Our Planet
Our Say

British Gas searches for young people in Wales to lead Green task force. Children's think tank will present climate change policy to Government

A nationwide search begins today for 20 green and keen children to become members of the UK’s first ever environmental think tank for 7 to 14 year olds.

The think tank, called 'Our Planet, Our Say' and part of British Gas’s Generation Green schools programme, will give the younger generation a voice on climate change – and the problems they will have to face in the future as adults.

Schoolchildren aged between 7 and 14 can nominate themselves, or be nominated by friends, parents, teachers or any adult at www.generationgreen.co.uk from today until Wednesday 20 May. To enter, children or whoever nominates them will need to write 100 words explaining why they deserve to be part of ‘Our Planet, Our Say’ and upload this via the website.

An expert judging panel including Julia Hailes, author of The Green Consumer Guide, and Lawrence McGinty, the Emmy-winning ITN science reporter will choose the 20 children from a shortlist drawn up by British Gas. The ‘Our Planet, Our Say’ members will then meet three times during the coming year in different locations and will get the chance to ask environmental experts about green issues. The first ‘Our Planet, Our Say’ session is scheduled to take place in late June.

The members will then develop their own three-point plan to tackle major environmental challenges facing the UK, which will be put on the Generation Green web site for participating schools to give their vote of confidence before it is presented to leading policy makers at the end of the year. Over 9,000 schools have signed up for Generation Green.

The need for the think tank was made clear in research by the Generation Green programme. Published today, the research shows children want their voices heard on climate change, and are frustrated at being sidelined. The poll shows that nearly three quarters (69 per cent) of Welsh children think adults are not doing enough to protect the environment, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) feel frustrated that their green concerns fall on deaf ears. The data also shows how motivated the younger generation in Wales are, with nearly half (46 per cent) believing they can make a difference to the cause.

Gearoid Lane, Managing Director of British Gas New Energy, said: "We are calling for children, parents, grandparents and teachers to help us find the 20 most exciting young green minds. The UK's children are keen to voice their concerns and share their ideas, and we must listen. The next generation will have to live with the worst impacts of climate change, and so far they’ve had little say in the environmental debate."

Julia Hailes said: "I'm very excited to be involved in 'Our Planet, Our Say'. Environmental issues can be complex, but that doesn’t mean there aren't solutions. I’m looking forward to hearing what innovative ideas our group of young people come up with – and how they can inspire others along the way."