Greenprint 2020

World Water Day 2012 - Wednesday 22nd March

In the UK and across the developed world most of us take clean safe water for granted, but the fact is that there are still nearly one billion people across the planet without access to clean water. Water is what sustains life. 97% of water is in the oceans, the remaining 3% is the freshwater safe for drinking. Most of this freshwater is locked away in the form of ice caps and as well all know, with climate change already taking its toll, we could all benefit from saving and reducing our consumption of water. 

UN Water’s World Water Day on the 22nd March aims to draw attention to the importance of safe water. This date also marks 1 month till the ‘Sanitation and Water for All’ meeting in Washington DC, where we will see world leaders gathering to discuss what actions are going to be taken to tackle the water and sanitation crisis.

If you want to get involved further, Water Aid are running a Water Works campaign, collecting photos of how you use water every day which will be used at the Sanitation meeting in Washington to highlight the important message of clean water across the globe. You can submit your photos here. You can also tweet a #worldwaterday message highlighting the value of clean water to you. 

For a chance to win a hippo bag and shower timer to help reduce that all important water usage, upload your best water photographs to our Greenprint Facebook page, including a short message about what water means to you. A selection of the best photos will also be included in the Global Action Plan newsletter and blog.

If you’re looking for an event to get involved in, join us for Bust a Flush on Wednesday 28th March! Find out more.

Check out this site on some great water-saving tips! Come along and help spread the message. Save water, save our planet.

Happy World Water Day,

Faye and Suzy, Greenprint Steering Group 2012

See original article.

By Faye Tester, Greenprint Steering Group member

I think Green is amazing… it’s by far my favourite colour (as you can tell if you’ve seen my many green possessions). 

I’d even like to be literally green like Elphaba in Wicked but haven’t quite figured out how to go about it! But it isn’t just the colour I love… it is everything remotely relating to green, this includes Irish Dancing and the environment, a random combination I know. My crazy love of everything green also extends to my favourite day of the year being St Patricks Day…because just for one day a year everyone shares my passion for everything green! 

But green is no longer just a colour, it also encompasses a broad range of environmental terms and achievements from Green building to Green tourism. In this context ‘greenwashing’ can often occur when companies misuse environmental terms to promote an environmentally friendly image, trying to appear more environmentally conscious than their activities would otherwise suggest. Energy companies and airlines are common culprits of greenwashing, using marketing to promote their environmental image whilst doing little to actually change their activities. Other companies just rely on using the colour green in their advertising to promote a positive environmental image, even throwing a few trees and leaves to hint at the environmental theme. I think many of the public are easily influenced by adverts like this as we automatically associate them with environmentally friendly. Don’t be easily persuaded by green adverts and environmental cliché images, it’s the company’s actions that really determine whether they are truly or green or just jumping on the eco bandwagon! 

Fortunately there are many organisations that have developed specific campaigns to target greenwashing and highlight the worst offenders. A few example websites are included here:

• Which? The Greenwashing Files
• StopGreenwash.org
• Futerra.co.uk
• thegreenwashingblog.com

So this year for St Patricks Day, rummage in your wardrobe for some suitable green attire, get jigging and drink some Guinness. But after you’ve done all that, remember to think about the big green planet out there, don’t be fooled by green-washed marketing, make up your own mind, it’s the company’s actions that counts…not those lovely green posters! 

Thanks for reading,

Faye

Greenprint 2020 and v2424 intern, Julian Andres, shares his vision of a sustainable 2020.

The future is cleaner, greener and brighter. Fossil fuels are history, there are now renewable energies for all aspects of life from the home to the workplace, transportation and public places.

There is less pollution in the air and water so people can breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water. Health issues that were caused by pollution or gasses and chemicals in the air and water are now a distant memory.

There are environment awareness programmes to teach people how and why to take care of the environment, in addition laws have been made for those people who don’t recycle, are energy efficient or vandalise and damage the environment and public spaces.

Foods are healthier due to people growing their own produce. Food is more organic, healthier and fresher and there are less harmful chemicals. People recycle much more and collect their own water in rain butts.

Due to advancements in technology vehicles are made from sustainable materials that can be recycled and are easier to make. Roads and pavements are made from durable and recyclable materials. Paper is seen much less as most things are now viewed and seen on screens, projectors or personal handhelds so no more trees are being cut.

