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environment
2008-10-01
For U.S. students in grades 6-8. Accepting applications September 16, 2008 through March 15, 2009.
Become an Eco Hero and an Agent of Change!
As citizens and future stewards of our planet, today’s students are in a unique position to become active agents of environmental change. The good news is that many of them are very interested in learning about and taking responsibility for their environment and their future.
Today’s young people will inherit a world that’s very different from the one their parents inherited. Climate change; polluted air, water and soil; endangered species; shrinking coastlines; and a rapidly increasing population are among the many issues that threaten our global environment.
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge gives students the opportunity, tools and inspiration to become those agents of change. Beginning in fall 2008 through March 15, 2009, middle school student teams from across the country will be challenged to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their local communities.
Top prizes will include a chance to appear on Discovery Network's Planet Green, a share in thousands of dollars in cash prizes, a one-in-a-lifetime Discovery Adventure trip and more.
Today’s students are ready to change the world. Let’s get them started.
Setting Up Your Teams
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge entries are being accepted from September 16, 2008 through March 15, 2009, and are developed by teams of two to three students under the mentorship of a teacher or other adult supervisor. The scientific nature of the Challenge is such that it can be incorporated into a school’s existing science fair process as a team science investigation. One or more science fair teams can develop a project for the Challenge.
Another option is to make the Challenge part of an ongoing class science project. The class studies a local environmental topic, and teams will identify specific problems and propose solutions. The Keys to Successful Projects provide guidance regardless of how teams of students become involved in the Challenge.
You may also have an environmental science club or other group of students who wish to participate. As many teams of two to three students can enter as want to be part of the solution. Here's how the Challenge Process works:
Each Team shall be supervised by one adult who is a U.S. resident over the age of 18 (“Mentor”). The Teams may be made up of two or three students who have been approved and recommended by the Mentor, each of whom is a legal U.S. resident enrolled in 6th through 8th grade at a public, private, parochial or home school located in the United States at the time of entry.
2008-08-31
DEADLINE EXTENDED: September 14, 2008
Call on community residents, organizations, and leaders you know to post local solutions to CatComm's award-winning Community Solutions Database by August 31, 2008 DEADLINE EXTENDED: September 14, 2008.
What are we looking for? In this round, we are calling on YOU to help identify creative, community-based solutions to social and environmental challenges around the world that push the frontiers of projects currently covered in the Community Solutions Database into new areas. This call is particularly interested in infrastructure and/or environment projects. We are also looking to expand geographically. Finally, we would love to hear of solutions from currently underrepresented groups, including indigenous and rural communities.
Why post? All projects posted in the Community Solutions Database at any time automatically join the CatComm Network - a growing network of grassroots projects, many of them small-scale, but which together have the potential to transform the world. Through the CatComm Network, all projects get translated to three languages initially. They are then communicated to our 6000+ member network, including community leaders, journalists, volunteers, and potential funders. They have access to a growing assortment of tools through our website at www.catcomm.org, tools which help them gain access to other communities, like theirs, and other potential partners around the world. Peer-to-peer partnerships have an enormous potential to transform their participants, and the broader world.
By posting your local solution to the Community Solutions Database you will be: Showcasing your community and town's grassroots efforts to the world.
- Inspiring people elsewhere to make a difference and learn through your community's example.
- Broadening the visibility of your local efforts around the world.
- Attracting support from people in your town and around the world who learn about your efforts and want to help them grow.
Projects posted in these topic areas by August 31st DEADLINE EXTENDED: September 14, 2008 will be given special recognition throughout CatComm's outreach materials through December 2008.
How to post?
Simply click here and follow the easy steps. If you have any difficulties with this process, don't hesitate to contact us at projects@catcomm.org.
Note: Our questionnaire is quite detailed as its intention is to help others truly gain an understanding of your project in order to learn and adapt it to inspire other communities. You may enter and publish your project information in small doses, allowing you to complete it in more detail over time. Please don't forget to submit it when finally done! Also: ask for a Word version of the questionnaire if you have limited Internet access.
2008-08-10
September 18 - 19, 2008, New York City
Sourcing and Solutions: The Green Event Conference and Expo
Sharing ideas on how to develop, design and produce for an eco-conscious world.
Featured Discussions:
Creating Green
Green is the new.... fill in the blank, currency, trend or wave. How de retailers create green products that will improve their business? What has been successful? How do we keep green consumers interested?
