER, AND GOLD.

6 PLASTI-TRON IMAGINE YOUR (SCTIPAL) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WATER BOTTLE ONE-FOURTH FULL OF CRUDE OIL. THAT’S HOW MUCH OIL IT TAKES TO MAKE A BOTTLE.

7 PAPYRUS-105 PAPER RECYCLING RATES HAVE TOPPED 60% IN THE U.S. AND EUROPE, SAVING TREES, WATER, AND ENERGY, AND REDUCING (OLULTIOPN) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

8 ROBO-BATTERY BATTERIES MAY CONTAIN TOXIC METALS THAT NEED TO BE RECYCLED SO THEY DON’T GET INTO OUR (REAWT) _ _ _ _ _, LAND, OR AIR.

• According to the U.S. EPA, 2009. About 243 million tons of trash was produced and about 82 million tons of this was recycled or composted.

[Page 17]

What Shade of Green Are You?

"A unity in diversity of actions is called for... in which different individuals will concentrate on different activities... each person cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing." -Bahá’í Writings

II: ould I you rather study animals or insects, plant a garden, or help with an event at your local nature center? Each of us has an important role to play in helping Earth. Some aspects of the environment may interest you more than others, and that's okay. Your strengths and talents can lead you to your unique path of service. Just as biodiversity is important for our planet's health, diverse actions can help us tackle environmental challenges. Use this quiz to discover your "ecotype." How do you like to make a difference?

Find Your Ecotype

Read each statement, then circle the answer that describes you best.

1. My idea of a fun science fair project is: a) Raising butterflies from cocoons b) Showing how recycling is important c) An experiment to explain the greenhouse effect d) Building a rain barrel or compost bin

2. I'm most concerned with: a) Saving endangered species b) Letting people know about environmental issues c) Finding new inventions to stop climate change d) Reusing and recycling stuff

3. A book I'm most likely to read is: a) A Nature-Lover's Guide to Camping and Hiking b) Change the World with Your Eco-Club c) World's Greatest Earth-Friendly Inventions d) Using Trash to Build Treasures

4. My favorite classes are ones where I: a) Get to be outside b) Work in groups to solve problems c) Do experiments d) Create art projects

5. A career that appeals to me is: a) Forest ranger b) Editor for nature and animals magazine c) Environmental scientist d) Green home builder

6. In my free time, I'm likely to: a) Explore bugs and plants b) Do a neighborhood cleanup project c) Try a cool science experiment d) Create art from recycled stuff

SOLAR ROBOT

7. A warm, sunny day makes me want to: a) Go for a nature hike b) Tell people about solar power c) See how fast ice melts in the sun d) Make a solar cooker from cardboard

8. My friends and family describe me as: a) Outdoorsy and animal-loving b) Outgoing and organized c) Thoughtful and scientific d) Imaginative and artistic

9. If I were to start a business, I would: a) Open an animal rescue center b) Launch an environmental website c) Run a science lab d) Turn used furniture into cool new furniture

Scoring

which letter(s) did you circle most? Do you have a main interest, or a mix of them?

Mostly As Noble Naturalist You love being outside and exploring wildlife. Try volunteering at an animal shelter or community garden.

Mostly Bs Assertive Activist You use words and actions to educate and inspire others. Try leading a club or organizing a service project.

Mostly Cs Studious Scientist You love discovering things and are excited by experiments. Try testing new ideas and inventions.

Mostly Ds Adventurous Artist You use your hands to build and create. Try getting creative with recycled or natural materials. [Page 18]

QUESTIONS ANSWERS WITH S PETER ADRIANCE

aving the planet starts with love-a love for the natural world. Peter Adriance learned this as a kid, exploring the woods and fields in Massachusetts, U.S. When he grew up, his passion for nature grew with him. After college, Peter worked at two universities and then ran an advertising business. In 1990, he was hired by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.* Since then, he's been educating people about caring for our planet. He's traveled to Brazil, Indonesia, and several other countries, representing the Bahá’í community in efforts to solve environmental problems. He consults at United Nations conferences, Bahá’í schools, interfaith gatherings, and more. He says, "I love learning about the world, studying issues like climate change and . . . how the Bahá’í teachings can help address those challenges. ..." In 2009, he earned the Bridge Builders' Award from an interfaith group in Washington, D.C.

