#climate squad

Response from Greenprint 2020 young people to the news that the UK's greenhouse gas emissions rose by 3% in 2010, and are not falling fast enough to meet government targets:

Are we the forgotten generation? 

UK greenhouse gas emissions are not falling fast enough according to the Committee on Climate Change.  Every month of delay will have a profound impact on young people like us throughout the world.  Failure to act will hit us financially, will create more disruption in our lives and will increase suffering. 

We are trying to change things in a positive way. We have created a Greenprint vision that sets out a sustainable future.  We have provided practical ideas on how companies and government can join with us to create a better world.  But our efforts seem to be falling on deaf ears.

Our question to government and business is simple. What more do we need to do to be heard to avoid being the forgotten generation? 

Sincerely

Sian Ryan, Duong Tran, Emily Hamilton and Sandra Lipni on behalf of the Greenprint 2020 Steering Group.

Eleanor Gill, Patrick Lyons, Rowan Boase, Adam Blatchford, Heather Poore, Andrea Yaluma, Georgina Shiplee, Ellen Dobbs, Keisha Gounden and Ruth Whincup on behalf of the further movement's membership. 

Response from Greenprint 2020 young people to the news that Tim Oates is likely to recommend climate change is removed from the National Curriculum:

Dear Mr Oates,

We understand you are recommending climate change be taken off the National Curriculum. We thank you for your attention to the interests of young people, but suggest that you stop talking about us and start talking to us. Climate change is the single biggest danger to our future, but also the single biggest opportunity. By removing it from the curriculum you remove the impetus to discuss solutions, from technology, to reduced consumption to collaborative living. You also take away our right to be prepared for the tumultuous future we are facing if the worst case climate change scenarios become reality. That’s our future – not yours. Yet you do this with a complete lack of consultation with young people.

Don’t just take our word for it. We are speaking on behalf of a movement, and on behalf of all young people in the UK. 89% say they would like to see people living more sustainably. But if they don’t know about climate change, how can they make this change?  

80% want to see a growing interest in science and engineering subjects in schools due to the increasing number of environmental jobs needing skills in these areas – we need an education that prepares us for our future. We do not believe there is anything more vital to be included in the curriculum than climate change.

Our Greenprint 2020 vision is the product of 4000 young people’s input, and has been peer reviewed by YouGov on behalf of 16-24 year olds in the UK.  

Kind regards,

Adam Blatchford, Rowan Boase, Eleanor Gill, Heather Poore and Andrea Yaluma on behalf of contributors to Greenprint 2020

Greenprint 2020 vision

In 2020: 

People are increasingly working in the green economy, contributing to the growing numbers of young people interested in science and engineering. As a result, the UK is an international leader in environmental technology, research and science, and at the forefront of green innovation and solutions. 

The education system allows young people to take ownership of practical environmental initiatives, giving them the skills to truly make a difference. Sustainability is embedded in the curriculum giving young people new knowledge and skills. Students play a leading role in helping schools operate to the highest environmental standards and become focal points within the community. 

Companies are operating more sustainably, with greater consideration given to the requirements of local communities and society. A tighter legislative regime requires stronger environmental and social practices. There are a growing number of award schemes recognising companies that are demonstrating green leadership. Companies are providing high quality information to their customers enabling them to make well informed decisions.

Practical solutions are being driven at a local level. Local authorities provide services that make it easier for people to live sustainably. Companies are increasingly seeking to source products as locally as possible. Social enterprises are being created, helping communities to become more resilient to environmental change. 

The dynamics of neighbourhoods are changing as more people are working from home. People are travelling shorter distances to work giving them more leisure and volunteering time in their local area.

Your response*:

• 80% would like to see a growing interest in science and engineering at schools due to increasing demand for these skills.

• 76% would like people to spend more time volunteering in their local community.

• 66% of people would like to see high carbon taxes that result in companies investing heavily in sustainable development

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1053 UK 16-24 year olds. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th January 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 16-24. Copies of the research are available from Global Action Plan.

Greenprint 2020 vision

In 2020:

People live in homes that are built to the highest environmental standards, many of which will generate their own energy. Environmental design is flourishing with roof gardens a common sight in cities and towns. Most homes collect and reuse rainwater. Smart technology enables people to understand the environmental impact of their homes, and gives them the ability to remotely control the way their home operates.