Green Stamps
Confusion bounds regarding how to identify a “real” green product. Our panel discussion will help attendees learn about what is available in the market to support their green claims. It will answer the questions: what is the standard? How are products certified? And what are the differences?
Keynote Speaker:
Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies—Green to Gold
Founder of Winston Eco-Strategies, Andrew Winston works with leading companies to use environmental thinking to drive growth. He is the co-author of the bestseller Green to Gold, which highlights what works—and what doesn’t—when companies go “green.” Andrew is a globally recognized expert on green business, and has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, BusinessWeek, Forbes, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, CNBS and National Public Radio.
The Green Event will feature an Expo Hall on Gallery 8 of the Millennium Hotel that will include “The GreenWay”, an educational photo and product presentation of green products in action highlighting supply chain initiatives from raw materials to end-use products.
September 18 - 19, 2008
The Millennium Broadway Hotel and Hudson Theatre, New York City
2008-08-09
4 June 2008 – 22 November 2008, Wellington, New Zealand; January - June 2009, Brazil
The focus of the global 2008-2010 exhibition is on the solutions and the opportunities for countries, companies and communities to "Kick the Carbon Habit" and de-carbonize their economies and life-styles.
Moving Towards a Balanced Earth: Kick the (Carbon) Habit
The Natural World Museum (NWM), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), present the 2008–2009 traveling exhibit entitled Moving Towards a Balanced Earth: Kick the Carbon Habit. The exhibit will debuted at the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in Wellington to commemorate the celebration of UN World Environment Day (WED) on 5 June 2008. For the past 30 years a different country has hosted the WED celebration; this is the first year Wellington, New Zealand has been the official host city. As the host of WED 2008, on the theme of “Kick the Carbon Habit,” New Zealand is one of the first countries to pledge a carbon-neutral future.
Moving Towards a Balanced Earth: Kick the Carbon Habit features the works of 27 artists representing 20 countries. The contemporary art pieces all focus on climate change, with an emphasis on lowering carbon emissions. The thought-provoking exhibition includes photographs, paintings, sculpture, video, multimedia and conceptual installations.
Each year, NWM and UNEP launch their annual flagship exhibit in honor of WED – a principal vehicle through which the United Nations stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political action. Each exhibit focuses on a different environmental issue and utilizes the universal language of art as a catalyst to raise global awareness as it tours the world. After New Zealand, the exhibit is scheduled to tour through Latin America, North America, Asia, and Europe.
Wellington, New Zealand
4 June 2008 – 22 November 2008
Te Papa Museum
Brazil
January - June 2009
The 2007–2008 international exhibition, Melting Ice / A Hot Topic: Envisioning Change, focused on climate change, specifically melting ice caps, to coincide with last year’s WED theme. The exhibit will directly reach a projected one million viewers upon completion of the tour. It kicked off its tour in Oslo at the Nobel Peace Center during UN WED in June 2007, and then traveled to the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, then moved to Monaco, and is now housed in the Field Museum in Chicago, USA, where it will remain through September 1, 2008.
2008-07-11
Application deadline: July 20, 2008.
As a part of it’s effort to achieve a sustainable food system in California, Roots of Change is seeking Action Fellows who have an unrivaled commitment to bold ideas and whose leadership is a tremendous force for change.
Eligible Fellows will receive stipends and expenses to participate in intensive and facilitated leadership retreats, and will work with their peers to develop collaborative projects aligned with Roots of Change goals. Fellows will gain knowledge, build skills, identify allies, and will add to the active core of the Leadership Network.
Does that sound like you or someone you know? If so then please consider applying, or forwarding this info to the right person. Fellows must currently live in California.
Please link to http://www.rocfund.org/campaign/announcement-of-action-fellowships-2008.html for more information. Applications must be received by July 20, 2008.
2008-06-26
Entrants have a chance to win $5,000 to further their environmental work.
On June 10, The Timberland Company announced the global launch of the Earthkeeper campaign, a movement to recruit one million people to become part of an online network designed to inspire real environmental behavior change.
The Earthkeeper network is a forum where people who share energy and interest in the notion of protecting our planet can share information and inspiration, and the Earthkeeper campaign will be a way to translate lots of passionate talk and ideas into positive, practical action.
