The Climate Generation Program, started by the British Council (the United Kingdom's international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations) which is partnering with ARB and the Will Steger Foundation, is a competition challenging students to connect environmental studies with their daily lives.

High schools in California and Minnesota are eligible to participate in the program. Accoding to Mary Nichols, ARB Chairman, “The name ’Climate

Generation’ says it all. This is an opportunity for young people who will be living with the effects of climate change to focus their passion and enthusiasm on real-world projects and solutions in their school today.

It will also help us identify our new Climate Champions, the leaders who will express the concerns of California’s youth about climate change.”

Because of the diversity of industrial and commercial sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) in Kern County and the Bakersfield area (refineries, crude oil and natural gas production, ag and dairy, to name a few), this is an excellent opportunity for local high school teachers and students to learn about climate change. In addition, according to the CoolCalifornia.org website, reasons for participating include:

• Opportunity for your class to work together as a team to learn about climate change, take action, and do something positive for your school.
• Gain exposure to an international network of climate projects and learn about successful actions taken by students across the globe.
• Be eligible to participate in the Student Leadership Program (i.e., Climate Champions). • Be eligible to receive grant funding for your project.
• Educators can participate in professional development opportunities in climate education. • State-wide and national recognition.

• Participate in publicity and media events • For submitted projects, each student will receive a participation certificate.

Have access to:

>Partner and project database of non-profit organizations and existing projects willing to assist with project   implementation at your school.
> Project planning tools.

> International projects.
> Climate and environmental curriculum and lesson plans.

In order to participate, schools or classrooms must design and implement a climate action project related to:

• Energy Conservation
• Renewable Energy
• Water Conservation
• Transportation
• Purchasing
• Facilities

Awareness/Communication Project reports must be submitted by April 1, 2011, with the winners announced in May 2011.

Prizes of up to $5,000 will be awarded, as well as commemorative plaques, certificates, scholarships, trips, etc.  Detailed information on project partners, registration, planning tools, and judging criteria are available at the Climate Generation website . So, Bakersfield and Kern teachers, administrators, and students - what are you waiting for? Here's your chance for a great learning experience on a subject of utmost importance to everyone's future.

See the online article from the Examiner website - Jan. 2011