Archived press release

Climate Champion speaks at The Wave

7 December 2009

• Photos and stills of Girl Guides at the rally are available from Friends of the Earth press office

Friends of the Earth Climate Champion Charis Gates urged world leaders to take strong action on climate change at a huge demonstration in London last Saturday (5 December 2009) as nations gathered for crucial international climate talks in Copenhagen.

Ten-year-old Charis, of 1st Streatham Hill Guides in London spoke on stage at The Wave, the biggest ever march on climate change attended by an estimated 50,000 people.

Charis won the opportunity after thousands of Brownies, Guides and Young Leaders from across the UK took part in a Friends of the Earth project to find out what is stopping people from leading greener lifestyles. She made a video presentation to answer the question 'What should Government do to tackle climate change?', which stood out from the other entries thanks to its creativity and campaigning zeal.

Charis joined tens of thousands of protesters dressed in blue and marched with the green campaigning charity to the Houses of Parliament for the grand finale - a mass action which saw everyone waving blue painted or gloved hands in the air. Joining Charis at the march were friends Anna and Immy Lancaster, also from 1st Streatham Hill Guides.

Charis said: "Lots of people came because they think climate change is important - we want a good result in Copenhagen."

Part of Charis' prize was the chance to make a video diary of her experience which has now been posted on You Tube. In it she interviews Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins, who thanked her for all the work she's done in getting people on board with climate change.

"Rich country governments, like the British Government, have got to press for a deal that keeps the world safe from climate change in the future", Andy Atkins said.

"Charis won the chance to attend the rally with Friends of the Earth because of her obvious desire to do what she can to help stop climate change. Young people like Charis are truly inspiring - now we need the Government to demonstrate the same level of commitment to a strong and fair deal to tackle global warming."

Friends of the Earth is demanding that the Government changes its approach to climate change with its Demand Climate Change campaign. The green campaign group is asking everyone to sign its international petition to world leaders for a strong and fair climate deal at www.demandclimatechange.org.

At the talks, Friends of the Earth is calling for:

• Rich countries to fulfil their legal and moral responsibility cut emissions first and fast - and pledge to cut emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020 at home without offsetting;
• The leaders of rich countries to abandon their promotion of carbon trading - an irresponsible and dangerous gamble which will do nothing to protect us from catastrophic climate change;
• Proposals to be scrapped which would allow rich countries to buy chunks of forest whilst continuing to pump out emissions: an approach which won't solve climate change or halt deforestation.

Notes to Editors

1. More than 50,000 people came together to demand strong and urgent action on climate change at The Wave, a carnival-style street procession across central London on Saturday 5 December. The demonstration was organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, which represents 11 million members across 100 organisations including Friends of the Earth. For further information visit www.stopclimatechaos.org.

2. Guides and Brownies around the country tested out ten green challenges based around transport, heating and electricity use - cutting their own carbon footprints and gaining vital evidence about the barriers preventing more people from adopting climate-friendly habits. See www.foe.co.uk/girlguidinguk.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust