Conserving the environment

...one student at a time
Cherisse Moe
Published: 19 Oct 2009

Environmental issues such as global warming and climate change will be topics of discussion at next month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held in Port-of-Spain. Future leaders are learning more about these pertinent issues and ways in which they too can help preserve the world around them, as the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) gears up to host its second annual Eco Song School Competition.

The competition, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, calls on students in Forms One to Three throughout T&T to bring their best voices forward as they articulate their views through music and song. Senior environmental officer at the EMA Tisha Maraj says the competition was introduced to “fill a void” in environmental awareness activities and encourage positive environmental attitudes and behaviours.

She says entrants will be allowed to work with local artistes and incorporate local musical genres, including Calypso, Soca, Chutney, Soca Chutney and Rapso into their pieces. Chris Garcia and Brother Resistance have already been booked to take part. Dubbed Water, Life and the Environment, this year’s theme coincides with that of the United Nations’ slogan: Water for Life, which aims to raise awareness about the connection between water and climate change. Sharing the knowledge With approximately 20 Secondary schools already on the Eco Song bandwagon, Maraj hopes this year’s competition will be bigger and better. Noting that the society is becoming more aware of environmental issues, Maraj is of the view that much more needs to be done to bring them to the fore. More info Ten students gaining the highest points from the preliminary events will compete in the finals of the Eco Song Competition, to be held at the CLR James Auditorium, Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies, Valsayn, on November 11, at 9.30 am. Prior to the finals, a workshop will be held with the ten finalists on November 3 at the EMA Conference Room, St Clair, Port-of-Spain. Students will be judged on, among other criteria, rendition, melody, lyrics and performance. Call: 628-8042 or log onto www.ema.co.tt for further details. Source: http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/10/19/conserving-environment