Climate Change is one of the most important challenges facing the world. The increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, has led to dramatic changes in the Earth’s climate, including warmer average temperatures and more frequent severe weather events like droughts and hurricanes. The vast majority of scientists agree that to avoid radical changes in our climate in the future, we need to act together, now.
The first step is to help people think about climate change as a problem that affects us all and realize that collectively we can make a difference.
America’s Climate Champions
Leaders from around the world recognize that climate change requires global solutions. But it’s not just a problem for governments to tackle - it’s an issue that requires everyone’s help. After all, we are each responsible for carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change.
A part of the International Climate Champions effort, the California Climate Champions program is sponsored by the British Council and the California Air Resources Board. Through a statewide competition, 15 young people who demonstrated a commitment to environmental issues and making a change in their community were selected as California Climate Champions for 2008.
Over the next year, these champions will help with local, national and international projects as well as work with the media to communicate the urgency of climate change and to engage others to make a difference. They will have the opportunity to participate in a “climate camp” and also will be invited to join an online peer network to share ideas and encourage others to get involved.
In addition to representing the United States and their individual communities, the Climate Champions will be tasked with:
- Developing a plan to spread the word about climate change in their neighborhood, school, church/mosque/temple, hometown or state. For example, they might set up a school network, start a “greening” project or talk to important people in the community about bigger plans to spread the message about climate change - these are just a few possibilities!
- Meeting with media representatives to help spread the message to a bigger audience.
- Expanding the network of climate champions to engage more and more of their peers in helping communicate about and act on climate change.
- Help shape the Climate Champions 2009 program, which will be open to young people from all across the country.
Three of the Champions – Marvin, Rebecca and Sophia – will represent the United States at meetings of international champions in the United Kingdom and Japan this spring.
