Youth are the pioneers of their time. Youth lead the future of their country.
The environment is a key element in human livelihood. A healthy environment is the foundation for better life and long-term development.
Global warming, one of the most severe environmental problems facing humans today, is affecting everyone in this world, regardless of sex, age, class, skin color or nationality. At the same time, everyone makes decisions that impact the global climate. The abnormal weather patterns around China in recent years and the rampant growth of blue-green algae in Lake Tai, Lake Dian and Lake Chao this summer have alerted us to the grim situation. Chinese youth, given a special and strategic role, have the responsibility to participate in the global effort of curbing climate change and improving the earth’s environment through real action.
We are delighted to see that a large group of youth environmental organizations around China are taking active roles in response to global warming. On the Fourth Chinese College Environmental Forum held in Wuhan this June, youth representatives from all around China discussed what can be done to slow down global warming and designed corresponding projects. Various youth organizations, such as Green Zhejiang, Volunteers for Kekexili, Green Jianghuai, Green Eyes and GreenSOS, have already put their ideas into action.
On the occasion of the Live Earth Shanghai concert, the College Environmental Forum (CEF), joined by some other youth environmental organizations, hereby call for action from the Chinese youth and would like to make our voice heard by the world.

Our Principles
Our action should be grounded on scientific principles. We should reduce energy consumption that induces substantial greenhouse gas emissions, and give priority to energy-efficient technologies. In our activities, we should encourage public participation and cooperation with the government, corporations, local communities, and other social organizations.

Our Goals
We will undertake a broad range of actions related to the global warming issue, including public education, research, and many other specific campus-greening projects. We hope to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Chinese college campuses by 20% within five years (2007-2012). The data will be collected through random selection of colleges.

Our Strategies
A: Relying on CEF’s existing online structure, create a web space to provide information on climate change issues, and share experience and resources for campus projects.
B: In order to set up a national network, establish a youth climate action committee that guides and supports nationwide activities. The committee should connect with each campus group through an appointed contact person. The committee will send newsletters to all campus groups on a regular basis.
C: Designate December 11 (the date on which the Kyoto Protocol was adopted) as the Chinese Youth and College Students Climate Change Day. Coordinate all campus groups and youth organizations to organize meaningful activities every year on this day.
D: Promote greenhouse gas inventory in universities, and run projects in diverse areas, such as green architecture, clean energy and green transportation.
E: Strengthen contact and cooperation with the government, media, NGOs, socially responsible corporations and foreign institutions, and push for sound policy-making.
F: Summarize experiences and ideas at the end of the year into a guidebook on youth climate activism. Present successful examples at the CEF conference every year and discuss how to improve the organizational structure and future climate projects.
G: Call for the integration of courses on climate-change related topics into the college education system.

We hope that through Chinese youth’s solidarity, our actions can help avert the climate disaster. We believe that our efforts will engage all members of the society, the government and the public, into the action against global warming.