Actress Emma Thompson has joined forces with Friends of the Earth to urge Guides, Brownies and Senior Section members in London to become Climate Champions by reducing their carbon footprint and taking part in a project to find out the real barriers that

Actress Emma Thompson has joined forces with Friends of the Earth to urge Guides, Brownies and Senior Section members in London to become Climate Champions by reducing their carbon footprint and taking part in a project to find out the real barriers that stop people from leading greener lives.

The project is part of the Girlguiding UK: Changing the World project launched today (23 September) by the Countess of Wessex. The project will involve half a million girls and young women in a year of community action in the lead up to Girlguiding UK's centenary celebrations.

Friends of the Earth is inviting Guiding units across the region to trial a series of green solutions - from switching appliances off standby and fitting energy-saving light bulbs to taking greener transport, installing solar panels and better insulating their homes - and asking to hear how they get on.

Four lucky Climate Champions representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be chosen from participating units across the UK to present the results to environment ministers at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen next year.

Thompson, who is a former Guide herself, and who recently starred as Professor Sybill Trelawney in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), said:

"Becoming a Climate Champion with Friends of the Earth will enable girls and young women to take effective action on climate change - the biggest challenge the planet faces.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Girlguiding UK members all around the country to learn more about their carbon footprint, cut emissions and help make a real difference to their own lives and everyone else's lives now and in the future."

Friends of the Earth's London Campaigner Jenny Bates said:

"The interest we have already had in this project from Guiding units across the UK is extremely encouraging and shows young people want their voices heard on the environment.

"The onus is now on Government to act. The solutions are out there - and to tackle climate change they must be within everyone's reach.