Keep it cool

Ben & Jerry’s to ‘lick global warming’ “Just like ice cream, if it’s melted, it’s ruined.” Wise words on our retreating glaciers from Ben & Jerry’s at the launch of the company’s so-called Climate Change College. Keen to catch ’em young, they’re recruiting a group of committed youths from the UK and the Netherlands to be trained up as climate change campaigners. Each year for the next three years, their six selected 18-25-year-olds will embark on a study programme that includes workshops, an internship and even a visit to the polar region - to eventually emerge as ambassadors of the cause. By 2008 the company hopes to have at least 24 ‘alumni’ developing their own WWF PowerSwitch! campaigns to cut carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power stations. Andy Johnston, head of Forum for the Future’s Education and Learning Programme, which offers a Masters in Leadership for Sustainable Development to 12 students a year comments: “I like the whole idea of focusing on climate change. And it’s great that they’re looking at education as part of the mix. But if the initiative really is to be a ‘College’, there’s got to be ample resourcing and a commitment to continue well into the future.” The education scheme is the latest phase of the ice cream makers’ commitment to ‘Lick Global Warming’. They’re also walking their talk, by reducing the company’s CO2 emissions by 10% over five years, and funding research into green freezer technology so that, one day, soundwaves alone could be keeping Ben & Jerry’s cool. - Hannah Bullock

17 June 2005

Hannah Bullock