Bill Clinton called the Hay Festival 'The Woodstock of the mind', and celebrating its 25th Anniversary, this year’s event sees a stellar line-up of writers gather from around the world to debate and share stories and ideas to transform our way of thinking. Founded on the principle that the exchange of views and meeting of minds inspires revelations personal, political and educational, the Hay attracts celebrated poets, scientists, historians, lyricists, artists, comedians, novelists, filmmakers, politicians, gardeners and environmentalists. Set in the stunning beauty of the Welsh Borders, the festival comprises activities for all the family, from debates and workshops to a late night music club called The Sound Castle.
 
Hay on Earth is the festival’s ongoing sustainability project and is part of its programme of managing and mitigating its environmental impacts. Running for six years, its forum explores subjects including Green Architecture, Urban Farming, Nanotechnology, Renewable Energy and Biodiversity Loss. Hay’s 'Green Dragon’s Den' sees pioneers of Welsh sustainability-led start-ups try to capture the hearts, minds and cheque books of green dragon’s for a chance to win £10,000 for their project. Participants of Hay on Earth 2012 include marine biologist and television presenter Monty Halls, volcanologist Professor Bill McGuire, sustainable communications guru Ed Gillespie, Founder of People Tree Safia Minney, journalist Rosie Boycott and Earth 2 Hub’s Head of Technology Melissa Sterry. Hook up with Hay on Twitter at @hayfestival

Rio+20 – the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil June 20th-22nd, 2012. Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit, at which countries adopted Agenda 21 - a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection, the UN is once again bringing together governments, international institutions and major groups to agree on a range of smart measures that could reduce poverty while promoting employment, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources. Rio+20 is an opportunity to move away from ‘business-as-usual’ and to act to end poverty, address environmental destruction and build a bridge to the future – the future we want. Priority areas include energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #RioPlus20

Earth 2.0 is proud to be a partner of The Arthur C. Clarke Award. The Award was originally established by a generous grant from Sir Arthur C. Clarke with the aim of promoting science fiction in Britain, and is currently administered by the Serendip Foundation with Sir Arthur continuing to donate a cash prize via Rocket Publishing, his UK representatives.

Every year the organisers of the Arthur C. Clarke Award release the full list of novels submitted for consideration by the judging panel. This year twenty-five publishing imprints submitted a total of sixty individual novels. The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers has been declared the best science fiction novel of the year and the 26th winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award.

For more information please visit www.clarkeaward.com