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Betties win, and so do we....

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http://www.mandatethefuture.org

 

Who says youth can't make a change? I mean as far as creativity and

enthusiasm go, we could give ol' politicians and administrators a run

for their money any day. So why aren't youth recognized as a powerful

force of change in the world today? That's what the youth wing

preparing for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in

Johannesburg in a few weeks want to know too.

 

There has been so much talk about climate change and global warming

and the Kyoto Protocol in the last decade, that no doubt this will be

the most widely discussed environmental topic at the WSSD this month.

But while governments and world bodies tussle over the treaty, young

people are taking initiatives to reduce the green house effects

around the world, in smaller, and FAR more efficient ways.

 

Ever Heard of BET?

 

In November 2000, a group of 52,000 students from 16 European

countries decided to bet their governments that they could reduce

their countries' co2 emissions in 8 months. And guess what? They

managed it. The so-called " Betties " hailing from some 300 European

schools participated in this climate campaign.

The " Betties " had a bet with the EU Commissioner Margot Wallström

that they would be able to reduce CO2 emissions by 8% in 88 schools

all over Europe. And this goal should be achieved in only 8 months -

and not in 8 years as agreed by European governments in the Kyoto

protocol.

 

Since the students won, Mrs Wallström had to ride her bicycle to and

from work for a month as her penalty for losing. Had the `Betties'

failed in their task, they would have had to transport the

Environment Commissioner to all her Brussels meetings in a rickshaw

for a week. It was a great success for the " Betties " from all over

Europe to finally win the bet, and their conclusion is " All it takes

is your own will and creativity " .

 

Having seen the success of the European campaign, young people in the

US and Canada soon followed suit with a similar campaign. The bet

represents the frustration by citizens at the lack of action taken by

their governments to meet their Kyoto commitments. Our success in

winning bet will prove that not only are reductions possible but that

they can be achieved quickly and efficiently.

 

What the leaders had to say:

 

Environment Commissioner for the European Union Mrs Margot Wallstrom

observed after losing the BET: " I hoped to lose, and let the

environment win, when I entered this bet. When fighting climate

change we shouldn't forget what we as citizens can do in our everyday

life. This is what the youth campaigners and all the participants in

The Bet have demonstrated, with their ambitious and enthusiastic

initiative. If multiplied by millions of people, many small steps can

make a big difference. "

 

Well-said Wallstrom. But the youth want something more in terms of

recognition and support. The International Youth Committee preparing

for WSSD, Johannesburg wants the international community to support

campaigns like BET, as a reflection of the young community's

political will and commitment. These young people are calling on

governments to emulate campaigns like BET, and understand that if

small groups of young people can make such significant changes,

governments with their public backing and resources can work near-

miracles. What changes do you think you can make as a young person in

your country or community to combat climate change and environmental

pollution? Do you think that if you were to put together a campaign,

your government would lend support? Do you think that implementation

policy to combat this phenomenon in the world drafted at WSSD should

involve far more youth participation than it already does? Young

people have the power to recognize that while large and radical

changes are great in theory; the smaller, more committed changes make

a bigger difference. Perhaps it's time governments opened their eyes

to this too.

 

 

Read More http://www.ctrlaltesc.org

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