f a m G l o b al

O x
t i z e ns , 2 00 9
C i

Ove r 5 , 0 0 0
p e o p le
young
t i o n on
take ac .
at e c h a n ge
cli m
 Oxfam Active Global Citizenship Conferences 2009
In October 2009, Oxfam hosted four Active Global Citizenship Conferences for
schools in Birmingham, Bristol, London and Manchester.

Over 60 schools and 300 young people came together to learn about the human
impact of climate change, shape their message to world leaders, and explore how
they could lead their communities in tackling this huge global issue.

Students met Elvis Sukali, an Oxfam programme officer from Malawi and saw the
very real effects of climate change on ordinary peopleʼs lives, learning how climate
change threatens to push more people into poverty in some of the poorest
countries of the world.

They had the chance to questions experts on how they as young people can take
action on climate change and harness their power as agents of change.

In the workshops they learned more about the links between climate change and
poverty, different countries' perspectives on agreeing a deal, and how successful
campaigns have changed the world.

Students formulated action plans at the conference, which they are now using to
inspire their peers and communities to take action on climate change.

Contained within this book are messages from young people, urging you to reach
a fair, ambitious and binding deal for the worldʼs poorest at Copenhagen next
month.

A Term of Action
The conferences are part of Oxfam's Term of Action and Learning on Climate Change

All over the UK young people have been learning about the human impact of climate
change and exploring how they can make a difference.

They have been exploring the issues, taking part in youth-led events, bringing the
negotiations alive in model U.N conferences, undertaking challenges to cut their own
emissions and inspiring others to take positive action on climate change.

So far this academic term there have been over 5,000 actions by young people in the
UK.

This generation cares about the world and wants you to go to Copenhagen and fight
for a Fair & Safe Deal, that puts poor people first in the fight against climate change.
 Your car is melting the world
Wake up and smell the Co2!
Get on your bike and save the earth!!
Don’t be shy or tell a lie, make them see the truth of climate change
Make a difference don’t be scared, be sure the burden of climate change is
shared.
Make a change stop the Planet melting away.
Don’t be a fool you silly old mule and cut them fumes by 40%
Stand up for me poorer countries, don’t let them die because of US!
Bargain and banter, a deal for the best, Cut Britain’s Carbon emissions and so
will the rest
Are you thinking only about you? You need to think about others too! Cut CO2!
Save the world and Share the money! PLEASE!!
Joanna, Kye, Daniel & James - Bourneville college,
Charlotte, Amrit, Jessica - Pool Hayes Arts & community school,
Katie, Sophie, Emily, Luke, Sam B, Freya, Daniel & Sam H – Mill hill School
 What is happening to the Forget nuclear & Coal,
world? Brooke, Year 8, encourage solar wind &
Hyde Technology Set an example to the hydroelectric POWER!!
School world” Barack Obama Amelia, Sir John Laws
Baldeep, Bishop
Vesey’s Grammar

We need to change our

Can two birds not be hit climate for the future
People are dying so
with one stone if we ahead. Oliver, Year 9,
[climate change] should
create more renewable Upton-By-Chester High
stop. Rebecca, Year 9,
power stations, reducing School
Ellesmere Port
unemployment and
combating climate
change? Alex Larimer,
Xaverian College

It makes poor countries No-one can blame you

very sad. Jenny, Great for global warming…
Sankey High School except your children.
Uzma, Tottington High
School
Provide funds for a low
emission car!
Lucie, Francis Bacon
School Rain is less, the ocean is
less, but we can do
more to make it more What we can do: wash
and more. Duwatosin, at 30 degrees Celsius. If
Year 9, St. Peter’s High the heating in your
Why are we ruining house is not needed,
other’s lives? Help now! don’t use it. Recycle.
Zainul, Pleckgate High Bobbie-Lee, St. Peter’s
School

If the sea rises over

Britain, you’ll die or get
blamed or killed.
Callum, Bydales School Let’s stop climate
Limit everyone to 500 flight change today!
miles each year. If people Jade, Year 9,
want to fly more they should Ellesmere Port
buy more miles. This will
reduce carbon emissions and Catholic High
help climate change! And
help the recession as well. Everyone has a carbon
Ciaran , Year 11, Blessed footprint, even you do!
Thomas Holford School We all need to try and
cut down on it! Ifra, Year
9, Abraham Moss High
People are saying they
want to cut carbon
It isn’t just one or two emissions by 20% will you
countries at fault, it’s all consider taking this action?
of us. Jamie, Year 10, Matthew, Kings Norton
Stockport Academy Boys School
 Go and live in Africa
for three weeks then
decide if it’s a
problem!

