The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton T.D. is today encouraging students from primary and post primary schools to enter this year’s SEAI One Good Idea competition. Students will create a one-minute film and campaign to inspire people to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. This year, four regional finals will be held in Omniplex cinemas around the country. Students will see their film on the big screen and present their campaign to a panel of judges. Regional winners from each event will then compete at the National Final in Dublin.
The competition encourages students, their families and communities to take individual and collective responsibility for tackling climate change. Students will learn important skills in communication, film-making and creating change at a community level. In the last decade, over one and a half million people in Ireland have been reached by the projects put together by 7,500 inspiring schoolchildren.
Opening the competition, Minister Bruton said:
“Young people have made their voices heard on the urgent need to take action to secure a more sustainable future. Delivering on the ambitious policies set out in the Climate Action Plan will require changes from everyone. This competition is a great opportunity for students to get involved, learn about the actions that they and their communities can take and also how they can spread the word and encourage others to do the same. I urge all teachers and students to make a difference and join this great initiative.”
Commenting on the impact of the One Good Idea competition to date, Emer Barry, SEAI’s education executive said:
“Our young people have some of the best and most creative ideas for bringing about positive change in society. SEAI’s One Good Idea competition taps into that creativity and gives students the opportunity to become active energy citizens.
We are delighted to introduce four regional finals for this year’s One Good Idea school competition, which give more student’s the opportunity to showcase their ideas for taking climate action. Film is an incredibly powerful way to communicate and increasingly important for raising awareness in social and digital media. Positive changes to how we use energy can, and does, make a huge difference to our carbon emissions. I encourage students and teachers across the country to get involved.”
Participating students have the chance to win prizes for themselves and their schools. Awareness campaigns can cover energy use at home, at school, for transport, energy related purchases and renewable energy.
For full details and to apply online please visit at www.seai.ie/onegoodidea