Why TBL developed the EK campaign:
There’s an emerging effort by companies to try to figure out how to engage with consumers about the environment. One key question is how to do it appropriately. Timberland is widely seen as an innovator in CSR practices, and the company believes that businesses have a responsibility to the community and to its consumers to do "good." Timberland's goal is to inspire environmental stewardship by consumers. Timberland has been "walking the walk," or “Earthkeeping,” for years, and good CSR practices have been critically important internally. Efforts have been shared periodically w/ a niche group of targeted peers and thought leaders through CSR conferences like Ceres and BSR Annual Conferences, but not much energy has been spent in educating consumers of Timberland's CSR in a way that is meaningful and impactful to this important group.
So, what is the Earthkeeper campaign?
As part of the Earthkeeper program, Timberland has launched an innovative global network of online social networking tools, including partnerships with Changents.com, a strong Facebook presence, a YouTube Earthkeeper Brand Channel and a richly-populated Earthkeeper blog. Uniting these various Earthkeeper “channels” is www.earthkeeper.com, a website which allows users to navigate through the Earthkeeper network based on their level of interest in learning more or engaging in Earthkeeping. Earthkeepers can share ideas and activities via these online venues, making it quick, simple and entertaining to learn, and discuss greener lifestyles. Earthkeeper forums have been created on YouTube (www.earthkeeper.com/youtube), Facebook (www.earthkeeper.com/facebook), Changents.com (www.earthkeeper.com/changents), and the Earthkeeper blog (www.earthkeeper.com/blog).
How online social networking can lead to real environmental action:
We know that most of us are aware that the environment is in trouble, and that many of us don't know how to fix it. The Earthkeeper campaign helps us see that every little thing we do can help- and, together, we can inspire each other to do more. The Calling All Earthkeepers contest invites us to share our Earthkeeping story, and have a blast while doing it!
Calling all Earthkeepers contest:
- YouTube is a site that most of us use, "just for fun." But what if YouTube was a venue on which real environmental action could be shared, thereby inspiring real eco action among the larger, offline population? The Timberland Company is hosting a revolutionary contest, where everyday Earthkeepers are invited to document and share their own Earthkeeping projects. Earthkeeping can be anything you do to lighten your environmental footprint- from ditching your car for the summer and commuting to work on bike, setting up a communal compost bin in your neighborhood, or adopting an abandoned city lot and creating green space. These projects can be funny or serious, and can be independent projects, group projects, or school projects. Videos can be uploaded until July 26, and will be posted on the Earthkeeper channel at http://www.youtube.com/earthkeepers.
- You decide how you want to share your story: You can simply upload your Earthkeeping video to the YouTube contest- where the winners in each of three categories -- 1. most humorous, 2. most unique/informative, and 3. most motivating/engaging -- will receive $300 worth of Timberland gear.
- And, if you are really inspired, and believe you can start an eco-movement with your concept, enter the "Be an Earthkeeper Hero" competition. To win this phase of the contest, you'll need to attract "backers"- but don't worry, we'll give you the tools to do this using the storytelling platform on Changents.com. You'll upload your video to http://www.changents.com/earthkeepers-int, and start promoting yourself by sharing photos, blog entries, podcasts, Twitters and more. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 prize, an opportunity to be featured in a 2009 Timberland advertising campaign, plus $500 in TBL gear.
2008-06-17
November 4, 2008 is the next deadline.
The Skoll Foundation announces that November 4, 2008 is the next deadline for receipt of applications for the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship.
As always, we are looking for social entrepreneurs whose work has the potential for large-scale positive change in the areas of tolerance and human rights, health, environmental sustainability, peace and security, institutional responsibility, and economic and social equity.
Within these issues, we are particularly interested in applications from social entrepreneurs working in five critical sub-issue areas that threaten the survival of humanity – climate change, nuclear proliferation, global pandemics, conflict in the Middle East and water scarcity.
Award winners are celebrated at the annual Skoll World Forum following their selection, at the end of March in Oxford, England.
You can read the Award Guidelines, take our eligibility quiz and fill out an application on our Web site.
Future deadlines will be posted to the Skoll Foundation website as they become available.
2008-06-11
Anyone under 21 is encourage to enter before 31st July, 2008. Winner to receive a cash prize and find their pictures in international media.
CIWEM is calling for all young photographers to enter the Environmental Photographer of the Year competition before 31st July. Anyone under 21 is encouraged to enter to become the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year, receive a cash prize, and find their pictures in international media.
