connect2earth now links young people directly with world’s top experts to debate green issues

IUCN 6 Apr 09;

The popular online community connect2earth.org has launched a new service that links young people directly with the world’s top environmental experts to talk about headline-grabbing topics that they care about such as climate change, the energy crisis, and species loss.

Community members can debate by posting text, images, audio, video and then follow the discussion live as it plays out on the web or on their mobile phone. connect2earth community members, together with a jury of green experts, will then pick a winning contribution, giving the winner an opportunity to take even more action.

The winner could snag a trip to be part of an official delegation to the United Nations climate negotiations in Copenhagen later this year, or even get hands-on experience in a real on-the-ground conservation project somewhere in the world.

“connect2earth lets you talk directly with people all over the world and some of the world’s top experts. Participate in the community and you may even get to be part of the global UN climate change negotiations, or take part in a real conservation project!” says Skandar Keynes, star of Hollywood hits The Chronicles of Narnia: “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” and “Prince Caspian”.

“connect2earth is a great way for young people to engage with environmentalists, but also for us to learn from young people. They are the future of our planet and they need a voice in the global debate – in both the corridors of power and on the ground,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General.

More information: www.connect2earth.org