Airplanes are energy efficient as they run on alternative powers or hybrid energies.

As a result of public awareness of environmental issues there are more greener areas, plants and trees to make the air cleaner and purer, more care is taken for those ‘green spaces’ or  ‘eco zones’ to keep them maintained and protected. The economic climate of the world has improved because of renewable alternative energies. By 2020 the CO2 emissions and earths temperatures are on a steady decrease due to the changes in fuels to alternative energies.

Get in touch and tell us your 2020 vision.

This October, join hundreds of young people in Manchester to take part in Power Shift – the UK’s largest youth event on climate change. Gain skills, knowledge and friends to enable you to take ownership of the challenges our generation faces and make green jobs, healthy lifestyles and innovation an integral part of our future. Tickets from £10, can be purchased from the Power Shift website.
 

By Aisha Brown

Climate change is an issue that affects every one of us more each day, yet while adults increasingly make the effort to protect the environment and the Earth’s future, there is no denying that the true leaders in the fight against the melting ice-caps, the devastating natural disasters and all the other destructive consequences of global warming lies with the younger generation. The children of today will have to bare the brunt of climate change at a level more intense than what we currently face and should therefore be equipped and motivated to make a sustainable difference. So if young people are the pioneers of a more aware and environmentally-conscious Earth, why propose to remove the topic of global warming from the National Curriculum?

It seems to me that the hazy understanding of what exactly is happening to the planet, in understandable scientific terms, is one of the main reasons why some people are reluctant to take action against climate change in the first place. Kids and adults alike need to be properly educated regarding the issue in order to know how exactly they can go about tackling it. While it is true that teachers standing in front of a board, trying to ignite a spark of interest into a group of children who would probably much rather be watching a movie won’t guarantee the environmental campaigners of the future, at least they’ll understand the basics.

Despite the threat of the absence of global warming discussion in the classroom, with all the increased media interest in environmental issues – things like recycling and generally paying more attention to how we consume and waste – the issue of the way we treat the planet is hopefully reaching and affecting more young people than ever. It could be hard to get to grips with something which can seem so distant in our futures, yet there are so many kids and teenagers who are willing to put in work so that the rising temperature of the Earth slows and hopefully stops altogether. Initiatives like Greenprint, with its vision for the world of 2020, show just how willing we can be when it comes to taking the lead in changing the situation for the better. The future’s looking bright. And Green.

Response from Greenprint 2020 young people to the news that the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by 3% in 2010, and are not falling fast enough to meet government targets:

Are we the forgotten generation? 

UK greenhouse gas emissions are not falling fast enough according to the Committee on Climate Change.  Every month of delay will have a profound impact on young people like us throughout the world.  Failure to act will hit us financially, will create more disruption in our lives and will increase suffering. 

We are trying to change things in a positive way. We have created a Greenprint vision that sets out a sustainable future.  We have provided practical ideas on how companies and government can join with us to create a better world.  But our efforts seem to be falling on deaf ears.

Our question to government and business is simple. What more do we need to do to be heard to avoid being the forgotten generation? 

Sincerely

Sian Ryan, Duong Tran, Emily Hamilton and Sandra Lipni on behalf of the Greenprint 2020 Steering Group.

Eleanor Gill, Patrick Lyons, Rowan Boase, Adam Blatchford, Heather Poore, Andrea Yaluma, Georgina Shiplee, Ellen Dobbs, Keisha Gounden and Ruth Whincup on behalf of the further movement’s membership. 

Trewin Restorick, CEO of Global Action Plan and supporter of Greenprint 2020.

Response from Greenprint 2020 young people to the news that Tim Oates is likely to recommend climate change is removed from the National Curriculum:

Dear Mr Oates,

We understand you are recommending climate change be taken off the National Curriculum. We thank you for your attention to the interests of young people, but suggest that you stop talking about us and start talking to us. Climate change is the single biggest danger to our future, but also the single biggest opportunity. By removing it from the curriculum you remove the impetus to discuss solutions, from technology, to reduced consumption to collaborative living. You also take away our right to be prepared for the tumultuous future we are facing if the worst case climate change scenarios become reality. That’s our future – not yours. Yet you do this with a complete lack of consultation with young people.

