| May 21, 2010
Advanced technology vehicles and over 80 exhibitors
on display
Nearly 8,000 high school students and teachers from more than 150 schools
across the Southland have registered to attend “A World We Can Change,” a
clean air conference and expo hosted by the South Coast Air Quality
Management District. The conference aims to increase students’ awareness of
what they can do to improve air quality and lessen climate change.
The one-day conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 27 at the
Los Angeles Convention Center. It will feature several notable speakers,
including world-class skateboarder and founder of Sole Technology
Pierre-Andre Senizergues, more than 80 exhibitors, informational sessions
led by environmental experts and youth peers, and a vehicle parade led by
former Dodger outfielder Ken Landreaux.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for high school students to
connect with today’s environmental leaders,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D.,
chairman of AQMD’s Governing Board. “This conference is aimed at motivating
Southland high school students to become tomorrow’s leaders in reducing air
pollution and minimizing our carbon footprint.”
Sarah Backhouse, host of the cable TV show Planet 100, will emcee the event.
Morning and afternoon sessions will be led by environmental experts and
youth leaders, including:
• Donal Manahan, Ph.D., ocean scientist – “Overview of Student-led Polar
Marine Biology Expedition to Antarctica”
• Joshua Willis, Ph.D., NASA oceanographer – “The Real Deal on Global
Warming”
• Alec Loorz, Founder, Kids vs. Global Warming – “How Youth Are Leading the
Green Revolution”
• Eric Axelson, Rock the Vote – “Overcoming Barriers to Youth Voting and
Civic Engagement”
• Ethan Burke, Alliance for Climate Education - “Hot Planet, Cool Solutions”
• Scientific experts from AQMD – “What Are We Breathing?” and “New
Technologies: Air Pollution Solutions”
• Film screening of select environmental films
The core session will feature a motivational speech by Senizergues as well
as a clean vehicle parade showcasing advanced technology vehicles including
fuel cell, plug-in hybrid, electric, hydrogen and natural gas vehicles.
Throughout the conference, students and teachers will have the opportunity
to visit the expo hall where over 80 exhibitors will have information on
green job training, environmental volunteer opportunities, state-of-science
technology displays and more. Selected participants in the 2010 California
Science Fair will also be on hand to share their science projects.
Science and environmental studies teachers from throughout the Southland are
encouraged to attend with their students but they must pre-register at
www.aqmd.gov or by calling (909) 396-2221. The event is free for
participating schools and students. AQMD is providing lunch for students and
teachers and partially reimbursing public schools for the cost of
transportation to and from the conference and for substitute teachers.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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