Perhaps the most influential figure in all of it is U.S. President Barack Obama, who is actively working to loosen the global deadlock in negotiations by announcing a target for cutting US greenhouse gas emissions.

So far, the United States is the only developed nation that has not committed to an emissions target. Poorer nations are threatening to stage a walk-out of the UN summit in Copenhagen next month unless President Obama commits to an ambitious carbon reduction.

Making good on promises

On the campaign trail in 2007 and 2008, then presidential-nominee Barack Obama proposed that the United States, under his influence as Commander-in-Chief, would reduce carbon emissions by 14% (as compared to 2005 levels).

Fast-forward less than one year into his presidency, a new climate bill spearheaded by former prez-nominee John Kerry is promising a greenhouse gas reduction of 20%.

Many Copenhagen-watchers expect that President Obama will wait until the final stages of the negotiations in Copenhagen to announce the U.S.’s emissions cuts, perhaps in an effort to achieve maximum political impact will giving other countries little-to-no chance to demand deeper cuts from the U.S.

President Obama is reportedly considering offering a range of possible reductions rather than a single number, making it easier for him to persuade Congress.

According to Jonathan Pershing, a leading US negotiator at the Barcelona climate talks, the U.S. will in fact announce a provisional target before the end of the Copenhagen summit.

“Developing countries, including the US, need to make robust mid-term reductions from a set base year.” said Pershing. “In the US we are moving to make a substantial contribution to a robust Copenhagen deal. We are very interested in seeing that deal move forward and we recognize that others are seeking numbers from us.”

He went on to add that President Obama could possibly a target commitment without Senate approval. “The executive body has authorities which are not exclusively reliant on Congress and that is a decision which has to be made.”

According to Yvo de Boer, the UN’s senior climate change official, the summit would achieve very little if President Obama does not announce a target.

“Copenhagen can and must be the turning point in the international fight against climate change – nothing has changed my confidence in that. A powerful combination of commitment and compromise can and must make this happen.”

No more business as usual

Until now, very little progress has been made with regards to the proper finances that would allow developing countries to limit their emissions growth and adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change.

According to Yvo de Boer, developed countries will need to expedite funding in the amount of at least $10 billion to enable developing countries to immediately develop low emission growth and adaptation strategies and to build internal capacity.

Additionally, developed countries will need to indicate how they intend to raise predictable and sustainable long-term financing and what there longer-term commitments will be.

The U.S. is planning a “substantial contribution” to a global fund aimed at helping developing countries adapt to climate change and pursue low-carbon economic growth. While the Obama administration is not expecting developing countries to cut their overall emissions entirely, it prefers to receive specific commitments from them on reducing their growth in emissions compared with the “business as usual” position.

“It is essential that practical action is swiftly implemented after Copenhagen to assist developing countries in their fight against climate change,” added de Boer.

Finding clarity

Earlier this year, heads of state and government pledged to “Seal the Deal!” in Copenhagen; providing clarity on: ambitious emission reduction targets of industrialized countries, supporting developing countries and scaling-up both financial and technological resources.

“I look to industrialized countries to raise their ambitions to meet the scale of the challenge we face,” said Yvo de Boer. “And I look to industrialzed nations for clarity on the amount of short and long-term finance they will commit.”

The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will take place from December 6-18, 2009.

Update on 11/11/09:
Former Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore posted this on his blog:
“I was asked last week, ‘would it be helpful for President Obama to go to the United Nations conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December?’

“The answer is, of course, yes, and I think he probably will. I certainly hope he will. Given how high the stakes of this international meeting are, I think it would make a big difference. Because we’re the strongest economy, one of the two largest emitters of global warming pollution, and recognized as the natural leader of the world community, it’s important for us as Americans to fully appreciate the role we play.

“Since this is the most dangerous challenge the world has ever faced, and since the scientists have given us fresh warnings that we don’t have a lot of time to reduce global warming pollution, it’s really important for the United States to play the leadership role the rest of the world expects us to play.

“President Obama’s attendance in Copenhagen would be a clear signal of our leadership.”

