Teens named 'climate champs'

California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols and the British Council introduced California's 15 high school "Climate Champions" during a ceremony last week in Sacramento.

Included were Adam Raudonis of Westlake High School and Arielle Gillman of Oak Park High School.

Based on a similar program started in the United Kingdom, the California Climate Champions will educate fellow students and communities on the impact of climate change and the steps they can take at the individual level to reduce their carbon emissions. Typical measures include energy efficiency steps at home, recycling and encouraging car pooling 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 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 two dozen high school students- and reviewed many more applications- in selecting the 15 winners.

The judges selected the teens based on their knowledge of the topic, their enthusiasm to effect change and their communications skills.

As part of a larger international program sponsored by the British Council, three of the champions will travel to London next week to meet with Climate Champions from 12 other countries, during which time they will prepare to attend a summit of the G8 environment ministers in Kobe, Japan, in May.

"The International Climate Champions program brings together outstanding youth from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities and gives them a chance to play a role in a global movement," said Sharon Memis, director of the British Council United States.

All 15 California Climate Champions will participate in a "climate camp" this summer and engage in an online peer network to share ideas and encourage others to get involved. Over the course of the next year, each of the champions will also develop and follow through with a project to raise awareness about climate change in their own schools or communities.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 32 in September 2006, requiring ARB to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, roughly a 25 percent decrease.