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The UKYCC advertises that its core funding comes mainly by donations from its supporters.<ref name="Different"/> Projects undertaken by the volunteers have previously been funded by foundation grant applications, such as the Youth Funding Network, and in-kind support.<ref name="Powershift">{{cite web|url=http://powershift.ukycc.org/ |title=Power Shift |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=UK Youth Climate Coalition}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ytfn.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/nov25event/ |title=Nov 25 event raised over £6,000! |date=16 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=The Youth Funding Network}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/environment/2009/12/11/youth-groups-bending-the-ear-of-business-at-cop15/ |title=Youth groups bending the ear of business at COP15 |date=11 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> For example, Seventeen Events provided pro-bono support to the volunteers to ensure their Powershift event was sustainable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.eventmagazine.co.uk/blogs/andrew/default.aspx |title=Doing it for the kids - Power Shift 09 |date=6 April 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=Event Magazine}}</ref>
The UKYCC advertises that its core funding comes mainly by donations from its supporters.<ref name="Different"/> Projects undertaken by the volunteers have previously been funded by foundation grant applications, such as the Youth Funding Network, and in-kind support.<ref name="Powershift">{{cite web|url=http://powershift.ukycc.org/ |title=Power Shift |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=UK Youth Climate Coalition}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ytfn.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/nov25event/ |title=Nov 25 event raised over £6,000! |date=16 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=The Youth Funding Network}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/environment/2009/12/11/youth-groups-bending-the-ear-of-business-at-cop15/ |title=Youth groups bending the ear of business at COP15 |date=11 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> For example, Seventeen Events provided pro-bono support to the volunteers to ensure their Powershift event was sustainable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.eventmagazine.co.uk/blogs/andrew/default.aspx |title=Doing it for the kids - Power Shift 09 |date=6 April 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=Event Magazine}}</ref>


== Campaigns ==
== Activities ==
=== 2008 ===
=== 2008 ===
In 2008, the UK Youth Climate Coalition undertook a number of activities. Some of the campaigns included:
In 2008, the UK Youth Climate Coalition undertook a number of activities. Some of their projects included:
* In December, the UKYCC participated in the National Climate March organised by the [[Campaign against Climate Change]], with a campaign called "Our time is now" to raise awareness of climate change amongst young people.<ref name="Campaign">{{cite web|url=http://www.campaigncc.org/content/national-climate-march-2008 |title=National Climate March 2008 |accessdate=2009-08-30 |publisher=Campaign against Climate Change}}</ref>
* In December, the UKYCC participated in the National Climate March organised by the [[Campaign against Climate Change]], with a campaign called "Our time is now" to raise awareness of climate change amongst young people.<ref name="Campaign">{{cite web|url=http://www.campaigncc.org/content/national-climate-march-2008 |title=National Climate March 2008 |accessdate=2009-08-30 |publisher=Campaign against Climate Change}}</ref>
* The same year, the volunteers organised a youth delegation to the [[2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in partnership with the Otesha Project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/transport/463133/using_bikepowered_theatre_to_communicate_climate_change.html |title=Using bike-powered theatre to communicate climate change |date=15 April 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[The Ecologist]]}}</ref> At the event, the delegation coordinated the 'Call Gordon' project, a viral telephone campaign asking the then Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] to pursue a tougher agreement on climate change at the talks.
* The same year, the volunteers organised a youth delegation to the [[2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in partnership with the Otesha Project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/transport/463133/using_bikepowered_theatre_to_communicate_climate_change.html |title=Using bike-powered theatre to communicate climate change |date=15 April 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[The Ecologist]]}}</ref> At the event, the delegation coordinated the 'Call Gordon' project, a viral telephone campaign asking the then Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] to pursue a tougher agreement on climate change at the talks.
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=== 2009 ===
=== 2009 ===
The UKYCC worked with the International Youth Movement, in particular the European Youth Climate Movement to contribute to the "How old will you be in 2050?" campaign, launched at the [[United Nations]] Climate negotiations taking place in [[Bonn]], [[Germany]]. <ref name="Report"/> The slogan has been used by the Youth movement since then and was also the focus for the International Youth "Young and Future Generations Day" in December 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/how-old-will-you-be-in-2050-copenhagen-slogan-of-the-day-1838284.html |title='How old will you be in 2050?': Copenhagen slogan of the day |date=10 November 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[The Independent]] | location=London}}</ref> The campaign seeks to emphasise the need to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 on 1990 levels, as young people will be the ones to inherit this world and decisions made today will have a direct impact on their lives in 40 years time.
The UKYCC worked with the International Youth Movement, in particular the European Youth Climate Movement to contribute to the "How old will you be in 2050?" campaign, launched at the [[United Nations]] Climate negotiations taking place in [[Bonn]], [[Germany]]. <ref name="Report"/> The slogan has been used by an array of organisations since then and was also the focus for the International Youth "Young and Future Generations Day" in December 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/how-old-will-you-be-in-2050-copenhagen-slogan-of-the-day-1838284.html |title='How old will you be in 2050?': Copenhagen slogan of the day |date=10 November 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[The Independent]] | location=London}}</ref> The campaign seeks to emphasise the need to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 on 1990 levels, as young people will be the ones to inherit this world and decisions made today will have a direct impact on their lives in 40 years time.


