Young Canadians Send Message to Prime Minister on Climate Change

(Toronto: November 10, 2009) – More than 800 kids across Canada sent an urgent appeal to the Prime Minister today for action on climate change through WWF’s Canada’s My Future, My Climate Postcard Contest.

The postcard contest, an exercise in creative advocacy, encouraged kids between the ages of six and 14 to share their climate change message. Participants were invited to depict their climate change solution through artwork, accompanied by a personal letter of appeal to the Prime Minister.

“I am amazed and encouraged not just by the quality of artistic expression, but by the wisdom, wit and intelligence that has emerged from their messages,” said Gerald Butts, President & CEO,WWF-Canada. “Our kids will inherit the impacts of climate change. They are standing up to voice their concerns and be part of the solution.”

WWF-Canada delivered these postcards to the Prime Minister along with an urgent appeal for action on climate change. “While none of these kids can vote, they do have a stake in decisions being made now on how Canada will respond to the challenge of climate change,” said WWF-Canada’s Climate Change Program Director, Keith Stewart. “Now it is time for the grown-ups to act and protect their future.”

“These school children have the ideas, passion and drive to build a better future,” said Stewart. “And we hope the Prime Minister will take their ideas and appeal for action to heart.”

-30-

Note to Editors:
To learn more about the contest and view a slideshow featuring a selection of postcards created by kids across the country, please visit http://www.wwf.ca/earthhour/toolkits/postcardslideshow.cfm.

Copies of WWF-Canada’s Pocket Guide to the New Climate Deal and Canadian Climate Leadership are available at http://www.wwf.ca/copenhagen.

For further information:
Ashley Brasfield, WWF-Canada, Tel: (416) 489-4567 ext 7228, [email protected]

Keith Stewart, WWF-Canada, Tel: (416) 985-5936, [email protected]