Speakers Announced for First Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in South America
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (September 25, 2014) – Today, The Climate Reality Project announced the speakers line-up 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 is a country that will play a crucial role in upcoming global climate negotiations taking place in Paris in 2015. The application period for the Brazil training is now open, and we will be accepting applications until October 3.
Former U.S. Vice President and Climate Reality Project Chairman Al Gore will lead the training for hundreds of new Climate Reality Leaders. Joining him will be an impressive list of world-class climate scientists, political strategists, communication experts, community organizers and activists, including:
- Ken Berlin, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project
- Eduardo Paes, Mayor of the City of Rio de Janeiro, Chair of C-40
- Izabella Teixeira, Minister of the Environment
- Dr. Henry Pollack, Emeritus Professor of Geophysics, University of Michigan
- Dr. Carlos Nobre, National Secretary for R&D Policy in the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation of Brazil
- Roberto Smeraldi, Policy Director at Amigos da Terra – Amazônia Brasileira
- Elbia Melo, Executive President of ABEEOLICA, the Brazilian Wind Energy Association
- Fabio Feldmann, Founder and Director of Fabio Feldmann Consultores
- Mayalú Kokometi Waurá Txucarramãe, Indigenous Leader, Mebêngôkrê Nyre Movement
- Rep. Alfredo Sirkis, Chair of the Climate Change Committee of Brazilian Congress
- André Trigueiro, TV journalist, Rede Globo
- Eduardo Leão, Executive Director, UNICA
For a complete list, visit http://www.climaterealitytraining.org/brazil/speakers.php
Together, these experts, along with Al Gore, will teach participants about the science of climate change, how to communicate its effects on individuals, and the unique climate-related issues facing Brazil and South America.
“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 challenge requires leadership in all sectors of society. On the 25th anniversary of our organisation, we are excited to test such an innovative and unconventional form of civil society mobilisation" Roberto Smeraldi, policy director, Amigos da Terra - Amazônia Brasileira.
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.
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