From 9-12 October 2009, the UK version of [[Power Shift]] was held at the [[Institute of Education]] in [[London]].<ref name="Powershift"/> Modelled on a similar event to one organised by the [[Australian Youth Climate Coalition]] and carrying the same name as the [[Energy Action Coalition]] event in the USA, the event intended to develop the youth climate movement and provide young people with training on public speaking.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/feb/20/coal-protest-power-shift |title=Power Shift: Global youth climate movement comes of age |date=20 February 2009 |accessdate=2009-05-27 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref> The training was based on the techniques developed by [[Marshall Ganz]], a civil rights activist who is credited with devising the successful grassroots organizing model and public narrative training for 2008 [[Barack Obama]] presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/15/nation/na-ganz15 |title=Famed organizer sees history in the making |date=15 June 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=LA Times | first=Scott | last=Martelle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/oct/12/climate-change-dancers-parliament |title=Shake your booty in Big Ben's shadow – teenagers dance to save the planet |date=17 October 2009 |accessdate=2009-05-27 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref> The [[Power Shift]] event intended to serve as a feeder to the International Day of Action organised by [[350.org#International Day of Climate Action|350.org]] on 24 October.
From 9-12 October 2009, the organisation organised an event called [[Power Shift]], which was held at the [[Institute of Education]] in [[London]].<ref name="Powershift"/> Modelled on a similar event to one organised by the [[Australian Youth Climate Coalition]] and carrying the same name as the [[Energy Action Coalition]] event in the USA, the event was designed to provide training to young people on how to take action on climate change and also provide them with support to undertake their own initiatives within their local communities<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/feb/20/coal-protest-power-shift |title=Power Shift: Global youth climate movement comes of age |date=20 February 2009 |accessdate=2009-05-27 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref> The training was based on the techniques developed by [[Marshall Ganz]], a civil rights activist who is credited with devising the grassroots organising model and public narrative training for the 2008 [[Barack Obama]] presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/15/nation/na-ganz15 |title=Famed organizer sees history in the making |date=15 June 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=LA Times | first=Scott | last=Martelle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/oct/12/climate-change-dancers-parliament |title=Shake your booty in Big Ben's shadow – teenagers dance to save the planet |date=17 October 2009 |accessdate=2009-05-27 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref>


