What Happens Next

When will I find out if I’m a finalist?

Finalists will be notified by Jan. 26, 2009, that they have been selected for in-person interviews. Interviews will be scheduled Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2009.

What happens if I’m selected for an interview?

Champions will be invited to interview at one of two locations, and will be reimbursed for any travel costs incurred by participating in the interviews. The purpose of these interviews is to learn more about you and your enthusiasm for the issue, as well as to discuss your project proposal in more detail. Naturally we are looking for people who are good at presenting their ideas. The judges will also be looking for team players; we want to find young people who will work well with their fellow champions and others and who will be excited to help build a network of young people dedicated to tackling climate change!

Of the finalists interviewed, up to 20 (and some alternates) will be named as California Climate Champions. From these champions, up to two champions will be selected to represent the United States during an all-expenses-paid trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, in February 2009. This trip will not only bring together champions from 13 or more countries, but will also feature education and training on project development, and will help build the basis for undertaking global projects over the coming year.

What is my role as a champion?

California Climate Champions will participate in a range of activities and events, some of which might be meeting with people involved in climate change work, giving media interviews and helping develop an online community where others from across the state or even the country can be engaged. This network will be great for exchanging ideas on how to communicate about climate change, learning about what others are doing and building a statewide network of communicators.

Champions are also expected to develop and implement projects over the course of the year, based on ideas submitted with their applications and further refinement in training provided by the California Climate Champions program.

What if I'm not selected for the Edinburgh trip?

There will be plenty of other learning and networking opportunities over the course of the year; we expect to have numerous other international travel opportunities become available to which you will be eligible to apply as champions.

You will also be busy with exciting activities in California such as:

1. Attending an orientation event and workshop in April 2009.
2. Speaking to schools, community groups, government meetings and the media about the importance of communicating about climate change and what youth can do to make a difference
3. Participating in a climate camp in June 2009 where you will network with other Champions (including international champions), learn more about communicating about climate change and further engaging on the issue locally as well as globally. For a glimpse into the 2008 Climate Camp, check out the videos at www.youtube.com/climatechamps.
4. Collaborating with other champions on your projects, and finding ways to connect your work with the work of other champions around the world!
5. Expanding your network of climate champions to engage more and more of your peers in helping communicate about and act on climate change.
6. Helping shape the 2010 Climate Champions program, and continuing to build on the success of the work that the 2008 champions began!

The California Climate Champions program, sponsored by the California Air Resources Board and the British Council, is one of a number of similar initiatives established in many countries around the world. Learn more about the International Climate Champions Program.