Young artist chosen to speak at UN

When Andrew Bartolo was 13, he painted a picture for the United Nations Environment Programme's International Children's Painting Competition that portrayed his perspective on today's defining challenge - climate change.

He did well then, placing third worldwide, alongside two other Maltese children, among 14,000 entries. But little did he know that, two years later, his painting would be among a mere 27 original works, chosen from 200,000 UNEP winning competition entries over almost two decades, to be exhibited and auctioned at the UN's Paint for the Planet event at its headquarters in New York.

On Saturday, his picture should fetch $500 at the very least, a sum that will go into Unicef's emergency relief for children affected by climate-related disasters.

"I never thought it would generate funds; I never had any expectations. I am shocked and even proud that such a big difference can be made with such a little gesture," Andrew, now 15, told The Times.

The auction, being held at the Harvard Club of New York City and also online for worldwide bidding, goes up at $500 intervals. So his work could really have an effect.

Moreover, Andrew is one of only five young artists worldwide to be invited to the UN to sum up, in 100 words, the message his painting intends to convey. Together with students from Burundi, the US and Columbia, he was chosen on the basis of that message, which, in his case, gives a voice to animals and has a humorous touch.

The event in New York also marks his first foray into public speaking - and he is addressing none other than the UN secretary general, business leaders, decision makers and international media.

The San Anton School student is "slightly nervous and very excited", but he intends to rise to the challenge and use the experience to pave the way for future addresses of the sort.

He plans to tell his prestigious audience that, even though humans suffer, they can, at least, express themselves. "Animals, on the other hand, cannot, so my painting gives a voice to the silent protest of these creatures.

"Few people portray the animal point of view, but the reality is that we depend on them too and, if something happens to them, we would be just as badly affected," Andrew maintains.

His painting depicts a bunch of penguins on what appears to be a desert island - their familiar territory having melted away, forcing their migration from their home. One penguin has also melted into a black smudge; the other is living in an open fridge; another is sheltering under an umbrella and the other is swimming to keep cool - all as a result of global warming.

"It is an insight into a possible future if we continue at this rate," Andrew warns.

But he does not intend to stop at art to convey his eco-friendly message. "I would like to get into environmental science and talk to schoolchildren about green issues in the near future."

Meanwhile, he is busy recycling and switching off the lights - even if he leaves the room for a few minutes - in accordance with his parents' instructions and talks at school that have left their mark.

What he has learnt is that everyone can make a difference - even if they are unaware of the impact at that particular point.

Paint for the Planet is the launching pad for the Unite to Combat Climate Change campaign to support the call for a definitive agreement at the climate change talks in Denmark in December 2009.

After New York, the exhibit is travelling to various climate-related events around the world, culminating in Copenhagen. In New York, it runs until November 18.

www.unep.org/paint4planet