Three days before the [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]], Kirsty Schneeberger, one of the 2009 Coordinators for the UKYCC, chaired a question and answer debate between a panel of government ministers and 80 young people.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21609 |title=PM tells young people climate deal is achievable |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[10 Downing Street|Number 10]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/gc/question_time/ |title=Question Time for young people |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Oxfam]]}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8841466 |title=Gordon Brown answers young people's questions on climate change |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/copenhagen+protesters+march+through+city/3460042 |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Channel 4 News]] | location=London}}</ref> The panel included former Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], Former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change [[Ed Miliband]] and Former Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Baroness [[Glenys Kinnock]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2009/december/gordon-brown-answers-young-peoples-questions-on-climate-change51030.html |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Natural History Museum]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/latestnews/view/111232/Climate-change-greatest-challenge-/ |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/144106/Climate-change-greatest-challenge- |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Daily Express]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/climate-change-is-our-greatest-challenge-says-brown-1.989818 |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Herald Scotland]] | location=Glasgow}}</ref>
Three days before the [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]], Kirsty Schneeberger, one of the 2009 Coordinators for the UKYCC, chaired a question and answer debate between a panel of government ministers and 80 young people.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21609 |title=PM tells young people climate deal is achievable |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[10 Downing Street|Number 10]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/gc/question_time/ |title=Question Time for young people |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Oxfam]]}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8841466 |title=Gordon Brown answers young people's questions on climate change |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/copenhagen+protesters+march+through+city/3460042 |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Channel 4 News]] | location=London}}</ref> The panel included former Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], Former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change [[Ed Miliband]] and Former Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Baroness [[Glenys Kinnock]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2009/december/gordon-brown-answers-young-peoples-questions-on-climate-change51030.html |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Natural History Museum]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/latestnews/view/111232/Climate-change-greatest-challenge-/ |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/144106/Climate-change-greatest-challenge- |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[Daily Express]] | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/climate-change-is-our-greatest-challenge-says-brown-1.989818 |title=Climate change 'greatest challenge' |date=4 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Herald Scotland]] | location=Glasgow}}</ref>
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=== 2010 ===
=== 2010 ===
On 12 January 2010, following the Climate negotiations in the preceding month, over 150 young people came together to explore ways in which young people can join the fight against climate change, in an event organised by the [[UK Youth Parliament]]. The event was supported by the UK Youth Climate Coalition and coalition partners [[Oxfam]], [[Plan_(aid_organisation)|Plan UK]] and [[UNICEF]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/newsroom_site/pages/news/2010/climate_revolution_120110.html |title=‘Climate Revolution’ as young people fight climate change |date=12 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[UK Youth Parliament]]}}</ref>
On 12 January 2010, over 150 young people came together to explore ways in which young people can join the fight against climate change, in an event organised by the [[UK Youth Parliament]]. The event was supported by the UK Youth Climate Coalition and coalition partners [[Oxfam]], [[Plan_(aid_organisation)|Plan UK]] and [[UNICEF]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/newsroom_site/pages/news/2010/climate_revolution_120110.html |title=‘Climate Revolution’ as young people fight climate change |date=12 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[UK Youth Parliament]]}}</ref>


A month later, the [[Department for Energy and Climate Change]] launched a Youth Advisory Panel, including representatives from the UKYCC. It is reported that this followed 12 months of campaigning, led by the UK Youth Climate Coalition and their coalition partners [[People & Planet]] and [[Plan (aid organisation)|Plan UK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukycc.org/2010/01/ed-wants-you-to-join-his-team/ |title=Ed wants you to join his team! |date=13 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=UK Climate Coalition}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://peopleandplanet.org/navid9437 |title=People & Planet joins DECC's pilot Youth Advisory Panel on Climate Change |date=15 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[People & Planet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plan-uk.org/involved/YAP/news/DECCyouthboard/ |title=Government department pilots YAP equivalent |date=15 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[Plan (aid organisation)|Plan UK]]}}</ref>
A month later, the [[Department for Energy and Climate Change]] launched a Youth Advisory Panel, including representatives from the UKYCC. It is reported that this followed a proposal suggested by the UK Youth Climate Coalition and their coalition partners [[People & Planet]] and [[Plan (aid organisation)|Plan UK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukycc.org/2010/01/ed-wants-you-to-join-his-team/ |title=Ed wants you to join his team! |date=13 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=UK Climate Coalition}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://peopleandplanet.org/navid9437 |title=People & Planet joins DECC's pilot Youth Advisory Panel on Climate Change |date=15 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[People & Planet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plan-uk.org/involved/YAP/news/DECCyouthboard/ |title=Government department pilots YAP equivalent |date=15 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[Plan (aid organisation)|Plan UK]]}}</ref>


