Pupils asked for ideas on climate change

For the first time, Maltese school children are being encouraged to take part in the EU's Green Week Schools Competition 2005.

The students will participate in a competition as part of a series of initiatives organised by the European Commission's Directorate General for the Environment for Green Week from May 31 to June 3.

Green Week is aimed at promoting the concept of sustainable development by providing a platform for political debate and for the exchange of information and knowledge.

Maltese teachers are encouraged to make the competition part of a class activity, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said.

This year, the competition has two categories and highlights the theme of climate change.

Children aged between six and 10 will be asked to create drawings and paintings illustrating their views on climate change. They may draw or paint possible changes to ecosystems caused by global warming or illustrate ideas on how air pollution and climate change may be prevented.

Older pupils, aged between 11 and 16, are invited to submit a short digital video on the same subject.

The video should not be longer than three minutes and should not include any text or script. They can show what causes climate change and put forward ideas on how they can make a difference by changing their behaviour. Creative approaches will be rewarded.

Entries are to be submitted by March 15.

The Green Week's website can be accessed through www.mepa. org.mt.