Cut our emissions by 40%,

and people in other
countries will sleep safely
in bed! Jamie, Year 9,
Upton-By-Chester High

I can’t do it!
You Cant do it!
BUT WE CAN!
Fadime & Yemisa,
Royal Docks
community school
 Climate change is causing
huge amounts of
malnourishment in third
world countries, if we do not
do anything about it soon
this could happen to us.
Lauren, Bydales School
Climate change ruins the
earth. Ikram, Year 8,
Hyde Technology
School
Blow away climate
change before it blows
us all away! Carl,
Tottington High School
Climate change is very
bad. Anthea, Year 9,
Great Sankey High
School
Cars and factories are de-
railing our climate. Use
alternative fuels and make
factories safer by adding
flue gas desulphurization
devices. Amber, Hazel
Grove High School
Mr Brown, Should you
not be willing to
compensate for the
effects the UK is
having on poor
countries?
Time will not wait on Why waste our money
countries that need it destroying our future
most. when we could spend it
Daniel, Bishop saving it! Invest in
Vesey’s Grammar energy for tomorrow –
renewables! Immediate
action is needed! Anna,
Xaverian College
We caused the problem
so lets solve it as well
Climate change is out of
control, we need to act You could use biofuel to
fuel the nation
right now!
Amanda, Nottingham We need to recycle more.
Emmanuel school Liam, Nottingham
Emmanuel School
For all your promises do
you really expect to help
ordinary people live ordinary
The old days are in the
lives
past!
Alex, Kings Norton Boys
Time for a change!
Renewable energy is the
way forward!!
Sophia, Swanwick Hall
school
Act now before its too
late! Help climate
change.
The US has only 4% of the worlds
populations yet produces 25% of
the world’s carbon emissions
Jack, Kings Norton Boys
Everyone should do Before you go out
their bit to save our
planet! Laurie Lee, turn electricity OFF!
Year 7, Hyde
Technology
Make the roads safe
for cyclists
Climate Change affects Phoebe - Francis Bacon
the world.
Your decision can change
that!
Look after the
poorest and the
richest will look
after themselves
Sam, Nottingham

You cannot point a finger

at a nation, without taking
There was a young man from action yourself.
Tanzania Sachia Perera, Hendon
Who had a bad farm career.
Along came Elvis with half a
grand,
He gave the man a helping hand.
Caprice, Mary, Lewis and Michael, St
Damians College

The world’s drowning in

poverty and economically.
What you gonna do rich
world, when the ice caps
melt and there’s no oil left Fuel is running out,
luck is running out,
to make helicopters fly? time is running out.
Davis, Year 9 Richmal, Prudhoe
Take responsibility
for your actions
and how they
affect others.
Fix up and realise
you need to sort it
out!
We need to stop carbon
emissions by getting more
efficient. Ricci, Year 10,
Abraham Moss High
Make individuals more aware
of their impact on climate
change. Every little helps…
Rushini Karandawala, Lady
Eleanor Holles
Keep fighting the “good” fight!
Remember the people without
a voice. Lead by example!!
Susan Ostrander, Lady Eleanor
Holles School
Please do something
about climate change
before its too late!!!
Jake Brown, Backwell
School
Give the world some
care…save a POLAR
Ewan Hall, Sir John
L.E.D.C.s need our
help. Do something
about it!!! BEFORE IT
IS TOO LATE!!! We will
only get this chance
once…
India Martin,
With your needless greed
this problem you caused
and now future generations
will be left struggling dying
and still there’s no pause
Maria Olajida,
Chestnut Grove
Continue with the UK’s
climate change goals.
Let’s make a CHANGE
NOW!
Nida Khan, The Lady
Keep on helping defeat
climate change and save
our future!
Carrie Day, Lady
Eleanor Holles School
I think you need to
invest more in
renewable resources of
energy and show more
support for fusion
BEAR!!!
Lawes
MR BROWN do you want to be
responsible for the suffering of
poorer countries who do not
produce the carbon emissions
they are suffering from. Effects
which cripple their economy every
day. Ali Abdisalam. Fairfield
Please agree to
stabilise at 350
ppm of carbon
dioxide.
Emily, Izzie,
Clara, Shebbear
College
I think climate change is
important because other
countries are suffering and
mostly it is not their fault.
Amber Bailey age 13.
The Ridings Federation
Yate International
Academy
Pay Attention to
Climate Change
Zach,12yrs,
Sir John Laws
Stop making the poor pay for
the problems you have caused,
you made the problem, SO
YOU SOLVE IT!!
Sarah, Woodford County
high School

