In this section we've tried to address some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding the issue of climate change and also what we're trying to achieve with the creation of our college.
1. How many ambassadors are you looking for?
2. Who are the participating countries for Year Three (2007/2008)? Why aren't the US, India or China involved, aren’t they the biggest polluters?
3. Why are there only 7 places?
4. How will 7 people make a difference?
5. What will Ambassador’s gain from the project?
6. What will an Ambassador need to commit to?
7. What kind of tools will be available?
8. Do you need to be physically fit?
9. Isn’t there a lot of carbon emissions involved in taking people to
the Arctic?
10.What are the renewable energy projects Climate Change College has invested in?
11.How much time will I need to commit to being a student of the Climate Change College, will I still be able to have a day job and/or continue with my other studies?
1. How many ambassadors are you looking for?
There are 7 places available on the college, 1 place per market involved in the programme, i.e. France, Ireland, The Netherlands, The Nordics, Portugal, Spain, & The UK in Year Three (2007/2008).
2. Who are the participating countries for Year Three (2007/2008)?
Why aren't the US, India or China involved, aren’t they the biggest polluters?
The participating countries are France, Ireland, The Netherlands, The Nordics, Portugal, Spain, & The UK. Climate Change College is a unique interactive partnership between a business, polar exploration team and NGO. In order for the aims of the college to be met, there needs to be an active Ben & Jerry’s team based in each country. If we are not active in a country it’s because one or other of us does not have sufficient capacity in that country. But rest assured, our goal is to bring on more countries each year - so watch this space!
3. Why are there only 7 places?
Numbers are restricted due to logistics for scientific expeditions and concerns for the native habitat. As well as our goal offering the highest quality education and support.
4. How can 7 people make a difference?
The goal of the CCC initiative is to enable each of the ambassadors to deliver tangible, business-oriented action on Climate Change with a holistic triple bottom line approach:
- Environmental- Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Social - Bringing about behavioural change
- Economic - Save money from energy savings that can be reinvested to create social value.
Moreover, ambassadors’ projects must have the potential to be scaled up into a business that becomes a tool for environmental and social change, and ultimately has a much greater impact on society as a whole.
5. What will Ambassador’s gain from the project?
All expenses associated with the College will be covered by Ben & Jerry’s. The CCC consists of a 9 month business mentoring programme (worth €21,000 per student) and a €7,000 monetary grant to launch their project. The programme is largely virtual educational programme combining lectures, assignments and a trip to The Arctic.
6. What will an Ambassador need to commit to?
Once appointed each ambassador will need to agree to attend the February pre-briefing, Arctic expedition/lectures and workshops. They will need to commit to developing and running their own climate change solutions project, achieving measurable environmental, social and economic impact.
7. What kind of tools will be available?
The key tool available to ambassadors is access to Marc Cornelissen, Ben & Jerry’s and WWF for learning and support. They will be provided computer access, materials and office support from the local Ben & Jerry’s office.
8. Do you need to be physically fit?
While the course is primarily designed to exercise the mind, a degree of fitness will be required to undertake the practical aspect of an Arctic
field trip.
9. Isn’t there a lot of carbon emissions involved in taking people to the Arctic?
The short answer is yes, the College has its own carbon footprint. However it is for this reason that we keep entry level to one Ambassador per country. Through the course of the College we promote sustainable forms of transport; rail and cycling where possible. For unavoidable air travel we calculate our carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy projects in developing countries through Cool Your Jets.
10.What are the renewable energy projects Climate Change College has invested in?
Ben & Jerry’s Climate Change College has invested in a solar greenhouse project in the Himalayas which enables people there to grow their own vegetables locally, to generate clean electricity and to get rid of polluting diesel generators. For more information on the project visit Cool Your Jets.
11.How much time will I need to commit to being a student of the Climate Change College, will I still be able to have a day job and/or continue with my other studies?
The programme is developed so that people can fit it around their daily lives so there should be no trouble fitting your student responsibilities and learning around a full time job or being a student as our previous CCC students have proven. There are certain dates that you will need to ensure availability for to attend workshops and of course the fieldtrip to the Arctic in April (see site for details). As with anything though, the more you put into the programme, the more you'll get out of it!
Got another question that isn’t covered here?
Email your country climate change administrator
de@climatechangecollege.org
es@climatechangecollege.org
fr@climatechangecollege.org
ie@climatechangecollege.org
nl@climatechangecollege.org
pt@climatechangecollege.org
se@climatechangecollege.org
uk@climatechangecollege.org