In April, the UKYCC launched a viral video campaign called "Shake your money maker" to raise awareness of [[ethical banking]] amongst their supporters. The campaign ran with the slogan, "It might not come with a free popcorn machine, but an ethical bank account will sow the seeds for a cleaner, brighter future." The organisation estimated that if each of their 2,000 supporters had £500 in their account and they were all to switch to an ethical bank, this would total £1 million pounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otesha.org.uk/1364/newsletter-archives/may-2010.html |title=May 2010 Newsletter |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=The Otesha Project UK}}</ref>
In April, the UKYCC launched a viral video campaign called "Shake your money maker" to raise awareness of [[ethical banking]] amongst their supporters. The campaign ran with the slogan, "It might not come with a free popcorn machine, but an ethical bank account will sow the seeds for a cleaner, brighter future." The organisation estimated that if each of their 2,000 supporters had £500 in their account and they were all to switch to an ethical bank, this would total £1 million pounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otesha.org.uk/1364/newsletter-archives/may-2010.html |title=May 2010 Newsletter |accessdate=2010-05-27 |publisher=The Otesha Project UK}}</ref>
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Prior to the May [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|General Elections]], the UKYCC supported the [[British Youth Council]] Manifesto and the Vote Global campaign which intended to raise awareness of key issues during the election campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.byc.org.uk/Manifesto-Supporters |title=Manifesto Supporters |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[British Youth Council]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voteglobal.org.uk/list-signatories/ |title=Endorsing organisations |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=Vote Global}}</ref>
Prior to the May [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|General Elections]], the UKYCC supported the [[British Youth Council]] Manifesto and the Vote Global campaign which intended to raise awareness of key issues during the election campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.byc.org.uk/Manifesto-Supporters |title=Manifesto Supporters |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=[[British Youth Council]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voteglobal.org.uk/list-signatories/ |title=Endorsing organisations |accessdate=2010-05-29 |publisher=Vote Global}}</ref>


Following the general election and to coincide with the formal opening of Parliament and the [[Queen's Speech]] on Tuesday 25 May, the UKYCC also launched a project called "Adopt an MP". The scheme intends to see 650 Members of Parliament in the UK "adopted" by a young person in their constituency, in an attempt to keep climate change at the top of their agenda.<ref name="adoptanmp"/>
Following the general election and to coincide with the formal opening of Parliament and the [[Queen's Speech]] on Tuesday 25 May, the UKYCC also launched a project called "Adopt an MP". The scheme intended to see 650 Members of Parliament in the UK "adopted" by a young person in their constituency, who would communicate the activities of their MP back to their communities.<ref name="adoptanmp"/>

=== 2011 ===
At the start of 2011, the UK Youth Climate Coalition began providing training and resources to young people across Europe to enable them to organise Power Shift conferences. Alongside this event, the organisation co-ordinated a campaign, called "Push Europe" to encourage the [[European Union]] to commit to higher emission reduction targets. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://powershifteurope.eu/what/ |title=What is Power Shift Europe? |accessdate=2011-12-11 |publisher=Power Shift Europe}}</ref>

A delegation of 13 young people also attended the climate negotiations in [[Durban]], [[South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=htttp://www.trust.org/alertnet/blogs/climate-conversations/getting-young-people-heard-at-un-climate-talks |title=Climate Conversations - Getting young people heard at U.N. climate talks |date=8 December 2011 |accessdate=2011-12-11 |publisher=Trust}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/9385515.Matt_and_Cat_head_off_to_UN_climate_talks/ |title=Matt and Cat head off to UN climate talks |date=27 November 2011 |accessdate=2011-12-11 |publisher=Malvern Gazette}</ref>


== Reception ==
== Reception ==

Revision as of 15:33, 14 December 2011

UK Youth Climate Coalition
AbbreviationUKYCC
FormationJune 2008[1]
TypeNon-profit company limited by guarantee[2]
PurposeYouth representation
HeadquartersLondon
Region served
 United Kingdom
Official language
English
Co-Directors
Jake Leeper,[3] Hannah Smith[4]
Key people
Casper ter Kuile and Emma Biermann, Co-Founders[5]
AffiliationsActionAid, Amnesty International, British Youth Council, Diana Awards, Envision, Friends of the Earth, Liberal Youth, LJY Netzer, Made in Europe, Medsin, National Union of Students, Otesha Project, Oxfam, People & Planet, RSPB, Scottish Youth Parliament, Stop Climate Chaos, Unicef, The Woodcraft Folk, Young Scot[6]
Staff
0[4]
Volunteers
20[4]
WebsiteUKYCC.org

The UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC) is a grass-roots, non-profit youth organisation in the United Kingdom.[7][8] The organisation is run entirely by unpaid volunteers, who are all under the ages of 25.[4]

Formed in 2008, the mission of the organisation is to inspire, empower and mobilise a coalition of UK youth organisations and young people to take positive action on climate change.[9][10] To achieve their aims and objectives, the organisation provides training to young people on public narration whilst coordinating a series of projects, campaigns and events each year, including youth delegations to the United Nations Climate Negotiations.[5]

The organisation is supported by a coalition of non-governmental organisations.[6]

Organisation

Formation

In June 2008, the United Kingdom ambassadors to the World Wide Fund for Nature's Voyage for the Future programme, Emma Biermann and Casper ter Kuile, returned from the Arctic to found the UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC) after being inspired by young people undertaking similar projects across the world, such as the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and the Energy Action Coalition in the United States.[10][11]

By bringing together a number of youth organisations and a coalition of non-governmental organisations, the co-founders intended to unite the work of their partners.[5] Following on from this, the co-founders formed a coordinating team who worked on a number of projects, campaigns and events over the duration of the next year.

Aims and objectives

The mission of the organisation is to inspire, empower and mobilise young people to take positive action on climate change. To achieve their aims and objectives, the organisation provides training to young people on public narative, using the techniques developed by Marshall Ganz who was part of the U.S. President Barack Obama's election campaign, whilst coordinating a series of projects and events each year, including sending a youth delegations to the United Nations Climate Negotiations.

The UKYCC places strong emphasis on the need for its messaging to be positive and relevant, reflected through projects such as the "How old will you be in 2050?" awareness campaign launched by the International Youth Movement in 2009 and the "Get Gordon Some Vision" fundraising campaign which ran in early 2009. Ben West, former Communications Coordinator for the organisation, called for environmental groups to communicate their aims more effectively and become more innovative in their approach.[12]

Similarly, the organisation aims to bring together a number of diverse youth organisations, both national, regional and local, to work alongside youth led organisations and other coalition partners to fulfil their goals. [5]

Governance

The UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC) is run by a team of young volunteers under the ages of 25.[13] The organisation itself is a registered private company limited by guarantee, with no share capital, which means it is run for non-profit purposes.[14] The daily activities are managed by two co-directors, who supported by eight coordinators who are in turn supported by a team of appointed volunteers.[5] The volunteers are supported by an Advisory Board, who advise on issues relating to finance, legal issues and communications.[4]

The UKYCC is supported by a coalition of non-governmental organisations. As of 2011, the coalition includes ActionAid, Amnesty International, British Youth Council, Diana Awards, Envision, Friends of the Earth, Liberal Youth, LJY Netzer, Made in Europe, Medsin, National Union of Students, Otesha Project, Oxfam, People & Planet, RSPB, Scottish Youth Parliament, Stop Climate Chaos, Unicef, The Woodcraft Folk and Young Scot.[6]

Alongside the coalition partners, the UKYCC boasts a membership of over 2,250 young people.[3] The organisation is open to any young person to join, in addition to their coalition which is open to any organisation.[4][6]

Internationally, the coalition affiliates to the Youth Climate Movement, with sister organisations in America, Australia, Canada, China and India.[13] The UKYCC has also formed a partnership with the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change - Kenyan Chapter, with whom they share resources, experience and training.[5][15] In 2009, the UKYCC committed to raising over £11,000 for their partner organisation.[16]

Funding

The UKYCC advertises that its core funding comes mainly by donations from its supporters.[13] Projects undertaken by the volunteers have previously been funded by foundation grant applications, such as the Youth Funding Network, and in-kind support.[17][18][19] For example, Seventeen Events provided pro-bono support to the volunteers to ensure their Powershift event was sustainable.[20]

Activities

2008

In 2008, the UK Youth Climate Coalition undertook a number of activities. Some of their projects included:

  • In December, the UKYCC participated in the National Climate March organised by the Campaign against Climate Change, with a campaign called "Our time is now" to raise awareness of climate change amongst young people.[21]
  • The same year, the volunteers organised a youth delegation to the 2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference in partnership with the Otesha Project.[22] At the event, the delegation coordinated the 'Call Gordon' project, a viral telephone campaign asking the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown to pursue a tougher agreement on climate change at the talks.
  • The UKYCC also began supporting the Green Finger Project, an online viral campaign that aims to show how climate change affects everyone.[23] The project was initially the idea of Step it Up 2007, founded by Bill McKibben who went on to establish 350.org.

2009

The UKYCC worked with the International Youth Movement, in particular the European Youth Climate Movement to contribute to the "How old will you be in 2050?" campaign, launched at the United Nations Climate negotiations taking place in Bonn, Germany. [5] The slogan has been used by an array of organisations since then and was also the focus for the International Youth "Young and Future Generations Day" in December 2009.[24] The campaign seeks to emphasise the need to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 on 1990 levels, as young people will be the ones to inherit this world and decisions made today will have a direct impact on their lives in 40 years time.

From 9-12 October 2009, the organisation organised an event called Power Shift, which was held at the Institute of Education in London.[17] Modelled on a similar event to one organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and carrying the same name as the Energy Action Coalition event in the USA, the event was designed to provide training to young people on how to take action on climate change and also provide them with support to undertake their own initiatives within their local communities[25] The training was based on the techniques developed by Marshall Ganz, a civil rights activist who is credited with devising the grassroots organising model and public narrative training for the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign.[26][27]

Three days before the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Kirsty Schneeberger, one of the 2009 Coordinators for the UKYCC, chaired a question and answer debate between a panel of government ministers and 80 young people.[28][29][30][31] The panel included former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband and Former Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Baroness Glenys Kinnock.[32][33][34][35]

A day later, members of the UK Youth Climate Coalition participated in the Wave, organised by coalition partner Stop Climate Chaos.[36] It is estimated that between 40,000-50,000 individuals attended the march in London, in addition to over 7,000 participants in Glasgow.[37][38]

Similarly to previous years, the organisation sent a second youth delegation to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference.[7] In preparation for the talks in Copenhagen, the Youth Delegation met negotiators from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.[39] Darran Martin, one of the youth delegates, was reported to have cycled from the United Kingdom to Copenhagen, Denmark.[40][41][42][43] Prior to and whilst in Copenhagen, the youth delegation recorded a series of documentaries, with the goal of providing inspiring stories directly to young people within the UK.[44][45][46]