Peter and his wife, Riva, live in Virginia, where he expresses his zest for nature through gardening.

...

Q. What's your favorite childhood memory? My family... went to a very special place on Cape Cod There were no telephones, no TV... These cabins were all nestled on top of 100-foot sand dunes looking out over the ocean. . . It was all sun and sand and food and rest and reading... Mother saved up quarters all year long and put them in a jar. And at the Cape, we would take those quarters and buy lobsters and have a big lobster dinner. . . That was always a lot of fun.

Q. How did you become interested in the environment? Where I grew up. . . there was a path that went through the woods... There were all kinds of places that were really interesting. We could make forts. . . There was a swampy area where you could fish for tadpoles... and watch them grow into frogs... When I got. . . older, I went to camp up in Maine. . . That also exposed me a lot to... hiking and fishing and canoeing and swim- ming... I used to think... How is it possible that we could dump our garbage in the ocean and the ocean would just digest it? They used to take big barges out into the ocean from New York and dump them in the ocean. It was a few years after that that we started to see trash on the shore...

Left: Peter (left), at age three with his brother, Ricky, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Right: Eight-year-old Peter (right) and Ricky are congratulated by their dad for earning Boy Scout merit badges.

Q. What are the most important things kids can do for the environment? Educate their parents. That's one big thing... Try to live your life in a way that minimizes your impact on the natural world. There are so many ways to do that, but I think kids. . . are becoming leaders to point us in a direction that's more sustainable. ... They can also set an example that inspires adults to action.

• The National Spiritual Assembly is the national governing council of the Bahá’í Faith in the U.S.

[Page 19]

STARGAZER

An interview with an inspirational Bahá’í

Q. Your title is NGO Liaison for the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. Tell us about your work. NGO means Non-Governmental Organization. a liaison... which means you link with other organizations in areas of common interest... A big area of common interest [is] the environment and the ... challenge of sustainability-in other words, living on... our fair share of the planet's resources and leaving enough for future generations to prosper.

Q. What major changes do people everywhere need to make to solve environmental problems? It's not the same for everybody around the world... We only have one planet to live on, and we can't live as if there's more than one planet. But in the [U.S.], we're living as if there were five planets with the amount of resources we're taking . . . The average European has a level equivalent to three planets. On the other end... some... are living [on] only a tenth of a planet's-worth of resources. So we have to... reduce consumption on the high end and increase it on the low end so that we're using our fair share proportionally of the earth's resources.

Q. What do you say to someone who doesn't think our actions can make a difference? In the Bahá’í writings, there are many references to small things having the ability to .... impact big things. In one of the prayers, it talks about [God] making a gnat into an eagle, a drop of water into rivers and seas, an atom into lights and suns... If you consider... a river, it's just tiny molecules of water coming from many different places... Each molecule adds up eventually to an ocean.

Q. If you had one wish for our Brilliant Star readers, what would it be? They become the best that they can [be] and contribute to the world... Kids can contribute a lot to the progress we're making on the environment, and I encourage them to be creative and share their ideas and thoughts, and not hesitate to make a contribution in their communities...

• See Brilliant Star, March/April 2009, page 11

Top Left: Peter (right) talks to Ron Gould, who oversees Bahá’í properties in the U.S., about the "green" aspects of the new Visitors Center to be built by the House of Worship in Wilmette, IL.

Top Right: Peter works with people such as 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.* Bottom: Peter and his family enjoy a nature-filled vacation to Ecuador in 2008.

Q. How does the future of our environment look to you? Challenging, but hopeful, because I think that we're faced with immense challenges in almost every area- the increasing numbers of people on the planet and all the things that they need. There are many solutions being found to move us toward a more sustainable track. The big thing that we need in combination with the technology is that we need people that care, that both see the big picture and care to act on it, and then are taking action. [Page 20]

MUSIC CAFÉ

“Music, sung or played, is spiritual food for soul and heart.” —Bahá’í Writings

I’M SO EXCITED! SOON, I’LL BE MAKING MUSIC UNDER THE STARS, WITH MY GUITAR, ON A SUMMER CAMPING TRIP.

