By Julia Collin

Exciting things are happening for ACT otherWISE, a joint IYPF and RMIT pilot program in the ACT that educates young Canberrans about the impact of their lifestyle on the planet and motivates them to undertake their own sustainable projects to change their lives and communities. ACT otherWISE operates by running youth workshops where young people can learn, network and share ideas, and then supports emerging sustainable projects with a staff member and links to further resources, training and helpful organizations.

On June 4th ACT otherWISE hosted a World Environment Day celebration at the ACT Legislative Assembly to draw attention to environment issues in the National capital, and showcase the vibrancy and talent of young people who are working on their own sustainable projects. Several individuals and groups spoke about the projects they are currently working on, including personal lifestyle changes, a national day of action protest for environment change, a sustainable rock gig, a documentary on uranium mining, and a sewing skills group. Each group spoke of their motivations, how the ACT otherWISE workshop assisted them in taking sustainable action, and how they aim to achieve their goals now and in the future.

ACT otherWISE also celebrated a successful year of operations, after running 5 youth workshops, training almost 100 young people, training many local facilitators, and establishing lots of positive links between government, non-government and business sectors. A few days later the project groups received the fantastic news that their joint application for funding from the Foundation for Young Australians was successful (one of only 8 from a field of 61!). This includes almost $10,000 for them to purchase vital equipment so that they can begin filming, sewing, learning, creating and rocking out! Much of this basic equipment will then be used to host ongoing free sewing workshops, documentary making projects and other exciting events and activities and will contribute to a vibrant youth-led sustainable community in the ACT.

Stay tuned for more news about ACT otherWISE and young Canberrans working to achieve their sustainability goals in the near future….

For more information on ACT otherWISE please contact project officer Julia Collin at actotherwise@gmail.com and check out the project blog at http://ozotherwise.wordpress.com/.

SECOND AL GORE TRAINING SESSION CONFIRMED

The Climate Project - Australia, Al Gore's climate change leadership program with The Australian Conservation Foundation, is pleased to announce former US Vice President Al Gore will return to Australia to train 170 additional climate change presenters.

Mr Gore will conduct the second training session of The Climate Project - Australia in Melbourne, from 21-23 September. The aim of the training is to educate Australians on the issues and consequences of climate change using the material in Al Gore's famous 'An Inconvenient Truth' slide show.

The Climate Project - Australia Manager Angela Rutter said: "It is excellent news that Mr Gore is returning to strengthen the numbers of presenters in Australia. His work and his message have provided the inspiration for much positive change."

ACF Executive Director Don Henry said: "Climate change is the biggest crisis we face. Australians want to find out what they can do and what we as a nation should be doing. This new training session by Al Gore will inform and inspire many more people to take action."

One of the Climate Project volunteer presenters and general manager of MECU Limited Rowan Dowland said: "Being a climate change presenter has changed my life. I feel I am part of the solution and not the problem. People are surprised to learn they can help stop dangerous climate change and that those solutions can represent such significant opportunity for business."

To date, the 84 presenters from the inaugural The Climate Project - Australia training session have presented 693 presentations to at least 40,000 people.

Once trained, presenters agree to deliver their version of Al Gore's now famous slide show presentation 10 times over the period of one year.

The Climate Project originated in Mr Gore's home town of Nashville, Tennessee, where he has trained 1,000 presenters. In April, 2007 Mr Gore trained 170 people in the UK to deliver his presentation on global warming.

The only way to make an application for the September 2007 Melbourne training session of The Climate Project - Australia is* *online. Apply at www.acfonline.org.au/climateproject. Applications will close 13 July 2007.

The training session will be carbon neutral.