Ban, in an opinion piece in the New York Times, suggests that every country – developed and developing – must do all it can to slash emissions from all sources, including deforestation and shipping.

“A successful deal must strengthen the world’s ability to cope with an already changing climate,” Mr. Ban said, stressing that “support for adaptation is not only an ethical imperative; it is a smart investment in a more stable, secure world.”

According to Ban, proper funding to allow poorer countries to transition to a low-carbon economy is absolutely crucial, while all involved must agree on an equitable global governance structure.

“All countries must have a voice in how resources are deployed and managed,” he said. “That is how trust will be built.”

Progress in sight

Although the the last round of climate change negotiations held in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this month, resulted in a sort of stalemate, Ban insists that “the elements of a deal are on the table.”

“All that is needed to put them in place is political will,” Ban said. “We need to step back from narrow national interest and engage in frank and constructive discussion in a spirit of global common cause.”

A final round of negotiations will kick off next week in Spain, as a precursor to the Copenhagen summit.

“We are now at a rather critical juncture,” said Janos Pasztor, Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team. “There is a flurry of activity in the world’s capitals, with this uptick in activity expected to continue during the final stretch before the December summit. This is a good development as it is only governments who can make the deal and bring us success in Copenhagen.”

United States at the heart of transition

When leaders assemble in Denmark, they have the ability to “deliver an agreement on a range of fast-track implementation measures for which credible resources are needed and which governments need to make available,” Mr. Pasztor stated.

According to Ban, the United States government, under the leadership of newly-President Barack Obama, is a crucial factor in the global climate change struggle. He did suggest, however, that he is encouraged by last week’s bipartisan climate change initiative in the US Senate.

“We cannot afford another period where the United States stands on the sidelines,” Ban said, adding that an “indecisive or insufficiently engaged” US will result in unnecessary and unaffordable delays in tackling global warming.

Ban is, of course, referring to the U.S.’s lackluster environmental performance under the Bush administration of the previous 8 years as well as its reluctance to enter into the Kyoto Protocol agreements.

Come 2012, the Kyoto Protocol to prevent climate change and global warming will expire, calling for the urgency for a new international agreement. This December’s conference in Copenhagen from December 7-18, 2009 will bring together government representatives from 170 countries, accompanied by other governmental representatives, NGO’s and journalists.

For more information on the Copenhagen Climate Conference, visit http://en.cop15.dk.

“The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is the only one of its kind that addresses the specific needs of hotel operators,” said Arthur Hall Adams, a LEED Accredited Professional and CEO of the environmental architecture and design firm AHAdams & Company. “This program is sound environmentally and fiscally and is an exciting addition to the ‘green’ movement.”

Green Key is also listed in the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Green Resource Center.

“Our research indicated that a robust third-party audit verification process was crucial to transition the program to the United States,” explained Tony Pollard, President of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). “LRA Worldwide was a natural partner for this function based on the firm’s stellar global reputation for hotel quality assurance inspections.”

Recent studies show that nearly 60% of potential hotel guests consider a property’s environmental program prior to booking. Green Key-rated hotels can benefit financially from increased bookings and reduced operating costs, as well as fulfill a widespread corporate responsibility mandate throughout the hospitality industry to lessen one’s environmental footprint.

Fairmont and Hyatt in on the action

“As a true leader in environmental stewardship, Fairmont sees value in working with like-minded partners to reduce its environmental impact and promote operational sustainability,” said Sarah Dayboll, Fairmont’s manager of environmental affairs. “Expanding the Green Key program to our U.S.-based properties supports Fairmont’s brandwide commitment to minimizing its impact on the planet, as it provides our hotels with another tool to audit, benchmark and also enhance their environmental activity.”

The partnership between Green Key and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, an environmentally progressive hotel group with close to two decades of experience greening its operations, dates back to the original development of the program in the mid-1990s.

“As a recognized leader in Canada and globally in terms of sustainable hotel practices, we are very pleased that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has made this commitment as we launch Green Key in the United States,” explained Tony Pollard, president of Green Key Global.

