We, representatives of the next generation, have come together from around the world to fervently oppose the draft Plan of Action on Global Energy Security for the G8's St. Petersburg Summit in July 2006. We view the proposed plan of action, as detailed in documents leaked to the media, to be in direct contradiction to steps taken by the G8 in 2005 to address human induced global climate change and global poverty, and as such an outrageous abdication of leadership by the G8 leaders. From the most powerful political leaders on Earth, we demand better.

As youth, we will live with the decisions made by today's political leaders. In particular, we will be the ones most affected by unmitigated global climate change, the dangers of the proliferation of nuclear energy, and failures to address global poverty. We know that the global challenges of climate change and poverty demand our persistent efforts and as it is our future at stake with must voice our opposition and work to build new alternatives for the future. That's why we, as individuals, groups and networks, are working at local, regional and national levels to bring about practical and policy changes which will help address the problem of climate change. We are now coming together, as a global youth movement, to challenge you to take effective action at the global level.

The draft Plan of Action on Global Energy Security for the G8's St. Petersburg Summit emphasizes a "predict and provide" approach to energy demand, and defines energy security as being able to provide for growing energy demands through fossil fuels and nuclear energy. In particular, the document states an expectation for $17 trillion in investment in energy infrastructure over the coming decades. If this investment continues as proposed, with fossil fuels and nuclear energy, it will lock the world into a massive increase in greenhouse gas emissions that can only lead to dangerous and irreversible global climate change. The G8's own 2005 Communique on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development warned of this potential and urged leaders to avoid it.

Even if we continue at our current rate of extraction and use of oil, gas and coal the resulting carbon emissions would still be many times higher than the levels needed to keep global temperatures at 'safe' levels; yet the G8 document aims to "expand [the] hydrocarbon resource base in a way that would outpace its depletion". We are also deeply concerned that G8 leaders are giving a strong endorsement to unreliable, high-risk nuclear technology, including nuclear fuel cycle systems. Mindful of the tremendous social and environmental impacts remaining from the Chernobyl disaster, and concerned by the ineffectiveness of nuclear energy in combating climate change, the world needs no new reminders of the dangers of nuclear energy.

In today's world, it is impossible to discuss energy security apart from global climate change and global poverty. Any attempt at true energy security looks not to securing the extraction of energy resources from developing countries, but to clean, safe, renewable energy and the reduction of energy demand in the developed world, so that energy services can be made available to all whilst safeguarding our climate. We call for G8 leaders to adopt a new definition for energy security that recognizes these realities.

Investments in clean, safe, renewable energy and energy efficiency play only minor roles in the draft Plan of Action, yet these are the only solutions that can provide us with true energy security, a protected climate, and an end to global poverty. We have the opportunity today to change how we produce and use energy and in doing so create a safer, more equitable world We call for the G8 to greatly increase investments in clean, safe, renewable energy and energy efficiency, reverse its emphasis on fossil fuels and phase out all subsidies for fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and keep climate change and global poverty at the top of its agenda until these problems are solved.

*********ENDORSED BY:*********

1. Kelsey Lucas, Campolindo Lorax Environmental Group, Moraga, CA, USA

2. Alaa Tariq, Bahrain Women Society -- Manama, Bahrain.

3. Cameron Neil, International Young Professionals Foundation, Australia

4. Soroor Qaroni, Be free Center -- Bahrain

5. Energy Action -- a coalition made of the following youth/environmental groups in Canada and the US: * Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education * Black Mesa Water Coalition * California Student Sustainability Coalition * Chesapeake Climate Action Network * Climate Campaign * Dakota Resource Council * Energy Justice Network * Envirocitizen * Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative * Free The Planet! * Global Exchange * Greenpeace * Indigenous Environmental Network * National Association of Environmental Law Societies * National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology Program * League of Conservation Voters Education Fund: Project Democracy * Rainforest Action Network * Student Environmental Action Coalition * Sierra Student Coalition * Sierra Youth Coalition * Southeast Student Energy and Climate Network * Southern Alliance for Clean Energy * Students United for a Responsible Global Environment * Sustainable Endowments Institute * Youth Environmental Network

6. Zach Bjornson, Earth Team Environmental Network, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA

7. Dimitri Tasmali, Global Vision Environmental Organization, Turkey.

8. Alastair Wolfe, Student Alliance for Progression, Oregon, USA

9. Nathan Forster, Student Delegation for Sustainable Development, Oregon, USA

10. Rosen Dimov Chairperson, Initsiativa Regional Youth Council, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria,

