Challenge Europe participants from across Northern Ireland and Ireland have just completed a biofuel powered bus trip to Wales and England on a fact-finding mission.
The idea of the green journey came form the participants, who were keen to raise awareness of Challenge Europe and gain insights into how climate change is being tackled by influential eco projects.
The Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD, waved off the participants on their historic mission: ‘Ireland has its own unique challenges in the area of climate change, but there may be things we can learn from our nearest neighbours and I’m interested in seeing
The group also visited Schumacher College and the UK’s first 'transition town' of Totnes, which is aiming to move from fossil-fuel dependency to self-reliance.
The final day was spent at the iconic Eden project in Cornwall, where the advocates filmed their visions for how they would like the world to be in 2020 against the backdrop of the rainforest and Mediterranean biomes. They were also joined by four Challenge Europe advocates, who had travelled overland from Denmark and gave insight into their local projects.
Challenge Europe advocate Alicia Falvey said: ‘The ongoing media and training throughout the journey was an important part of the trip for me. It helped us realise our limitations and take steps to communicate our message better. We are experts in our fields and know the messages but now are in a better position to communicate these messages.'
Leading up to the 823 mile journey, the participants from a variety of backgrounds began to develop projects to reduce carbon consumption and the corresponding impact on climate change. These projects include the development of a corporate carbon club community, promotion of community gardens and the formation of innovative food and transport policy initiatives.
The advocates have now returned home and are keen to form a think-tank leading to concrete action. They plan to meet twice a year, once in Northern Ireland and once in Ireland, and focus on three to four agreed ideas to present as a paper to local politicians.
Maher Nasser, Director of the UN Information Service, invited Climate Advocates to submit their 'Jezersko Principles for Climate Action to the UN competition 'What would you say to to world leaders?'
UK Climate Advocate Jane Burston responded to this request by recording a short video about most important principles from the Climate Camp: binding emissions targets, an alternative to GDP, a fair deal for developing countries and accountability for delivering on agreements made at Copenhagen.
The British Council in Slovenia organised an international climate camp in Jezersko where young Climate Advocates from Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Slovenia and Turkey formulated the Jezersko Principles for Climate Action, which they would like to see addressed by the world at COP 15 and beyond.
More: http://challengeeurope.britishcouncil.org/index.php/home
Production: http://s12.si
The Challenge is a three year campaign that aspires to make a definite and lasting impact on the climate change debate, and is ambitious in its aim to accelerate change to a Low Carbon Future.
Interview with President of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk. 10 September 2009.
Video Courtesy of: Radio Television Slovenia and the Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia.
Interview with President of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk. 10 September 2009.
Video Courtesy of: Radio Television Slovenia and the Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia.
