ANNA'S CLIMATE CHANGE DIARY
DECEMBER 2009
Tuesday 1st December - Roy Noble Radio Wales Interview
After a pretty average day in school, I made my way down to the BBC studios in Llandaff (literally just down the road) for an interview on the Roy Noble show. It was a new experience for me... being propperly awake for a radio interview! I was in a different studio to the last two interviews I've had, which was quite nice. I was made to feel very at home by the people working there... they were lovley! I had a chat to one of them for a bit before the interview, so she could get some key things that me and Roy could talk about. Also, Tom Rugg (a teacher who not only has been to the artic to see polar bears face to face, writes songs and has written one called Bjorn the Poler Bear ... very cool guy!) ... he had had an interview previously.
The actual recording studio was quite different from the one I went in before too... I think it was a bit bigger. It even had a little window! Oh, and a piano which I thought was pretty cool. This was by far the longest interview I've had, but I loved it. It really dosen't feel like you are on the radio; you honestly could just be sitting in a living room having a cup of tea and a casual chat. Okay, well it would be a bit of a funny looking living room and I don't know many people who sit around and talk with headphones on but you get the point.
I was asked about how I became a champion, what it's meant this year, if I had made a difference and a few tips on how to be eco friendly. Afterwards, we went back into the studio while a song was playing to get a piccy. What a great afternoon!
NOVEMBER 2009
Wednesday 25th November - South Wales Echo Community Champion Awards Ceremony
This year, not only have I been lucky enough to be a champion, but I was nominated for the South Wales Echo Green Community Champion Award. A couple of weeks ago I had a quick photoshoot/interwiew for this too. It was quite a big do ... with, I would say, over 200 people there ('there' being the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel). And among them was Greg Prichard and Shaheen Jafagoli from Britain's Got Talent! Cool huh?! Greg peformed quite a few songs but, bless him, he had man flu. I thought he did remarkably well considering. I'm actually not a big fan of 'formal doos' so to speak, but this was alright. We (me, my mum and my dad) all had a three course meal there.
For the awards, there were quite a few catogories and in each there were three people nominated. I didn't get the award, but I am dead chuffed that I was even nominated. I think I would have actually fainted if I had had to go up and accept the award in front of all those people!! There were some amazing people there and the whole point of the day was to recognise people who make the community what it is, but don't always get recognition for it. Really great idea I think!
You can see some more pictures (not great I'm afraid) in my gallery section.
OCTOBER 2009
Monday 12th October - Good Morning Wales Radio Interview
I was up bright and breezy this morning at 6:00am to be at the BBC studios in Llandaff at 6:40… early start I know! This, being my second radio interview, wasn’t as nervous for and 
I sort of knew what to expect.
It was quite nice this time as the lady interviewing me was actually there… not just a ‘voice in my head’ so to speak. I loved it. I love radio…!
If you would like to here the interview, you can find it here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8302049.stm
SEPTEMBER 2009
Monday 28th September - Day at a School in Pontypridd
I couldn’t think of what to call today, but it was an event held at a school in Pontypridd… in the morning there were a couple of talks (one of which was me), a question and answer session (which I facilitated) and in the afternoon there were some workshops.
The morning was really interesting… there were about four speakers, each with something to say. I did a presentation on my year so far and how to enter the competition for next year. One speakers that really stuck in my mind was Phil Williams… he visits the Amazon a lot and had numerous stories to tell. One of the things he showed was a picture of the forest, then a picture of the same place taken a few weeks later and all the forest was gone. It was so shocking it actually made me gasp!
After the talks, the people that have given them formed a panel that the audience could talk to. It was quite interesting, and a lot of practical questions were asked (and answered!). A man from Uganda (Sam) talked a little bit too, and it was amazing to hear his side of the story about climate change and where he lives.
After lunch (which was delicious, by the way!) there were workshops. I didn’t go to one, but I helped out at the WAG one on the new climate change strategy. It was good to see everyone getting involved.
Overall, I really enjoyed today, and thought it was really worthwile.
Sunday 27th September - Community Event, Porthcawl
Today was not unlike the Community Climate Exchange that I went to at the beginning of the year.
