New Tread Lightly Program Helps Students Understand and Reduce Their Impact on the Environment

LONDON - With humanity currently using the equivalent of 1.3 planets for our resource consumption and waste absorption, it is clear that we must learn to decrease the pressure we put on the planet. Beginning on October 24th, the International Day of Climate Action, youth worldwide will be able to participate in two exciting initiatives designed to help them understand and reduce their ecological footprints.

A 40-day ecological footprint challenge and art contest are being organized by TakingITGlobal as part of its new Tread Lightly climate change engagement and education program. These initiatives are purposefully launching on the International Day of Climate Action to encourage youth to organize or attend one of the day’s climate change events (see 350.org for more information), and then strive to adopt a greener lifestyle over time. As noted by Jennifer Corriero, TakingITGlobal’s Executive Director, “youth have the most at stake and a very important role to play when it comes to a sustainable future.”

Global 40-Day Challenge

Everyone, everywhere, is invited to step up to the 40-Day Challenge. It begins by using an ecological footprint calculator to get an idea of where one stands. Then it’s time to utilise online tools to help adopt, track and maintain as many of the 40 different ecological commitments as possible. At the end of the 40 days, participants are invited to recalculate their ecological footprint to see how far they have come in greening their lifestyle.

Imprints Art Contest

From October 24th to December 3rd, people around the world can participate in the Imprints Art Contest by sharing creative expressions that incorporate either the concept of the ecological footprint and/or the number 350 (the level of carbon dioxide, in parts per million, in the atmosphere considered safe by UN climate scientists). Submissions may include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, photography, video, flash animation, and more. Youth participants aged 13 to 30 are eligible to win one of a number of exciting prizes, which include a folding aluminium bicycle, a digital camera, and the BBC’s Planet Earth documentary DVD set. Select submissions will be displayed at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December.

Tread Lightly

Available through the generous support of the Staples Foundation for Learning(R), the Tread Lightly program also includes an interdisciplinary secondary school curriculum on the issue of climate change. Available now, free of charge at www.treadlightly.me, its lesson plans are specifically designed to run in parallel with global climate change events leading up to and including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“As we strive to continuously reduce our ecological footprint, we feel that it is of great value to provide resources to the community in order to do the same. We firmly believe in the importance of offering environmental engagement opportunities to young people, and are pleased to work with TakingITGlobal to create a more sustainable future,” says Katy Dobbs, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Staples.

Tread Lightly welcomes all interested participants. Simply visit www.treadlightly.me or email info@treadlightly.me to find out more or get involved.

About TakingITGlobal

TakingITGlobal (TIG) is an international organization led by youth and empowered by technology. It lies at the intersection of three major global trends: globalization and the international scope of major issues, the revolution in information and communication technology, and the demographic force of young people. TIG aims to help youth develop their potential as creative, technology-enabled and globally-aware citizens by strengthening the capacity of young people as leaders and stakeholders, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, and increasing awareness and involvement among youth in global issues. Often described as a “social network for social good,” the award winning www.tigweb.org is available in twelve languages and offers a diverse set of tools and resources including blogs, wikis, discussion boards, podcasts, an online gallery, a member-driven e-zine, guides to action and more.

About the Staples Foundation for Learning

As the cornerstone of Staples community efforts, the mission of the Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL) is to support organizations that provide educational opportunities and job skills. Since its inception in 2002, SFFL has awarded more than USD 14 million in grants across nearly 350 communities. The SFFL is pleased to provide financial support to TIG to establish the Tread Lightly climate change education program.

For further information: TakingITGlobal: Katherine Walraven, Education Program Manager, +1-416-977-9363 (X318), education@takingitglobal.org, www.tigweb.org; Staples Foundation for Learning: Katy Dobbs, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, (+31)20-651-1156, katy.dobbs@staples.eu

Source: TakingITGlobal

For further information: TakingITGlobal: Katherine Walraven, Education Program Manager, +1-416-977-9363 (X318), education at takingitglobal.org, https://www.tigweb.org; Staples Foundation for Learning: Katy Dobbs, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, (+31)20-651-1156, katy.dobbs at staples.eu