NEWS RELEASE
Date: 20 September 2007
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National search for England's 'Climate Change Champions' is launched today
A nation-wide search for nine young climate change champions was launched today by Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock.
The climate champions will help spread the message about the challenge of tackling climate change, as well as what people can do to play their part to reduce emissions.
The initiative is part of the Government’s ‘Act on CO2’ campaign which underlines the link between everyday human behaviour and its effect on the environment. It calls for young people aged 11 to 18 to demonstrate how they can encourage others to reduce their carbon footprint. The winners will spend a year ‘in office’ communicating their ideas and leading their own regional public awareness campaigns.
Joan Ruddock said:
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing us and it is young people who will be most affected by the decisions we make today. This is why it is essential that we empower them so they can spread the message that tackling climate change is urgent, but that by working together we can make a difference.
“It is fantastic that so many young people feel passionately about the environment and climate change and want to bring about change in others. The winners of this competition will become young ambassadors, playing a high profile role in changing public opinion and behaviour.
“Last year’s champions did a wonderful job. Now we ask for new champions to come forward, enter our competition and take up the climate change challenge.”’
Winners of the competition will:
Climate Change Champion for the North west, Stephanie Lynch, 18, highly recommended the initiative saying:
“The past 18 months has been the biggest learning curve of my life. I have experienced a kaleidoscope of opportunities, where I have gained insight into the different issues surrounding climate change.
“As well as a fantastic expedition to Switzerland to see a glacier, I think the most valuable experiences have been my interactions with people such as the Prime Minister, my fellow champions, inspiring scientists, teachers and local councillors who are all passionate about making a difference.”
Notes to editors
1. To enter, any young person who is a permanent resident of England and aged between 11-18 years needs to demonstrate how they can encourage their friends, family, school or community to make positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Entries can take any format from a news report, documentary or case-study to website page, poster, the front page of a newspaper, video, radio feature or any other method of engagement. Deadline for entries is November 9, 2007.
Entries will be judged by a panel of experts and a selected short list will be invited to London for a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style interview. The final nine champions will be chosen based on their passion for climate change, skills, teamwork and their ability to encourage their peers and others to act.
2. Applicants to the Climate Change Champions 07/08 competition can enter and gain more information via the www.climatechallenge.gov.uk website.
3. The nine winning Champions will be formally announced and will begin their roles in early January 2008.
4. More information on the Government’s ‘Act on CO2’ campaign can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/index.htm
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Page published: 20 September 2007