We were set up in this big room with lots of stalls and in one corner (‘speaker’s corner’) where a few presentations (including one from me and one from Cerith) were given.
It was so relaxed and was altogether a very pleasant day. Not many people where there to hear my talk, but I didn’t mind at all!
Me, Cerith and Andy were on a WAG stall with lots on info on climate change and promotions for the competition this year.
At lunch, as it was a lovely day, Me and Cerith walked round along the seafront and got some chips (mmm….!) and on the way back got an ice-cream each! All together, a great day!
Tuesday 1st September - Meeting
Today I went to a meeting about the Climate Change Strategy for Wales… its where lots of people (quite a few from the commissioner meeting I went to before) went to discuss the plans for Wales’ future. It was a little bit on the boring side if I am absolutely honest, but it was interesting in another way to see how these things work… the side of things you don’t normally get to see.
AUGUST 2009
Tuesday 11 August - BBC Radio Interview
I got a call from Dan from working word yesterday and said I had an interview early this morning… I had to be at the BBC studios in Llandaff at 7am!
I hadn’t done a radio interview before, let alone a live one, so I was quite nervous. I was being interviewed with one of the champions from last year, and he was doing it from over the phone.
Also, the guy interviewing us wasn’t there, so it was like talking to two voices in my head! I really enjoyed it… the piece lasted about 4 minutes!
Wednesday 19 August - Eco Home Centre Photoshoot
Today, I went to the eco home centre in Canton for a photo shoot. The place was like a shop, but also was displaying lots of different things (eco things of course) for the home. I especially liked the eco-friendly paints!
I had pictures taken with some special bricks then peeking through a gap on part or a house… slightly uncomfortable! But it was very funny!
The guy that works there was really enthusiastic about what he was doing, and he knew a lot about eco homes; it was really interesting. Here’s the web address:
I've got some more pictures in my gallery section. Check them out and then maybe go and visit the shop at:
Eco Home Centre
16 Wyndham Crescent
Canton
Cardiff
CF11 9EH
JULY 2009
Tuesday 7th - Allotment Photoshoot
Today I went down to the allotments in Llandaff for a photoshoot. It was to promote water saving in gardening and was great fun! We went to one lady’s allotment and had the whole shoot there. The allotment was really big! It had sooooo much veg growing, and we were lucky enough to sample some fresh peas ... mmmm ...
Wednesday 1st - Countdown to Copenhagen
Today was a conference called 'Countdown to Copenhagen' and it was a chance for a load of young people to learn more about climate change and about the upcoming summit in Copenhagen. They could also leave messages for the minister to take out to get the viewpoints of the youth in Wales. They could do this by either writing on a graffiti wall or leaving a video message (like the ones we filmed in St David’s). In the morning a lot of different people gave speeches and in the afternoon there were a load of different workshops to go to
It was a really great day! I did a speech just before lunch, although I didn’t think this was the greatest time as everyone was dying for lunch! But it seemed to go well ... I only lost my way a couple of times. Also, there were over 380 people there! Great, but I was pretty scared doing my speech!!
I think the whole day went down really well ... the graffiti walls were absolutely covered in messages (although not all of them were sensible ...!) and everyone seemed to enjoy there day. The speakers were fantastic! The most memorable for me has to be Ben Saunders the polar explorer. He was absolutely fascinating and I honestly could have listened to him talk all day! If you would like to find out more, his website is really good: www.bensaunders.com
JUNE 2009
Thursday 25th - Prom
As I'm in year 11 and have just finished my GCSE's it can only mean one thing ... prom! Although, I thought I would be different and try and be a bit more eco-friendly. My prom dress I bought from a vintage shop; so therefore it's better for the environment as its sort-of second hand, and also I have found vintage clothes seem to be better quality and it will last for ages too. I highly recommend vintage shopping as not only is it very fun, eco-friendly and can be a bit cheaper, it is also a way to look just a little bit different from everyone else.
