Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Disney's Planet Challenge Kicks off for a second year..and further expands!!

           Disney's Planet Challenge program offers students all around the country a chance to help their environment. With Disney offering national prizes and state prizes.  Participation is free and registration is now through December 17, 2010.
          For the project students must address an environmental issue and change it.  Beth Stevens,vice president of Environmental Affairs at the Walt Disney World Company said, "It is our goal to inspire a sense of environmental stewardship in kids as the inheritors of our planet, and education is a critical component of that." The challenge has decided to expand it's doors to grades 6-8 and even reaches to an elementary level of grades 3-5.
        Disney also is providing funding for classrooms that have an idea but might not be able to find the funds to perform it. Disney has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org which is a charity that will send "citizen philanthropists" to classrooms in need. Disney is in turn providing $250,000 worth of grant which goes to 50% of the funds needed for classrooms.
         Disney will be using two video sources to help make students aware of the environmental issues that they can help impact.

And I am sure your wondering...What are the prizes?

           Disney will provide a trip to Disneyland for the entire elementary national prize winners and a $200,000 dollar grant to the middle school national prize winner. And both will have their own published Marvel Comic.

           When I first read this article I was worried as to how the schools were going to get the money to fund their project. But Disney had an answer before I could get too upset. It's great to know that not only is Disney promoting students, not to mention at such a young age, to help their environment. They are also so dedicated to the initiative that they are willing to donate company dollars to help the students get started. As they said in the article, they are trying to promote young people about what is going on in their world and how they can fix it. And I think this is a perfect way to do it.......not to mention you could win some pretty cool prizes!

Check out this video of the announcement of last years winner!!! (Mickey makes an appearance too!!)



Source: http://conservation.wdwpublicaffairs.com/ContentDrillDown.aspx?DisplayItem=20f46c0c-16ee-44b8-91d9-95dc5a1b7e8b

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Disney saves Bahamian coral reefs!!!!

So, Disney just so happens to be one of the biggest companies on the planet. That's why when they do something about it. IT'S BIG.

Disney recently created a series of feature films all having to do with the environment. The latest is "Oceans". As an incentive to come and see the movie, Disney has decided to save 55 square miles worth of coral reef in the Bahman region. That is the equivalent to 412 Disneylands. To establish this project Disney has partnered with The Nature Conservancy's Adopt a Coral Reef program.

Why help the Bahamas coral reefs?

Scientists have recently estimated that in 50 years the coral reefs in this region will be gone unless they begin to be managed. Also, this coral reef area makes up 30% in the entire world.

Disney also gained money for this cause by using their profits from the in store ecofriendly "Save the planet earth" bags. Through this, and other donations, Disney added another 4,000 acres of reef onto their protection plan. The Nature Conservancy, hope to grow the reef in the future.

In my opinion, this is an easy way for a huge money maker, like Disney, to contribute to the environment. With Disney's net worth topping right at 35 Billion dollars, its safe to say that they have plenty of spare change. I thought that the coral reefs,off the Bahamas in particular, was a unique choice. People are always so quick to focus on the Australian reef, that we forget that they are all over the planet. These are also closer to home, which made me more connected to the project.

Not to mention, when your spending the whole twenty bucks at the movie theater, it's nice to know that at least 8 (which you spent on the ticket) will be going to save the environment around you. This project represents to me a way people around the world can have fun, while helping the environment.

To learn more about the project visit http://conservation.wdwpublicaffairs.com/ContentDrillDown.aspx?DisplayItem=def806dc-3a97-48ab-8d05-3617f4505640



How can you help Disney save the reef?

Buy Disney Oceans on DVD October 19 and Disney will make a contribution in your honor to the reef conservation project.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

About Me!!!

Hello World!!! I am a high school senior who is currently taking an environmental class. In this blog I will be talking about some environmental issues that are important to me.

Besides being in this class some of my other interests are dancing and cheerleading. I am also a huge Disney fan, and I am sure many of my posts will be on Disney's contribution to a greener planet. Did you know that Disney has huge green houses in which they grow their own food and shrubs for their environments and restuarants?

I would like to go to a college in Florida to major in Theme Park and Resort Management (obviously getting a job at Disney eventually).

I can't wait to share all of my great "green" finds with you. Comment me on what you think.