Do you know what
climate change is
doing to us all?
Kamilah, Pleckgate
High School
Have you got any ideas
about how the UK can help
other countries who are
affected by climate change.
As we are one of the biggest
producers of C02 don’t you
think that we should help
solve it?
Becki, Pocklington School
You have the power, now
commit to some targets and
see it through
George, Bishop Vesey’s
Grammar School
It’s not too late,
but we’ve got to
act NOW!!! Amy,
Hazel Grove
You won’t shut your
face while the world
is ablaze
Kirsty, Nottingham
Emmanuel school
We should be looking into renewable
energy sources. Germany is leading in
the development of solar power. Why
aren’t we looking into new technology
for renewable energy? Alex, Blessed
Thomas Holford School
Stop and think, look at
the world, listen to your
people, act now. Jack,
Bydales School
There may be an ‘I’ in
emissions, but there isn’t
one in global harmony.
Olivia, Xaverian
College
Save the planet for
future generations.
Luke, Ellesmere Port
Open your eyes
Gordon!
I believe we should look into more
energy efficient ways of making
energy. We could find a more
efficient way to power street lights,
this would save a lot of energy and
help the climate. Joseph
All the children aspire
to be like the
president.
Kings Norton Boys
Save this planet
please, because we
need it to live on! Act
now. Georgina,
Honley High School
Why should we ruin
our world? It’s the
only one we have!
Kathryn, Year 10,
Hyde Technology
School
How much are you willing
to drop your C02
emissions?
Araf, Kings Norton Boys
Cut the Carbon.
And care for people
less fortunate than you
Christabel,
Nottingham
Emmanuel School
It is our duty as a civilised and wealthy
society to ensure that those whoa re not
able to exercise their fundamental rights
are given the means to. We must wipe
away the tears of those mourn silently
and open their eyes to see the long-
desired opportunities around them.
Lyinoluwa, Woodford County High,
Don’t care about your hair
so curled, for the damage
you’re causing our world/
Alicia, Nottingham
Emmanuel school
World leaders work
together, our actions now
affect others forever!
Jemimah, Year 9,
Upton-By-Chester High
 Now is the time to act, so act
I think you should make political and economic development classes now before its too late!
compulsory so the next generation will not be apathetic, and will be Emily, Hatch End High
informed. They’ll create better change than today’s political leaders. School
Seema, Woodford County High

Put the change into

Do something now climate change Gordon.
Climate change is Killing
before it is too late to innocent people. It is only
reverse the problem. you that can save people’s
Holly, Round wood lives!
Park School Clare, Barking Abbey school
Mr Brown You can make
a difference to the
World! Please do it
before it is too late!
Abigail Sancto,
Barking Abbey

Act now, before it’s too late! STOP CLIMATE

Global warming is too big CHANGE
an issue to ignore. Afrida, Bishop David
Jessica Lynch,
Roundwood park School

Do you know the consequences to

climate change and your country
Why are we ruining the producing too many emissions?
lives of others? Hanzah, MEDC should help LEDCs and
Pleckgate High School make the world a better place
Nikisha, Longford Community
School
No-one can blame you
for global warming…
except your children.
Uzma, Tottington High
Dear Mr Brown, Act on
climate change now! –
before its too late. Its your foot-print, its
Olivia, Nower hill your future, reduce your
carbon footprint NOW!
Charley
Please can you help before
we can’t do any more!!!
Joe Mecer, Backwell

Mr Brown, Should you not

be willing to compensate
for the effects the UK is Why don’t we help other countries who are affected by
climate change. We are the 5th richest country in the
having on poor countries? world so we won’t be affected by climate change as
Samira, Northolt Hiigh much as other countries who won’t be as fortunate as
school us because they will get diseases such as malaria and
Cholera from dirty flood water etc.
So Why not make a change?!
Joachin, Nower Hill
 Keep listening to people –
even those as far away as
Bangladesh.
EVERY VOICE COUNTS!
Sarah Perkins, Lady Eleanor
Holles School

Climate change doesn’t

just kill polar bears, but
us – human kind too.
Are we helping them?
Charis Parker, age 16, Sir
John Lawes School

“No man is an island”

It is the duty of wealthier countries
to help those who are less fortunate
ESPECIALLY if the wealthier
country contributed to making the
problem.
Siobhan Louise, Yr 12,
Woodford County High

Don’t let people suffer

for something they
haven’t done. Rebecca,
Year 9, Upton-By-
Chester High School
 Help everyone, not just
yourselves. Jake, Year 9,
Turn down the heating, Abraham Moss High
turn off the lights, tell the School Climate change, it’s happening
Prime Minister to ride his here and now and we’ve got to
bike! Jade, Year 10, find a way to stop this spreading
Stockport Academy out. It affects me, you and all
that’s why we the world is going
so dull. Everyone is in danger,
so watch your back cuz you’re
the next target for the changes.
Act now and slow down Become involved to change all.
climate change before its Yemidayo, Year 9, St. Peter’s
too late! RC High School
Climate change puts the Chloe, Hatch End Sixth
earth’s people and Form
ecosystem in danger.
Please act on it and save
the Earth.
Ifama, Barking Abbey
School
Why don’t you set an
Don’t forget the outspoken
example and reduce
ones. The countries who
your carbon emissions
can make a change, should
first, other countries will
do so.
soon follow. Rudo,
Blessed Thomas
If you have the power,
accept the responsibility
that comes with it & do
something about it please.
Nadine, Hatch End high
School Help LEDCs now and prevent Global
warming.
Why should LEDC suffer. Think
Gordon.
Scott, Longford Community School