Also, when my friends were getting a limo and people were thinking of the most interesting ways to arrive at prom (like on private bus, a fire engine ... etc.) I thought I would be eco-friendly and also make a stand for public transport and come on the train. It was great, but I did get some funny looks!!
And all my work seemed to have paid off. At the prom, there was a ‘Bishop of Llandaff Oscar's ceremony' where various people got awards. There were about 20 going (out of a year group of 180) and I got one… ‘The think green/ act green Oscar'!! Isn't that pretty cool!
Friday 19th to Sunday 21st - Sixth Month Catch-up at St Davids
Friday 19th
I was picked up from Queen's Street station in Cardiff at around 3pm. We then drove to St David's and on the way picked up Dafydd and Cerith. The journey was quite long, but it was aright! We stopped in a lay-by at the first sign of the sea; it was beautiful!
When we got there, Ffion was already there, but I found out that Charlie and Jordan couldn't make the weekend. Jordan was doing something with the scouts and Charlie was at some conference, I think. We unpacked and had a bit of a look round, then walked down to a restaurant in the ‘city centre'. The meal was lovely, but I had a really bad headache! Typical! We walked back, and went pretty much straight to bed – we were all shattered.
Oh, and the place we were staying was lovely. It's an old converted windmill and its eco friendly. It's beautiful too!
Saturday 20th
Woke up at a quite nice time, had a shower and went down to breakfast. After that, we went into one of the rooms that were obviously one from the original windmill tower – it was totally round! Steve, Andy and Hannah went over what we had all done in the year so far; what had gone really well, what hasn't, what we felt was the most successful ... etc. It was really helpful, and I was surprised at how much we have collectively done already! We then talked about the Countdown to Copenhagen that's happening next Wednesday in Swansea ... it's a change for young people to learn more about climate change and how to help and it's also a chance to film/write a message to be taken t Copenhagen in December. It's going to be good! We wrote out some questions we are going to ask the people there and we also roughly scripted some video messages. We had a quick break, then moved outside (it was gorgeous weather) to talk about our action plans, which each of us had written at the beginning of this year. I seemed to be on target with mine, which is good! Each of us this year has a budget which we can do what we like (within reason) with. It's for our 'big project' that we will do… for example; last year's champions put all their money together and released a single on climate change (called carbon solider). We each have very different ideas about what we want to do. I myself am going to try and write a fictional children's book with the theme of climate change and hopefully get it published. Watch this space...
We then had a light lunch (very yummy) and went for a walk along the coast. It was lovely and we stopped off to film our messages. We only got half way through and had to go as we were meeting with Andy Middleton, the founder of TYF. He gave us a talk and I have no idea how long it went on… it was fascinating. The way he talks is amazing; it's a bit like storytelling, but not. I seriously could have sat and listened for hours. He was very inspirational too and really made an impact on me.
After that, we went any played Frisbee at White Sands for a while. Then we finally filmed our messages. They should be good (fingers crossed!).
Dinner was at a lovely Italian place called the bench. If you're ever in St David's I recommend you stop of there and sample the ice cream ... mmmm ...
In the evening, after we had got back, we watched the 'Age of Stupid' which was as hard hitting as the first time I saw it, but I was so tired I was nearly falling asleep!!
Oh, and I got sun burnt!
Sunday 21st
We left after breakfast today, and the journey took a similar amount of time as it did coming up. But I was just so shattered after what had been a brilliant weekend!
Thursday 18th - ITV Wales interview
Today, a presenter from ITV Wales and a camera man came over to interview me to get my views on climate change, in particular water/flooding as today was the launch of a new agenda. I was first filmed looking at my blank computer screen (strange, I know), then interviewed in my conservatory.
I gave a really concise but perhaps a little short answer to the question, so it was filmed again, with me elaborating a little bit. It was great fun, and both of them were so lovely! It was a pleasure to work with them. The only down side was that the story was cut and it wasn't shown, but I honestly didn't mind much as I just loved the experience!
MAY 2009
Friday 22nd - Monday 25th May - Brecon camp
This weekend I went camping with my church to Brecon. It's a camp held bi-annually and its great fun. This year was a little bit different though. I was going to get baptised. This is a bit like being christened, but in my church we do it when we are adult (or old enough to make up your own mind).