Increasingly, retailers only stock products that meet high environmental and ethical standards. At the same time, unsustainable choices are increasingly costly and marginalised. Aspirations and values have shifted: sustainable living is now seen as the glamorous choice. Environmental knowledge is a powerful tool driving consumer decision making. 

People choose to do the right thing for the environment and are incentivised by rewards for reuse, recycling and efficient energy use. A growing number of people are joining together to create strong local community initiatives.

People lead healthier, more active lives. Healthcare policies support the most vulnerable populations. Medicine and drugs are more sustainably produced, the importance of maintaining biodiversity to develop new cures is realised, and plant and seed banks have been created for the production of preventative medicines. A growing number of policies are in place to curb the unsustainable growth of the world’s population.

Your response:

• 89% stated that they would like to see people living more sustainably.

• 72% want retailers to stock only products that meet high environmental standards.

• 84% would like homes to utilise natural resources such as rainwater.

• 61% of respondents would like to see policies in place to curb global population growth.

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1053 UK 16-24 year olds. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th January 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 16-24. Copies of the research are available from Global Action Plan.

Head of Youth Volunteering, James Alexander, gives us an insight into some of the exciting opportunities to come for the Greenprint 2020 programme

The past few months have been quite hectic! Since the ‘Our Sustainable Future’ event at the end of February where we outlined the Greenprint 2020: your vision of a greener, fairer Britain in 2020 to a variety of businesses and youth organisations, we haven’t stopped. The event kicked into life our joint vision of not just talking about action on climate change, but being a force for change through finding and implementing practical solutions for business, government and society.

Our first stop was the Business in The Community (BITC) Responsible Business Conference, where our steering groups ‘product of the future’ ideas impressed people so much that they out shone other ideas developed by leaders from some of the UK’s top businesses. As a result many doors have opened up to us, and we are busily meeting CEOs and top directors around the country.

We are currently planning community days with Hammerson (if you have never heard of them before, they are one of the largest shopping centre landlords in the UK), and we are just about to work on a water project with Anglian Water.

We have also had a great opportunity to talk to Accenture who are concerned with the amount of young people struggling to find work. They are interested in seeing how we can work together to support young people in gaining the skills and experience required to make the most of the emerging green economy

I really knew we were on to something when Ian Cheshire, the Head of Kingfisher (who own B&Q), saw me at an event and before I had the chance to speak, said we should definitely work together. Their situation is fairly interesting, Kingfisher as a group are striving ahead in creating a sustainable business but are finding that the public and their suppliers are a little way behind. They are finding it hard to sell sustainable products even when they are heavily discounted, whilst also struggling to source new products that meet their environmental standards. In these circumstances many businesses would have decided that the market wasn’t ready and reverted back to their old ways. But Kingfisher are pressing ahead with creating one of the most environmental big businesses in the UK, and it will be great if we can be involved.

With supermarkets, shopping centre’s, retailers, financial intuitions and utilities wanting to work with us, I think we are going to have a busy time ahead. However it will be an exciting time with loads of opportunities for you to get involved, and not only shape what we do but see how some of the UK’s most powerful corporations operate as well.

By Sian Ryan

Greenprint  2020 is an exciting new Climate Squad project. In these unstable times many young people are feeling like their voices are not being heard: Global Action Plan is one organisation which has recognised this and aims to empower young people in the fight against climate change. One of the most recent endeavours of this project has been to find out what young people think about climate change and their vision of a sustainable future. The project ‘Greenprint 2020’ is still underway and has so far involved over 4000 young people.

In partnership with YouGov, Global Action Plan conducted significant research involving 1,053 16-25 year olds from the UK. One of the most interesting findings is that 33% of those involved in the survey feel that the government does not listen to their views which makes them more reluctant to taking action against climate change. However, despite this, 82% of those taking part have still taken action. This shows that even when many young people feel their views are not being taken into consideration; the majority are still dedicating a lot of time and energy into making a positive difference. Climate Squad therefore intend to give young people what they deserve for their efforts and ensure their voices are being heard.

Global Action Plan’s research illustrates how young people are crying out for support from the government in this matter and they are not satisfied with the governments approach to dealing with this matter today. Greenprint 2020 therefore plans to involve businesses and government in helping to reach the overall vision.