Every year the United Nations holds an international conference of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). This gathering to discuss the global problem of climate change has an unintended irony: the tremendous carbon footprint it takes to fly all participants to the conference site every year. Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to participate in the conference without expending more jet fuel? That's where OneWorld's OneClimate.net project comes in.

OneClimate.net is a OneWorld's social networking site dedicated to finding solutions for climate change. OneClimate.net links directly to the OneWorld's OneClimate Island in the virtual world of Second Life. When this year's UN Climate Summit (COP 13) meets in Bali December 3-14th, OneWorld Island will offer an alternative for people to participate virtually without the carbon cost of flying. Participants from around the world can attend through the OneWorld Island in Second Life from their own computers and interact with live video feeds from the Bali conference. There will be communications between real-world and in-world Second Life attendees via voice and text chat. A live videocast will be streamed from the OneClimate.net site to reach a larger Internet audience. The virtual conference will include a daily interactive press conference and interview, and culminate with virtual ceremony giving out a Climate Justice award.

Through the virtual Bali conference, OneClimate Island hopes to increase global participation and awareness of climate change and engage individuals in the UNFCCC process. In addition, this conference will serve as a pilot for the potential of virtual worlds to provide low-carbon ways of working and meeting with others.

If you're new to Second Life, OneWorld is offering half-day training sessions in London on help you learn more about Second Life to prepare for the conference. You can find out more about the conference and training sessions at OneClimate.net or teleport directly to OneClimate Island.

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