Feature story - June 1, 2004
BONN, Germany — Who are we? Young people who want to change the world! What do we want? Renewable Energy! Make no mistake - the world is heading for climate disaster if we don't change our dirty energy ways soon. The young people of the Solar Generation project don't want to be living in a disaster of our making. They are campaigning now for the switch to clean renewable energy across the globe.
15,000 postcards from the public calling for renewable energy are delivered in a ball of ice to the Bonn Renewables conference. While there was some progress at the conference it still left much to do to tackle global warming.
Young people have the most to lose from global warming but also
the most to gain from the urgent action that is needed now to
prevent the worst impacts. Right now young people from around the
world are coming together under the Solar Generation banner to end
the inaction that brings global warming disasters closer and
closer. Henry is from China, where clean energy is a must for the
huge population. Abigail, from the Philippines, comes from a
community fighting a dirty coal power station on its doorstep.
Now members of Solar Generation are facing possibly their
biggest challenge. Many of them are in Bonn, Germany for a major
political conference on renewable energy. Their challenge is to
bring the reality of global warming to politicians cosseted in
stuffy, plush conference rooms and help ensure the conference will
amount to more than just nice words about renewable energy.
They
made a start with the chance to make a speech to the first day of
the conference. Abigail addressed the delegates along with Henry
from China and Lisa from Germany:
"With what we are experiencing, we, the members of Solar
Generation are putting our feet forward against climate change and
are pushing for renewable energy. Members from different countries
lobby to politicians, organize rallies and camps to increase public
awareness, participate in direct actions and support each other in
raising funds for renewable energy installations. We, the Solar
Generation, are doing what we can. Now is your duty to do what you
can!"(Read the
full speech.)
Back in China,
Henry has been busy with Solar Campus projects to spread the
word on renewable energy to students and lobbying Chinese energy
companies to invest in renewable power:
"We believe that our actions and passion for our environment
could make waves in our world! We will spread our concerns on
climate change and take action to change the behaviour of power
companies, government and our universities, with the support and
spirit of more and more energetic youths!"
It remains to be seen if today's political masters rise to the
challenge of tomorrow's Solar Generation.
Take action:
Join Solar Generation in the following countries: France, Germany, Switzerland, US.
More:
Follow the Solar
Generation project in English and German.