Usually a baptism is held in a baptistery in a church, but I figured out that the water used and the energy to heat that water would not be eco friendly. So I decided to do it in a river! The River Usk to be precise.
So, on the Saturday, my dad baptised me there. I have to say the water was absolutely freezing!! But I made a stand not only for my faith, but for Climate Change.
Thursday 14th - Climate Change Commission meeting
Today, Dafydd and I went to the Climate Change Commission meeting. Over the year all the Champions are going to attend this, and we were the first! The meeting consists of about 25 people such as Jane Davidson, MPs, and other people big in making new laws and things about climate change. I have to admit, it was a bit daunting as everyone looked very important! The meeting itself I found, I have to say, a bit dull and quite hard to keep up with. I think this may be because I didn't have much of an idea what was going on. There were bits that were interesting, and you could defiantly spot the 'people persons' from a mile off!
Dafydd and I gave a short presentation about what we have been doing over the year so far. It went down really well and I think it could well have been the highlight of the meeting.
I found today, that although making laws and the political side of things are extremely important and go hand in hand with the media side of things, I don't think it's something I would like to go into in the future. I find it a bit dull and much prefers actually being out there and doing something, instead of just talking about it. And I felt that although the people at this meeting were obviously very good at their jobs and talented in their own area, I don't think they are the ones to 'take the message to the people'. This needs to be done by people who are trained in media as I think the public could relate to them much easier.
This was certainly an eye opener to just how much work goes on behind the scenes ...
MARCH 2009
Wednesday 25th - Eco-Schools Award Ceremony
Today I went to the Eco-Schools Award Ceremony, where schools, both primary and secondary, from all around Wales that have made an effort to be more eco-friendly, come and are recognised for their achievements. Dafydd went too. It was in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which I hadn't been to before! In the morning, there were some activities; I took part in some willow weaving which was great fun. I made a star! I did look a bit of an idiot carrying it around all day though (see my gallery page)… ah well! There was then a question/answer session for the secondary pupils (about 11 of them!). 
Jane Davidson was answering the questions, and Dafydd and I sat at the front with her. We then had a very brief tour of the stadium, and after that went for a short section of the award ceremony which Jane Davidson did. Then we had a break for lunch, which was really yummy!
After lunch was the main award ceremony. It started off with Hay-on-Wye primary school singing a few songs about climate change. They were so good, and really sweet! After a couple more things, Dafydd and I did a presentation. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't absolutely terrified! But it actually went really well. When we were up there, I didn't feel nervous at all, it was actually quite fun. We also presented the awards for the Climate Change Competition.
The event finished at about 2:30. It was really great, and I can now say that it's possible for me to talk to over 200 people and not pass out. Well… that's encouraging (!).
Sunday 15th (evening) - Age of Stupid
This evening I went with two of my friends and my dad to go see the new film 'Age of Stupid'. It's set in the future, with a man looking back on the present day and wondering why we didn't do anything to stop climate change while we still had the chance.
I didn't actually know this until we were there, but it was the live launch of the film all across the world, and we were linked up live to the main event in Lester Square. And, it was the biggest simultaneous launch ever. I think its going to be in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The film itself was absolutely amazing. It isn't the kind of film you would watch on a girl's night in, though. It's quite hard hitting. When it had finished, I was thinking 'I have to go do something RIGHT NOW!!' My friends really liked it too, and I don't think either of them had previously realised what a huge problem climate change is.
I would definitely recommend you go see it, it's fantastic.
For more information about the film check out the official website at: www.ageofstupid.net. For ideas about what you can do to support the film and the things it is trying to do, see their Spread the Word page and links.
Sunday 15th (morning) - "Less Tea Vicar" Photo Shoot
I got up at 6:30 this morning (yea... not my cup of tea!!) and traveled with my dad up to Merthyr Tydfil to do a photo shoot with a vicar. Sounds strange I know! Working Word (PR company) wanted to do a story entitled 'less tea vicar'; a play on the well known saying ‘more tea vicar' to promote water awareness, especially only boiling the kettle for what you need.
