Announcement of GlaxoSmithKline/Earthwatch earthweek winner
Following GlaxoSmithKline's Earthweek earlier this year, a celebration of World Environment Day, Earthwatch received applications to win the place on an expedition. The applicants had to identify and describe the impacts on biodiversity of one of GSK's Environmental Challenges, as well as explaining why they should be selected and what environmental action they planned to undertake on return from the expedition. Emma Smith, IT, Stockley Park, chose the issue of climate change and she completed an excellent application, relating this issue to Earthwatch's and GSK's work, with a plan for communicating her experience.
On the 13 August 2004, Earthwatch representative Catherine McKenna went along to GSK, Stockley Park for her presentation ceremony. Attending was the Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment, the Vice President of her department, Steve Bailey, also of Health, Safety and Environment, her manager and various colleagues from her department, as well as the internal communications team.
Emma has since made the decision to go on Climate Change in Australia's Rainforest, in February 2005, which ties in very nicely with her original interest in the issue of climate change in her application.
On winning the award, Emma says:
'I am thrilled to have been awarded the Earthwatch Fellowship. It's a fantastic opportunity for me to get more closely involved in environment issues and to share my experiences with my colleagues at GSK. I am really looking forward to the rainforest project in Australia and being able to contribute to the vital research into the effects of climate change. It sounds as though this could be a life changing experience for me!'
Media enquiries:
Zoe Gamble, Press Officer, Earthwatch, on + 44 (0) 1865 318813 / zgamble@earthwatch.org.uk
Photo credit: ©Paul Martell/EWE