Young Jamaican among Caribbean's climate champs

Our Habitat

Sunday, September 05, 2010

SHASHION Thomas, a young Jamaican, has been selected as one of the region's 10 Climate Change Champions.

Thomas, advisor in the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), is one of four young Jamaicans selected in recognition of her contribution to youth and climate change advocacy programming with the CYEN.

The British Council's Climate Change Champions scheme selects youth leaders, aged 16 to 35 years old, from around the world who share an interest in finding sustainable solutions to tackle climate change.

"Time is the essence of life, and time is against us, therefore we must act today to ensure tomorrow. We can't control time, but we can control climate change, even through the simple things we do," Thomas said in a release to the media.

She added that she is looking forward to the climate champion's first training workshop to be held in Kingston, Jamaica, from September 17 to 19.

The Caribbean Climate Champions will have access to training and information to develop the debate in their communities and implement projects that help people adapt to and mitigate against climate change. The 1,300-strong global network of young enthusiasts will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, contacts and resources.

Climate champions may also seek financial support for their project and exposure to national and international events, among them the United Nations Conference of Parties 16 (COP16) meeting in Mexico. The British Council and Panos Caribbean are working in collaboration to execute the climate champion programme in the region.

Thomas' work in the climate change field started in 2009 when she participated in the COP15 meeting in Denmark. Since then, she has been involved with projects related to the environment and climate change.

CYEN is the largest and most vibrant youth environmental network in the Caribbean and spans over 17 territories. The organisation holds a distinguished track record of youth-led environmental and sustainable development advocacy. For the past five years, CYEN has focused on the issues of climate change as well as the promotion of sustainable livelihoods through the education of young Caribbean people.

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Young Jamaican among Caribbean's climate champs