“Grand Hyatt New York has been a Green Key member since December and in that time we have been able to improve our environmental management by actively working on recommendations received from the audit,” explained Diana Beltran, Environmental Development Manager for Grand Hyatt New York.

“We are excited to continue our involvement with the Green Key program, as we share the same values: improving in the three P’s – Planet, People and Profit,” added Beltran.

Armed with a new website, www.greenkeyglobal.com, the program offers a comprehensive evaluation for lodging properties -  a 140-question audit that is self-administered by the staff at the participating property, with answers configured to award the property a ranking of 1 to 5 “Green Keys.” The property also receives a comprehensive report that includes recommendations, best practices and potential areas for improvement and savings.

Green Key also enforces random, on-site verification of audit results, mitigating the risk of score inflation.

The initial audit covers the following operational areas and sustainable practices:

• Corporate Environmental Management
• Housekeeping
• Food & Beverage Operations
• Conference & Meeting Facilities
• Engineering
• Energy conservation
• Water conservation
• Solid waste management
• Hazardous waste management
• Indoor air quality
• Community outreach
• Building infrastructure
• Land use
• Environmental management

For more information visit www.greenkeyglobal.com.

The 45-minute Webinar is geared toward would-be travelers and agents alike who are curious about adventure travel, but want clarification on fundamental requirements before they feel prepared to embark on their own adventure.

A misunderstood niche

According to the U.S. Travel Association, adventure travel is the fastest-growing branch of the leisure travel industry – with one-half of American adults (a staggering 98 million people) having taken an adventure trip in the last five years. Yet, it is also one of the most misunderstood.

Concerns over itineraries, safety, insurance, and suggested fitness levels often prevent people from venturing into the unknown, while questions about who enjoys adventure travel can confound travel agents.

The webinar by Carr and Petronio provides an excellent learning opportunity for both groups but is geared toward consumers interested in learning more about experiencing their own adventure trip. As adventure seekers themselves, they are passionate about helping others understand and explore adventure getaways.

Adventure Travel 101: Adventure Travel Demystified will explain the various “levels of adventure” while offering up a middle ground, termed “mildly adventurous”, a term coined by Tomgirl Tours. Carr and Petronio will also answer questions about how to plan an adventure vacation and choose the right tour, while addressing topics like travel goals, destination choices, desired activities and budget planning.

So, if you think you may want to try and learning a thing or two about adventure travel, be sure to check out the webinar: Adventure Travel 101: Adventure Travel Demystified will be held at 7 p.m. E.S.T on Sept. 23. To register, click here (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/135824866).

The study, Arctic Climate Feedbacks: Global Implications, demonstrates that Arctic sea ice is melting at a faster than expected pace, with major implications well beyond the Arctic region. These include changes in temperature and precipitation patterns in North America and Europe that will affect agriculture, forestry and water supplies.

“This is not about the Arctic, it’s what the Arctic means to the rest of the world and this study paints a truly sobering picture of the future if it continues to warm and melt,” said Dr. Martin Sommerkorn. “Warming in the Arctic will have negative consequences not just for polar bears, but for people across America and throughout the world. Simply put, if we do not keep the Arctic cold enough, people across the world will suffer the effects.”

“The planet’s alarm system is blaring loudly and we need to wake up and take action,” said Keya Chatterjee, acting director of climate change with WWF-US. “We need to pass legislation in the U.S. and secure a global treaty to cut our emissions now and prepare for the rapidly emerging consequences of climate change.”

Seeing the signs

Sea ice is expected to recede by record levels this month alone – setting concerns regarding the anticipated impacts on the atmosphere. The study predicts that the negative effects of Arctic warming could make global climate change more severe than indicated by other recent projections, including those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2007 assessment.

The Arctic’s frozen soils and wetlands store twice as much carbon as is held in the atmosphere, as warming trends continue, soils will increasingly thaw and release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere as, at a significantly faster pace than previously predicted. Levels of atmospheric methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas, have been increasing rapidly for the past two years, and many believe the increase is driven by the thawing Arctic.

