When 16-year-old Abhishek first decided last summer to take action and raise awareness about global warming he was working part-time in the Zoo’s education department. He was also, and still is, an active Junior Zoo Apprentice (JZAP). Firsthand Zoo experience had taught him the value of personal interactions between visitors, wildlife and educators sharing conservation messages. So he created a display about climate change with a focus on reducing our consumer footprint: from buying Energy Star rated appliances, to recycling, to shopping for local food, to using solar power; Abhishek was on a mission to inform people about how their consumer choices have a direct impact on the health of the planet. In addition to regular Zoo appearances, Abhishek and his display have been featured at Zoo events such as Bear Awareness Days, the JZAP workshop, Earth Hour and Party for the Planet, the Zoo’s annual Earth Day celebration. But Abhishek wanted to do more.

Also a volunteer at the Academy of Natural Sciences, he updated his display and developed a supplemental PowerPoint presentation, both of which were used as part of the educational support for the Academy’s recent “Ends of The Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins” exhibit. In late January, he also used his PowerPoint presentation to teach Philadelphia Zoo volunteers and some staff members about global warming and the subsequent plight of polar bears. While he was at it, he also taught them how to use his display so they too could spread the word.