I LOVE SWIMMING IN THE LAKE, FEELING THE WARM SUN, AND WAKING UP TO BIRDS SINGING OUTSIDE THE TENT. I FEEL SO CONNECTED TO THE TREES AND ANIMALS. EVEN INSECTS. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO ENJOY NATURE?

Can You See the Connection?

By Lucas Miller

1. A fruit bat flew from tree to tree. Look-ing for a man-go on a man-go tree She flew a-ways a-way with her tas-ty treat She ate the sweet fruit and then she dropped the seed

CHORUS Can you see the con-nec-tion to The bat to the tree and the tree to - you? The tree gives the fruit bat food The bat helps the tree and the tree helps you

BRIDGE The tree helps you And the whole world, too Con-nec-tions run-ning through From flow-ers to bees Fruit bats to trees And all of it to you And the more you see and know All the mys-ter-y on-ly grows And like scat-ter-ing seeds Our own words and deeds Con-nect to to-mor-row They take root and grow to-mor-row

2. The seed fell down to the forest floor It bounced and it flipped and it bounced some more It came to a stop in an open spot Where it could grow in all the sunshine that it got CHORUS

3. The bat got the seed to a sunny spot So the seed began to grow and grow a lot It grew into a tall and a mighty tree Making food and oxygen for you and me CHORUS • BRIDGE • CHORUS (3X) [Page 21]

Green City of the Future

"The happiness and greatness... the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in . . . his ability to solve difficult problems." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Imagine a big city in the future. Do you think of towering skyscrapers? Traffic jams with air-polluting cars? Buildings and transportation are huge sources of greenhouse gases, which trap heat in Earth's atmosphere and increase global warming. But many cities are working to reduce their ecological footprints - the amount of natural resources they use.

Some cities are already making buildings greener and using energy-efficient streetlights. Some are planting "green roofs"-gardens on top of buildings. More bike and walking paths let people use their own feet to reduce their ecological footprints. Public transportation could zoom toward electric trains and buses that are powered by solar energy. Buildings might have built-in wind turbines to generate their own electricity. Technology and creativity will be the keys to tomorrow's cities.

If you could build your own green city of the future, what would it look like? How would you save energy, reduce pollution, and create a happy environment? Draw your vision here. [Page 22]

The Mysterious Orchard

Adapted from a Kazakh Folktale Art by Mark Schroder

A cold wind blew across the dry plain as Rishad stroked his ram's coat. He looked up at his friend, Abzal. "The illness is worse. My flock is going fast."

"It's been a hard year with the drought," agreed Abzal. "But things will get better."

Rishad sighed heavily. "Since we were boys, I've loved tending sheep, and moving my yurt from place to place. It's time for a change."

"What do you mean?"

"I-I could go to the city," said Rishad. "I am a hard worker. I'll find a way to survive."

Abzal shook his head. "And leave me here alone on my potato farm? Who will make me laugh through the long winters? And listen to me play my kobiz?"

Rishad smiled. "True, not many would listen to you. But my flock is dying, and—"

"I'll give you half of my land," said Abzal. "There is more than I can farm on my own."

"I couldn't take your land. You'll have a family one day."

Abzal clapped him on the back. "We are like brothers. You'll always be part of my family. No more arguments."

Rishad accepted his friend's generous offer.

That spring, as Rishad was preparing his half of the field for planting, his hoe struck something hard. Puzzled, he kept digging. He rapidly uncovered an old wooden chest. "Wow! Abzal, come quick!" he called.

Abzal rushed over, and they pried open the chest. A wealth of gold coins sparkled inside.

"Abzal, you're rich!" Rishad gasped.

"Not I, my friend. You found this on your land, so it belongs to you."

"No," Rishad insisted. "You were so generous. This treasure can be my payment."

Abzal said, "I gave you the land as a gift, and I want nothing in return. Use the gold to buy a new flock of sheep."

But Rishad shook his head. "You could use the money to visit your parents in the South. You've always wanted to see more of the world."

The two men bickered, each wanting the other to keep the gold. Finally, Abzal said, “Let's go to the wise woman in the woods. She'll know what to do."

