How can we be involved?

Hi

I'm writing to let you know about a new, nationwide, campaign called Be The Change, which has been set up by Greenpeace, Oxfam and Forest & Bird. It aims to inspire New Zealanders to take action on climate change in their own lives, communities, and of course, schools!

Schools around the country are doing some great things to reduce their carbon footprint, and we're visiting a few during our nationwide "climate rescue tour", as we travel from Bluff to Northland in the Be the Change bus.? You can find out more about Be the Change and the bus tour at our website www.bethechange.org.nz

I'm writing specifically because we have an exciting event planned for December 8th, which we hope schools across New Zealand will get involved in.

It's called the Global Day of Action (GDA) on climate change, and it's timed to coincide with an important meeting on climate in Bali, Indonesia.

We need to send a message to the global decision makers at the meeting, that we want to see action on climate change now.

We are keen to see as many young people involved as possible.? It is their future that hangs in the balance.

The idea is simple, fun and easy to organise.? We're getting people to spell out what they want to say to our leaders on climate change, to take a digital photo of it, and upload it to the Be The Change website at [ http://www.bethechange.org.nz/gda ]http://www.bethechange.org.nz/gda.

We'd love to see hundreds of photos from schools around the country.?

We're trying to keep the messages positive and focused on what we expect our leaders to deliver.?

Some ideas of things to spell out include:
Save the climate!

Climate action now!

Climate heroes please!

NZ climate leaders

Be The Change. Stop climate change.

Climate friendly future

It could involve making a "human sign" with a group of students (see attached photo from an activity involving some Australian schools earlier this year), it could involve spelling out a message using something iconically Kiwi (e.g. chocolate fish, jandals) or something linked to saving the climate (bicycles, energy efficient lightbulbs).

However you choose to do it, the more messages the better!? Check out [ http://www.bethechange.org.nz/ ]www.bethechange.org.nz for instructions on uploading photos and more examples of messages people have already spelt out.

Let's make the 8th of December a day to remember!

Kind regards,

Lesa Lomas

Greenpeace NZ on behalf of Be The Change