Global warming causing climate change may be the ultimate issue that unites us all.

Louise Burfitt-Dons, Humanitarian Campaigner

About GYG

The Global Young Greens is an emerging youth-led organization supporting and uniting the efforts of young people from a green-alternative spectrum around the world. It works towards ecological sustainability, social justice, grassroots democracy and peace.

About this Reader

We highly encourage our activists and member organizations to implement actions on the GYG World Car-Free Day on 22 September 2013. In order to support you, we have collected background information, different ideas for actions as well as tips and tricks for dealing with the media. And now, please enjoy reading!

Table of Contents

Foreword........................................................................................................ 1

1. GYG World Car-Free Day..............................................................................2

2. Global Action Day........................................................................................ 2

2.1 What is a Global Action Day?..................................................................2

2.2 Planning an Action.................................................................................3

2.3 Types of Actions.................................................................................... 4

2.4 Ideas for Actions................................................................................... 5

3. Public Relations........................................................................................... 7

3.1 Press Release........................................................................................7

3.2 Website and Blog.................................................................................. 8

3.3 Social Media..........................................................................................8

3.4 More Information and Material............................................................... 9

4. Support and Contact Details......................................................................... 9

Foreword

Climate Change - An Issue of Global Concern

Considering the fact that human beings cannot survive without energy, it is indeed not possible to combat energy but yet absolutely necessary to heed advice for its rational use. Up to now, the world has been privileging the use of conventional energy sources despite the proof that these forms of energy have a negative impact on our climate. It is not for nothing that those kind of fossil fuels are considered unclean due to their high degree of pollution.

But what can we do about it?

We, young people from various regions of the world considering ourselves as stakeholders and beneficiaries of the planet, feel engaged to reduce the impact of climate change and therefore take a stand by hosting this year's GYG World Car-Free Day. As climate change is becoming a transversal challenge that every sector of life should consider, we are convinced that everybody can contribute to sustainable resource management by a conscious use of energy.

Little things that can easily be done by everyone of us are:

• Switching off the light in our rooms when not needed;

• Switching off our technical devices when not used;

• Avoiding an exaggerated use of energy;

• Avoiding or reducing the consumption of meat;

• Building aerated spaces to reduce the use of air conditioners;

• Using common means of transport instead of motorized individual transport;

• Using low-loss products and methods in the energy sector (improved stoves and methods of carbonization);

• Participating in international debates and raising our voices;

• Proposing and adopting policies at local level for a global change;

• Gathering adaptation and local development;

• Building capacities of youth;

We are changing the air we are breathing; there is an emergency for a global solidarity!

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1. GYG World Car-Free Day

The World Car-Free Day encourages motorists to give up their cars for a day. It is held annually on September 22 and supported by many environmentalorganizations around the globe. This year, the Global Young Greens supports the day by implementing own actions around the globe.

In average, for every person per family that denies oneself using the car throughout a year, the carbon dioxide emission decreases by 490 kilogram per car. A similar figure might also apply if individuals of car sharings decide for a withdrawal from motorized individual transport, provided that the remaining persons do not increase the usuage of this car due to a declining capacity utilization.

Besides the reduction of the greenhouse gas carbone dioxide, a number of other positive effects can be registered - even at only one single day like September 22. Some of them are:

• Reduction of other pollutants;

• Reduction of noise;

• Positive impact on the health of residents;

• Increase of the recreational value;

• Enhancement of environmental concern.

2. Global Action Day

2.1 What is a Global Action Day?

A Global Action Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of an important global issue such as climate change. The aim is to place the issue back on the political agenda and to effect change.

A Global Action Day is characterized by its three words.

“Global” It is not limited to several regions of the world and its aim is to catch the attention of as many people as possible.

“Action” Particular promotion and activities encourage people to take their own initiative and get involved.

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“Day” The concentration on a certain period of time is essential to make the issue visible and to motivate a public response.

Some aims of actions are:

• To create awareness of the pollution that is caused by motorized individual transport around the globe.

• To pressure your government to make meaningful progress towards decreasing the environmental pollution nationally and to advocate for strong action at the global level;

• To bring together different youth groups all over the world for a common cause;

• To use media to raise the profile of the GYG Global Car-Free Day.