The study concludes that sea-levels will very likely rise by more than one meter by 2100 — more than twice the amount given in the IPCC’ss 2007 assessment. The associated flooding of coastal regions will affect more than a quarter of the world’s population.

In December 2009, the governments of 191 countries will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the final round of negotiations for a new global agreement on climate change. WWF has joined with other NGOs to produce a model climate treaty for Copenhagen that gives the world a blueprint for achieving the kind of emissions cuts needed to likely avoid arctic feedbacks.

Learn more

View the full report at http://www.panda.org/arctic, and check out a videotaped interview with Dr. Sommerkorn as well as some clips from an accompanying multi-media presentation at http://www.divshare.com/folder/587835-7d0.

Also, last week WWF launched a national public awareness campaign to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change in the United States and promote passage of climate legislation by Congress. For more information and to view ads visit www.actforourfuture.org and http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/act-for-our-future/videos.html.

According to a new Orbitz-Ipsos poll, 67% of Americans favor allowing Americans to travel to Cuba, while 72% think the ban-lift would positively impact the lives of the Cuban People.

“President Obama recently took a bold step in easing travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans,” said Barney Harford, president and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. “The OpenCuba.org campaign calls on the President and Congress to take action to end the travel ban to Cuba, giving all Americans the freedom to visit what once was a premier tourist destination for U.S. citizens.”

“Our mission at Orbitz is to help travelers experience the world,” continued Harford. “67% of Americans would also support a policy that would allow U.S. travel agents such as Orbitz to book vacation travel to Cuba.”

OpenCuba.org

The OpenCuba.org website (www.OpenCuba.org) gives travelers the opportunity to get directly involved in a grassroots effort to convince American legislators and regulators to end the ban on travel to Cuba. As a focus of the campaign, travelers will be asked to sign a petition calling for an end to the travel ban. Orbitz executives will formally present the petition to U.S. officials in Washington, DC, later this year.

Every person who signs the petition will receive a $100 coupon redeemable on Orbitz against a vacation to Cuba valid if and when the U.S. Government removes the ban on travel to Cuba, and as soon as Orbitz is able to offer such travel on its website.

The OpenCuba.org website also lets Americans write personal letters to President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and members of the U.S. Congress regarding the Cuba travel ban.

Orbitz-Ipsos Poll

The Orbitz-Ipsos poll was conducted from April 23-27th, 2009. A nationally representative sample of 1,000 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. was interviewed by telephone via Ipsos’ U.S. Telephone Express omnibus. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample’s regional and age/gender composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

According to the Orbitz-Ipsos Poll:

• 67% of Americans say that they would support a policy that would allow all Americans to travel to Cuba.
• 32% of Americans would strongly support such a policy that would allow all Americans to travel to Cuba.
• Only 23% say that they would oppose lifting these restrictions for Americans traveling to Cuba (only 13% would strongly oppose it).
• 72% agree that expanding travel and tourism from the U.S. to Cuba would have a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of the Cuban people.
• Just 20% feel that allowing Americans to travel to Cuba would not positively impact Cubans in this way.

Similarly, 63% of Americans agree that it should be legal for online travel sites, such as Orbitz.com, to book travel to Cuba, while 64% of Americans say that Orbitz.com should play an active role to persuade elected officials to give all Americans the freedom to travel to Cuba.

For more information, visit http://www.opencuba.org/.

AAA offers more than 100 flexible, preplanned AAA Drive Trips itineraries that range in length from two to five days and travel through most of the United States and Canada providing many options for travel close to home. The AAA Drive Trips include photos, an overview map, driving itinerary, mileage and estimated driving time for every leg, sightseeing information and links to detailed information on cities, attractions and events. Where overnight stops are suggested, users can link directly to the TourBook(r) lodging listings for that region for information and bookings.

The AAA TravelViews blog contains travel stories and photos, tips and information, industry news and insights from AAA insiders. These insiders include the editors who create AAA TourBook information, inspectors who evaluate lodgings and restaurants, travel agents who provide trip planning and reservations, and research professionals who monitor the industry. Visitors can also gain insight from fellow travelers who submit comments, pose questions and vote in the weekly polls. For those who want to explore vacation options immediately, the blog provides easy links to AAA travel information and trip-planning tools on AAA.com.

