The British Council has launched The Indian Climate Champion 2008 competition to select 20 young Indians as Ambassadors for mitigating the harmful effects of Climate Change. Three young champions out of the 20 will be selected as International Climate Champions 2008 to represent India at meetings in London and Kobe, Japan. In Kobe, the Environment Ministers from the G8+5 countries will be meeting to discuss Climate Change.

Children aged between 16-18 years are eligible to enter the competition. They should submit their completed application form to the respective regional office of British Council along with the following:

*A paragraph (300 words) about self, effect of climate change he/she might have been exposed to and why he/she thinks that they should be the chosen as the Indian Climate Champion 2008

*A News Report (800 words) about climate change issues in India. The report must be an original work of the entrant and can take the form of the front page of a newspaper.

*For more information and to apply, visit www.britishcouncil.org.in. The last date to submit entries is February 4, 2008.

The selected 20 Indian Climate Champions will receive a citation from the British Council and prizes. The prizes include a collection of books, DVDs and a weekend ‘Climate Camp’. At the camp the Champions would get to interact with scientists and communication specialists, and be given training on climate communications planning and presentation. The three International Climate Champions selected from this group will represent India in London and Japan on 24-30 March and 18-26 May 2008, respectively. All travel and accommodation costs for these trips will be met by the organisers.