2.2 Planning an Action

Before setting to work in a mad rush, you should be aware that it takes some time to prepare an action of certain impact.

The following guide could help you considering all steps in a well-tried order.

( 0. Occasion - Is there an occasion for your action? )

1. Message - What is your objective? Formulate a message!

2. Target Group - Who do you want to reach?

3. Time - How much time do you have?

4. Money - How much money do you have?

5. Type of Action - What is the proper type of action?

6. Place - Where do you want to implement the action?

7. Date - When do you want to implement the action?

8. Tools - What kind of tools and materials do you need

9. Duties - Who is responsible for what until when?

10. Promotion - How do you want to promote the event?

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First of all, you should get clear about the message and target group of your action. Before going into detail about how, where and when you want to realize your event, you should talk about how much time and money you have to do so. Depending on these two factors that set the framework for your project, you can start the brainstorming process about your action.

After the creative part, it can be very helpful to make a list of tools, materials and other equipment you need to fix. Do not forget to name a person responsible for each task and set a deadline until that all of them need to be done. Be aware that in many countries and cities you will need an official permit of the responsible department in order to implement an action in the city center. In order to find out which one this is and what exactly you will need to inform them about, ask people from your organization and make a phone call at the city’s administration with sufficient time before your planned action (at least two weeks).

Besides these technicalities, you should not underestimate the time you may need for promotion and public relations. If you want to invite local media to come to your action you should beforehand agree on the messages you want to convey and also decide who shall be responsible to speak with media representatives. Write a press invitation letter a couple of days in advance and publish a press release one day before the action takes place. You can also find an example of a press release in this reader. If no media representative has come to visit you, you can write an own short statement and send it out along with a picture of your action.

2.3 Types of Actions

Flash mob

A flash mob is a spontaneous action which involves many people in a public place. Search the internet for examples of flash mobs if you are unfamiliar with the concept. A flash mob is quick and spontaneous. Try to mobilize enough people from your local as well as neighboring branches of your organization. Remember to take photos to circulate to the media afterwards.

Action or Protest

A street action should be realized at a public square of your city where there are usually many people. Draw a noticeable banner with an eye-catching message, organize a megaphone in order to deliver speeches, get information material such as flyers and booklets and try to realize your street action as visible as possible. Write a press release around two or three days before the action is meant to happen and send it to newspapers, television broadcasters and radio stations.

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Demonstration, Manifestation or March

A demonstration, manifestation or march needs to be registered with the responsible authority. Think about a proper route as well as a fancy slogan and do not forget to draw banners. Moreover, you should organize a loudspeaker van or a boom box for ample music and megaphones for announcements. Besides, you need to designate and brief stewards.

Your demonstration, manifestation or march should be promulgated via social media and word-of-mouth advertizing in order that many people participate. If you are unsure that you can organize many people to join your demonstration, consider organizing an action instead as without many people a demonstration may not have a positive impact. Search online for examples if you are unsure.

2.4 Ideas for Actions

Title Occupy Parking Spaces

Type of Action Flash Mob

Time Expediture 1 Week

Material Objects that symbolize Means of Transport, Banners

Short Description Collect different objects that symbolize means of transport such as Bobby Cars, Bikes, Scooters, Roller skates and so forth. Then go to a parking area and occupy all free parking spaces with your objects. In addition, leave a message that makes the reason for your action understandable. Take pictures of your occupation!

Preparation Collect objects, prepare messages and do not forget your camera when starting the action!

Title Info Wall

Type of Action Street Action

Time Expediture 1 Week

Material Info Wall, Posters, Pictures, Banners

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Short Description Set up an info wall about the World Car-Free Day at a central place in your city so that people can easily get information about the day and its background.

Preparation Register your street action with the responsible authority, create an info wall by compiling facts and figures related to motorized individual transport such as information about the pollution caused by cars, number of traffic deaths, information about the World Car-Free Day and so forth. In addition, draw posters and banners and use pictures on your info wall to attract attention.

Title Bicycle Demonstration

Type of Action March

Time Expediture 8 Weeks

Material Megaphone, Boom Box, Banners and Bikes

Short Description A bicycle demonstration is a protest march by bike.

Preparation Register your bicycle demonstration with the responsible authority, invite many people, use the media to promote the event, brainstorm about good slogans, draw your banners and get on your bikes!