Don’t just take our word for it. We are speaking on behalf of a movement, and on behalf of all young people in the UK. 89% say they would like to see people living more sustainably. But if they don’t know about climate change, how can they make this change?  

80% want to see a growing interest in science and engineering subjects in schools due to the increasing number of environmental jobs needing skills in these areas – we need an education that prepares us for our future. We do not believe there is anything more vital to be included in the curriculum than climate change.

Our Greenprint 2020 vision is the product of 4000 young people’s input, and has been peer reviewed by YouGov on behalf of 16-24 year olds in the UK.  

Kind regards,

Adam Blatchford, Rowan Boase, Eleanor Gill, Heather Poore and Andrea Yaluma on behalf of contributors to Greenprint 2020

We suggest you read it, especially the Learning and Work section, where we call for the UK to become an international leader in environmental technology, research and science, and at the forefront of green innovation and solutions. We urge you to support our vision.

(Source: globalactionplan.org.uk)

By Sian Ryan

Environmental charity Global Action Plan recently conducted significant research into the green visions of 1,052 young people aged 16-24, revealing that young people are refreshingly optimistic about achieving a sustainable future. The question is whether the key decision makers of today are making the commitments required to make young people’s cleaner, brighter vision, a reality.

The government recently announced that they plan to commit Britain to a ‘legally binding’ target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% in 2050 and by 50% in 2025. To achieve this target we will need to see and increase in the production of electric cars and vans by 60% in the year 2030 and renewable energy should account for at least 15% of the total energy consumptions by the year 2020. This is certainly a step in the right direction, but it is by no means a battle won.

The announcement comes after an open letter was sent to David Cameron from 15 green organisations urging the government to make the right choice and commit to significant carbon reduction targets.  It seems that this prompting may have been an important factor leading the government to take stronger action on climate change. So, on the one hand it is greatly reassuring to know that the government is willing to listen to the advice of these organisations, but on the other begs the questions, why does a government which has declared itself as aspiring towards the title of “greenest government ever” need to be prompted to take action on climate change?

One of the biggest issues surrounding this announcement is that although the government is happy to tell us exactly where they want emissions to be by 2050, they have provided very little indication of how they intend to get to this point. The reductions are high and without robust plans, casts doubt on whether they are achievable as well as concern over exact tactics planned to implement the change. For example, Global Action Plan’s research explains that young people envision a future where UK energy suppliers use a diverse range of renewable energy. However, much of the speculation surrounding this announcement has stressed nuclear energy as the most likely option for Britain.

Nuclear power already accounts for 20% of the UK’s supplied electricity and it has been suggested that 3 more nuclear reactors may be built in the UK. Global action Plan’s research shows that young people are divided on this issue and as a result their position on the matter is neutral. However, if a strong shift towards this type of energy occurs we may find that the government is leading us down a path that many young people are uncomfortable with. Never the less we will have to face the consequences of the decisions made now.

On a positive note, the government plans have been seen by many as a significant step towards a growing green industry sector which was an ambition clearly laid out by young people in Global Action Plan’s research - many participants envisioned a future where the UK is a “leader in environmental technology, research and science and at the forefront of green innovation and solutions” and it seems that this is also the vision of many senior government ministers.

One of the most significant findings of Global Action Plan’s research is that young people are calling for stronger government leadership and the announcement implies we can have more faith in the government’s commitment to a greener future. However, I fear that that with vague plans of action, division in parliament and a government needs cattle prodding; there are no guarantees of this leadership after all. Further to this, there is talk of a get out clause if other EU countries do not match our targets… maybe they need reminding of the definition of leader, again. 
So we are left with high hopes surrounded in great uncertainty but what is clear, is that it is still imperative we, as young people, need to sing from the rooftops to make our voices heard, drawing on the support of groups like Global Action Plan and credible visions like Greenprint 2020.

Energy Secretary to reveal UK long-term carbon targethttp://www.ifandp.com/article/0011226.html 

Coalition commits Britain to legally binding emission cutshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/14/historic-climate-change-deal-agreed-chris-huhne 

David Cameron in danger of breaking green pledge, warn green groupshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/14/david-cameron-breaking-green-pledge 

Cameron intervenes to settle row over emissions targetshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13409404 

Committee on Climate Change - The Renewable Energy Review 9 May 2011http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/renewable-energy-review