The British Council’s International Climate Champions (ICC) project  aims to give young people (16-19 yrs) a voice on climate change, to improve understanding and to inspire positive action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The project involves young people taking part in local and international climate change activity in 13 countries (G8+5 countries) i.e., Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, USA and the UK. From a pool of hundreds of applicants and a rigorous selection criterion, each country selects 3 International champions. These Champions are selected to help spread the word about climate change and to get others involved.
The Climate Champions from the G8+5 Countries will be arriving in India for a week long camp at the Sunderban Islands.The camp will bring together the group of International Champions to work alongside the Indian champions on a field project in the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans National Park. The effect of climate change on Sunderbans is noticeable and measurable. The fast depleting forests and rising sea levels have lead to submerging of the islands. The consequent migration of local population makes it an apt venue for the students to study and experience the devastating effect of climate change.

Date of Camp: December 6 – December 14, 2008
Venue: Sunderban Islands/ Kolkata (nearest airport)

Indian-Climate-Champions-DelhiCamp

The Climate Champions came together from 10-12 May 2008 at the TERI Retreat (a green building) in Gurgaon as part of the Indian Climate Champions Residential Camp.
The camp was organised with the aim to help the climate champions develop their individual project plans for the year and prepare them to represent India at various international forums. It was also an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the local climate change issues as well as expose them to the various media available to spread the message of climate change among the masses.

The icing on the cake was the address by Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI and Head of the Nobel Prize winning ‘International Panel on Climate Change’ on the second day of the camp.  Many of the young people idolise Dr Pachauri and were thrilled to be able to meet and talk to him about the issue for which they had gathered.
Indian Climate Champions have their own private Wiki and most of our champions have their own blogs to make their voice heard and reach out to other enthusiasts like themselves.