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6.05.2008 - 09:02am ET

CSR News from:	Polycom
News Categories:	Academia
	Environment

Global Nomads, Polycom, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and The 11th Hour Film Present 'Climate for Change' Class Over Video on World Environment Day

Students in the U.K., Canada and the U.S. to Connect Over Video to Discuss Movie and Environment Issues

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY and PLEASANTON, CA and WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE)
-- 06/05/08 -- How is our Earth different now from ever before? Why are there cyclones in Burma and droughts in Spain? In response to these and other questions about environmental crises that are permanently altering the face of Mother Earth, Global Nomads Group, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), The 11th Hour Film and Polycom (NASDAQ: PLCM) are pleased to host an interactive student-to-student global video conference entitled, "Climate for Change" Thursday, June 5, 2008 in honor of UN World Environment Day.

The class program, which maps to the UNEP's 2008 theme of "Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy," will bring together young people from around the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. to learn about environmental issues. Specifically, students will discuss what young people can do about climate change and how to take action to help ensure the sustainability of the planet.

Guests for the video conferences will include Stephan McGuire, the Associate Producer, and Richard Dent, the co-director of The 11th Hour Action campaign, both from the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The 11th Hour"; as well as Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Deputy Director of the UNEP's Regional Office for North America based in Washington, D.C.
McGuire and Dent will address the nature and scope of the award winning documentary as well as how students can become part of the 11th Hour Action community (www.11thhouraction.com) to raise awareness. What's more, young people will learn from each other what is being done to take care of Mother Earth in a perilous phase of climate change. As a result of this conference, students will be armed with new information about how to make their home and school environments "greener."

Students will explore such burning questions as:

How young people can help turn back the environmental clock of time,since the world is at the "11th Hour."
The concrete actions students can take to help save the planet from
further environmental degradation.
The simple things they can do every day as young people to be more
"eco-friendly" and "eco-aware."

With "The 11th Hour" as a centerpiece, the video conference class tells the story of climate change, and highlights key environmental issues and how they affect our daily lives. The program will enable students to discuss the film with the filmmakers and to discuss global environmental issues with selected experts and fellow students.

Schools to be included in Friday's discussion are:

Scarsdale Middle School in Scarsdale, NY
West Orange High School in West Orange, NJ
White Plains Middle School in White Plains, NY
Olds High School in Olds, Alberta, Canada
Ft. McMurray High School in Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Harborne Hill School Edgbaston in Birmingham, England

The video classes will be streamed on www.gng.org.

Links to additional information:
The 11th Hour - http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/mainsite/site.html
Global Nomads Group - http://www.gng.org
UNEP - http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/
Polycom Global Sustainability Program
http://www.polycom.com/usa/en/company/about_us/global_sustainability.html

Related Educational Resources:
UNEP Factsheet on "Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit":
http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/Information_Material/factsheet.asp
Teaching Resources from The 11th Hour Action website http://11thhouraction.com/teachingresources

About The 11th Hour

The 11th Hour is a documentary narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio that explores the perilous state of the planet and the means by which we can change course. Contributing to this crucial film are noted politicians, scientists and other ambassadors for the importance of a universal ecological consciousness.

About UNEP's Climate Neutral Network

The Climate Neutral Network (CN Net) has been established to assist those interested in achieving big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
The CN Net initiative is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which itself is becoming climate neutral in 2008.
UNEP will call on the expertise of the network and the UN's Environment Management Group to set some basic benchmarks and foundations upon which the initiative can evolve over the coming months and years. Specifically, the goals of the Climate Neutral Network are to:

Make public the inspiring plans and strategies that pioneering
partners are implementing to achieve climate neutrality.
Act as a forum through which those who aspire to climate neutrality
may network and learn more to plan their own emissions reductions.
Bring together, as an honest broker, the developed and developing
country participants to green the development path and support the
Millennium Development Goals.

About Polycom

Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations. Polycom delivers the broadest array of high definition telepresence video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions so people can enjoy the best communications, whether from a real-time collaborative interaction or on-demand streamed video experience. Spanning from the desktop to the industry's only immersive telepresence suite, Polycom's high quality collaboration and communications solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Based on open standards, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony and presence-based networks. With innovative market-driving technologies, a compelling vision for next generation visual communications, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations to gain a competitive advantage with proven and trusted communication solutions. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

About Global Nomads Group

Founded in 1998, the Global Nomads Group (GNG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to heightening children's understanding and appreciation for the world and its people. Using interactive technologies such as video conferencing, GNG brings young people together face-to-face to meet across cultural and national boundaries to discuss their differences and similarities, as well as the world issues that affect them.

Polycom and the Polycom logo are registered trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright2008, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

For more information please contact:

Terry Culver
Global Nomads Group
212.529.0377

Jessica Kersey Jessica Kersey
Polycom, Inc.
925-924-0377

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