The Indian Climate Champions programme was launched in January 2008 to select 20 young ambassadors for Climate Change. The response was overwhelming – over 450 applications from across India. Out of 20, three were selected as the International Climate Champions 2008 to represent India at meetings in London and Kobe, Japan.
The International Climate Champions (ICC) initiative is part of the British Council’s three-year Low Carbon Futures programme of activities to provide an international platform for young people, local partners and leaders around the world to build an international consensus around action on climate change.
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| International Climate Champions Sunderbans Camp |
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) |
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Dhruv Sengar and Shruti K N are set to go on Cape Farewell’s sixth voyage, in September 2008.
The expedition includes 16 students from Canada, students from the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Joining these 28 young students are 18 adult mentors, scientists, educators and staff. Moreover, the ship’s master and crew of 30, including a doctor, are active members of the expedition and highly experienced in Arctic voyages.
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Aditya Kumar, Angshuman Hazarika, Agastya Muthanna and Rohit Chakravarty along with the Climate Champions from China embarked on a two-week train Green Journey around China this July.
They visited organisations and projects which are all committed to working for the environmental benefit of the world we live in. The journey through Beijing included lectures from experts from National Climate Centre (NCC) and Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee (BOGOC) about Climate Change and the Green Olympics. In Shanghai, they attended media conferences, visited a echo building, went to the Chongmin Dongtan National Nature Reserve and had climate change survey activities on Nanjing Road. At Chongqing the highlight was a live TV interview at Chongqing TV. They then visited Guangzhou and along with visiting prominent sites they also attended a lecture at the Guangzhou Institute of Geography about global warming and rising sea levels. The Green Journey has finally ended in Hong Kong with visits to Ark Eden on Lantau Island, where they went on a tour around an eco-house finding more about sustainable living and learnt about tree planting and organic farming. They also had an exciting guided tour of the Hong Kong Meteorological Centre at the Hong Kong Observatory, where they've got first-hand news about the path of typhoon Fung-Wong! Besides, they enjoyed their visits and informal sessions at the City University of Hong Kong, CLP's Castle Peak power station and Lamma wind power station too! |
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Rishika Das Roy, the Indian Climate Champion, was the 'star' of the recently concluded Global Humanitarian Summit in Geneva. Her honest and open presentation on the social impact of disappearing mangroves of Sunderbans made people sit up and contribute generously to her cause. Watch this telecast to see her session as Climate Witness moderated by Martin Davidson, CEO, British Council.
Click here to see the video |
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The meeting in Kobe, Japan was the second international forum for the
International Climate Champions from 13 countries to meet and engage with each other on climate change issues and solutions. This was further to the meeting in London where the champions got together and formulated three challenges for the youth worldwide to vote and choose the challenge they thought that the champions should present to the Environment Ministers at Kobe.
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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. |
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In March, the three International Climate Champions had an exciting time in London developing networks and a calendar of initiatives to involve schools and communities for the next three years. Also in preparation for Kobe, the champions discussed their concerns and aspirations with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Hilary Benn MP, at 10 Downing Street, leading him to comment: “Young people will be affected more than anyone else by the decisions we take on tackling climate change. These Champions from the G8+5 countries have a crucial role to play in inspiring more young people to make their voice heard across the world. I congratulate them on their commitment and on the work they have done so far and I know they are making a difference.”
For more click here |
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