"How I'd change the world..."

The future generation has an unenviable task: tomorrow they must tackle the environmental problems we are creating today. Ahead of the Kyoto treaty coming into force, we asked seven young people from around the world how they would do things differently.

Alex Lin 11, USA "It is very important to recycle e-waste - much of our e-waste is dumped in other countries" Aparna Bhasin 17, India "One of the global problems that really worries me is poverty" William Roper 17, UK "Free trade isn't helping - the bottom line is entirely monetary" JC Martel 17, Canada "My government should invest money in environmental education"

Analiz Vergara 16, Ecuador "We don't realise that many problems could have been prevented if we took care of the environment" Shoko Takahashi 14, Japan "Everyone should do a bit - if everyone does small things it can change a lot" Yvonne Maingey 17, Kenya "People don't realise that poverty and the environment are part of the same thing" Georgina Viveash 15, UK " I think it would be a lot better if children were made to walk"

Shoko Takahashi

HOW I'D CHANGE THE WORLD... It's getting really, really hot in the summer. This year I couldn't really bear it

I joined an environment committee in my school and I realised the environment is much worse than I thought.

More people have to try to save the environment - but not a lot of people know about it. Young people pay most attention to fashion, pop music, computers and sports - but not many are interested in the environment.

I think people who are interested need to tell other people about it to get them interested too.

I am particularly worried about global warming. It is getting really really hot in the summer. Even I notice the change. This year I couldn't really bear it and I had to keep the air-conditioning on - and that is not a good thing.

And also the sea levels are rising - I hear about it all the time.

I think the people in Japan should drive fewer cars. But most importantly I think the children should be educated about global warming in schools. Because when the children grow up they can make a difference.

People can contribute to the health of the environment with three simple actions: Save energy, save water and recycle.

I think there are many ways in which people can be encouraged to do this. I think school is a good place, because people are taught from when they are little, and they will be more likely to make a difference when they grow up.

In my school we are only taught about the environment a little bit in geography - but not much. I would like it to be more.

I think around the world all the people should do a little bit. There is a saying "many a little makes a mickle". If everyone does small things it can change a lot.

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