At dawn, they began their journey into the mountains, carrying the chest of gold. In a pine forest, they found the wise woman's hut.

"Qosh Keldinizder!" she greeted them. The friends eagerly told their story and asked for her advice.

The wise woman was quiet as she slowly added honey and lemon to her tea. Then she said, "Take your gold and buy as many fruit seeds as you can. Plant them on your farm. When the trees grow, they will bear enough apples to feed many. Trees are good for the land and for all of God's creatures."

"But trees take years to grow," said Rishad. [Page 23]She nodded. "When you do what's best for the earth and the future, all will be well."

Abzal and Rishad talked as they sipped tea. They agreed to the plan and set off for a village market. At a crossroads, they met a caravan of camels led by a merchant dressed in fine silks. Each camel carried dozens of birdcages. Birds of every size, shape, and color were trapped inside, squawking loudly. Some looked sickly and pecked at the bars. Others struggled and shrieked with fear, trying to break free.

Rishad called, "Sir, where are you going with those birds?"

The merchant looked down haughtily from his camel. "To the market, of course. I will sell them for a great profit. Some will be eaten, and some will be pets. Why do you bother me?"

The birds shrieked louder. Abzal and Rishad looked at each other, their eyes full of pity for the creatures. They nodded without speaking.

Abzal asked, "How much for all the birds?"

The wealthy man looked down at them and snorted. "More than you'll ever see."

He turned to move on.

"Wait!" Rishad yelled. He opened the chest of gold.

The merchant leaped from his camel with a greedy smile.

Rishad and Abzal greeted the birds as they opened each cage. The creatures created a rainbow of color as they flew up and away—mighty steppe eagles, owls, swans, egrets, finches, sparrows, and more.

A golden oriole rested on Abzal's shoulder and peered at him.

"This is the end of our plans for an orchard," Abzal said to Rishad. "We'll never see that much gold again."

"But we couldn't let the creatures be harmed."

Abzal stroked the oriole's head, and she flew off with the others.

The merchant watched the farmers and gloated, "Such fools! Wasting your money on worthless birds!" He dragged away the chest of gold.

Empty-handed but with light hearts, Abzal and Rishad made the long journey home. It was dusk when they arrived, hungry and exhausted. But what they saw filled them with wonder. Birds of every size, shape, and color covered their little field. The birds dropped seeds from their beaks into the ground, then used their feet and wings to cover them with soil. "I can't believe what I'm seeing. It's... the birds we saved!" cried Abzal. "And their friends, too," said Rishad, as more birds swooped in.

The farmers watched with huge eyes. No sooner were the seeds in the ground than they started to sprout! The birds took to the skies as rain began to fall. Rishad's remaining sheep ate the grass and clover that sprang from the ground.

Many people came from far-off villages to visit the orchard. No one could explain how the trees grew so fast. That very summer, they bore the sweetest fruit anyone had ever tasted. And they provided homes for hundreds of birds and other creatures.

The magical orchard flourishes to this day, and its fruit grows even better each year—a delicious sign of the power of kindness.

Vocabulary

Kazakh: kobiz = A stringed instrument similar to a violin; Qosh Keldinizder = Welcome [Page 24]

History

t was an exciting and turbulent time in Persia (now Iran) in the mid-1800s. A new Faith was born. A Messenger of God known as the Báb ("the Gate" in Arabic) announced His mission to prepare people for another Messenger, Who would bring an age of peace. The Bábí Faith attracted tens of thousands of followers. But authorities wanted to stop the new religion. They imprisoned the Báb, then condemned Him to death. On July 9, 1850, the Báb was executed in Tabriz by a firing squad of 750 soldiers. Later, Bahá’u’lláh declared that He was the Messenger of peace promised by the Báb.

Calendar and Events

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Every 19 days, Bahá’í Feast is held on or near the first day of the Bahá’í month.

3 Park and Recreation Month (U.S.) Take the "5 in July Park Pledge" and visit a park all five weekends this month.

4 Independence Day (U.S.)

5 The U.S. national bird was once endangered. Which bird is it?

10 11 17 24 ENERGY ELECTR 31 World Population Day (UN)- Our planet's population may reach 10 billion by 2050.

