13/10/08

Minister launches search for Climate Change Champions 2009 at Barry school

The search for six outstanding young people to become ‘Climate Change Champions' has been launched today by the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson.
The Minister launched the search with help from green teens at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg in Barry, who are aiming to be among the first in the Vale of Glamorgan to enter the competition.
The Welsh Assembly Government is urging young people across the country to follow Bro Morgannwg's lead by entering its competition and persuading friends, families and communities to do their bit to tackle climate change.


On meeting the school's young people the Minister said:

"The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to tackling climate change. We owe it to future generations to do all we can to educate people about the benefits of making small changes to our lifestyles to help combat climate change".
"The pupils of Ysgol Bro Morgannwg are a great example to young people across Wales. Young people have a vital role to play as champions amongst their peer groups and in their own families and communities. I very much look forward to seeing the ideas put forward by prospective Climate Change Champions and look forward to working closely with the final six once they are selected."
Ysgol Bro Morgannwg is a member of the ‘eco-school' scheme which recognises environmental practices in schools. Keen pupils are setting up an eco-committee to develop their green schemes and hope to have a further positive impact on the way the school uses water, electricity, heating and transport.
The pupils have their fingers crossed that one of them will secure one of the prestigious ‘Climate Change Champion' roles.
To enter the competition, pupils have been thinking about putting together entries demonstrating how they would encourage their friends, family, school or community to take small steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Entries can take pretty much any creative format, for example a newspaper article, web pages, or a TV or radio presentation.
The chosen Climate Change Champions will spend a year ‘in office' spreading the word about how people can take simple, effective actions to reduce their carbon footprint focusing on energy, water and transport use.
Once selected, they will have a busy schedule including taking part in a European fact-finding expedition to see what is being done to reduce carbon emissions in other countries. They will also have the opportunity to attend events throughout Wales to communicate to people the positive actions they can take in their everyday lives to help tackle climate change.
Headteacher Dr Dylan Jones said:
"The ‘Climate Change Champions' competition is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to build on the work we are already doing to promote environmental awareness. We will be encouraging all pupils to enter and hope that one of the final six will come from Bro Morgannwg."

The competition is open to any young person in Wales aged between 11 and 18 years, including those at secondary school and college. The deadline for entries is 28 November 2008. For information or to enter online please log onto www.walescarbonfootprint.gov.uk

ENDS
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