Bringing  the  world  together  to  change  the  world    A  team  of  20  people  from  South  America,  Asia  and  Africa  arrived  on  a  Saturday  afternoon,  August  4,  on  a  farm  in  the  Emmental  valley,  two  hours  from  Bern,    capital  of  Switzerland.  The  pupose  of  the  gathering  was  to  prove  that  we  can  all  be  part  of  an  Energy  Revolution  and  that  we  can  be  the  solution  required.    Over   6   days,   we   installed   on   the   Fluckiger's   farm   43   photovoltaics   panels   capable   of  generating   216kwp.  Our   days   began  with   breakfast  at   7:30am.  We   formed   three   groups  some  who  stayed  on  the  farm  helping  Susanna  Fluckiger  while  other  went  up  onto  the  roof  and   worked   on   the   installation.   The   third   group   would   go   into   the   village   and   there  calculate  how  much  solar  energy  the  roofs  in  the  village  could  produce.  During  that  week  the  groups  analysed  350  houses  and  showed  enormous  potential  for  the  Emmental  region  to  go  solar.    We  had  a  lot  of  work  but  working  till  6pm  everyday  we  got  it  all  done.        One  some  nights,  we  listened  to  Retze  and  Artemi  play  the  guitar,  while  the  evening  grew  chilly   staying   outside  was   rewarded  with   a   sky   full   of   stars   and   the   occasional   shooting  

stars.  We  camped  out  in  tents  or  slept  in  the  barn  woken  only  by  lowing  cows  ,  even  the  flies  that  followed  us  all  day  long  were  not  enough  to  spoil  this  idyllic  life.      In  my  opinion  the  most  important  thing  was  the  contact  with  others  volunteers  ,cultures  and  the  practical  knowledge  of  a  photovoltaic  installation.  I  saw  how  a  small  group  can  make  a    big  change.          I   came   to   home   with  the   confidence   that   I  

can  do  more  for  my  community.  A  few  days  after  returning  home          we  received   an   email   from     Susanna   Fluckiger   her   words   inspired  me   and  hope  that  as    this  chapter  draws  to  a  close  they  inspire  you.    Since   you   all   left,   it's   so   quiet   here…   Everyone   of   you   is   such   a   special  person.  There  are  many  open  doors  for  you.  So  I  wish  you  all  can  choose  the   task   that   will   give   you   satisfaction   and   pleasure.   Choose   carefully,  and  don’t  give  up  until  you  find  it.        This  is  the  20th  episode  of  a  blog  post-­‐series  called  Cool  Spot  Stories  written  by  young  and  committed  Reporters.  

 About the Author Thomas Mendel is 20 years old and Greenpeace Brazil volunteer since 2011. He studies journalism and intends to use his future profession as tool to share his ideas. In Brazil, he was involved with a Greenpeace project that enabled young people to install a solar system at a community center in a slum in Rio de Janeiro (Juventude Solar). In 2013, Greenpeace invited him to Switzerland to the International Solar Camp in order to install a solar plant on a farmer's roof, together with other Greenpeace volunteers and staff.

More information: http://www.greenpeace.org/brasil/pt/O-que-fazemos/Clima-e-Energia/juventude-solar/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juNG9Wr3yxI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAFJh7nQ2LU