I had to go up to Merthyr because of a last minute cancellation, and Dafydd was kind enough to share his vicar.
The whole thing only took about half an hour and was great fun! It was so sunny though, I'm sure I'll be squinting in most of the pictures!
If you want to see some (amateur) pictures from the day have a look at the ones in my gallery section.
FEBRUARY 2009
Monday 16 to Thursday 19 February - Fact Finding Trip to Brussels
Monday 16th
Journey to Brussels
I was pretty nervous this morning, but also really excited. Mum and I caught the train from Radyr to Cardiff Central. We met up with Vi and Sian and got the Great Western train to Paddington. I really enjoyed the journey actually! It wasn't too long and I had a couple of good magazines! We then got the circle line from Paddington to St Pancras station which was beautiful! We met up with all the other Champions and their mums/dads and Amy (who was the other 'staff' member). We then all got on the Eurostar to Brussels. I hadn't been on it before, but was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit like going by aeroplane, but the views are much better. This journey also went really quickly!
We travelled from the station in Brussels to the metro, where we got a train to our Hotel. The metro was nothing like the underground here; all the stations were really clean and quite pretty! And something else… wherever we went there was always music playing. It was quite nice.
We were all staying on the 12th floor of the Thon hotel. It was lovely! And the view from our window was amazing… but not for someone with a fear of heights!
We had dinner at 7:30. It was an interesting meal… not something I would normally have. It consisted of some vegetarian thing in the middle with hundreds of mushrooms and some carrot mash. It was quite nice. Then for pudding we had chocolate moose. I was so full though that I couldn't finish it!
We were all absolutely shattered and went to bed at about 9:30 (oh, and by the way, Brussels is an hour ahead of our time.)
Tuesday 17th
Treasure hunt
We got up at 8:00 and had breakfast which was lovely but I was half asleep!
Our first activity of the day was a treasure hunt which had been organised by a company called Wildgoose. Now, this wasn't just your average treasure hunt (well, I doubt it..!). We were each split up into teams. I was with Cerith and his Dad, my Mum and Vi. Each team were given a pack which had a map, the question sheets, a camera and waterproof ponchos. We travelled via the metro to Bourse in the centre of the city. On our maps, the city had been divided up into six colour coded sections, each having a question sheet. It was great fun! Our team ended up missing out two whole sections as we simply didn't have enough time. The only down point was that it was raining and miserable. I had cunningly packed my kagoule, so it came to my horror when I went to get it out and it wasn't there!! Mum had taken in out as she 'thought I wouldn't need it'!!! I was NOT happy. And to add insult to injury I ended up wearing a plastic poncho. Which would have fitted the whole group in. And I'm not even joking! Saying that… after the initial shock and teasing from the group, it turned in to a bit of a joke and ended up adding a lot of humour to the treasure hunt. When we were nearing the end, Cerith and I bought a delicious waffle…mmmm… I very nearly got the giggles as Cerith was going 'oooo…. awww.. its hot… arrgghh…. its hot!!!' It was HILARIOUS!!! We ended up coming second overall, but we defiantly got the best pictures! And we all had such a laugh.
Tour and Taxis
This afternoon we went to the 'It's our Earth' expo at Tour and Taxis. It was a little bit like a cross between the Science Museum and the Tate Modern. Mum and I went round with Dafydd and his Mum for most of the time. There was a film crew from Mosquito (a welsh speaking program) following round Cerith and Ffion. The only problem is the rest of us had to wait for them when they were filming. So in the meantime, Dafydd and I went to look in this shop. There was this big apple in there which I thought I could pick up, and when I tried the stork just came out!! Dafydd found it hilarious that I had just broken it, but as there was CCTV I thought it was a good idea to put it back and walk swiftly away… There was so much to look at in the 'It's out Earth' I can't put it all down on paper, so to speak. But there was a lot about our earth (you don't say…!) and climate change as well as some really interesting pieces of art. We didn't have ages to look round, although I could have easily stayed all day!
