SACRAMENTO – The State of California, in partnership with the British Council, announces the firstever competition to find 20 Climate Champions, three of whom will represent California and the United States at international gatherings in the United Kingdom and in Japan this spring. Climate Champions are passionate about global warming and committed to sharing ideas with others in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities about how to take action to address climate change. "Facing climate change is a challenge that will demand our creativity and commitment for a very long time -- certainly into the next generation," said Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board. "The California Climate Champions program will help us identify dedicated and articulate teenagers who can reach other young people throughout California-- and the world-- to find local solutions to this pressing global problem. Their leadership will help us bridge generations and transition more quickly into a clean tech, low-carbon future.” Eligible candidates include all 16- to 18-year-olds in California who are committed to communicating about climate change, or have already organized activities to directly address it, such as developing programs to conserve energy and reduce carbon footprints. The deadline for applications is February 11, 2008, and winners, selected by officials from the State of California, will be announced by the end of February. The Climate Champions competition is modeled after a program that originated in the United Kingdom. Through the British Council, similar programs are now being developed in a number of countries around the world. “We’re delighted to partner with the California Air Resources Board in this exciting opportunity,” said Sharon Memis, director of the British Council United States. “In sending young people from California to the United Kingdom and Japan, we hope to inspire them to act on a global as well as a local level.” The 20 California Climate Champions will participate in a range of climate change-related activities, ranging from online networking with peers to trips within California, as well as serving as spokespersons Page 2 of 2 on this important issue. Additionally, they will develop and follow through on a plan to communicate climate change in their school or community. Three of the champions from California will be selected to represent the United States at International Climate Champions meetings in London, England, in March 2008 and Kobe, Japan, in May. (All expenses for the trips are covered by the British Council.) The London event will include an opportunity to get to know Climate Champions from other countries in preparation for the Japan trip, where the champions will participate in a youth component of a meeting of environment ministers of the G8 countries. (The G8 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.) For rules, entry forms, and more information visit: https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/climatechampions/climatechampions.htm (https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/climatechampions/climatechampions.htm) If you have further questions, please contact Annalisa Schilla of the California Air Resources Board at aschilla@arb.ca.gov (mailto:aschilla@arb.ca.gov). The California Climate Champions program is sponsored by the California Air Resources Board and the British Council. The California Air Resources Board is responsible for implementing a plan to achieve GHG emissions reductions mandated by Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cc.htm (https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cc.htm) The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations. www.britishcouncil.org/usa (http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa)