24/05/2005 - The Environment
Agency has invited all primary schools across
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to take
part in a competition to promote World Environment
Day (Sunday 5 June). Children will be designing
board games and writing poems to drive home
the message that if everyone changed one
or two of their environmental behaviours,
we would collectively make a big difference
to the health of the planet.
The winners of each competition will each
receive a £150 voucher to put towards
a new mountain bike from Wheelies Direct.
Runners-up prizes include writing and artists
gift boxes and RSPB Wildlife Explorer’s
Membership.
The World Environment Day campaign is based
on a pledge system. People can join the
campaign by pledging to do simple things
like turning off the tap while brushing
their teeth, turning off the TV rather than
leaving it on standby, switching to a renewable
energy provider, replacing standard lightbulbs
with energy saving ones or volunteering
for a green community project. Poetry competition
entries must pick one of these themes and
board game entries must focus on four.
Schools taking part in the competition
have until 22 July to get their entries
in. Youth groups such as Brownies and Cubs
can also enter.
Harvey Bradshaw, Hampshire and the Isle
of Wight Area Manager for the Environment
Agency said:
"It’s a well coined phrase, but children
really are our future. By asking children
to take part in a campaign like this we
hope to encourage good environmental behaviour
that will carry on throughout their lives
and that they will transfer to their families
and friends."
Any school or youth group who has not received
details of the competition and who would
like to take part can contact Rachel McCartney
on 01903 832032 for an entry pack.
