The Rio Earth Summit

The Rio Earth Summit in June, 2012 will address seven critical issues facing humanity today – Jobs, Energy, Cities, Food, Water, Oceans, and Natural Disasters. To learn more visit the official UN Website. And check out the resources below to get inspiration and ideas for your video.

Here is the video that started it all. Twenty years ago Severn Suzuki, when she was just 12 years old, presented before the UN Assembly at the first Rio Earth Summit in 1992. This gave us the idea for the ‘Date with History’ contest. Now it’s your turn!

Race to Rio

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has created a ‘Race to Rio’ Page with briefs on Green Jobs, Clean Energy, Oceans, and Government Accountability.

The Importance of Energy Access for All

Nearly two billion people, one third of humanity, do not have access to energy for their most basic needs such as cooking, lighting and heating. Here is a great article in Modern Ghana about the difference Energy Access makes both for the environment and millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

Bandung Declaration

Are you curious to hear what other young people around the world want from Rio? One way to find out is reading the Bandung Declaration (PDF).  The TUNZA conference – organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Bandung, Indonesia from 27 September to 1 October 2011 – saw over 1,400 children and youth delegates representing over 100 countries come to together. Under the theme of ‘Reshaping our Future through a Green Economy and Sustainable Lifestyles’ they put final touches to a global youth statement to be submitted to governments attending the Rio+20 conference in Brazil – the Bandung Declaration:

Future We Want

The Future We Want (FWW) is a global initiative to envision what we want our lives and communities to be like 20 years from now. Check out the ‘Inspiration’ page with great videos about building a sustainable future.

Drop by Drop Posters

Voting is closed on this innovative contest, but you can still check out hundreds of inspiring images about the importance of providing access to clean water around the world.