Roadtown, Tortola - As part of ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about climate change and its impact on the Territory, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Conservation and Fisheries Department are hosting a Climate Change Logo Competition. 
The logo competition, which runs until September 30, is open territory-wide to all secondary and class four and five primary school students.

Conservation and Fisheries Department Officer with responsibility for Climate Change, Ms. Angela Burnett Penn, provided the Department of Information and Public Relations with some details about climate change and the importance of targeting students for the logo competition.

“Climate change refers to the steady increase in average global air and ocean temperatures.  This generates extreme rainfall patterns, stronger hurricanes, and sea level rises that have impacts on tourism, insurance, our natural resources, water and energy supply, agriculture and fisheries, human health, human settlements, and our critical infrastructure,” Ms. Burnett Penn explained.

“From the logo competition, we expect students to gain a better understanding and a personal appreciation for climate change and its impacts while showcasing their creative talent,” Ms. Penn said.

The CFD Officer further stressed that students must be aware of these potential changes and the best mitigation options as their generation and future generations will be more likely subjected to climate change impacts.

The winning logo will be used in future local climate change education activities and should capture most of the key changes that are expected to affect the Territory as described on the logo competition entry form.  The winning artist will be recognised in the local media and will have the opportunity to perfect their art work with respected local artist Mr. Rueben Vanterpool.   

The first prize winner will receive an all expense paid trip to Jost Van Dyke which includes the boat ride, lunch at Foxy’s and a snorkeling, hiking, and bird-watching eco-tour of Jost Van Dyke and the surrounding cays compliments of Jost Van Dyke Scuba.

The second prize winner will receive a high-end digital camera which will allow them to capture climatic events and other natural changes within our environment, while  the third prize winner will receive a ‘Turtle Encounters at Sea Excursion’ compliments of the Conservation and Fisheries Department.

Persons interested in receiving additional information about the Climate Change Logo Competition may collect an entry form from art, science and homeroom teachers at public and private secondary schools, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Library Services Department, the Department of Disaster Management, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour or the Conservation and Fisheries Department.