*This ceremony involves the use of a pocketknife, so an adult should handle this.
PROPS: Apple, Pocketknife, Table
CUBMASTER: Earth Day comes in April and it reminds us to be careful with our home planet. There is also an old song about April showers bring May flowers. Together, these remind me of how precious and valuable water is, and how important it is to use it wisely.
Imagine that this apple is the whole world. Three-quarters of the world is covered with water, and only one quarter is covered by land. (Cut one-fourth section off of the apple and place it down on the table.)
Out of the three quarters covered in water, only about three percent is fresh water and the rest is saltwater, mostly in the oceans. (Cuts off a thin sliver from apple, and places larger piece down on the table. Holds the thin sliver up for all to see).
Of this 3% slice, about two-thirds of that is generally not available. Most of that is frozen in the North Pole and the South Pole, and other hard to reach places. (Cuts off two-thirds of the thin sliver and puts larger piece down).
Only this thin sliver is left. All the freshwater that is available to life on the land's surface. This is all the freshwater we have. What would happen to us if we ruin this thin sliver by pollution? (Eats thin sliver in one bite).
We would be gone just like that. Be careful with the world. We need to save it for all these young people here tonight.