Midland, MI - June 28, 2006
As part of its alliance with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society (OFS) to develop creative solutions to environmental challenges, The Dow Chemical Company announced the final two segments of the thrilling six-part television series, Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures. This two-part program, America’s Underwater Treasures, airs on September 20 and 27 on PBS stations across the United States, and will take viewers on a unique journey to the rarely visited underwater parks that constitute the National Marine Sanctuary System.
Dow is the exclusive corporate sponsor of Ocean Adventures, which is produced by OFS and KQED Public Broadcasting in San Francisco. Dow also joined OFS in developing an educational program, Don’t Be a Beach Bum, which was introduced at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in Anaheim, California, in April 2006. It is designed to help kids understand the impact of their behaviors on the oceans.
“We truly appreciate Dow’s support in helping us educate the global public about the beauty and importance of our oceans,” said Cousteau, president and chairman of OFS and son of the late Jacques Cousteau, the pioneering explorer of the world’s oceans. “The health of our oceans is directly connected to the survival of all life on Earth, and we must work together across communities, governments and industries to develop sustainable solutions.”
“We recognize the huge success of the Ocean Adventures series and the need for sustainable solutions to environmental problems,” said Mike Gambrell, Dow’s Executive Vice President for Basic Plastics and Chemicals. “This series, along with the related educational curriculum that Dow and OFS developed, are solid steps in creating awareness of the problem and in moving us closer to a sustainable solution.”
As a leader in sustainable development, Dow constantly applies science and technology to improve the quality of life around the world. A variety of innovative Dow products, for example, improve water quality, fuel efficiency, food and water delivery, and more. In addition, Dow employees volunteer their time for many eco-related activities around the globe, such as International Coastal Clean-Up Day.
“We are confident that Ocean Adventures will help elevate the level of respect for the oceans and their inhabitants, which is necessary to make the world a better place for future generations,” said Andrew Liveris, Dow’s president, CEO and chairman. “We at Dow are proud to be part of the solution through science, technology and educational funding, and to help accelerate results.”
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
About Ocean Futures Society
Ocean Futures Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. With the motto, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself,” the mission of Ocean Futures Society is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. OFS is based in Santa Barbara, CA, USA with offices in Paris and Lucca, Italy. For more information visit www.oceanfutures.org.
About KQED
KQED Public Broadcasting operates KQED Public Television 9, one of the nation’s most-watched public television stations during prime-time, and KQED’s digital television channels, which include KQED HD, KQED Encore, KQED World, KQED Life and KQED Kids; KQED Public Radio, the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service (88.5 FM in San Francisco and 89.3 FM in Sacramento); KQED.org, one of the most visited station sites in Public Broadcasting; and KQED Education Network, which brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars and resources.
About PBS
PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves the nation’s 348 public noncommercial television stations, reaching nearly 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is the leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of educational services for adult learners. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet, averaging more than 35 million unique visits and nearly 400 million page views per month in 2005. PBS is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.
For Editorial Information:
Tony Kingsbury
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-0626
Paul Zemitzsch
Sequel LLC / Ocean Futures
(314) 725-5645
paul@sequel-llc.com
Yoonhyung Lee
KQED Public Broadcasting
(415) 553-3338
ylee@KQED.org