Trips are geographically diverse and a variety of lengths, so whether vacationers have two days or a week, they can choose from one of AAA’s popular itineraries featured on AAA TravelViews.

Cape Cod: Cherish memories of this Cape Cod adventure including fresh ocean culinary delights, whale watching and antique hunting. This trip explores Martha’s Vineyard, Provincetown and small villages nestled along Cape Cod Bay. Two legs, 174 miles.

Hershey/Pennsylvania Dutch County: Settle back at a slower pace to observe a simple way of life that has endured for generations in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. This trip also explores the battlefields of Gettysburg and stops in York, which once served as the nation’s capital, and the century-old town known for chocolate, Hershey, Pa. Three legs, 174 miles.

The Turquoise Trail and Beyond: Soak in some of the most spectacular scenery in the American Southwest on this excursion from Albuquerque to Taos. This trip travels on the Turquoise Trail and visits an old mining town and everything from ancient Pueblo Indian dwellings to modern art galleries. Three legs, 275 miles.

Historic Virginia: Entrenched in history and entwined with tradition, Virginia not only embraces the past, but thrives on it. This trip explores intriguing eras in U.S. history visiting George Washington’s boyhood home, civil war sites and more. Four legs, 397 miles.

Central and Northern Arizona: Discover the richness of this area’s natural beauty, history and culture from Phoenix to Flagstaff. This trip also explores Prescott, designated the state’s first capital by President Abraham Lincoln. Three legs, 327 miles.

Rocky Mountains: City meets snow country in this drive tour, as Denver’s steel-and-glass skyscrapers give way to towering Rocky Mountain monoliths. The contrast of man vs. nature artfully blends to create an amazing adventure on this trip including opportunities to visit big-city museums, hike through wildflower-filled meadows, thrash about on rushing rapids, gaze at storybook vistas of snowy crests or marvel at the Cadet Chapel’s modern architecture. Four legs, 435 miles.

Washington Cascade Loop: Dubbed the Grand Tour by early roadway adventurers, this dramatic route travels from the mossy rain forests of the Pacific Coast to the dry and sunny fields of eastern Washington, looping across “America’s Alps,” the Cascade Mountains. Four legs, 483 miles.

Vancouver-Cascade Mountain: This excursion explores British Columbia’s natural beauty and culture visiting Vancouver, a great port, cultural center and tourist area and the Cascade’s lush valley, system of rivers, lakes and protected ocean waterways. Four legs, 743 miles.

Available free to all travelers, links to printable itineraries are available on AAATravelViews.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

Great Green Careers launches officially on April 22, 2009 – also known in these circles as Earth Day – and is owned and operated by Ogden Publications, the largest and longest-running publisher in the green community. Over one-third of Ogden’s sustainable-lifestyle audience currently is employed in green occupations.

“We’ve embraced green jobs and technology since 1970, when Mother Earth News launched. Great Green Careers is a natural progression of services we can provide to our readers and to a new group of people who are now interested in the green job sector,” said Bryan Welch, publisher and editorial director.

Great Green Careers serves as a complete resource for people who want to break into the green job market. Job seekers can view open positions, post their resumes and apply for specific listings on Great Green Careers, all at no charge. In addition, the full-service job board lets job seekers create a search agent that notifies them by e-mail if a job related to their field or interests becomes available. The job seeker “Resources” area provides applicants with resource links and job search articles. For most job postings, clicking the name of the employer will reveal additional information via a “Company Profile.”

Green jobs come in all shapes and sizes. Positions currently available on the site include senior biologist, construction manager, environmental engineer, lead systems specialist, HVAC senior controls technician, senior remediation engineer, plumbing designer/engineer, water resource modeler, geologist and much more.

Companies who post jobs on the site can search the resume database, giving them unique access to a concentrated pool of people who are interested in specific areas of the green job sector. Employers can also set up ‘resume agents’ that automatically e-mail them the best resumes matching their needs. They can then track applications to their job postings, create and update their company profiles, and utilize Great Green Careers’ Employer Resource area, which is full of useful research and links.

