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WASHINGTON—Twenty-five high school students displaced by Hurricane Katrina will join WWF and scientists to examine the southeastern United States’ vulnerability to climate change under research awards from WWF and Allianz Foundation for North America this spring.

The team includes students from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. A list of all 25 students, their hometowns and respective high schools is available upon request.

With the scientist’s guidance, the students will take a closer look at what happens to their home regions under various climate change scenarios and brief regional and national decision-makers on what they learn. They will muddy their boots around Mobile Bay when they gather in June to sample area water ways and evaluate the health of surrounding wetlands.

 “These students will inspire action and shape the future of their region—by exploring what’s happening and what may happen, and reporting their discoveries back to their community and decision-makers,” said Kate Graves, Southeast climate program officer, who manages the program for World Wildlife Fund.

“This program empowers young people—the heirs to the legacy of climate change—with a voice in decisions being made now and in preparation for the challenges ahead,” said the Reverend Christopher Worthley, executive director, Allianz Foundation for North America.

To aid in their research and college studies, each student will receive a $1,500 stipend and an HP laptop computer. Students will later participate in a Youth Summit in Washington D.C. July 7-11, 2008 where they will present their findings to decision-makers.

An external selection committee reviewed 52 nominations from teachers and selected 25 finalists who demonstrated exceptional commitment to protecting the environment and learning about the impacts of climate change.

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Note to editors:

More information about the program WWF Allianz Southeast Climate Witness Program including a climate change curriculum can be found at http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/seclimatewitness/

About World Wildlife Fund

Known in the United States as World Wildlife Fund and recognized worldwide by its panda logo, WWF leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats and to conserve the diversity of life on Earth. Now in its fifth decade, WWF, the global conservation organization, works in more than 100 countries around the world. Additional information may be found at www.worldwildlife.org

About the Allianz Foundation for North America
The mission of the Allianz Foundation for North America is to empower young people to shape a secure future for themselves and the communities in which they live. Through diverse projects and partnerships with not-for-profit organizations in metropolitan areas coast-to-coast, the Foundation supports young people in becoming successful, self-reliant and socially conscious. Additional information may be found at www.allianz.com/foundation-na.