WASHINGTON—(BUSINESS WIRE)—February 2, 2009— Today, Google released the newest feature of Google Earth, called “Ocean in Google Earth”, which enables users to explore the world’s oceans online. World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s largest multi-national conservation organization, provided Google with a wide-range of information about marine places, species, threats and conservation projects affecting the world’s oceans, which will be featured on the new platform.

WWF today released the following statement in response to Google’s announcement from Bill Eichbaum, vice president for WWF’s marine program:

“The world’s oceans face a grave and uncertain future. Bringing attention to critical marine places and the threats to them is essential to advancing our conservation work. Integrating information on WWF’s marine conservation projects into this innovative and unique exploration tool, ‘Ocean in Google Earth’ will provide a powerful method for teachers, students, scientists, conservationists and the general public to increase their knowledge about the planet’s oceans and potentially fuel efforts to protect them.”

ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

WWF is the world’s largest conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.

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WWF
Erika Viltz
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