NINE YOUNG CLIMATE CHANGE CHAMPIONS FOR ENGLAND UNVEILED

11 May 2006 11:15 AM

England's nine new youth climate change champions will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chief Scientist Sir David King today (Thur)

The champions are at the start of a year in which they will aim to communicate about climate change in the regions and the role that young people can have in tackling it. They will also have a number of engagements throughout the year, including a fact-finding tour to Switzerland to witness the visual effects of climate change at the Gurschen glacier.

The nine winners were chosen from more than 600 entries following a competition asking them to use different types of media to communicate the threats of climate change in their regions.

A total of 39 youngsters, aged between 10 and 18, were then interviewed in London, with the successful nine being chosen for their enthusiasm and passion about climate change, knowledge of the subject, ability to communicate, star quality and understanding of their region.

The search for the nine champions is part of the Government's Climate Change Communications Initiative, "Tomorrow's Climate, Today's Challenge" - a three year drive to communicate the threat of climate change and the for need for everyone - Government; industry and individuals to help tackle the problem. The initiative was launched last December.

The young climate change champions will spend a year "in office" spreading the word about climate change to their region through local activities.

Environment Secretary David Miliband said he was delighted with the high calibre of the winners entries: "Clearly these youngsters have put in a tremendous amount of effort in learning more about climate change. They understand that tackling climate change is the largest single environmental issue that we all face in this generation."

Speaking at a press briefing to unveil the winners, Environment Minister Ian Pearson added: "These nine champions show there is a great deal of interest among young people on environmental issues. I look forward to working alongside them in the regions during the coming year."

Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "If we are going to raise awareness about climate change and what we can all do in our own lives to stop it, we need people up and down the country to take an interest. These young people have shown their commitment to the cause - and with our help, they can now spread the word about climate change."

The nine champions will each put their own question on climate change to Sir David King at a science briefing in Downing Street today.

Latest research from Defra has shown that awareness among people of the terms climate change, global warming and the greenhouse effect is high, with between 95 and 97 per cent of respondents aware of the terms.

Just over three-quarters (77 per cent) believe that climate change is a result of human behaviour, with 31 per cent blaming pollution, 26 per cent emissions from road transport, 15 per cent carbon emissions and 12 per cent the burning of fossil fuels for energy.

More than a third (34 per cent) said they are already affected by climate change, while 27 per cent said they personally had "some or a large influence on limiting climate change". Just under one sixth of those surveyed in the ICM Research poll said they talked about climate change with friends and family at "least weekly".

Biographical details of the nine climate change winners:

Zoheb Khalil (10), Halifax, West Yorkshire for his climate change DVD. Zoheb attends the Parkinson Lane Community Primary School, Halifax, representing the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

Sarah Crudgington (12), Basildon, Essex for her newspaper report, questionnaire and leaflet. Sarah goes to Bromfields School, Wickford, and is the champion for the East of England.

Lucy Stansfield (13), Wellington, Somerset for her DVD news report on climate change. Lucy Anne attends Wellington School and will represent the South West region.

David Saddington (13), Stockton-on-Tees, Teeside for his newspaper article on climate change. David goes to Blakeston School, Stockton-on-Tees and is the champion for the North East region.

Aazim Ihsan (13), Cheam, Surrey for his climate change T-shirt. Aazim goes to Royal Russell School, Croydon and will represent the London region.

Jordan Stephens (14), Hove, East Sussex for his radio report within an extract from a radio show. Jordan attends Blatchington Mill School, Hove and is the champion for the South East region.

Carri Swann (15), Beeston, Nottinghamshire for her newspaper article on her own website. Carri goes to Nottingham Girls High School, and will represent the East Midlands region.

Stephanie Lynch (16), Prescot, Merseyside for her television news report. Stephanie attends Carmel College, St Helens and will represent the North West region.

Sofia Zabolotskih (17), of Rugby School for her flash file climate change entry. Sofia is the West Midlands climate change champion.

The champion's and semi-finalists work will be on display at the www.climatechallenge.gov.uk website from today (May 11).

Notes to Editors:

1. The delivery element of the Climate Change Communications Initiative was launched on December 1, 2005. The CCCI launch package includes a slogan, website, printed communications guide, short information film, radio advertising and the Climate Challenge Fund criteria. Full details are available on the new CCCI website - www.climatechallenge.gov.uk or from the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/051201c.htm

2. Defra has been working with "The Newspaper" - the only publications distributed free to schools around the country - to advertise the climate change champions initiative. This means that the competition can be delivered in the classroom as part of citizenship learning and competition entries can be supported by teachers in the classroom environment.

3. The Climate Change Champions 2006 competition was launched by former Climate Change Minister Elliot Morley on January 26, 2006 at Morpeth School, London. It ran until March 31 and was open to children aged between 10-18.

4. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 3110 adults aged 18+ by telephone between March 8-16, 2006. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighed to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information is available at www.icmresearch.co.uk

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