International Students Vying for Acceptance to Algalita Marine Research Foundation Spring 2011 Youth Summit

LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- High school students throughout the United States and from as far away as Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Germany, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Tanzania, and Zambia are answering Algalita Marine Research Foundation's invitation to participate in the "2011 Plastics Are Forever International Youth Summit" by busily formulating their proposals outlining action-oriented solutions to reduce plastic waste in their home communities.

Much of this expansive international response is credited to GreenContributor™, a Canadian-based organization and Youth Summit partner that connect communities and organizations from around the world, to establish partnerships with schools in developed, developing and underdeveloped countries. Through its participation in global environmental programs, GreenContributor offers opportunities for students to participate in environmental research projects and community outreach programs.  Students are challenged to take action in addressing real problems, find solutions that can be implemented locally and globally, as well as address the environmental sustainability component established under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

"Through our collaborative environmental projects and activities, students become empowered to be the change agents and make a difference across the global community," said George Koshy, GreenContributor's founder.  "The Summit is the perfect platform to bring together environmentally-minded youth from around the globe to affect the change they wish to see in the world as it relates to plastic pollution."

The Summit, to be held March 11-13, 2011 in Long Beach, California, is sponsored in part by grants from Disney Friends for Change: Project Green and the Boeing Company Charitable Trust.  At the Summit, students will participate in an intensive program to learn more about plastic marine pollution and develop their leadership, public speaking, and communications skills, which will result in a global network of environmental youth leaders. Keynote Speakers for the Summit include scientist, activist, community organizer, and author Wallace "J." Nichols, PhD. and Captain Charles Moore, Founder and Research Coordinator of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.  Also slated to speak at the Summit is actor and activist, Ed Begley, Jr.

"It's amazing how plastic pollution and the educational opportunities this Summit will provide are resonating with students and their teachers from around the world," Mr. Koshy reported.  "Just recently I heard from one of our schools in Indonesia whose AP (Advanced Placement) Environmental Studies students are actively developing their proposal to decrease plastic marine pollution while another school from Curitiba, Brazil is preparing for the Summit, with the whole school leadership team endorsing the participation."

Due to limited space, 100 students (a total of 20 to 30 student teams) and their academic advisors will be selected to attend the Summit based upon submission of their plastic pollution reduction proposals.  To secure participation at the Summit, students must form 2- to 4-member teams and submit their project proposals for review no later than November 30, 2010.  The online training program and entry submission information is accessible at www.plasticsareforever.org.

About GreenContributor

GreenContributor seeks to promote environmentally friendly behavior through reward and recognition programs and by offering platforms that provide opportunities for students and the general community to participate in environmental initiatives, learn about green initiatives and volunteer in environmental community projects.  GreenContributor achieves success through key partnerships, such as the Department of Geographic Education, University of Erlangen Nurnberg, Germany, which provides advice and supports GreenContributor in didactical and pedagogical issues.

READ MORE - The gyre is a 10-million-square-mile patch of circulating current – an area of little precipitation combined with variable winds and intermittent calm.  Currents flow into the area from all directions, carrying with them great quantities of trash - 85% of it plastic - which makes its way into the oceans via the world's watersheds.  Most of what goes into the gyre stays there, with only the tiniest plastic particulate matter ending up on far-flung beaches.  Although most trash biodegrades in seawater over time, plastic does not.  Instead, it continues to break down into smaller and smaller pieces, forever circulating in the sea.

For additional information about Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Captain Charles Moore, and to learn more about our mission, outreach programs, and research projects, please visit www.algalita.org or call 562.598.4889.

SOURCE Algalita Marine Research Foundation