15 year old Jenni Derrick from Margam in Port Talbot, has taken on the prestigious role as Climate Change Champion in Wales.
Jenni, who attends Dyffryn Comprehensive School, was chosen along with five other teenagers from across Wales.
Following a nationwide search for young people passionate about the environment, they were selected to become figureheads for young people on climate change after winning a Welsh Assembly Government competition.
Launched last year, the competition set out to find six young people who could use their influence to persuade friends, families and communities to help reduce Wales’ carbon footprint.
To win the competition, the green teens impressed the judges with their views on the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen and their plans for an ongoing community-based carbon-saving project.
The six young people will spend a year ‘in office’ spreading the word about how people can take simple but effective steps to reduce their carbon footprint whilst saving money at the same time.
Taking part in eco friendly projects, meeting politicians and environmental experts as well as organising school and community events are just some of the challenges the young people will experience over the coming year.
All views and concerns will be fed back to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate Change Commission.
Jenni, who attends Dyffryn Comprehensive School in Margam, said, “I’m passionate about saving the planet and helping people across Wales to understand the simple, everyday things we can do to help save energy, money and preserve the environment.
“For my project I plan to start an initiative called “Growing Green’, encouraging primary schools throughout Wales to help their pupils and their families to grow their own vegetables, helping to reduce their food miles and carbon footprint.”
Congratulating Jenni on her success, Council Leader, Ali Thomas, said, “Jenni is an inspiration to other young people. Climate Change is a challenge for every one of us.
“It is thanks to the efforts of many young people that the message of climate change is filtering out to friends, families and communities.
“Reducing our carbon footprint is something we must all take responsibility for if we are to preserve the environment for generations to come.”
Neath Port Talbot Climate Change Team congratulates Jenni on her achievement. The team have been delivering the climate change message throughout schools in the county borough through a range of talks including recycling, energy use and environmental crime. After hearing the talks children often share the messages with their parents.
