Avonworth High School senior Kaley Zahren, pictured above at right, and junior Molly Corder, at left, are competing with students all over the United States and Canada in an effort to persuade others to reduce their carbon imprints and participate in programs to better the environment. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

While politicians and television personalities dither about what to do to protect the environment and some argue if global warming even exists, two Avonworth High School students have taken on a pro-ject that addresses the perils of the planet, with special emphasis on the plight of polar bears.

Senior Kaley Zahren and junior Molly Corder have teamed up for a voluntary graduation project, with guidance from senior class sponsor Michelle George. As participants in Project Polar Bear, run through Polar Bear International (PBI) -- a research and education organization trying to preserve the habitat of polar bears -- Molly and Kaley are competing against students from across the United States and Canada to reduce carbon emissions.

But the preservation of polar bears is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

The competition focuses upon teams devising plans to persuade individuals to reduce their carbon imprints, as well as to take part in programs that will help to "green" the planet.

"Everyone can do little things -- unplug cell phone chargers, change light bulbs. There are so many ways that people can reduce their carbon imprints," Molly said.

Kaley described an outreach project with seventh grade pre-biology classes. "We did a project where students traced their hands and feet and wrote pledges inside their hand- and footprints, promising what they will do for the environment."

Also at the middle school, homerooms are going to compete to raise money, and for every dollar, a tree will be planted through PBI, which is sponsoring "Trees for You and Me." The winning homeroom at each grade level will have a pizza party.

Molly and Kaley have been working on an outreach with other teachers' classes as well, and with ZooU and KidScience, programs sponsored by the Pittsburgh Zoo where Molly volunteers. She also helps out at the National Aviary and at the Seascape Exhibition.

"When I get the opportunity to make an impact by talking to people, I don't pass it up," Molly said.

"Basically, we're teaching about global warming and how everyone can help," said Kaley.

Working under the name, "Polar Parktection," the team has plans that they hope will catch the attention of the entire community.

"We had a plant sale at Open House. It didn't raise much money, but it got people thinking," Molly said.

Kaley said that she and Megan had people pledge to plant flowers and vegetables such as pumpkins and peppers. "We had the seeds for them so they could plant anytime they wanted."

Fellow classmates and friends and community residents can help the team by sending pledges of how they will help reduce carbon emissions or by donating for the planting programs.

Written pledges can be sent to Michelle George at 345 Joseph Lane, Pittsburgh 15237.

Kaley and Molly have a Dec. 31 deadline for their efforts in Project Polar Bear. Everything has to be submitted by then for them to be eligible for the grand prize of a trip for the team and adult adviser to see bears in the wild near the Western Hudson Bay, plus a VIP tour of the San Diego Zoo. PBI will award prizes to three runner-up teams, as well.

"It's a learning experience, even if we don't win," Molly said. "But we're the only team in all of Pittsburgh. Last year, there were 10, so we immediately get sent to the judging level of PPB, representing Pittsburgh."

"That means we have to do a really good job," said Kaley, whose plans to study zoology in college have been boosted by the senior project.

Molly, the daughter of Patti and Lloyd Corder of Ben Avon, and Kaley, the daughter of Mori and Bill Zahren of Ohio Township, enjoy the competition and hope to be among the winners. But their motivation goes far beyond prizes or recognition.

The team's goal is to get 17 tons of carbon out of the environment through pledges, with Molly, Kaley and George using a CO2 calculator to determine how much carbon will be saved. Staff members at the Pittsburgh Zoo conservation department have agreed to doublecheck their work. The combined results of all of the teams across the country will show how much was eliminated nationally.

"We don't have a lot of time, if trends continue, to make a major impact," Molly said.