About Great Green Careers
Great Green Careers connects employers and job seekers in the green jobs industries. The green job market includes energy (wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, biomass and others), environment (ecology, health and safety, parks, abatement and others), skilled trades (heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, building automation) and transportation.

About Ogden Publications, Inc.
Ogden Publications Inc. is the leading information resource serving the sustainable living, rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia and classic motorcycle communities. Key brands include Mother Earth News, Natural Home, Utne Reader, Capper’s and Grit. Ogden Publications also provides insurance and financial services through its Capper’s Insurance Service division.

He will be blogging his preparations and the trip itself on his website, Seize Adventure, as he speaks to veterans groups about the technology and benefits available to them, volunteers at the Disabled Veterans Summer and Winter Sports Clinics, and volunteers at both the 2010 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada. He also hopes to visit much of the the American countryside and its people, whom he has spent so much of his life protecting as a soldier and defense contractor.

A quadriplegic due to his service in the Army as part of Operation Desert Storm in Iraq (1991), Paul is motivated by the challenges he sees the current generation of severely-wounded veterans facing. He wants to show them that debilitating injury or disease does not mean the end of independence and accomplishment. As he writes on his blog, “We do not have to lay in bed hating life…If you’re willing to reach out and grab ahold, you can still Seize Adventure.”

Paul’s attitude wasn’t always so positive. After he was paralyzed, he at first spent a lot of time laying in bed, unwilling to pursue the physical therapy that could improve his condition. He rarely left home, seeing himself as entirely dependent on someone else to go anywhere or do anything interesting. That perspective changed when a friend pointed Paul to the website of adventurer Ben Saunders (http://www.bensaunders.com/), who at the time was in the middle of a solo trek across the North Pole. On impulse, he emailed Saunders, who took the time to reply from his position at the Pole and encouraged Paul to get back to physical therapy in order to regain as much mobility and independence as possible.

Paul now considers Saunders a mentor and credits that email with a major shift in his life. He writes, “If it hadn’t been for that message from Ben, I may not be in the position that I am now. While I am still paralyzed, that physical therapy was crucial in getting back a lot of movement and self sufficiency…Now I find myself on the cusp of this great adventure.”

In preparation, Paul has worked with a number of individuals and companies to modify his vehicle, his equipment…even his clothes, so that he can completely dress and care for himself independently. He is also in the process of lining up sponsors, including Soldiers’ Angels, Kobold Watches, PerMobil Wheelchairs, and his local American Legion post, though additional sponsors are still needed. If he is able to get the rest of the sponsorships required, he hopes to seize his adventure beginning early in December.

A volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, Soldiers’ Angels provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the U.S. military and their families. Comprised of 200,000 volunteers in over twenty different teams and programs, its activities include letters, care packages and comfort items for the deployed, and support for their families at home. The organization also provides assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen, and immediate response to unique difficulties.

For more information and to follow Paul’s progress, check out www.seizeadventure.wordpress.com.

“Toyota’s philanthropic support makes more resources available to the youth of this country and ensure the future stewardship of Grand Canyon National Park and other public lands,” said Susan Schroeder, executive director of the Grand Canyon Association, the official fundraising partner of the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the United States’ most popular natural tourism spots, having hosted over 450,000 visitors in 2007.
Grand Canyon National Park will use Toyota’s contribution to expand the park’s Preventative Search and Rescue Program to the North Rim. This program ensures that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience at the park. On the South Rim alone, this program can reach up to 1,200 hikers each day.

A majority of the funds will be used to support the Grand Canyon’s Environmental Education (GCEE) program, which will offer travel grants to schools in inner-cities, rural counties and Indian reservations to enable the groups to bring their students to the park. Also as part of GCEE, cold weather gear will be purchased to loan to students visiting in the late fall and winter, expanding the timeframe when schools can visit the park.

Other education programs funded by Toyota’s contribution include a School Resource Ranger to be on the grounds of the Grand Canyon School each school day; adding three horses for the use of mounted rangers; and strengthening the Rim to River stewardship development program, which is available to high school students from across the country and supports the Department of the Interior’s No Child Left Inside Initiative.
The five hybrid cars that Toyota is donating will include two Priuses and three Highlander SUVs.

“The partnership with Grand Canyon National Park is a great opportunity for Toyota to extend its environmental and educational community-based programs,” said Michael Rouse, Vice President, Philanthropy and Community Affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “We are proud to partner with such an iconic national park to develop and offer programs that inspire the youth of the nation.”

Toyota’s gift to national parks is only one of the company’s many environmental philanthropy efforts. In 2007, Toyota gave a total of $56 million to philanthropic projects in the United States.
About Grand Canyon Association
Grand Canyon Association (GCA) is a private nonprofit organization established in 1932 for the sole purpose of supporting the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon. The Association is made up of several different businesses under a single umbrella—retail bookstores, a field seminar program, a publishing company, and a membership organization. GCA receives no public funding; it earns income through its various enterprises and supplements its income with membership fees and donations. Profits are returned to the Park to enable education, conservation and research programs that would not otherwise be possible.

In its long history Grand Canyon Association has donated to the Park more than $28 million in funding and services. This continuing support is vital to the Park’s ability to reach out to visitors and constituents with information and services that help them to understand and appreciate this remarkable landscape, and to preserve it for generations to come.

In May 2008, the Association became the official fundraising partner for Grand Canyon National Park.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience of our guests while also doing right by the environment,” says Chris Orr, Director of Marketing & Sales. “People should know that the public transportation system in Los Angeles can take you wherever you want to go, without all the stress or cost of renting a car and parking. Plus the metro can be considered eco-friendly because it takes cars off the streets, reducing green-house gases.”

While there’s a lot to see in its direct vicinity, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa is just a few steps – barely a half city block – away from the Hollywood&Highland Station on the Metro Red Line. This subway stop is one of the main conduits of the MTA, LA’s subway and bus system, and connects guests to the rest of the system.

The Red Line subway is the easiest, quickest way to visit both Downtown Los Angeles and Universal Studios. Enterprising guests can also take the Green Line down to Manhattan Beach and frolic in the sea, jump on the Gold Line to visit the cultural smorgasbord that is Pasadena with all its museums and art festivals, or ride the Rapid Bus across Beverly Hills to Rodeo Drive for an afternoon of vigorous shopping. And think: No high priced gasoline. No parking. No rental cars. No headache. And all it costs is $1.25 per ride.

For those who would rather just enjoy the hotel, the new Spa Luce is the perfect place to spend a weekend and unwind. The 6400-square-foot, state-of-the-art luxury spa features personalized treatments, celebrity-inspired pampering, and top-of-the-line beauty and health products. Sonya Dakar Skincare, the Somme Institute, and Red Flower are the signature products and represent the spa’s complete commitment to all-around natural beauty. Sunlight streams into the spa and its seven distinct treatment rooms to create an environment of light and warmth that enhances the regenerative healing properties of the facility. Hotel guests can take advantage of special offers to spend the night and savor their spa experience.

Easy transit citywide is just one on the growing list of green reasons to choose the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa. By improving its energy performance by more than ten percent, the hotel has earned for the fifth consecutive year the ENERGY STAR® Label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts to conserve water and energy and protect the environment. The hotel has also replaced the traditional (and environmentally-unfriendly) water bottles in its rooms with reusable glass bottles from Natura Water, the world leader in “gourmet water.” These glass bottles will be sanitized after each use and then reused and filled with Natura’s delicious carbon-filtered water. Light bulbs are now all fluorescent. Even meeting room notepads are now made from recycled paper. These steps, both big and small, are part of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel&Spa’s continuing commitment to all things green.

