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Climate Changes is a major subject at the moment. As time goes by, it is easy to notice that actions taken by men have affected the global climate.
In order to promote a debate about this issue, the British Council offices in Recife, São Paulo and London gathered approximately 30 students each, aged between 14 to 17 to discuss and analyse, through a video-conference, different opinions on the impact of climate changes around the world.
The students undertook a survey about Climate Changes in their schools and neighbourhoods and after that, they were able to share the results and findings with each other during the event which took place on 23rd March.
Justin Dillon, King’s College scientist, opened the event by talking about climate changes issues and after that the students, based on the survey and on the contents of the exhibition NorthSouthEastWest, displayed at their school in Recife and electronically in Sao Paulo, presented their impressions on the impact, the present and future, as well as on the climate changes in their cities. They suggested and discussed means to reduce such impact.
The young students in Recife raised the problem of the sea level which is much higher than it was twenty years ago. They informed that scientists had already alerted that the cities of Recife and Rio de Janeiro run a major risk of this kind of problem within Brazil. Besides, they suggested that cars in London be run by bio-fuels. The young English girls informed that they are also facing problems related to the raising of the sea level. Sao Paulo mentioned the increase in the temperature and, as measures of the government, the ‘rodízio’ in the city centre (cars not being allowed to circulate in the city centre in some days, according to their plates) and the general use of ethanol in Brazil. UK students commented that the ‘rodízio’ system used in São Paulo is a tough measure for Brazilian drivers. They also added that cars run by electricity have been much welcome in the United Kingdom and that its use should be also applied in Brazil.
Looking at the compilation of the questionnaire data, the students of the three cities noticed that the answers of the population of the three places had some similarities. They perceived that in most cases, for example, people are keen to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle in order to reduce the impact of climate changes in the world even if it generates an increase in personal expenses, which means that the concern with climate security is a common issue in the three cities.
The good news at the end of the event was that the British Council will take two young students, one from each of the Brazilian schools – partners in this Café Scientific – to London to attend the Green Cities International Youth Conference, in July 2007.
Colégio Boa Viagem - Recife - Brazil
Colégio São Luis - São Paulo - Brazil
Justin Dillon, King’s College & The Grey Coats Hospital (school) - UK
For more information, please, contact: recife@britishcouncil.org.br
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