International Climate Champion Ana Claudia Cassanti delivered a powerful message to Prince Charles on his visit to Brazil.

In the surroundings of the Botanical Gardens in Rio, she stressed that we cannot postpone implementing solutions to the problem of climate change. ‘Developed and developing countries have to stop the “blame game” and start working together, now,’ she said.

She spoke intently about the effects of climate change on her home country: ‘In Brazil, we are particularly vulnerable. If sea levels rise, our economy and more than 70 per cent of our population who live on the coast will be affected. Our generation will witness the encroachment of the savannah in the eastern Amazon and the replacement of semi-arid vegetation by arid vegetation in parts of the north-east.’

She also had strong words for the UK: ‘Countries, such as the UK, should accept a higher cut to their green house gas emissions and provide funds and technology to support education and sustainable development in countries like Brazil.’

Ana Claudia said of the experience: ‘I thought that meeting the Prince was an honour, because I could show him not just what I think that is necessary to change for us to have a better life, and to save our planet, but what thousands of people just like me all over the world think also.’

Practicing what she preaches, Ana Claudia has started a project to plant trees and install solar panels in ten schools in her home city of Sao Paulo. She is also adding to her petition of 7,000 signatures to reduce the use of plastic bags in the city.

Like Ana Claudia, thousands of International Climate Champions around the world are being supported by the British Council to undertake projects and raise awareness in their local communities, inspiring others to take action on climate change.

To read Ana Claudia’s letter in full click here.

To find out more about our work in Brazil visit our Brazil web pages and to find out about the International Climate Champions visit the ICC web pages.