In May 2019 the States Assembly declared a climate emergency. They asked for a plan to aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality means achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions. This will mean balancing Jersey's emissions with activities which remove carbon, such as growing trees.
Jersey’s common strategic priorities include: ‘we will put children first’. We believe it is important to engage with young people, and ensure the voices of young people and children are heard. The climate emergency is of particular importance due to its long-term effects on current and future generations. All youth engagement surrounding this topic will feed back into Jersey’s long-term climate action plan.
The eco challenge provides a creative way for young people to engage with Jersey’s climate emergency. We are asking young people to create something which will express their views on Jersey’s climate crisis. This can be either written or visual.
The current impact of Covid-19 means we have had to think of a different way to approach this topic. We hope this challenge will get young people thinking differently too. We hope it will be something that can be done in school, youths clubs or at home.
Eco challenge criteria
Eco active would like to encourage young people to take part creatively in the new eco challenge. This will allow young people to share their creative views of the climate and biodiversity crises here in Jersey.
We would like young people to think outside of the box and communicate using any visual or written medium they like. This could be anything from photography, painting, poetry, short stories or film. Students can submit more than one creative piece, but all work entered must be their own.
How to enter
You can enter online:
Apply for eco active challenge for young people
Attach a picture of your entry, which medium(s) you have used and a brief description of your entry and its links to climate change in Jersey.
Entry eligibility
The eco challenge is open to all secondary school aged children, aged 11 to 18.
There are three judging categories based on school year groups:
category 1: Years 7 to 9
category 2: Years 10 to 11 (GCSE, or equivalent)
category 3: Years 12 to 13 (A Levels, or equivalent)
There will also be one overall winner.
Once entries have been submitted, keep hold of your submissions. Some will be selected for the final exhibition.
Deadline
The deadline is Thursday 1 April 2021. An exhibition is planned in April / May 2021 (TBC).
Judges
Matt Porteous (photographer and videographer)
Ian Rolls (Artist)
Traci O’Dea (Author and Poet)
Environment Minister John Young
Prizes
There will be prizes awarded for each category, as well as an overall award for Best Entry.
First prize includes a half day Outdoor Adventure Experience with Valley Adventure for the whole class. The winner will be able to choose activities of their choice.
All entries will receive a complimentary packet of pollinator seeds, so you can help improve Jersey’s biodiversity.
Eco challenge creative entries must be relevant to climate change in Jersey. Aside from this, we want to keep the brief as broad as possible. We would like young people to express their creativity and own perspectives of the local environment and climate change.
Here are some suggestions to get them started on their creative pursuits:
- what do you imagine when you think of climate change?
- what does climate change mean to you?
- how have you been affected by climate change?
- do you think climate change is impacting Jersey’s environment? If so, how?
- do you think COVID-19 has impacted Jersey’s environment? If so, how?
- how are you helping the environment?
- is there a place in Jersey that shows signs of climate change, or a place that is helping tackle climate change?
- are there ways you can reduce the impact of climate change here in Jersey?
Potential medium(s) that can be used for entry. A mix of mediums can be used, there is no limit on mediums used:
- photography
- video
- painting
- drawing
- collage or textiles
- sculpture / 3D Model
- short environmental report (1,500 words max)
- short story (1,500 words max)
- poetry (40 lines max)
If you have any queries,
email eco active.
Follow the
eco active Jersey Facebook for updates on the Eco Challenge, entries and exhibition. We will announce the winners on here.
gov.je