Carl XVI Gustaf to present climate award

-Award ceremony in Washington, D.C., for Finnish winners of the competition ‘Combat Climate Change’

“Combat Climate Change,” a European competition for future energy solutions, was organized by National Geographic magazine in cooperation with Vattenfall. The competition, held during 2007, was aimed at teenagers between the ages of 14-19 and asked for ideas on how to promote sustainable solutions to help combat climate change. The first prize goes to two students from Finland, Heta Heiskanen and Salla-Riina Hokkanen. On Friday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m., they will accept their award at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C., from the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf.

The purpose of the competition was to stimulate involvement in climate issues, and the winning contribution from Finland focuses on unsustainable energy usage such as fossil fuels and energy waste on a global level. The winners proposed a cross-border coalition for research, cooperation and implementation of environmentally friendly technologies. The coalition would consist of companies, organizations, schools and researchers who care about climate change. Such a coalition combines solutions and creates opportunities for a large number of channels for cooperation.

Heiskanen and Hokkanen are packing their bags for an all-expenses-paid visit to Washington, D.C. They will visit the headquarters of National Geographic and go on a tour of the city’s famous monuments in addition to receiving the award from his Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf. They will also be congratulated by the Finnish ambassador to the U.S. Pekka Lintu; CEO Vattenfall, Lars Josefsson; and the executive vice president of the National Geographic Society, Terry Adamson.

“We are very impressed by the great interest and involvement of the participants in ‘Combat Climate Change.’ The winning Finnish contribution demonstrated incredible creativity, knowledge and insight in tackling this difficult problem,” said Lars Josefsson, chairman of the competition.


For more information, please contact:
Maria Parent, Media Relations Manager, Vattenfall, +46 (0)76 807 65 50
Rebecca Hill, International Marketing Director, National Geographic, + 44 781 555 4434


For information about the competition entries and participating schools, contact:
Nina Håkanson, Press Manager, MS&L PR Sweden, +46 (0)8- 550 511 15


www.nationalgeographic.com/combatclimatechange