18 Nelson Mandela International Day (UN) Honors the former South African president on his birthday

25 Did you know? You can measure your ecological footprint- how much of Earth's resources you use.*

12 19 26 welcome EARTH FOR 10,000

13 BAHÁ’Í MONTH OF KALIMÁT (WORDS)

20 Did you know? Bamboo trees are rapidly renewable. Some grow 12 inches (30 cm) per day!

7 Tanabata (Japan) Wishes are hung on bamboo in a festival honoring an ancient legend about the stars.*

14 Bastille Day (France) French culture is celebrated around the world.

1 Canada Day The Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement has reduced acid rain and smog over the past 20 years.

8 In the gardens at the Shrine of the Báb, advanced methods are used to conserve water.

15 Tour de France (July 2-24) Cyclists race 2,132 miles (3,431 km), mainly in France.

9 MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB

16 My Goal for the Month:

21 22 EXIGENCIES MEANS... Cosmo's Word Challenge a) Tropical bodies of water b) Exit, in case of emergency c) Urgent needs

28 Eucalyptus trees, native to Australia, can regenerate after fires.

29 Schools Tree Day (Australia) Over 15 million trees and shrubs have been planted since 1996.

30

• See www.nrpa.org/july/; 7-Tanabata is celebrated on August 7 in some areas; 25-Check out www.myfootprint.org

[Page 25]On a trip to a museum, you might see fossils that are millions of years old. But did you know there are also fossils in your family car? Fossil fuels, including those that power cars, trains, and planes, come from the remains of prehistoric creatures. These animals and plants lived over 300 million years ago-long before the dinosaurs. When they died, they were buried under seas, sand, and rock. Intense heat and pressure slowly turned them into oil, coal, and natural gas. Since they take eons to form, fossil fuels can't be replaced― and we're using them up quickly. How can your family conserve these ancient resources?

Every 19 days, Bahá’í Feast is held on or near the first day of the Bahá’í month.

BAHÁ’Í MONTH OF KAMÁL (PERFECTION)

National Night Out (U.S. and Canada) Neighbors unite to prevent crime.

My Goal for the Month:

International Day of the World's Indigenous People (UN)

Green Party

Have a green party! Use online invitations and reusable supplies. Green Party Here! Make art from recycled stuff. Serve local foods, then go on a nature walk with guests.*

Cosmo's Word Challenge

PREVALENT MEANS... a) To stop something from happening b) Widespread, occurring in many places c) A brave knight

Earth's changing climate causes droughts and floods, threatening many traditional ways of life.

International Youth Day (UN) If you could fix one problem in our environment, what would it be?

World Humanitarian Day (UN) Honors workers who risk their lives bringing aid to others

BAHÁ’Í MONTH OF ASMÁ’ (NAMES)

Did you know? The octopus may be the most intelligent invertebrate.

Martin Luther King Jr. shared his dream of justice on this day in 1963.

True or False? Oil, a fossil fuel, is used in crayons, DVDs, eyeglasses, and liquid soap.

Eid al-Fitr (Islam) Three-day celebration to end Ramadan, the month of fasting (August 1-29).

Did you know? The tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable.

Women's Equality Day (U.S.) Women won the right to vote in 1920, but still work to end inequality.

La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain) A world-famous tomato fight with about 45,000 people!

HOW DO YOU SEND A SECRET MESSAGE IN THE FOREST? YOU USE MOSS CODE.

• 6-Check out a fun nature scavenger hunt in Nov/Dec 2010, p. 21.

[Page 26]

VINSON BROWN: Passion for Exploring Nature

Science is nothing more or less than the search for truth," wrote Vinson Brown, "and how can such a search... be anything but an adventure!" Vinson's love of science and nature led to exciting escapades throughout his life.

Vinson was born in Nevada, U.S., in 1912. His father was a doctor near an American Indian reservation. Native cultures interested Vinson from childhood. He even inherited from his father a pipe bag thought to have belonged to Crazy Horse, a famous Lakota leader.

At 17, Vinson's daring spirit found him setting sail for Asia as a sailor on a freight ship. He loved to watch sea creatures, including flying fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. On the trip, he was almost killed in a typhoon, but danger didn't dampen his enthusiasm for the natural world.