The Environmental Photographer of the Year shares images of environmental and social issues with international audiences, enhancing our understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change. It is open to all professional and amateur, national and international photographers working with digital and traditional photography. Categories include Changing Climates, The Natural World, A World of Difference and Quality of Life.
2008 is the first year of our special Under 21 Category, which is open to all young people throughout the world. Although the Under 21 category does not have specific thematic boundaries, the competition encourages entries that highlight issues important to their generation, explore their place in society or celebrate people or places that they value. The winner of this category will become the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year and win a cash prize.
More information is available at www.ciwem.org/awards/epoty.
2008-05-24
September 15 - 17, 2008, Washington DC
Cleantech Forum XVIII in Washington, D.C. connects North American investors, technology innovators, policymakers and top tier cleantech influencers with their counterparts from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. It provides unparalleled analysis, networking, deal flow and thought leadership for the cleantech investment category.
Explore best cleantech policies and corporate practices from around the world. Hear from prominent lawmakers on cleantech-related issues. Help influence change. A new U.S. administration will soon be sworn in, and a national American emissions cap and trade system looks likely. First generation biofuels are being blamed for rising worldwide food prices, and scientists worry that the challenge of global warming has been underestimated.
Register now. Earlybird Registration Discount (promo code: dcearly) ends August 1, 2008.
For more information please contact: forums@cleantech.com
2008-05-18
10th & 11th July 2008, New Delhi, India
Cleantech Solutions - Financing and Technological Innovation for Sustainable Development
The CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (Confederation of Indian Industry) and Clean Technology AustralAsia have again partnered to organize the 2nd India Cleantech Forum.
Accelerating the investment in and deployment of clean technologies in India will significantly help to promote economic development and reduce poverty. But for clean technologies to have a tangible and enduring impact, there are policy, technical and financial barriers that must be overcome.
Now is the time for business, investors, entrepreneurs and policy makers from within India and around the world to come together for knowledge exchange and commercial interaction to address these barriers and implement actions and solutions to build the new Cleantech sector in India.
The agenda for the 2nd India Cleantech Forum, will include some of the most authoritative speakers representing a spectrum of global clean technology experts who will examine and outline the challenges and opportunities for Cleantech in India based on the following themes:
- Global and local trends in Cleantech Investment
- Government policies to provide incentives and investor certainty
- Clean Energy and Water Infrastructure needs in India
- Investment Opportunities in Indian Cleantech companies and projects
- Actions required to accelerate investment and deployment of Cleantech in India
- Global Technology transfer and collaboration- who is doing what
- Innovation in Cleantech funds and finance
In the program we will showcase a diverse set of Indian clean technology sub-sectors, including companies that
highlight technologies, such as:
- Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, Biomass, Small Hydro, and other
- Energy efficiency and Green building technologies
- Advanced materials
- Water treatment and sanitation
- Distributed generation
- Waste management, treatment, and conversion to energy
Register Now For the 2nd India Cleantech Forum
2008-05-16
Presented by Reuters - IUCN. Deadline to enter: 15 June 2008.
Established in 1998 by Reuters Foundation and the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Reuters IUCN Media Awards aim to help raise global awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues by encouraging high standards in environmental reporting worldwide.
Since the launch of the competition, 44 reporters have been recognised for outstanding environmental journalism. These journalists come from countries as diverse as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, Great Britain, Kenya, Macedonia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Togo, USA, and Zimbabwe.
The global winner of the competition, selected amongst six candidates representing Asia, English-speaking Africa, French-speaking Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America & Oceania, receives a cash prize of US$ 5,000. Each regional winner receives a trophy and a travel grant to attend the global ceremony to be held at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, Spain in October 2008.
Direct applicants should:
- Complete the entry form
- Attach a copy of the article
- Provide a translation of the article in English, French or Spanish
- Submit the above to IUCN by 15 June 2008
- By e-mail: media.awards@iucn.org
or by fax : +41 (22) 999-0020
or by post: Rue Mauverney 28
Gland
1196
Switzerland
Nominations may be made by media publishers, editors, TV producers, IUCN staff, IUCN Members, Commissions, and Reuters representatives. Nominators should:
- Provide contact information for the journalist or the publisher
- Attach an original copy of the article
- Provide a translation of the article into English, French or Spanish
- Submit the above to IUCN
For general enquiries contact IUCN Headquarters: media.awards@iucn.org
2008-04-22
Go green (and blue*)! It's April 22, 2008 – Earth Day.
Find and list Earth Day Events Worldwide on the Earth Day Network.
