BRITISH COUNCIL, AIR RESOURCES BOARD ANNOUNCE CALIFORNIA CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
SACRAMENTO (18 March 2008) - The British Council and Air Resources Board (ARB) Chairman Mary Nichols introduced California’s 15 high school “Climate Champions” today during a rooftop ceremony at the Cal EPA Building in Sacramento.
Based on a similar program started in the United Kingdom, the California Climate Champions will educate peers, fellow students and communities on the impact of climate change along with steps they can take at the individual level to reduce their carbon emissions. Typical measures include energy efficiency steps at home, recycling and encouraging carpooling and the use of public transit.
“These amazing, inspirational teens have rightfully accepted global warming as the challenge of their generation, and they want to lead the charge on solutions,” said Nichols. “While ARB will take care of the regulatory approach to cutting California’s greenhouse gas emissions, we’ll be counting on the champions to help effect change household to household.”
British Council and ARB staff interviewed more than two dozen high school students – and reviewed many more applications – in selecting the 15 teenagers who were announced today. The judges selected the winners based on their knowledge of the topic, their enthusiasm to effect change and their communications skills.
As part of a larger international program sponsored by the British Council, three of the champions will travel to London next week to meet with Climate Champions from 12 other countries, during which time they will prepare to attend a summit of the G8 environment ministers in Kobe, Japan, in May.
“The International Climate Champions program brings together outstanding youth from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities and gives them a chance to play a role in a global movement,” said Sharon Memis, director of the British Council United States.
All 15 California Climate Champions will participate in a “climate camp” this summer and engage in an on-line peer network to share ideas and encourage others to get involved. Over the course of the next year, each of the champions will also develop and follow through with a project to raise awareness about climate change in their own schools or communities.
The California Climate Champions are:
For more information on the Climate Champions program, please visit:
www.climatechamps.org# # #
ABOUT THE BRITISH COUNCIL: The UK’s international organization for educational and cultural relations, the British Council builds long-term relationships between the US and the UK and fosters appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements.
We increase recognition of the wide array of learning opportunities available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and facilitate educational cooperation between the US and UK. Through transatlantic artistic partnerships, we introduce the American public to high-quality, groundbreaking creative achievements from the UK, and our science programs build networks that draw upon the UK's innovation in climate change and other disciplines. We also develop initiatives that give a voice to the next generation of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, encouraging them to work together to explore solutions to current and future global issues.
ABOUT ARB: Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB32 in September 2006, requiring ARB to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, roughly a 25 percent decrease. ARB’s work has accounted for about a fifth of the necessary emissions reductions thus far, and will account for the rest later this year with the release of its “scoping plan.” For more information, please visit their website at www.arb.ca.gov.
CONTACT: Rebecca FilbeyThe United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
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