11. Phirapol Phonphanitcharoen, Thailand Youth Environment Network (ThaiYEN), Bangkok THAILAND

12. Harouna Abdou, Jeunesse, Environnement, Démocratie, Développement(J.EDD) Niamey, Niger

13. Ousseini Hamidou, Club UNESCO de l'Université de Niamey, Niamey Niger

14. Hassan Idé, Association des Jeunes Volontaires Pour le Développement. Niamey, Niger

15. Harouna Kabré, Association Jeunesse, Environnement, Développement, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

16. Saley Dangali, Association Nigérienne des Professionnels de l'Animation au développement(A.N.P.ADE ) Maradi, Niger

17. Tankari Makaou Plate forme des jeunes du Niger, Niamey Niger

18. Oumalhere Mani Na Kaoura, Association des Scouts du Niger Niamey, Niger

19. Jean Isidore, Association des jeunes pour le Développement Rural ( A.J.D.R) Tahoua, Niger

20. Nouri Fatima, Association Nigérienne des Scout de l'Environnement Niamey Niger

21. Nakoulma Paul, Association Jeunesse Plus Ouagadougou Burkina Faso

22. Mounkaila Oumarou, O.N.G Bonbatou, Dosso,Niger

23. Salifou Hassa, Comité National des O.N.G Sur la désertification(C.N.C.O.D) Niamey, Niger

24. Nyany Anku, Réseau des clubs et Associations sur la protection de l'environnement( R.E.CA.PE) Kpalimé, Togo

25. -Jakob Ache, Grüne Jugend Berlin ("Green Youth of Berlin"), Berlin, Germany

26. Henrik Perani, Swedish Ecodemics, Stockholm, Sweden.

27. -Simbarashe Nhlema, United Nations Youth Association of Zimbabwe, Harere, Zimbabwe

28. Ayoola Fabunmi Motunrayo, International Cultural Yotuh Exchnage --Federation and African Region, Laos, Nigeria

29. -Aditya Nochur, Climate Campaign, Boston, MA, USA

30. Jenniee McDowell, Renewable Energy Group, University of Guelph, Canada

31. Aliyu Mohammed Paiko, Creative Response of Youth 4 Solutions to HIV/AIDS, Education & Environmental Problems (CRY4SHEEP), Minna, Niger-State, Nigeria

32. Leonardo Jianoti, Rotaract Club of Curitiba Rebouças, Curitiba, Brazil.

33. Juan Hoffmaister, SustainUS --US Youth Network for Sustainable Development, United States

34. Juan Ignacio Gonzalez Mazziotii, Agrupación Juvenil Sembrando Futuro en Chubut (Trelew, Chubut, Argentina).

35. Marina Mansilla Hermann, Peace Child Argentina (Buenos Aires, Argentina

36. Mike Hudema, Independence from Oil Director, Global Exchange, United States

37. Cheng Qian, Solar Generation China, Bejing, China

38. Quacy Asheeke Grant, GuyberNet (Global Sustainable Development, Information and Training Centre), Georgetown, Guyana

39. Liu Yank, Green Student Organizations Society, Chengdu, China

40. Michael Brune, Executive Director, Rainforest Action Network, United States

41. Anna Rose, Australian Student Environmental Network (ASEN), Australia

42. Liz Veazey, Coordinator, Southern Energy Network, United States

43. Tom Kelly, Director, Kyoto USA, United States

44. Mary Bull, Mary Pjerrou, Co-directors, Greenwood Earth Alliance and Save the Redwoods-Boycott the Gap Campaign, United States

45. Elizabeth Conway, W.A.O President, CSU, Stanislaus Women's Advocacy Organization (W.A.O), United States

46. Margot Smith, Convener, Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers, United States

47. Grant Neufeld, Co-ordinator, Revolutionary Knitting Cicle, Canada

48. Yuko Mitsumoto, A Seed Japan, Japan

49. Browen Thomas, Climate Change Campaigns Officer, People & Planet, UK

50. Pedal Australia for Clean Energy, Australia

51. Arturo Alfaro Medina, VIDA - Instituto para la Protección del Medio Ambiente, Peru

52. Joel Catchlove, Friends of the Earth Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

53. Ren Litao, Green Pioneer, Inner Mongolia University, China