World Ozone Day Poster Competition

On Wednesday 8th April, 2015 the National Ozone Unit of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) held a Prize Giving Ceremony for winners of its World Ozone Day Poster Competition at the Carlton Savannah Hotel, Port-of-Spain. 

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has sought to educate the general public on becoming ozone friendly as well as inculcate environmentally responsible behaviour and attitudes among our citizens. As such, this competition was intended to encourage students between the ages of five and eighteen to design posters depicting ozone layer depletion and ways to save the ozone layer  in commemoration of the 2014 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. World Ozone Day is celebrated annually on September 16th.

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer and Deputy Environmental Manager, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, MEWR informing the audience about the importance of protecting the ozone layer

 

The theme for 2014 was entitled "Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On." The poster competition celebrated this theme which focused on global efforts to protect the ozone layer and address sustainability issues whilst highlighting those individuals and groups that actively participate in Ozone Layer protection.

 

Ms. Ramkhelawan giving opening remarks at the Prize Giving Ceremony

 

In her remarks at the Prize Giving, Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan, Permanent Secretary of the MEWR regarded the use of environmental competitions as an invaluable tool that offers students an alternative approach to learning about the environment. She outlined the causes and the negative effects of ozone layer depletion and therefore, urged attendees to continue to do their part to protect the ozone layer.  

Top prizes included electronic tablets and book vouchers. The following is a listing of the results from the competition which was presided over by the National Coordinating Committee on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

5-11 year old category:

• First place      - Andrew Raghunanan, Charlieville ASJA Primary 
• Second place  - Adam Raghunanan, Charlieville ASJA Primary 
• Third place     - Zeph Subran-Ganesh, Home- Schooled 
• Fourth place   - Danielle John, Arouca Government Primary

Poster by First place winner in the 5-11 year category - Andrew Raghunanan

  12-18 year old category

• First place     - Stacy Jagoonanan, Rio Claro West Secondary 
• Second place - Aaron Raghunanan , Queen’s Royal College 
• Third Place    - Jahlisa May, St. Joseph’s Convent, St. Joseph 
• Fourth place   - Josiah Du Barry, Barataria South Secondary School

Poster by First place winner in the 12-18 year old category - Stacy Jagoonanan

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources would like to especially recognize and thank all students who participated in this competition as well as their parents, guardians and teachers for supporting them.

Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Dr Marissa Gowrie (left) National Ozone Officer and Deputy Manager, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with winners of the World Ozone Day, Poster Competition