ARB, British Council announce California Climate Champions

ARB Chairman Mary Nichols and the British Council introduced California’s 15 Climate Champions today during a rooftop ceremony at the Cal EPA Building in Sacramento.

Based on a similar program started in the United Kingdom, California’s champions will educate peers, fellow students and communities on the impacts of climate change along with steps they can take at the individual level to reduce their carbon emissions. Typical measures include energy efficiency steps at home, recycling and encouraging carpooling and public transit.

"These amazing, inspirational teens have rightfully accepted global warming as the challenge of their generation, and they want to lead the charge on solutions," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "While ARB will take care of the regulatory approach to cutting California’s greenhouse gas emissions, we’ll be counting on the champions to help effect change household to household."

ARB and British Council staff interviewed more than three dozen high school students – and reviewed many more applications – in selecting the 15 teenagers who were announced today. The judges selected the winners based on their knowledge of the topic, their enthusiasm to effect change and their communications skills.

Three of the champions (Rebecca Chan, Sophia Angelis and Marvin Salazar) will travel to London next week to meet with other Climate Champions from 12 other countries, and then will fly to Kobe, Japan in May to attend a summit of the G8 environment ministers. All 15 will participate in a "climate camp" in California this summer and engage in an on-line peer network to share ideas and encourage others to get involved.

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