Title Street Music Festival

Type of Action Street Action

Time Expediture 12 Weeks

Material Stage, Generator, Microphones, Amplifyer, Bands and Activists

Short Description Organize your own street music festival!

Preparation Be aware that you need some time to prepare such an event. But if it is well-prepared, your success is guaranteed.

For more Ideas you can check out this website:

http://www.worldcarfree.net/resources/action_ideas.php

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3. Public Relations

It is incredibly important to promote your action and you should spend around half your time to do so. As this part of preparing your event is of such importance, this section provides some ideas and assistance to help you promoting your action.

3.1 Press Release

You can use the following example of a press release in order to promote your action to the media. In order to adapt the text to your needs, you can modify the given example by integrating quotations of your organizations’ spokespersons and adding information about where and when your action will be realized and under what motto it will take place.

If you plan to invite journalists to your action, do not forget to agree in advance upon who from your group will talk to the media and what matter and objective you exactly want to convey.

Example Press Release

Date: You should send your press release to the media by no later than 24 hours before your action is meant to happen.

Organization: Do not forget to mention the name of your organization.

Title: “Action on the World Car-Free Day”

On the occasion of this year’s World Car-Free Day, the <insert your organization> calls on governments, policy makers and civil society, to step up our efforts in the struggle for reducing CO2 emissions and creating awareness of the pollution that is caused by motorized individual transport around the globe.

Even at only one single day not using the car a number of positive effects can be registered such as reduction of the greenhouse gas carbone dioxide and other pollutants, reduction of noise, a positive impact on health of residents, increase of the recreational value as well as enhancement of environmental concern. This is why we, young people considering ourselves as stakeholders and beneficiaries of the planet, feel engaged to reduce the impact of climate change and therefore take a stand by participating this year's World Car-Free Day organized by the Global Young Greens.

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Today we are <insert some information about your action, describe what is happening or happened and how it is raising awareness about the theme your action is linked to>.

All around the world, organizations which are part of the Global Young Greens network are holding various actions to mark this day. More information can be found on www.globalyounggreens.org.

ENDS.

Contact Details: Do not forget to indicate the name, mobile number and email address of a person responsible. This person should be well-informed and easy-to-reach.

3.2 Website and Blog

Announce your action on your website and use the logo of the GYG World Car-Free Day in order to link to the GYG website where people can download the Action Reader and other material.

Put a small series of pictures accompanied by a short text online after you have implemented your action and do not forget to send your pictures, video clips and short texts to us (see Support and Contact details below) so that we can publish them on our website: http://www.globalyounggreens.org

3.3 Social Media

Make sure you publicize your event on social media to raise awareness about the issue and to invite people to attend. You can easily create an event on Facebook or advertise the action via Twitter in order to invite as many people as possible.

Moreover, you can follow the Global Young Greens on Facebook and Twitter in order to promote your action on a bigger platform. More than 3,000 people like us on Facebook and around 600 people follow us on Twitter. Hopefully we all increase our followers on social media after this Global Action Day!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Global-Young-Greens

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GYG_YoungGreens

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3.4 More Information and Material

More information about the World Car-Free Day can be found on the following websites:

http://www.worldcarfree.net/

http://www.mobilityweek.eu/

http://www.ecoplan.org/carfreeday/cf_index.htm

Moreover, the Green European Foundation’s campaign handbook, an online guide to successful political campaigning, can help you planning and realizing your own campaigns and actions on the World Car-Free Day and beyond:

http://campaignhandbook.gef.eu/

4. Support and Contact Details

In case you need support in order to realize your own actions or you want your action to be promoted on the website of the Global Young Greens, please get in touch with Sarah Benke at sarahb@globalyounggreens.org or Jennifer Werthwein at gj.jenniferwerthwein@yahoo.de.

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Imprint

Publisher

Global Young Greenswww.globalyounggreens.org

info@globalglobalyounggreens.org

Editorial Team

Sarah BenkeAdessou KossiviJennifer Werthwein

Editor

Sarah Benke

Layout

Sarah Benke

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. You are free to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt the work as long as you attribute it to the Global Young Greens (BY), may not use it for commercial purposes (NC) and, if you alter, transform, or build upon this work, may distribute the

resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one (SA).

Berlin 2013