Mid-way through the Climate negotiations in December, the UKYCC also organised a Day of Action as the UK Delivery partner for the Global Campaign for Climate Action, also recognised as "TckTckTck". Alongside 1,600 actions taking place around the world, the UKYCC organised a flash dance outside the Houses of Parliament and projected an image onto the House of Commons, with the slogan, "the World wants a real deal".[5][47][48] The day of action was designed to call on world leaders to create and agree on a fair, ambitious and legally binding deal as the outcome of the Climate negotiations that month.[49]

2010

On 12 January 2010, over 150 young people came together to explore ways in which young people can join the fight against climate change, in an event organised by the UK Youth Parliament. The event was supported by the UK Youth Climate Coalition and coalition partners Oxfam, Plan UK and UNICEF. [50]

A month later, the Department for Energy and Climate Change launched a Youth Advisory Panel, including representatives from the UKYCC. It is reported that this followed a proposal suggested by the UK Youth Climate Coalition and their coalition partners People & Planet and Plan UK.[51][52][53]

In April, the UKYCC launched a viral video campaign called "Shake your money maker" to raise awareness of ethical banking amongst their supporters. The campaign ran with the slogan, "It might not come with a free popcorn machine, but an ethical bank account will sow the seeds for a cleaner, brighter future." The organisation estimated that if each of their 2,000 supporters had £500 in their account and they were all to switch to an ethical bank, this would total £1 million pounds.[54]

Prior to the May General Elections, the UKYCC supported the British Youth Council Manifesto and the Vote Global campaign which intended to raise awareness of key issues during the election campaign.[55][56]

Following the general election and to coincide with the formal opening of Parliament and the Queen's Speech on Tuesday 25 May, the UKYCC also launched a project called "Adopt an MP". The scheme intended to see 650 Members of Parliament in the UK "adopted" by a young person in their constituency, who would communicate the activities of their MP back to their communities.[3]

2011

At the start of 2011, the UK Youth Climate Coalition began providing training and resources to young people across Europe to enable them to organise Power Shift conferences. Alongside this event, the organisation co-ordinated a campaign, called "Push Europe" to encourage the European Union to commit to higher emission reduction targets. [57]

A delegation of 13 young people also attended the climate negotiations in Durban, South Africa.[58][59]

Reception

In 2009, following the UK Youth Climate Coalition's Powershift conference and activities on 350.org's International Day of Action, Casper ter Kuile, co-founder of the organisation, was awarded Climate Community Citizen of the Week Award by the Climate Community.[60]

In 2010, Kirsty Schneeberger, former Coordinator with the UK Youth Climate Coalition, was awarded an MBE for her work with the organisation. [61] In the same year, 6 volunteers with the organisation were featured in The Guardian's list of youth climate leaders.[62]

In 2011, Ellie Hopkins, former Co-Director of the UK Youth Climate Coalition, received the 'the Most Inspirational Young Person' award from Climate Week.[63]