Have you ever thought for 1 minute of

your life about what it would be like to
live in an LEDC?
Knowing that the UK is causing climate
change but yet LEDCs are being Climate change is not a
affected! THINK! Together, we
problem for the future it’s can save the
Lydia, Longford community school a problem now. So act world. Kylie
now.
Valerie, Hatch End Sixth
Form

The rich are rich at the

expense of the poor. Chill out Gordon Brown,
Sally, Tottington High When you go stop making the world
School hotter! Danielle,
show your Xaverian College
pride in our
country
We have overcome all
other challenges – we
can overcome this too!
Kristian, Tottington

Don’t let people suffer for

something they haven’t
done. Rebecca, Year 9,
Upton-By-Chester High
School

Climate change kills, so

why don’t we solve it?
Lauren, Bydales
School

The UK is one of the higher

emitters of greenhouse
gases, what are you going
to do to prevent this from
being the case? Hannah,
Xaverian College
 Mr Gordon Brown, I would like you to help china to stop
emissions in china and give them an eco energy resource
Gordon Brown, don’t wear a frown, about climate change do something about
it at Copenhagen, and change the world today
Climate change effect the world more than any other issue
It may not affect us now but in a few years we will be affected too,
Mr Brown the rich people don’t care, the poor live in despair, Act now and make
a difference.
Mr Gordon Brown We should be helping developing country’s at Copenhagen.
The developed countries could put our money in a pot for poorer countries.
We should be helping everyone through the developing world.
Save us not just the polar bears.
Act on climate change today to help the adults of tomorrow
Copenhagen is the key to world peace and harmony
! :) and the world will too
! :( and the world will collapse
Act now not later!
Act now or suffer later- stop climate change now
I think you should act now! We only have one world.
Don’t waste it! Thanks

Joe, Heloise, Sam & Amber – Gilbert Inglefield Middle School

April, Jenny, Daniel, Alex, Will, Max & Abi- Harrold Priory Middle school
Sophie, Freya, Jonathon & Tom – Ercall Wood Technology College.
With special thanks to:

Schools:
Backwell School, Badminton School, Broadoak College, Brockworth Enterprise School, Fairfield
School, Shebbear College, South Wilts Grammar School, Winterbourne International Academy,
Yate International Academy Nower Hill High School, Priory School, Hendon School, Sir John
Lawes School, Francis Bacon College, Roundwood Park School, St Albans Girls School, St
James Catholic High, Woodlands School, Northolt High School, The Charter School, Barking
Abbey College, Lady Eleanor Holles School, Royal Docks School, Longford Community School,
Chestnut Grove School, Hatch End High School, Bishop David Brown School, Bentley Wood
High School, Woodford County School, Honley High School, Hyde Tecnology School, Stockport
Academy, Great Sankey High School, Pocklington High School, Ellesmere Port Catholic High
School, All Saints Catholic College, Xaverian College, Tottington High School, Blessed Thomas
Holford School, Chesnut Lodge School, Loreto RC High School, Hope [Special] School,
Abraham Moss High School, Prudhoe Community High School, Bydales Foundation School,
Turton high school media arts college, Pleckgate High School, Hazel Grove High, Upton By
Chester High, St Damian's R C Science College, St Peter's High, Swanwick Hall School, Gilbert
Inglefield Middle School, Harrold Priory Middle School, Kings Norton Boys, Bishop Vesey's
Grammar School, Bournville College, Pool Hayes Arts & Community School, Ercall Wood
Technology College, The Nottingham Emmanuel School, George Dixon International School
and Sixth Form College, and Mill Hill School

Volunteers:
Gemma Bending, Kate Weiler, Nadya Herrera Catalan, Kerri Bleeker, Ann Bagert, Beulah East,
Claire Anholt, Beth Hearn, Roger Hook, Ron Wilson, Anne Hillier David Handley Michael Fisher
Vivien Hamilton Jane Attar, Emily Jones, Jenny Hunt, Karen Lindsay, Catrin Morris and
Stephanie Hubbard

Speakers:
Sabino Miranda – CCYDT, Rob Bowden - Life worlds Learning, Dr Alice Bows - The University
of Manchester, Elvis Sukali - Oxfam (Malawi), Rebecca Gowland Oxfam GB, Adam Askew -
Oxfam GB, and Stephen Williams MP

Photography credits:
Matt Williamson, James Cracknell, Chris Worrall, and Jane Baker (Greensnapper photography)