Youth Climate Champions announced

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and Minister for Climate Change, Joan Ruddock, announced the nine winners in the search for regional Climate Change Champions in February.

The winners, each representing a different region of England, were chosen for their passion for climate change, imagination, skills, teamwork and their ability to encourage their peers and others to act. They successfully demonstrated how they would encourage behavioural change and tackle climate change in their local communities.

Each regional Champion will take part in a climate change fact finding trip to the Netherlands, run their own event to engage with their communities and encourage behavioural change to reduce carbon footprints across their regions.

Gordon Brown congratulated the nine young people and wished them well in their roles as Climate Change Champions saying:

“Across the world in every continent and for years to come, we will all need to examine our own lives, make changes and reduce our carbon footprints.

"Our young people have a crucial role in bringing about this change…. I feel greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and passion of these young people. I congratulate them on their bold, creative ideas and their efforts so far, and I look forward to seeing them take action."

Joan Ruddock said:

"Climate change needs to be tackled on every level and by everyone - governments, businesses and just as important by the commitment and action of all of us as individuals, right across the country."

"This individual action is a powerful force to be reckoned with and looking at England's new Climate Change Champions, I can certainly see why. These committed young people have a true desire to make a difference and I have no doubt they will each make a real and positive contribution to our fight against dangerous climate change."

The Climate Change Champions:

South West: Shirley Halse, Chippenham, 15

South East: Patrick Kennedy, Dorking, 16

London: Akhil Amlani, Hendon, 17

East England: Adam Dyster, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, near Tiptree, Essex, 14

West Midlands: Ziana Kotadia, Selly Park, Birmingham, 14

East Midlands: Pippa Stone, Ashby Parva, near Leicester, 17

Yorkshire & Humber: Hayleigh Murray, Doncaster, 15

North West: Jessica Smith, Southport, 13

North East: Jack White, Houghton-le-Spring, near Durham, 15

Youth Climate Champions announced

The Climate Change Champions:

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