CLIMATE SMART PARTNERS

Five San Diego institutions have joined forces to advance the Climate Smart initiative:

Who?
The San Diego Foundation | www.sdfoundation.org
For over 30 years, The Foundation has been committed to improving the quality of life in the San Diego region. With $553 million in assets and over 1,400 funds, The San Diego Foundation is a knowledge-based grantmaking organization that supports a broad range of charitable purposes. Since its inception, The Foundation has granted more than $550 million back to the community. For more information, visit the website at www.sdfoundation.org or call (619) 235-2300.

How are they involved?
Later this year, The San Diego Foundation will invite proposals for its Blasker-Miah-Rose Grant Program to support additional research on the consequences of climate change for our region. The Foundation will award up to $500,000 over the next three years to support this work. The Foundation will also work with donors to build additional resources for nonprofits to work with government, business and consumers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Who?
San Diego Natural History Museum | www.sdnhm.org
Founded in 1874 and actively engaged in biodiversity research and education, the San Diego Natural History Museum's mission is: To interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment. For more information, visit the website or call (619) 232-3821.

How are they involved?
With support from The San Diego Foundation and Mission Valley Rotary Club, the San Diego Natural History Museum will host a six-part lecture series called, Global Climate Change: Perspectives and Solutions. This series will address the issues that climate change presents on a global and local scale. All lectures are free to the public and no registration is required. In addition to the lecture series, the Museum will be screening HBO's Too Hot Not to Handle starting in October and An Inconvenient Truth starting in December. Shown twice daily on the Museum's giant-screen theater, these films will be included in museum admission at no extra charge.

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Who?
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu & www.scripps.ucsd.edu
Founded in 1903, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for global science research and graduate training in the world. Scripps has been a leader in climate research since the 1950s, when Charles Keeling began his pioneering measurements of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Today, Scripps scientists continue cutting-edge investigations of the causes and pace of climate change and its implications for California and the world.

Birch Aquarium is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Its mission is to provide ocean science education, to interpret the research discoveries of Scripps Oceanography, and to promote ocean conservation through interactive exhibits and public programs for all ages.

How are they involved?
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography opened the exhibit, Feeling the Heat: The Global Climate Challenge, in May 2007. This exhibit is the first of its kind in San Diego County, allowing visitors to explore how scientists measure global temperatures, track climate change, and investigate the critical connection between the ocean and climate. Of special interest, based on computer simulations and employing state-of-the-art visualizations, is "California 2050," a fast-forward glimpse of environmental conditions in the Golden State when today's children have children of their own. For more information, visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography web site

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Who?
California Center for Sustainable Energy | www.energycenter.org
The California Center for Sustainable Energy is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that implements programs, provides information and fosters public policies to facilitate adoption of clean, renewable, sustainable and efficient energy technologies and practices. CCSE is the region's independent voice on energy issues and a trusted resource for businesses, consumers, public agencies and local governments. The phone number is (858) 244-1177.

How are they involved?
In January 2007, the California Center for Sustainable Energy unveiled its portion of the
$2.8 billion California Solar Initiative which provides rebates and incentives to businesses, government, and consumers to install solar panels on rooftops across the County. The public has already shown a growing appetite for solar energy, as demonstrated by the thousands of people who attended various CCSE's Solar Energy Week events every year. San Diegans are eager to learn more about generating their own power while helping the environment. 2007 marksed the third year that the California Center for Sustainable Energy has put on Solar Energy Week and the 8th year for the organization's highly popular San Diego Solar Homes Tour.

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Who?
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center | www.rhfleet.org
With more than 100 interactive science exhibits, the world’s first IMAX® Dome Theater and education programs that reach more than 100,000 children every year, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (“the Fleet”) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the public’s understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. Since its founding in 1973, the Fleet has taken a leading role in science education initiatives locally and around the world, with groups such as the Association of Science-Technology Centers and Museum Film Network.

How are they involved?
The Fleet will develop science exhibitions and education programs that present the latest climate change research, as well as hands-on exhibits that engage audiences and provide tips on how to make a positive difference at home or work. As the region’s only IMAX Theater, the Fleet will bring IMAX® films addressing climate change issues to San Diego, such as WATER PLANET (Spring 2008), for which Fleet Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch serves as a principal advisor. Dr. Kirsch also chairs the Education Committee for the Association of Science-Technology Centers’ climate change initiative, “International action on GLObal warming” (IGLO). The IGLO Education Committee will release a climate change “toolkit” of resources for use by science centers and museums around the world. The Fleet is serving as the San Diego lead organizer for the inaugural Polar Palooza North America tour featuring presentations by leading polar researchers and Arctic residents, and unique education and outreach activities for college students and K-12 educators.

About IGLO:
IGLO is a project of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, an international organization of science centers and museums dedicated to furthering the public understanding of science. IGLO is designed to raise worldwide public awareness about global warming and the particular ways that the Polar Regions profoundly influence the Earth's climate, environments, ecosystems, and human society. IGLO's activities will present the best of current research to an international audience and explain how global warming affects their daily lives.

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To make a contribution to the Climate Smart Fund or for more information on how you can get involved to support Climate Smart, contact Dr. Emily Young at The San Diego Foundation at (619) 235-2300 or environment@sdfoundation.org.