Special Features - Climate change champions

School pupils across England are thinking about new and exciting ways to spread the word about climate change.

Climate change champions
(01/10/07)

School pupils across England are dreaming up new and exciting ways to spread the word about climate change.

The annual national search is on for nine climate champions, between the ages of 11-18, in the Climate Change Champions 2008 competition.

Passion for the environment

Each winner has to be charismatic, enthusiastic and outgoing but, more importantly, have a passion for the environment and for tackling climate change.

The gruelling competition involves youngsters devising a way to spread the message about climate change - whether in a news report, documentary, website page, poster, a newspaper front page or video format.

Once chosen, the champions will spend a year working with the UK Government using their ideas and leading their own regional public awareness campaign.

Winners will also enjoy the chance to meet senior UK Government Ministers to share their ideas and to take part in a European fact finding expedition to see the effects of climate change and how the issues are tackled by other communities.

Kaleidoscope of opportunities

Last year, Stephanie Lynch, 18, was picked as the Climate Change Champion for the north west of England and described the last 18 months as the "biggest learning curve" of her life.

"I have experienced a kaleidoscope of opportunities, where I have gained insight into the different issues surrounding climate change," she explained.

"As well as a fantastic expedition to Switzerland to see a glacier, I think the most valuable experiences have been my interactions with people such as the Prime Minister, my fellow champions, inspiring scientists, teachers and local councillors who are all passionate about making a difference."

Nationwide initiatives

The competition, part of the Government's Act on CO2 campaign, is just one of the nationwide initiatives in England to get more school children switched on to environmental issues.

One of the many programmes included the Recycle Now and Waste Watch campaign earlier this year, involving a rapping robot touring schools across the country to teach children about recycling.

For more information about the Climate Change Champions competition and different environmental programmes taking place for school children across England, see the links below.