We went straight from the Tour and Taxis to a renewable energy house. I have to admit, it was nothing like I expected. It wasn't really a house, but more a set of offices. We had a talk to start off, then a tour round the place. The majority of the things we saw were down in the basement; all the 'how it works' bits. There was a generator and biomass thing which was really interesting to see, but towards the end the tiredness set in and I wasn't sure how many more geothermal poles I could take!!
Falstaff
This evening, we ate dinner at the Falstaff restaurant which I think is quite well known here. I had a bit of a hard time choosing what to eat as I don't really think they know the meaning of 'Vegetarian' here! I ended up ordering onion soup with fries as a side salad. Doesn't sound too appetising, but it was delicious! I was sitting next to Charlie's dad who (like quite a few others) had ordered mussels. I haven't seen anyone eat them before, so I found it fascinating, and a bit gross!! A couple of the group ordered pudding, but I was just way too full!
We got to bed at about 10:00 and it was not a moment too soon!
Wednesday 18th
Electrawinds Evolis Site
Happy 16th birthday to me!!
We had a really early (6:30) start this morning, so Mum kindly got some breakfast for me to eat on the coach to the Electrawinds Evolis site. We had the coolest coach driver called Rudy who had a very impressive moustache. On the way, Sian gave me a birthday card signed from everyone! How nice is that?! Cerith's Dad had been really ill so he didn't come.
We had a quick talk when we got there about the company and what they were doing on the site. We were going to see a work-in-progress site where in June this year it will be a biomass plant. The talk was interesting, but I was dying for the loo and am sure could quite easily of exploded! So I don't remember the last bits of that talk…!! We got our coach to take us on the two minute drive to the plant. We all had to wear these blue plastic bag type things on our feet as it was so muddy! We also had to wear hard caps. The tour was absolutely fascinating! It really is a work-in-progress-site, but none the less was brilliant! It was amazing, having seen the plant on a diagram, to see it in real life, real size. It was a lot easier to get to grips with.
Duval Chocolate factory
We had about a half hour break, the coach came to take us to the chocolate factory. It was a lot smaller than I expected… it only has six people working there! But it was amazing! First off, the tour guide talked to us about how chocolate is made ad where it originates and stuff. Then he showed us how they make filled chocolates. When we had seen this, he asked for a volunteer to give it a go, and seeing as no one else wanted to, I volunteered. It was great fun! I had to wear a cap thing and an apron, and he showed me how to do it in the right way. He was saying 'make it look like donkey poop… think donkey poop' which really made me giggle!! After that, we all had a go at making our own chocolates. I was paired up with Dafydd and it was brilliant!
Dragons Dialogue
We then went to Wales house… the place where the Welsh assembly Government works in Brussels. Just the champions went into this board room with a group of all sorts of people ranging from the head of BP in Europe to a representative of Friends of the Earth youth. It was a bit scary it I'm honest! For example the lady chairing it said 'If you would like to ask a question, just ask for the floor'. Eeek!! 
Each of us introduced ourselves then they chatted about climate change issues. We then split up into groups to try and get an action plan for this year done. As I was sitting next to Cerith, I went in a group with him and this other guy. Luckily, Cerith and I knew what each other were going on about, but the guy we were working with just couldn't quite figure out what we meant!
After the meeting thing was over, the room was opened up and we had dinner, buffet style. We also mingled and chatted to people. Then this guy introduced everyone and Cerith spoke of behalf of all the Climate Change Champions. He was fantastic. His speech was really exceptional. After, we carried on talking to people, but I got trapped talking to this one lady who just wouldn't shut up! It would have been interesting, just not for 25 minutes! Thankfully my Mum came and saved me! Me, Ffion, Jordan and Dafydd sat outside for a bit just to chill out. Then we were called back in, and they had a birthday cake for me! With candles and everything! The WHOLE room full of people sang to me!! It was so nice!
What a way to spend your 16th birthday!!
Thursday 19th
Going home
Thankfully we didn't have to get up too early today. It was lovely to have a bit of a sleep in!
We got the metro to the station, (where I asked for a waffle in French and they understood me!!) and then went on to the Euro star. As this is the last time we would have all been together for a while, we all sat together. I was sitting next to Charlie, but we all talked.
