III NATIONAL CHILDREN AND YOUTH CONFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT LET'S TAKE CARE OF BRAZIL, BRAZILIA, BRAZIL

Charter of Responsibilities to Confront Global Environmental Change

We are young students from different regions of Brazil, and part of the III National Children and Youth Conference for the Environment. Little warriors of peace with the same intention and desire: taking care of Brazil and mobilizing the Brazilian population around global environmental change.
We recognize the national environmental outlook and we commit to fight for and defend the environment, not only by seeking knowledge and understanding, but also acting to minimize problems that cause environmental impacts.
Hence, together with thousands of schools and communities through out the country, we assume the following responsibilities:
1. Preserving the sources and borders of rivers, protecting existing riparian forests and restoring
those that are degraded.
2. Practising and promoting the 5 “R’s”: reflecting on the processes of production, from primary
materials to distribution and disposal; refusing products that cause damage to the environment
and our health; reducing consumption and the production of waste; reusing whenever possible
and recycling when necessary.
3. Sensitizing and stimulating our schools and communities to increase energy efficiency and to use energy that is clean, accessible and renewable.
4. Distributing and planting seeds and seedlings to increase the amounts of trees in schools, streets and communities.
5. Diminishing the use of plastic bags and adopting biodegradable, reusable and returnable packaging in our communities.
6. Together with the school community, denouncing the burning of forests, the irregularities of urban waste, and any action that degrades the environment, proposing as necessary corrective actions by the appropriate institutions.
7. Adding efforts and experiences, rethinking the modes of water use, and developing new sustainable values and attitudes for our daily lives.
8. Demonstrating to the communities the importance of reducing pollutive modes of transport,
encouraging and demanding government investment in public transport, and hence minimizing
the emissions of gases that increase global warming.
9. Disseminating knowledge to enable students and communities to protect and conserve the
planet, increasing their awareness about the consequences of global warming and its potential
solutions.
We, the youth of Brazil, are united in contributing to caring for the planet. This is our commitment. We ask for the complete support of the Brazilian society: authorities, public opinion, social movements, NGOs, schools and communities, so that these responsibilities can be fulfilled.
Let’s take care of Brazil? Join us!
Luziania, Goias, April 2009