DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (55/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 25 February 2008
Nine young Climate
Change Champions from each of the government regions fulfilled an
action packed, fact finding expedition in the Netherlands this weekend.
The trip enabled the young ambassadors to witness the impacts of
climate change on a low lying country and see the adaptation
techniques used in the Netherlands first hand.
Joan Ruddock, Minister for Climate Change, said:
'The expedition is essential for all the Climate Change
Champions and it's a fantastic way for them to start their
year in office.
'This first hand experience shows how countries all over the
world are feeling the impact of climate change and it provides the
Champions with excellent case studies of how communities are
adapting and what we can all do to make a difference.'
During the visit the Climate Change Champions:
* Completed a fact-finding hunt across Amsterdam;
* Met Frans
Timmermans, Dutch Minister for Europe and the British Ambassador
in a Climate Change special reception;
* Saw a high-tech solar
powered car and heard how it was developed;
* Visited
Madurodam, a miniature Holland complete with dams, dykes and
examples of water management;
* Sailed to Q7 Wind Park to see
wind turbines in action on the North Sea;
* Heard how
landscapes shaped by industrial development can be revitalised and
used again;
* Toured a specially designed Energy Park and
Gewoonboot which enables inhabitants to be zero carbon and sustainable.
Editor's notes:
1. The Climate Change Champions
are:
South West: Shirley Halse, Chippenham, 15
South East:
Patrick Kennedy, Dorking, 16
London: Akhil Amlani, Hendon,
17
East England: Adam Dyster, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, near
Tiptree, Essex, 14
West Midlands: Ziana Kotadia, Selly Park,
Birmingham, 14
East Midlands: Pippa Stone, Ashby Parva, near
Leicester, 17
Yorkshire & Humber: Hayleigh Murray,
Doncaster, 15
North West: Jessica Smith, Southport,
13
North East: Jack White, Houghton-le-Spring, near Durham, 15
2. Defra has been looking for nine Climate Change Champions, aged
between 11 and 18, to represent their regions and England as a
whole on the issue since September 2007. The winning champions
were announced by the Prime Minister on 20 February. 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 to demonstrate how they can encourage others to reduce
their carbon footprint.
3. In England there were 200 entries, with 390 across England and
Wales, which took a variety of formats including videos, songs,
t-shirts, presentations, posters, sculptures, books, and websites.
Entries were sifted by teaching professionals and the finalists
were judged by a panel in a 'Dragon's Den' style
interview. The final nine champions were chosen for their passion
for climate change, imagination, skills, teamwork and their
ability to encourage their peers and others to act.
4. Winners of the competition will:
-spend a busy year
'in office' communicating their ideas on how people can
reduce their carbon footprints by taking simple and effective
action
-taking part in public awareness campaigns
-take
part in a European fact finding expedition to see the effects of
climate change and how the issues are tackled by other
communities
-meet with senior Government Ministers to share
their ideas on the problems we face and ways these issues and
their solutions can be communicated to audiences of all
ages
-receive £1000 to organise a climate change themed event
at their school, college or within their community.
5. The Champions will document their experiences on http://www.footprintfriends.com
- a website dedicated to young people across the world who are
interested in the environment and climate change. They will be
posting photos, writing blogs and answering questions in the
online forums.
Champion quotes:
Pippa Stone:
'The European Expedition was a real
learning curve. I met many inspirational people with exciting
ideas for battling climate change. I feel it was a brilliant way
to kick start my year as a Climate Change Champion.'
Jack White:
'This trip has been the most inspirational
four days of my life. I can't wait to help others with what I
have learnt.'
Akil Amlani:
'I was greatly impressed and inspired by
their wide range of ideas and solutions to combat climate change.
The trip has equipped me with lots of valuable information and I
am now looking forward to sharing my experiences and spreading the
message as a Climate Change Champion!'
Ziana Kotadia:
'This trip was an incredible experience.
Holland is a country that England should aspire to be like.
Visiting Amsterdam has inspired, motivated and fuelled my passion
for protecting our wonderful world.'
Adam Dyster:
'I feel I was incredibly lucky to have been
given the opportunity to go on this amazing trip. It was a flurry
of inspiration and innovation, an amazing experience to start what
will be a truly memorable term in office.'
Hayleigh Murray:
'The experience of the expedition was
incredible. We've all learnt lots that we can take back to
England with us which will help us in our quest to save the
planet. We have also met lots of lovely people of which I will
never forget.'
Jessica Smith:
'The entire trip was an inspiration.
Everything we did and everywhere we went gave me new ideas of how
to make a difference. It was definitely a once in a lifetime trip
that I will never forget and I enjoyed every minute of it.'
Patrick Kennedy:
'Exhilarating! I've come away with
new optimism. There is a desire to change running from governments
right through to individuals, and I've seen some brilliant
ideas. Having seen work being done in real life, I am even more
determined to make a stand as a force for change. I can't
wait to make a difference!'
Shirley Halse:
'Our trip was inspirational. The
Netherlands have proved that sustainable living can be achieved
and now we need to take action. It has given me new optimism and
lots of ideas which I hope to use to spread my message in the year ahead.'
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