When we got to St Pancras Charlie and his Dad left as they live in London. the rest of us went to Paddington. Ffion got a different train as she lives in North Wales. Then, just Dafydd, his mum, my mum, Vi, Sian and myself got the Great Western train to Cardiff.
When we got there, Mum and I got the train to Radyr.
I have to admit, I was really sad to see all the other Champions go as we all got a lot closer on the trip. They are all so lovely! I hope we all meet up again soon.
The whole trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I really don't think it could have been improved. I have learnt so much more, even in two days! I wonder where the rest of this year will take me….
JANUARY 2009
Friday 30th - Community Climate Exchange
After quite a tiring week it was pretty nice to get the day off to go to the Temple of Peace in Cardiff for the Community Climate Exchange. I didn't really have much of an idea what it was so I didn't really know what to expect.
In the main hall was loads of stall type things set up with lots of info on them. There were two other rooms being used, which I didn't actually get a chance to go have a look at. In one they were doing workshops and in the other they were showing environmental movies such as An Inconvenient Truth (which I have seen before and it's really good. If you get the chance, it's worth watching). We got a program and the day started off with an introduction speech by Margaret Minhinnick (from Sustainable Wales). There was then a filmed speech from Jane Davidson (Welsh Assembly Minister for Environment), then another from Kevin Brennan (UK Minister for the Third Sector) then a last speech from Graham Benfield (Third Sector Declaration on Climate Change). They were all very interesting, but I have to admit that grouped together it was a bit much for my brain to process all at once and I wandered off a couple of times. I made a mental note to myself: If I ever have to do a talk anywhere, make is short and to the point, unless I want to put the audience to sleep.
After that, we were free to go look around at all the stalls. I think that during the whole morning, I must have visited EVERY SINGLE one! And I got armfuls of leaflets to read up on. I have so much reading to do!! A couple of stalls caught my eye in particular; the Freecycle one for a start. Their idea is that people give them some of their things that they don't want any more, then other people can come and take what they want, so that things don't just end up in landfill sights. I think its such a good idea, 'cause all have us have chucked out something at some point which could have easily been used by someone, so why not re-use it?!
Others that particularly stood out to me were one that had info about the RSPB and a bright yellow stall promoting energy saving light bulbs. Saying that though, all the stalls were interesting in their own way.
At around one-ish we had another talk from Julian Rosser (Oxfam Cymru) and Rick Wilson (Community Lives Consortium).
I had a pretty bad headache so me and my Dad left at two instead of three.
I have learnt so much more stuff from today… I'm starting to think ho much more can there be?! But I know there is an endless amount of info out there. I also realised that Climate Change isn't just a problem about the Earth warming up and all the rest of it. It affects ABSOLUTLY EVERYTHING. Scary huh?! I mean, there are thousands of issues that can be traced back to Climate Change. Just something for you to think about there…
Monday 19th - Launch day
I was so nervous today!! I had to go into school for a bit as I had a science GCSE. IT seemed to go ok-ish. After that I had to do a super quick change into my Climate Change Champions jumper and t-shirt. I did manage to get to G24 innovations on time surprisingly! We started off with a tour round the factory which was quite interesting. I have to admit, it felt a bit like Charlie and the Chocolate factory, you know, with kids and their parents touring a factory and I did wonder for a couple of seconds if we were all going to meet sticky ends… only joking!
After the tour, the launch started. There were three stalls set up; water, electricity and transport. The water (which was the one I was on) had eighty glasses full of water (20 litres) which is the amount of water that you would waste in one day only by not turning off the tap when you are brushing your teeth!! Amazing! We were also giving out free shower caps… very fetching. The electricity stall was all about electricity (wouldn't have guessed it would you?!) and there were these really cool flexible solar panels that can charge up your phone. I think they were also giving out energy saving light bulbs. Then to the transport; this caused the most interest as there were two bikes there which powered smoothie makers when you pedal. I knew that everyone was dying to have a go, but nobody did, so I was the first. I was a bit apprehensive to say the least; being clumsy and a disaster with bikes can't be a good combination. I had visions of the blender lid coming off and splattering bright pink juice all over my nice new white jumper. Nether the less, I managed to create a smoothie uneventfully and it was very tasty indeed.
