Win cash, trees for your school
CHILDREN are the future.
It is good to have them knowledgeable about issues to do with climate change, it is also good to have children more involved in creating awareness, and acting against the rapidly changing atmospheric conditions and environment.
In Sierra Leone, a group called African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) has organised a peaceful march in Freetown. The stakeholders include schools and youth groups. They will march and raise awareness about the climate crisis.
Climate Educate Project group has collaborated with a Philippines youth organisation to produce infographics explaining the threat of a continuous rise in global temperatures.
In Zimbabwe, we have the Envirotrackers Environmental Awareness Essay Competition running under the theme “Earth is Us”.
The competition is a good way for children to learn about the environmental decline that is leading to climate change.
The children can do this through researching for their essays.
It is also a good way for children to educate the “grown-ups” on what they know and offer their suggestions on how to preserve the environment. The competition will see three winners walking away with cash and trees for their schools in each category.
The theme is a reminder that we make up the earth, hence it is our responsibility to preserve and protect it. The essay topics are focused on pollution, land degradation, desertification, energy, deforestation and climate change.
The competition prizes are a motivational tool for children to go an extra mile in writing their essays while the trees will benefit the schools and communities at large.
The competition is running until December 13, 2019 for school children in Harare Province and Mashonaland East Province only.
Group 1 (Grades 5-7)
1. What is climate change?
2. Why is it important to plant trees and to throw litter in bins?
Group 2 (Forms 1-2) One-and-a-half to two pages.
1. What do you understand by the term global warming?
2. You have been asked to deliver a speech to parents and students at your school on proper solid waste management. Write a speech to educate your audience on how to dispose of the following types of waste properly: plastic and biodegradable waste.
Group 3 (Forms 3-4) Two-and-a-half-three pages
1. What measures would you take to ensure that the earth’s natural state is conserved and how would you encourage citizens to contribute towards curbing global warming?
2. How can renewable energy technologies such as wind energy, hydro-electricity, biomass and solar power be stimulated by the Government?
3. Do you believe that deforestation and the environmental damage it causes is worthwhile when compared to the economic benefits that can come from it?
Group 4 (Forms 5-6) Three-and-a-half to four pages
1. Disposable diapers are hazardous to the environment. How can we properly dispose of them in an eco-friendly way? 2. Renewable energy is the only sustainable and eco-friendly source of energy. Discuss. 3. Does eco-tourism pose a threat to the protection of wildlife and natural environments? Discuss its significance in conservation of wildlife and natural environments. Students can choose one topic and send their essays to envirotrackers@gmail.com or via WhatsApp on 0735948925. Winners’ essays will be published in The Sunday Mail Bridge.