IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report predicts that global temperatures could rise from anything between 1.1C to 6.4C by the end of the century. Although the issue of the changing climate is very complex and some changes are uncertain, temperature rises are expected to affect countries throughout the globe. A critical juncture for the world today is the COP15 meetings to be held in Cophenhagen this December. In the months to come, world leaders will come together to decide on what needs to be done to tackle this rapidly growing problem.
It is increasingly becoming important to spread the word and encourage sustainable living to help save our planet. Who best to do this than Young India?
This is the goal of the International Climate Champions programme by the British Council, run in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). International Climate Champions is a youth oriented programme that aims to inspire young people and work with them towards spreading the word on Climate Change and its effects.
Through our programmes, these young Climate Champions are trained to become environment ambassadors and communicate the message of Climate Change and work on mitigating initiatives across the country.
Here's a snapshot of activities they are involved in.
Pulkit Khanna and Digu Aruchamy from India were part of the group of British Council’s International Climate Champion’s who participated in the UNESCO World Youth Festival organised by the city of Stuttgart in southern Germany.
14 International Climate Champions (from India, Brazil, Mexico, USA, France, UK and Germany) took on a prominent role during the week. At the opening of the 2-day conference on the theme of climate change and energy security, they addressed the audience of 1000 young people and special high-level guests and each spoke of the climate impacts in their home countries and how they are committed to taking action. They co-facilitated workshops and presented the outcomes in the plenary, as well as working hard together to formulate the Stuttgart Declaration: “This is a wake-up-call from the youth, for the youth, to the world’s decision makers” and was handed to decision-makers in the Town Hall at the end of the week. The International Climate Champion’s showed tremendous energy, enthusiasm and developed very strong friendships...they're already looking forward to a Stuttgart reunion.Read more about their experience at the festival:
Digu Aruchamy
Pulkit Khanna
British Council India and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) organised a two day workshop for Champions from India and Srilanka on 23 and 24 July at the MGM Beach Resort Chennai. During the workshop they learnt the nuances of project management and ways of effectively using various project management and communication tools to execute, monitor and evaluate their individual projects.
The introductory session by Dr Sultan Ahmed Ismail, Soil biologist and ecologist who covered topics on the current climate change scenario in India and initiatives by government and non governmental organisation to tackle climate change issues was inspiring to the champions. The facilitation by Kiruba Shankar and climate change expert Neha Ahuja from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) saw the champions racking their brains on how best they could execute their projects and contribute towards spreading the word on Climate Change.
International Climate Champions from Delhi got a chance to meet and interact with the Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit on World Environment Day when she came to inaugurate a 600 feet long mural on the wall of the British High Commission. The mural, depicting the dangers of climate change, is a call for global action to save the world ahead of the crucial climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009.
British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg said that "the ‘writings on the wall is our attempt to create awareness about the impacts of climate change and inspire action amongst individuals and also collectively as a global society. While one side of the mural is a grim reminder of the clear and present danger we all face due to rising greenhouse gases, the other shows the way forward for a sustainable future driven by low carbon growth. The choice is ours.’’
Sheila Dikshit expressed her ‘’grateful thanks…for this innovative idea of painting an entire wall and you can see it shows what we are heading for and what we need to do to make the picture as bright as it is depicted here.’’ Speaking of the Climate Champions, she said that youth are the leaders of tomorrow. They are the agents of change who will decide what they want their world to be like.
Owen Jenkins Counsellor Climate Change, BHC talked to the climate champions about FCO's climate change agenda and initiatives. The climate champions got the chance to put forward their views and suggestions.
40 International Climate Champions from India and Srilanka participated in a five day workshop at Mukteshwar in the last week of May 09. The campsite - TERI's Himalayan Centre at Latey Bunga tucked away amidst the Kumaon hills set the perfect scene for these young minds to unwind and soak in the contents of the workshop. Being trained by facilitators Sarah Jenkins and Laura Grant from the UK, the workshop provided champions an opportunity to refine their project plans, understand and utilise various project management tools, improve communication and presentation skills and much more. Along with this, experts from TERI inducted them into various Climate Change related topics in India.
Kiruba Shankar, one of the ace bloggers in India gave them an insight into the virtual world and how they could use it to promote their projects and reach out to the world at large. At the end of the workshop the Champions’ felt enriched and transformed into confident young people ready to work on their projects and pursue the passion of doing their bit on tackling climate change issues
Five Climate Champions (India - Ayan Sengupta, Divykriti Chopra, Nirupama Nathan, Trina Talukdhar and Srilanka - Annmarie Rochelle Vondort) attended a week long international workshop in Edinburgh along with champions from 13 other countries. During this workshop the champions were trained on project management and communication skills. They also got to experience, learn and understand various initiatives taken by the Scottish government and the society at large on Climate Change related issues.
Read more on what the climate champions had to say.
There are currently over 2000 International Climate Champions recruited by the British Council through an annual competition and the aim is to spread this network to all countries where the British Council works.
In 2008, 20 Indian Climate Champions were selected through a country wide rigorous competition by an expert jury. Three of these young champions were selected as International Climate Champions 2008 and represented India at meetings in London and G8+5 summit in Kobe, Japan.
The International Climate Champions competition for India sets out to identify outstanding young people aged 18-21 who can carry out a climate change project in their school/college or community, network with like-minded young Champions from around the world, share ideas and best practice and represent India on climate change.
The 2009 competition has identified 52 Champions in India and 5 Champions in Srilanka. These champions will now join the 2008 batch in their crusade against climate change.
This year, the International Climate Champions will work on individual projects. These projects broadly fall into one of the following catagories:
- creating/increasing awareness on Climate Change and related issues
- mitigating the effects of climate change
- adapting to the changes brought about by climate change
Read more on the 2009 champions and their projects.
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