For a while there was only a couple of interviews going on; quite a lot of welsh speaking which I'm sure would have been interesting if I could have understood a word of it. Then a bit later on, a couple of cameras turned up. Not by themselves, obviously! Through the morning, I was interviewed twice. Jane Davidson came and it was really good to meet her. It was obvious that she was very used to talking in front of people and cameras.
Dan (PR guy) got a text at lunch to say that we had already been on air! And I was one of the ones they had shown. Luckily, I actually featured in both of the news articles, one at lunch, and the other at 6:30. I was pretty chuffed.
My biology teacher (Miss Butcher) was also at the launch, and it was nice to see another friendly face. The place wasn't heaving with people, but there were enough.
At about two, we had lunch, which was well deserved. I didn't realise how tired I had gotten.
After lunch, we had a lecture from a lady from Swansea University on, you guessed it, Climate Change. It was fascination but I have to admit it, a bit scary. Basically, among other things, she said that although scientists can predict what is going to happen, know one really knows exactly, and it could go either way; bearable or disastrous.
Sunday 18th - Media Training Day
The fact that I made it as a Climate Change Champion still hasn't sunk in. We all met in Cardiff today for a media training day. I was the second one there. We had a brief to start… just giving us an idea of what we will be doing this year. We will each be given £1000 (!) to spend on a project or something. After we were all there, the parents left us and we were given our welcome packs. Wow. We got two bags; one was a climate change champion 09 over the shoulder bag which had a polo t-shirt and jumper (both with our names on and a design), the other was a re-usable Hessian bag. Inside it was a digital camera, memory card (for the camera) a camera case, a stapler that staples without staples (how cool?!), a mouse mat, a mug and loads of really good reading material. Generous or what?! I didn't really know what to say!!
The day then started with a journalist telling us how to write a good article as we should all get a monthly column in a local newspaper!! It was very interesting.
We then had a photographer talk to us about taking good pictures then did a photo shoot. We did most of it outside and it was freezing and windy. And we had to take our coats off! Quite amusingly I was wearing a dress which had a tendency to erm, fly up! It was a bit embarrassing and I'm sure there might be a few embarrassing pictures…! I loved having the photo shoot, but I have to admit that I was a bit nervous that I would see someone I know, as they might think I was a bit strange being photographed with a giant energy saving light bulb!!
Then, for the rest of the day we had the media guys teaching us media skills. I have to admit, they were slightly on the scary side! We each did a radio and film interview which went ok for me, apart from some times I was 'a bit too honest' i.e. “Yea… I don't actually have a clue about that”! We had to listen to feedback about ours and everyone else's interviews. To put it nicely I think I got off lightly!!
The day finished at about 5:30 and I can honestly say I would have been happy to go to bed there and then: I was shattered.
That evening we went out for a meal. It took quite a long time to get to us (over an hour) but to be fair to them, its pretty impressive to serve 17 meals at the same time. It was lovely but I was almost too tired to take it all in.
Today was a fab day, and I think myself and the other champions (Ffion, Davidd, Certith, Charlie and Jordan) have a lot of work but also a lot to look forward to in the upcoming year.
DECEMBER 2008
Sunday - Phone Call
I just had the call from Claire to say I am one of the Champions for Wales!!! I'm ecstatic!!! Sounds a bit obvious but I am so excited! Actually a bit apprehensive too… not sure what I have got myself into!! Everything seems very surreal. I can't wait to see what 2009 brings.
Semi Final Interview
Today I had the semi-final interview. I was pretty nervous, but it seemed to go ok. There were three people there; two who would be working with the Champions and a previous champion. I tried to be as natural as possible and they were really nice to me. At one point I totally lost track of what they were saying! But overall I think it went ok. I hope. It was a great experience, even if I don't get in.
NOVEMBER 2008
In November 2008 I heard about a competition being run by the Welsh Assembly, looking for teenagers to become Climate Change Champions.