The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, located at Hollywood & Highland Center, a shopping and entertainment mecca and home to the Academy Awards® ceremonies, offers 632 distinctive guest rooms, 33 suites, and the unforgettable 3,500 square foot Panorama Suite. Awarded the ENERGY STAR® Label from the EPA in 2008, the property is well known as being a favorite of major production companies and business travelers alike, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel&Spa embodies modern luxury accented by classic Hollywood charm, featuring the distinctive restaurant Twist, an outdoor pool overlooking the Hollywood Sign, world-class fitness center, and outstanding service savvy travelers have come to expect from the Renaissance brand name.

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, 1755 N. Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028, (323) 856-1200, www.renaissancehollywood.com.

That decision and protection of the Verde River, received a significant boost today as the first land and water conservation projects supported by a Doris Duke Charitable Foundation grant were announced by The Nature Conservancy. Two of the three Arizona projects increase protection along the upper Verde River including its origin.

These efforts are supported in part by a $13 million grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to The Nature Conservancy to support state wildlife action plans across five Rocky Mountain states – Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming. Regionally, $11 million of the total grant will be devoted directly to wildlife conservation and will be matched on a five-to-one basis, which will result in more than $55 million for wildlife conservation during the next three years.

The Conservancy expects five of Arizona’s high-priority wildlife conservation projects to be supported by approximately $1 million of the grant in 2008. More projects and funding will follow in the next two years. In Arizona, the Conservancy teamed with organizations such as Arizona Open Land Trust, The Trust for Public Land, the Conservation Fund, Malpai Borderlands Group and Grand Canyon Trust to identify critical land and water priorities within the state wildlife action plan, to positively impact both nature and people.

Last year, the Conservancy acquired 313 acres of the Wells’ family property, located at the origin of the Verde River. Last week, the Conservancy transferred ownership of 293 acres of this property, located 25 miles north of Prescott, to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to extend its Upper Verde River Wildlife Management Area. The state’s Heritage Fund Program provides the resources for Game and Fish to preserve and manage this land. Supported by funds from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation grant, the Conservancy will retain 20 acres at the river’s headwaters as its new Verde River Springs Preserve.

Also along the upper Verde River where it joins Sycamore Creek, The Trust for Public Land will match Doris Duke Charitable Foundation funds to purchase 139 private acres and convey that to the United States to become part of the National Forest system and extend the boundaries of the Coconino and Prescott national forests. The land provides important public access to Sycamore Canyon Wilderness area and the Verde River

Patrick Graham, Arizona State Director for The Nature Conservancy, said, “Arizona is the fastest growing state in the country, and the priorities we set now will impact future generations. This is a tremendous example of how private dollars from an organization such as the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation can work together with public funds to preserve Arizona’s and our world’s most critical lands and waters.”

Trust for Public Land Arizona State Director Paul Audley said, “The Conservancy’s coordination of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation grant demonstrates the cooperative nature of conservation organizations in Arizona. We are all about doing our best to maximize resources to protect vital landscapes, water and habitat to ensure the health and beauty of our natural environment.”

Conservation along Arizona’s borders also expanded today as the grant supports a 9,500-acre voluntary land protection agreement between the Maplai Borderlands Group and the owners of Cloudt Ranch. The agreement extends the land protected by the Malpai group to nearly 85,000 acres and provides a critical buffer to subdivisions. This property contributes to a corridor of wildlife habitat from the grasslands of the San Simon Valley to the oak woodlands of the Coronado National Forest and provides a vital migratory corridor for wildlife along the U.S. – Mexico border, preserving the migration of several species including the northern-most occurrence of jaguars.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. The Nature Conservancy in Arizona has been protecting nature and preserving life for more than 40 years. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web .

The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (www.ddcf.org) is to improve the quality of people’s lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child maltreatment, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties.

State wildlife action plans were first conceived in 2000, when Congress mandated that each state develop a comprehensive strategy for conserving its wildlife in order to receive federal funds. The states submitted their plans to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the fall of 2005, and they were all approved by Congress in February of 2007. In developing these plans, the state wildlife agencies were careful to consider the broad range of wildlife, including game and non-game species, common species as well as endangered ones. They identified and prioritized key wildlife habitat, in many cases using the latest technology to map these lands.