The Great Power Race is a clean energy competition between students in China, India and the United States. This spring we're seeing which country can sign up the most teams! The Indian Youth Climate Network, along with its partners in the US and China (Energy Action Coalition, Chinese Youth Climate Action Network and 350.org, is jointly doing the campaign. More details at www.greatpowerrace.org
A sneak peak into the GPR.
1. How does the Great Power Race work?
Teams that sign up now are registering to take part in a clean energy competition that runs until the end of 2010, when the next UN climate negotiations take place in December of this year. The competition will be to see which countries can generate the most, and most innovative clean energy projects. Individual projects will be judged according to a point system that encompasses actual emissions reductions initiatives as well as educational, political, and creative/artistic endeavors, and the top point scorers will also then be judged by a panel of international judges.
The first phase of the race (already ongoing!) is to see which country can register the most groups and campuses before July, 2010 (Get going! Click here to register.)
2. Are there prizes for winning the Great Power Race, and what are they?
Yes. There will be prizes awarded to the winners of the Great Power Race. The coordinating team is in the process of planning what those awards will be.
3. When is the Great Power Race starting?
The official start of main competition portion of the Great Power Race will be in late summer 2010. Phase 1 of the Race (ongoing now!) is to see how many groups can be registered to join the race in each country.
4. Why just China, India and the US? Can I join the race if I am not in one of those three countries?
Yes, the race is open to students and young people anywhere, but it's true that the campaign is focused particularly in China, India, and the US. You have probably heard some of the media buzz about the economic race between the US and China, and India. The Great Power Race is playing off of that theme and putting into practice the drive towards clean energy and climate solutions.
China, India, and the US are also some of the largest economies and most powerful governments in the international climate negotiations. This project aims to demonstrate youth leadership and youth interest to the governments and businesses in those three countries and to leverage the momentum from this friendly competition to spur increased action at the national levels in all three countries.
5. Can individuals apply? Or only college 'teams'?
It is best if individuals who want to join the race find a team to work with at the college or university. Individuals can register, but they should then seek out participation from a larger group. There should not be more than one team per institution.
6. What are some examples of clean energy projects?
We will soon release a point system outlining how the Race works in greater detail that will identify more of what sorts of projects can earn points in the Race.
For starters, the Great Power Race will cover all sorts of different climate solutions: installing renewable energy systems at your college or university, replacing old light-bulbs with more efficient ones or other ways of reducing energy consumption, starting an organic garden, raising awareness and changing behavior amongst students and staff, organizing educational or political events that will influence the climate policies of the institution, city, or country, or developing and initiating larger long-term carbon reduction or carbon neutrality plans for the institution. Teams will also earn points based on innovation, creativity, and community involvement.
7. Will participating teams have the opportunity to interact with teams in other countries?
Yes. First and foremost, the Great Power Race is an 'open-source' campaign and participating teams will be welcome to take the initiative to connect with other teams across the globe -- collaborate, form partnerships, etc. As the coordinating team we will also explore opportunities to facilitate such engagement though specific plans are not yet in place.