Research Preparations for Secondary School Research

The Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) of the Ministry of Planning and Development were invited by the Environmental Sustainable School Programme (ESSP) Officer of Bishop Anstey High School East and Trinity College East to assist in the preparation of an in-house environmental debate which would be held in October, 2015.

On September 29th 2015, Ms. Candace Amoroso, Biodiversity Specialist and Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Policy Analyst of the EPPD gave a brief presentation on the benefits of biodiversity and the impacts of its loss. The students and the Ministry officials engaged in a rousing discussion on the Motion: Human Population is the single greatest threat to Biodiversity.

From L-R: Ms. Amoroso and Ms. Gordon showing students information in the National Wildlife Policy which could be used for their upcoming debate.

The students displayed a keen interest and knowledge on their selected topic. The schools were also presented with literature from the EPPD on our national biodiversity related policies for their shared library, along with posters to be displayed on the walls of their science laboratories. 

Ms. Sindy Singh and Ms. Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel, Research Analyst of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU), EPPD also visited the school for a presentation and discussion on Climate Change on September 30th, 2015. This fulfilled the request to assist the students in preparation for another motion of their upcoming debate. The motion asked for arguments for or against the question of whether (anthropogenic) climate change is a myth or scientific reality. The students were also given material produced by the MEAU and the National Climate Change Policy to add to their library.

 

World Environment Day 2015

World Environment Day (WED) is the principal vehicle used by the United Nations through which worldwide awareness of the environment is stimulated as well as it  is a global celebration also serving as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something collectively helpful for the environment.  The theme for WED 2015 is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”. 

To commemorate WED 2015, on June 11th 2015 the Environmental Policy and Planning Division was invited to facilitate lectures about environmental issues such as biodiversity conservation, waste management, ozone depletion and climate change to the students of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Primary School as part of their WED activities. The EPPD also set up an interactive display in the school's auditorium where students visited during break times and played various games that also served to further teach them about the environment.

Students were engaged, participative and fully enjoyed both the lectures and the display:

Biodiversity Public Awareness Series

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) designated as May 22 is dedicated to increasing the awareness of biodiversity issues worldwide. This year’s theme highlighted the significance of biodiversity for sustainable development and human well-being. 

In commemoration of IDB 2015, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) conducted a week series of public awareness programmes at four select secondary schools. The aim was to educate students on the importance of biodiversity and current initiatives being undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to conserve biodiversity.

The schools included:

• Preysal High School: May 22, 2015 
• Northgate College: May 25, 2015
• Lakshmi Girls High School: May 26, 2015 
• Bishop Anstey High School: May 29, 2015 

The lectures were conducted by representatives from the Ministry's Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD): Ms. Candace Amoroso (Biodiversity Specialist), Ms. Anastasia Gordon (Environmental Policy Analyst), Mr. Javed Lakhan (Environmental Policy Analyst) and Ms. Aditi Thanoo (Associate Professional).

Ms. Thanoo asking the girls of Lakshmi Girls to identify species they were familiar with

Ms. Gordon (left) presenting a teacher of Lakshmi Girls (right) a Biodiversity poster produced by the EPPD

Mr. Lakhan facilitating the Q&A session with the students of Preysal High School

Lakshmi High School Girls enjoying the presentation on Biodiversity

Bishop Anstey High School Girls fully engrossed in the biodiversity awareness  session facilitated by the EPPD

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