Finding Faith

In his early 20s, Vinson traveled to Panama and Costa Rica, where he gathered plants, insects, reptiles, and other creatures for museums and collectors. At that time, he didn't believe in God—he wanted proof of God's existence.

A youth named Chio, from the Guaymi tribe, helped guide Vinson through the jungle. One day at dawn, Vinson saw Chio near a waterfall, his arms raised to the sky, singing in his native language. Though Vinson couldn't understand the words, he said he felt something "so tremendous... that all my doubts about the spiritual truth of the existence of God disappeared and I knew I was in His presence!"

Vinson Brown encouraged people to explore nature. He wrote, "Science is the human's way of reaching toward the stars."

Vinson built a career devoted to the environment. In 1936, he founded the Boy Naturalist Club in California and led kids on nature explorations. He also earned a master's degree in biology from Stanford University. A few years later, he met a Bahá’í named Marion Holley. After his scientific mind inspired him to ask questions for a year, Vinson became a Bahá’í in 1945. In the years that followed, he gave several hundred talks about the Faith around the U.S.

"Our Time is Short"

Along with his other interests, Vinson always wanted to be a writer. In 1946, he founded Naturegraph Publishers. He and his wife, Barbara, published books about investigating the environment. Vinson wrote or co-authored around 40 books, including some on American Indians. One book trained the reader to study nature as an "explorer naturalist," who "may be one of the heroes who helps save the world from destruction by pollution and waste and point it toward a new age where men are in harmony with nature and with each other..."

In 1984, Vinson and Barbara went on Bahá’í pilgrimage in Israel, which he called the trip of his life. Vinson passed away in 1991, but Naturegraph continues to publish books that support his mission. "We live on a shrinking planet," he wrote, "and our time is short to convince others that there is no future for mankind unless we can learn to come into harmony with ourselves and our surroundings." [Page 27]

Saving Sea Turtles

For over 100 million years, sea turtles have graced our oceans. But today, these creatures are at risk of extinction. Five of the seven species are endangered or critically endangered. Many hazards to sea turtles come from human activity, such as construction along beaches, hunting of turtles and their eggs, pollution, and accidental capture in fishing nets and gear. Another great danger is climate change. Nesting beaches and feeding grounds are being damaged. Also, fewer males are born as beaches grow warmer, since the egg's temperature determines the turtle's gender.

People around the world are working to help by protecting beach habitats and reducing bright lights, which disturb sea turtles. In Costa Rica, youth gather eggs and take them to safe nesting spots. After the turtles hatch, they're released near the ocean.

Even if you live far from the sea, anything you do to conserve energy and slow climate change can help the sea turtles thrive.

This Costa Rican community has worked together to protect leatherback turtle eggs. Now they're releasing the hatchlings. Find 20 sea turtles in the scene.

LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES

MIGRATE THOUSANDS OF MILES. ONE WAS TRACKED ABOUT 12,800 MILES (20,600 KM)!

WE'RE THE WORLD'S LARGEST SEA TURTLES. THE BIGGEST ONE OF US WEIGHED IN AT ABOUT 2,020 POUNDS (916 KG)! [Page 28]

COSMO’S CORNER

Look for clues throughout the magazine.

WHEN IT COMES TO TREES, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEATHER AND CLIMATE?

YOU CAN’T WEATHER A TREE, BUT YOU CAN CLIMATE!

ACROSS

2. Each of us has an \_\_\_\_\_\_ role to play in helping Earth. (p. 17)

5. Can be recycled endlessly (p. 16)

7. In Australia, warmer waters decrease algae that feed \_\_\_\_\_\_ reefs. (p. 10)

8. Ella and Neda would both like to visit this country. (pp. 12–13)

11. One of the world’s largest freshwater wetlands (p. 29)

13. \_\_\_\_\_\_ gases trap heat in the atmosphere, warming Earth. (p. 6)

15. Can reduce stress and help you feel more peaceful (p. 4)

16. Nearly 26 million tons of paper products are not \_\_\_\_\_\_ each year—in the U.S. alone. (p. 9)

17. To help our planet stay in balance, we have to make choices that are \_\_\_\_\_\_. (p. 8)

18. More bike and walking paths let people use their own feet to reduce their \_\_\_\_\_\_ footprints. (p. 21)

19. "Ridván" means \_\_\_\_\_\_ in Arabic. (p. 3)

