Make a Plan

Despite the level of awareness about climate issues being relatively high in Finland, the Climate Advocates felt that often the messages were quite pessimistic, making many people feel unable to act. They decided to focus their efforts on giving people straightforward, practical and positive advice about things such as how to warm their houses, what products to buy and what to eat.

Make a Plan! an online platform that gives people simple and practical advice on how to combat climate change in households. The Climate Advocates felt it was essential that they promoted a positive approach that we can all act and make a difference. A Facebook application was created so that those taking part could share their ‘plans’ and results with their friends. To promote the initiative, in May 2009 the Climate Advocates invited pupils from six schools in Finland to participate in a workshop hosted by Heureka Science Centre. The children developed their own climate action plans and set targets in recycling, saving electricity and cutting emissions. A number of city councillors were invited to sit on a panel and give the school kids feedback on their ideas. Politicians have been another target group for the Make a Plan! initiative. The Climate Advocates met with three top politicians at the Finnish Parliament and challenged them to make changes to reduce their energy use. These conversations were recorded by a TV station and available online.