Student involvement in environmental issues is not a new phenomenon, in fact it is one of the best ways to raise early awareness of the way human effect and interact with the environment. That said, the Green Planet Awards Competition hosted by Trinity College, Dublin is one of many, but also one of a kind.
This year’s competition, which involves creating and producing a campaign of awareness about certain aspect of global climate change, will this year focus on “Eco Eating” and how what we eat and how we produce food impacts the global environment. Things like climate change, deforestation, and world hunger can be greatly lessened by knowledge and awareness of what we eat and where it comes from. In the end the competition is all about awareness, and there is really no downside. Whether your team wins or looses, it’s the message that’s important. The Green Planet website helps potential participants form a campaign message based around the predetermined theme and then for the campaign itself, from internet navigation to local government lobbying.
The final announcement for the best campaign is awarded after all entries are in on May 1st. At this point the first place prize of a REVA electric car, second place €2000 and third place €1000 are awarded.
But in the end the Green Planet awards are not about winning, or even creating something physical to combat climate change, but creating a change in the way the public think about climate change and in turn act to help or hinder it. Getting to the root of the problem is the best way to consider what this campaign does. In the end all human activity starts with the willingness of the individual. The campaigns started by the Green Planet Awards aim right at that target, changing perceptions and actions at the core.
The details of the awards make only Irish students in a third year institution eligible for participation, but the idea lives transcends these boundaries. Around the world higher-level institutions are supporting environmental conservation efforts, this is only one example in a hundred, and hopefully it will spark a hundred more.
