 You, Me & The Climate (YOMAC) is building a network of young leaders across the country committed to tackling the unique challenge of climate change.
Representing a diverse range of communities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, YOMACs young people are:
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Community Advocates
Working to change how people in their area think about climate change and its consequences in communities, schools, local organisations and amongst their peers.
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Taking Action
Organising projects to combat climate change in practical ways, responding to the needs and priorities of the places where they live and leaving a lasting legacy.
• Working Together
To give their actions an impact at national and international levels through joint activities, coordinated media campaigns and the use of web and new media.
• Continuing To Develop
Taking on board the organisational, communication and leadership skills they need to act, delivered through regular training events with energetic workshops and inspiring speakers.
The You, Me & The Climate project is a unique initiative launched in October 2007 with the administrative and financial support of The National Trust, along with additional funding from UK government department DEFRA.
Climate change is real, and it’s happening now.
Ten years ago, it was an ‘environmental issue’ that most of us assumed only hippies, activist types and scientific experts would have to worry about.
A decade on, the jury’s in. Evidence is coming in every day that the global climate will change significantly in our lifetimes, and that we’re the cause. That’s a change faster, and more sudden than at any point in modern history. It’s also affecting how we do, and think about, just about everything. It’s no longer ‘just another issue’, it’s a crisis.
But enough of the talk
We could talk for days about the scale of the problem, and decide it’s hopeless. Or we could figure out what needs to be done to turn things around, and do it.
There’s no doubt about it, we can cut the amount of fuel we burn and the amount of CO2 we release into the atmosphere- the main cause of this mess. But it’s only going to happen if there are people out there with the motivation, imagination and guts to make it happen.
You, Me & The Climate
Is all about making you into one of those change makers. A rock star putting on a gig, a politician making a speech or a handful of seasoned activists aren’t going to be the ones to pull this off, it’ll be when normal people put their foot down and take the lead.We’re aiming to get together at least two young people from every county in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Over the course of the year, we’ll show them the ropes, giving them all the skills they need to go back to their community and take action.
From clueless to Climateer
Perhaps that still doesn’t sound like you. Perhaps it sounds like your mate, who does lots of activist stuff, or your cousin who does a lot of volunteering or charity work, or your geek brother who knows a lot about the environment. This isn’t just for them, it’s for you, the person who’s always been vaguely worried about stuff like this, but doesn’t quite know where to start.
Take the plunge, get in touch , and we’ll start from scratch. Over the year, we’ll give you the knowledge, and train you in the skills that help. With the experience you need to build your confidence, we’ll put you in touch with contacts and the people you need to take the lead in organizing a project in your own community.
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