Brazil Will Host First Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in South America

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (August 7, 2014) – Today, The Climate Reality Project announced that applications are now open for the first Climate Reality Leadership Corps training program in South America, which will be held in partnership with Amigos da Terra - Amazônia Brasileira on November 4-6, 2014. The training – which marks the 26th of its kind – will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a country that will play a crucial role in upcoming global climate negotiations taking place in Paris in 2015.

Former U.S. Vice President and Climate Reality Project Chairman Al Gore will lead the training for hundreds of new Climate Reality Leaders. Along with world-class climate scientists, political strategists, communication experts, community organizers and activists, he will teach participants about the science of climate change and how to communicate its effects on individuals.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting in Rio de Janeiro a new group of men and women who are ready to become Climate Reality Leaders,” said Al Gore, Chairman and Founder of The Climate Reality Project. “Traveling around the globe and meeting these committed, passionate and engaged individuals gives me yet another reason to be hopeful about the future when it comes to solving the climate crisis. They are already having a critical impact in their communities, and our aim is to equip them with the best tools we know to carry this message of hope to their own networks.”

The intensive program is designed to formally train a new group of community, government and business leaders to become Climate Reality Leaders, who then become change agents in their own communities. They will emerge from the program as energized and skilled communicators with the knowledge, tools and drive to educate diverse communities on the costs of carbon pollution and what can be done to solve the climate crisis.

“The Climate Leadership Corps trainings are a key part of what Climate Reality is able to achieve as an organization,” said Ken Berlin, Climate Reality President & CEO. “Activating leaders across the globe and equipping them with the tools they need to be successful is a critical step in the global fight to reign in carbon pollution and halt climate change.”

The Climate Reality Project has trained over 6,000 Climate Reality Leaders from more than 100 countries, including recent trainings held in Istanbul, Chicago, Johannesburg and Melbourne. Rio de Janeiro has been chosen to host this training to address the significant climate impacts already being felt in the region, such as flooding and changing precipitation patterns, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels. In addition, the training in Rio will highlight the need for solutions and resilience strategies that address important realities and needs in Brazil such as land rights, civic engagement and clean energy. Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro is also the current chair of C40 Cities, a fact that highlights the region’s commitment to climate action.

To apply, visit www.climaterealitytraining.org.