Discover events happening around the globe.
For more events in Asia, see also
Earth Day 2008 @ Cyberport, Hong Kong
Earth Day 2008: A Call for Climate on April 22, 2008.
*Also on April 22: The BYOBlue campaign - wear BLUE for Earth Day 2008 to VOTE for No Coal
Want to stop global warming? Wear BLUE for Earth Day 2008! Join millions of people around the world who will be wearing BLUE to signify their vote for NO COAL. Events will be happening April 19th through April 22nd
About Earth Day Network: Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.
2008-04-13
2008 Theme: Biodiversity and Agriculture, 22 May 2008. Download information and resources.
Agriculture is a key example of how human activities have profound impacts on the ecosystems of our planet. This year’s theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), “Biodiversity and Agriculture,” seeks to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to ensure that we will be able to feed the world, maintain agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well being into the 21st century and beyond.
Resources are available to learn more, teach students, or host your own event to celebrate Biological Diversity Day:
Booklet
Poster & Logos
Teaching Resources
Fact Sheets
The Deadline for the CEPA Fair has been extended to the 14th of April.
COP 9 - Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Fair
The Deadline for the CEPA Fair has been extended to the 14th of April.
Communication, education and public awareness is central and essential to the implementation of the Convention. It is for this reason that Article 13 encourages the promotion of the importance of, and the measures required for, the conservation of biological diversity through the media and the inclusion of relevant topics in educational programmes. The importance of CEPA to the mainstreaming of biodiversity into a variety of sectors is also reflected in the Strategic Plan. With this in mind, a fair on experiences and best practices in Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) will be held at the margins of COP-9, in the Federal Ministry of Transport Building. The Fair, which will be organized jointly with the Government of Germany as the host of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, will include displays and presentations on the following themes:
- National CEPA strategies and their contribution to implementation;
- Mobilization of the media for communication of messages on the importance of biodiversity for human well-being and of the Convention and its objectives;
- Integration of biodiversity considerations into education including formal and informal contexts, and inter alia primary, secondary, university, and professional training;
- Best practices in raising public awareness, including communicating with stakeholders and major groups, including business and other important economic sectors.
Parties and organizations will have the opportunity to present their materials in a variety of formats. The following are suggested:
- Presentation of posters
- Display of printed materials
- Display of CD-ROMs
- Presentation of videos
- Events and presentations
To ensure maximum flexibility in presentations, and to take into account the different resource capabilities of Parties, it will also be possible to mount a display for only some of the days of the COP. Participants will be expected to have a resource person on hand at the fair during the entire time of their display. The Secretariat invites Parties, other Governments, development agencies, research institutions, and other relevant organizations and initiatives to register their interest to showcase their CEPA projects and activities with the Secretariat at their earliest convenience, but no later than 26 March 2008. In order to facilitate the organization of the Fair, indications of interest should include a short description of the proposed activities (one page maximum), presentations and/or material to be showcased, including any audio-visual requirements. The dates for display and/or presentations should also be indicated. It is important to note that, due to restricted room capacity, only a limited number of exhibitors can be offered the opportunity to showcase their work. The Secretariat reserves the right to select the exhibitors. Also note that limited support will be provided for PC-based materials and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Parties are therefore encouraged to provide their own laptops. Internet access will be made available. A large screen, with audio system will also be available for the display of films and presentations. Expressions of interest can be sent to secretariat@cbd.int
Note regarding the main event and parallel events:
The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) will be held at the Maritim Hotel in Bonn, Germany, from 19 to 30 May 2008. COP 9 will include a high-level ministerial segment organized by the host country in consultation with the Secretariat and the Bureau. The high‑level segment will take place from 28 to 30 May 2008 at the World Conference Center Bonn. COP 9 will also coincide with the International Biodiversity Day, on 22 May 2008. The Conference of the Parties will be invited to hold a special plenary session to celebrate this event. The registration of side events for COP 9 is now closed due to the high number of requests already received.
International Youth Summit 2008: Go 4 Biodiv, 16 – 31 May 2008, Bavarian Forest National Park and Bonn, Germany. Young adults all over the world are committing themselves with great motivation and enthusiasm to the conservation of biological diversity. They experience biodiversity, and the loss of it, first hand. It is the young generation who will have to bear the consequences of the international community’s current actions. Meet the participants.
2008-04-12
April 24-26, San Francisco, CA
Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, California, the E |
