The world is changing and fast. The ice caps are melting, the climate is growing warmer, water levels are rising and the weather's going haywire. Fortunately though some people are trying to make a difference... and oddly enough two of those lads are ice cream magnates, Ben and Jerry. As they say, “Take it from two old ice cream guys, once it’s melted it’s ruined.”

Ben & Jerry’s, in association with WWF and Polar Explorer Marc Corneilssen, is searching for the 2007 Irish Climate Change Ambassador. The chosen candidate will represent Ireland in the Climate Change College - a global initiative to combat climate change. So if you fancy a change of college, here might be your chance. 

This is the first year that Ireland has participated in Climate Change College. Calls for entries have begun and entry date closes on 10th October 2006. Thousands of wannabe campaigners are expected to enter to win a scholarship to this 6 month course that incorporates a trip to the Arctic.

Cathy McGouran, Brand Champion of Ben & Jerry’s said: “We are looking for someone who wants to undertake a very important, serious role. The winning Ambassador will experience, first hand, the impact of Climate Change and learn how, through an intensive 6 month programme, they can become an active campaigner. They will, on graduation, be expected to implement a campaign programme that will educate and inform Irish people on how they prevent climate change.”

Climate Change College is curated by Marc Corneilssen, a Dutch Polar Explorer and Environmentalist with over a decade’s experience in polar and climate change research expeditions.

What’s involved?

The prize consists of a six month part time programme including conferences, workshops and lectures with some of the most highly respected and influential figures in the environmental arena, online e-learning modules and a 10 day Arctic field programme.

The chosen Irish ambassador will learn about the causes, politics and potential solutions of climate change, have the opportunity to do research in the Arctic and will be trained on how to develop their own Climate Change Campaign to inspire others to act and conserve their energy use. Previous environmental experience is not necessary – only a passion to make a difference to climate change and people’s opinions.

“Global warming is becoming more and more of an issue in everyone’s life and the effects of it can be seen in the papers every day. Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, the number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years and temperatures are rising. It’s something that cannot be ignored. This is an issue that concerns everybody and we need to turn the person-on-the-streets intentions into actions” said Cathy McGouran, Brand Champion of Ben & Jerry’s.

Experts predict that by 2050, the Arctic Ocean could be ice free, more than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction and global sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet.

Jerry Greenfield co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s said “Ben and I built Ben & Jerry’s on the idea that business has a responsibility to the community and environment. This belief has led us to create the Climate Change College, giving young people the skills to return to their countries to inspire businesses and citizens alike, to start addressing the issue of climate change.”

For more information or to become Ireland’s Ambassador for Climate Change log on to: www.climatechangecollege.org or www.myspace.com/climatechangcollegeire