From 9-12 October young people from all over the UK will be heading to the Institute of Education in London. They’ll be ordinary people. Taking time out from their jobs or their studying. Travelling the length of the country just to get there.

Why? Because they want to help build a better future that they can grow up in, grow old in – do all the things that they plan and dream of. Because they want the one thing for their future that decision-makers today have been able to take for granted – a safe, stable climate.

Organised by young people, for young people, Power Shift marks a new chapter in youth action on climate change. Similar, hugely successful, events have already taken place in America, India and Australia – now it’s our turn.

Over four days, Power Shift will present fresh perspectives and common sense ideas to tackle the single biggest issue facing our generation. The event will be jam-packed with top speakers from all walks of life, loads of innovative, practical workshops, and cutting-edge live bands. Last but not least, the final ‘Takeoff’ on the Monday will give you the chance to put your newly-learned skills into practice and make a real impact at the very heart of UK decision making.

Young people everywhere are waking up to the reality of the climate crisis and demanding the future that they deserve.

Why is Power Shift so important?
Climate change is a reality that we have grown up with. From the word go we were taught about greenhouse gases and melting ice caps. To us this has always been science and not fiction – so why has it taken everyone else so long to catch up?

The fact is, if things don’t change soon, we face a world of flooded cities, food shortages and wars for resources that will completely change the way we live our lives. Climate change is already affecting the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable around the world. In time it will affect us all.

The men in suits who are making all the decisions won’t be around to see this future become reality – but we will. If there is any one voice that decision makers must listen to, it is ours.

That’s why we need to act now. The decisions that are made today will determine what our lives are like years and decades down the line, and with the the United Nations climate change summit taking place in Copenhagen this December this has never been more vital.

By signing up for Power Shift you’ll be part of a movement of young people across the UK, demanding a cleaner, safer future and taking action to secure it.

What makes Power Shift different?
With a team made up of over thirty volunteers, all aged under 25 and organising the event alongside our studies and jobs, we know that young people have so much more to offer than they are given credit for.

In a time of economic disruption, spiralling national debt and mass youth unemployment on a scale not seen for decades, Power Shift will show despite the obstacles facing us, young people are ready to lead this country into a new era of 21st century energy freedom.

Above all, Power Shift is for you, it belongs to you, and right now it needs you. As we speak, the movement is building. Young people of all shapes, sizes and interests – from dancers to farmers, campaigners to architects – are joining forces, because we know that if this is going to work it needs to work for everyone. From Bradford to Belfast. Dublin to Dundee.

What we’re doing isn’t radical, it’s not alternative, it’s common sense – normal people stepping up to protect their families, friends, homes and the things that matter to them. We realise that going green isn’t about turning back the clock, but speeding us on towards a better future.



Shift isn’t your typical conference, and in some ways, you’re better off thinking of it as a four-day journey.

The starting point is 1000 separate young people from across the UK, many of whom have never done anything like this before.

And the end point is four days later, when those same 1000 people stand up and are counted on the streets of London, part of a unified, organised and inspired UK youth climate movement

Power Shift will take you there, bringing together inspirational speakers, great entertainment and original, joined-up workshops that engage your heart, head and your hands.

Sign up at www.powershift09.co.uk