Although the UKYCC has not formally won any awards, the organisation was recognised by Seventeen Events, one of the judges of the MediaGuardian Innovation Awards, for their ability to use the internet to communicate, network and organise.[64]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Who are we?". Our Time is Now. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  2. ^ "UK Youth Climate Coalition". Taking IT Global. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "Young climate campaigners adopt an MP". London: The Guardian. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "The Team". UK Youth Climate Coalition. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "UK Youth Climate Coalition Annual Review 2009" (PDF). UK Youth Climate Coalition. Retrieved 29 May 2010. [dead link]
  6. ^ a b c d "The Coalition". UK Youth Climate Coalition. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  7. ^ a b "Profile: Guppi Bola". Lancet Student. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  8. ^ "The consequences of tomorrow, today". Department of Energy and Climate Change. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Bristol teenager takes Britain's green message to climate conference". Bristol Evening Post. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
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  11. ^ "Speakers". Oxford Climate Forum. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
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  17. ^ a b "Power Shift". UK Youth Climate Coalition. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  18. ^ "Nov 25 event raised over £6,000!". The Youth Funding Network. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  19. ^ "Youth groups bending the ear of business at COP15". Reuters. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010. [dead link]
  20. ^ "Doing it for the kids - Power Shift 09". Event Magazine. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  21. ^ "National Climate March 2008". Campaign against Climate Change. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
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  23. ^ "About GreenFinger". My Green Finger. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
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  25. ^ "Power Shift: Global youth climate movement comes of age". London: The Guardian. 20 February 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  26. ^ Martelle, Scott (15 June 2008). "Famed organizer sees history in the making". LA Times. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  27. ^ "Shake your booty in Big Ben's shadow – teenagers dance to save the planet". London: The Guardian. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
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  32. ^ . London: Natural History Museum. 4 December 2009 http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2009/december/gordon-brown-answers-young-peoples-questions-on-climate-change51030.html. Retrieved 27 May 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ^ "Climate change 'greatest challenge'". London: Daily Star. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  34. ^ "Climate change 'greatest challenge'". London: Daily Express. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  35. ^ "Climate change 'greatest challenge'". Glasgow: Herald Scotland. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  36. ^ "The Wave floods into London in show of rising clamour for climate action in Copenhagen". Journalism.co.uk. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  37. ^ "50,000 fill London's streets for The Wave ahead of Copenhagen". Airport Watch. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  38. ^ "Climate change protests ahead of Copenhagen summit". BBC News. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  39. ^ "UK Youth Climate Coalition meet DECC negotiators". Department of Energy and Climate Change. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  40. ^ "How to travel to Copenhagen without a massive carbon footprint". London: The Guardian. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  41. ^ "Green warrior off to Copenhagen climate change summit". Hounslow Guardian. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  42. ^ "Liverpool University graduate is cycling to help save planet". Liverpool Echo. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  43. ^ "Climate campaigners blast council's decision". This is Derbyshire. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  44. ^ "We're Not Done Yet". Yes Magazine. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
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  46. ^ "UKYCC Films". Northern Ireland Environmental Link. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  47. ^ "Flashdance in Parliament Square". Indy Media. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  48. ^ "Glow-in-the-dark dancers demand climate justice". UK Youth Climate Coalition. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  49. ^ "Join the Youth Climate Coalition in a worldwide call for a Real Deal at Copenhagen!". Greenpeace. 2009-12-1-. Retrieved 2010-05-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  50. ^ "'Climate Revolution' as young people fight climate change". UK Youth Parliament. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  51. ^ "Ed wants you to join his team!". UK Climate Coalition. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010. [dead link]
  52. ^ "People & Planet joins DECC's pilot Youth Advisory Panel on Climate Change". People & Planet. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  53. ^ "Government department pilots YAP equivalent". Plan UK. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  54. ^ "May 2010 Newsletter". The Otesha Project UK. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  55. ^ "Manifesto Supporters". British Youth Council. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  56. ^ "Endorsing organisations". Vote Global. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  57. ^ "What is Power Shift Europe?". Power Shift Europe. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  58. ^ [htttp://www.trust.org/alertnet/blogs/climate-conversations/getting-young-people-heard-at-un-climate-talks "Climate Conversations - Getting young people heard at U.N. climate talks"]. Trust. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  59. ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/9385515.Matt_and_Cat_head_off_to_UN_climate_talks/ |title=Matt and Cat head off to UN climate talks |date=27 November 2011 |accessdate=2011-12-11 |publisher=Malvern Gazette}
  60. ^ "Climate Community Citizen of the Week Award – Casper ter Kuile". Climate Community. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  61. ^ "Order of the British Empire". Debretts. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  62. ^ "Meet the youth climate leaders". The Guardian. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  63. ^ "Most Inspirational Young Person". Climate Week. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  64. ^ "Green Living: Keeping in touch". The Wharf. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
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