DOWN

1. Matthew and Jomei are both concerned about the environmental problem with \_\_\_\_\_\_. (pp. 12–13)

3. Vinson’s love of \_\_\_\_\_\_ and nature led to exciting escapades throughout his life. (p. 26)

4. Start exploring careers by \_\_\_ in your community. (p. 7)

6. Taking something you would normally throw away and creating something new and useful (p. 5)

9. World’s largest sea turtle (p. 27)

10. This creature may be the most intelligent invertebrate. (p. 25)

12. The wise woman told the friends to grow these on their land. (p. 22)

13. Melting \_\_\_\_\_\_ cause sea levels to rise. (p. 2)

14. About the environment, Peter Adriance says, "We need people that care, that both see the big picture and care to act on it, and then are taking \_\_\_\_\_\_." (p. 19)

FROM OUR MAILBOX

I love reading about all the people in "Radiant Stars," and I would like to be one in your magazine someday. Right now I have seven copies of Brilliant Star spread out on my bedroom floor, all open to the "Radiant Stars" page, and I’ve been writing down all the names and reading about the kids.

—Naseem Serene K., age 8, China

ANSWERS

PAGE 2: A) 1, B) 4, C) 7, D) 5, E) 2, F) 3, G) 8, H) 6

PAGE 3 (top to bottom): respect, moderation, gratitude, cooperation, responsibility, optimism, commitment, creativity, awareness, compassion

PAGE 6: 1) a, c; 2) a; 3) b; 4) b, c; 5) b; 6) a, b; 7) c; 8) b, c; 9) a, b, c; 10) a

PAGE 10: 1) shortages, 2) ecosystems, 3) rainforests, 4) Rising, 5) weather, 6) wildfires, 7) melting

PAGE 11: Mount Everest, Hawksbill Turtles

PAGE 16: 1) energy, 2) endlessly, 3) decompose, 4) magnet, 5) metals, 6) plastic, 7) pollution, 8) water

PAGE 27: Turtles at top left in clouds; at top center near shore; at top right in leaves, left of horses, below kid; at right center behind girl, in front of boy, two in bucket, under sign, on sign; at bottom right on log, under shell, left of lower log; at bottom center speaking, on shirt; at left center in sand, two near shore; at center in egg [Page 29]

Wetland Wonders

alls of endangered hyacinth macaws echo through the tropical Pantanal wetland. Howler monkeys swing through the trees as jaguars prowl below. This incredibly biodiverse area is one of the world's largest freshwater wetlands. It's located mostly in Brazil, and sprawls into Bolivia and Paraguay, covering at least 54,000 square miles (140,000 sq. km)! It's home to over 600 species of birds, hundreds of kinds of fish, and many other creatures.

aMAZEing ADVENTURE

The Pantanal and other wetlands are critical ecosystems for our planet's health. Also, some wetlands give protection from flooding and drought. Like giant sponges, they absorb and release water as needed. Wetlands can also filter out water pollution and prevent land erosion.

But global issues such as climate change, pollution, construction, hunting, and farming pose risks to wetlands and their wildlife. By preserving these wonders, we can help them flourish for generations to come.

These explorers are navigating the amazing Pantanal. Find their route to the nature lodge. Along the way, help them spot three animals they've never seen before.

DURING THE WET SEASON, ABOUT 80% OF THE PANTANAL GETS SUBMERGED IN WATER.

Tapir Capybara S. American Coati

START END [Page 30]“The engagement of children and youth will be particularly important as this population will be called upon to exercise leadership and address the dramatic and complex challenges of climate change in the decades to come.” —Bahá’í International Community

MAKE EVERY DAY EARTH DAY

RECYCLED CRAFTS

SEEDLING STATION

Brilliant Star www.brilliantstarmagazine.org

Tending to Our Earth • July/August 2011 • Vol. 43, No. 3

AN AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

UN DECADE OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DÉCENNIE DES N.U. POUR L’ÉDUCATION EN VUE DU DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE 2005-2014