Green Days by the EPPD: UNDP

Monday, 18 April 2016

Public Awareness Campaign for the NIP begins!

In fulfillment of the obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in 2013 the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), through funding from the United Nations Development Programme, completed and submitted Trinidad and Tobago’s National Implementation Plan (NIP). The NIP is a five (5) year road map that identifies mechanisms to measure, manage, reduce or eliminate the threat of POPs in the country.

A critical component of the NIP is the roll out of a public awareness campaign, with the aim of sensitizing the nation on the adverse effects of POPs, the mechanisms to reduce their exposure to such toxins, and to provide information on the recommended activities outlined in NIP. As such, a limited but comprehensive public awareness campaign has been developed to target policy makers, the industrial sector and the general public.

The main elements of the public awareness package include:

Distribution of the NIP (hard copy and electronically).
Dissemination of informational material including brochures, flip cards,and posters.
Publication of articles on POPs in industry magazines and newsletters such as the Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce's (TTCIC) "Contact" Magazine and the Energy Chamber's "Energy Now" Newsletter.
Publicizing of a 45 second advertisment on POPs on local TV stations and MovieTowne, Port of Spain and Caribbean Cinemas Southpark and on various social media platforms.
Showcasing of information on POPs and the NIP on the EPPD's Blogspot: http://eppd-tt.blogspot.com/

Promotional material will be distributed to key actors in the waste and chemicals field, schools across the nation as part of an education campaign and the general public during the EPPD's public awareness.

Be on the look out for information like the promotional material below, on 'what are' and 'how to protect yourself and the environment against' POPs!

Monday, 14 December 2015

CLIMAQUEST now available at local stores!

On November 17, 2015 Parvati Girls' Hindu College in Debe officially launched the edu-tainment game, CLIMAQUEST at the Naparima Bowl to a packed audience which included distinguished guests such as the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Richard Blewitt and the chairman of the Environmental Commission, Mr. Chateram Sinanan.

Kavita Samaroo, Project Coordinator, presenting at the Launch of the game CLIMAQUEST®

Teachers and students of Parvati Girls’ Hindu College with the newly launched CLIMAQUEST®

With the help of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), students and teachers of Parvati Girls' came up with a simple, innovative, interactive board game aimed at sharing information on the causes, effects and solutions to climate change as it pertains to Small Island Developing States with young minds so that they can become catalysts for positive environmental change. The CLIMAQUEST® game is a copyrighted and trademarked game of the school developed by four teachers, Kavita Samaroo, Babeeta Rampersad, Sherrie Seegobin and Susan Maharaj.

Before the final game was manufactured, the prototype game was tested in various schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The game received positive reviews with both teachers and students. Students especially, varying in ages and forms, has praised the game as an exciting and innovating way to learn. CLIMAQUEST® also comes with supporting material in the form of electronic lesson plans in various subject areas to help educators utilise it as a teaching tool.

Currently, the game is available in Charran’s Bookstores, Keith Khan Books Etc. Ltd, Pepper House and directly from the school. CLIMAQUEST® is the perfect gift for a child or family this Christmas as it gives players the tools to tackle climate change and create a better future through increased knowledge and awareness.