Six students were rewarded for their winning entries when CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) last Tuesday announced the winners of its Secondary Schools Green Energy and Renewables Essay Competition 2021. The competition challenged students from both public and private secondary schools to “share their ideas, celebrate their story and write for a better world.”
Students competed in Junior and Senior categories, with specific themes for each group.
According to a press release from Tagman Media, in the Junior Secondary School competition, students, ages 11 to 14, were asked to write on ‘Green Energy Ideas for my community’ and the Senior Secondary students, ages 15 to 18, were invited to write on “The Effect of Renewables on Climate Change in Guyana’. According to the release, the winners in the Junior and Senior categories were:
Junior Category (Age 11 to 14)
1st place: Janae Bristol, The Bishops High School
2nd place: Anjellica Dasilva, Mae’s Secondary School
3rd place: Mariah W. Sookram, Saraswati Vidya Niketan
Senior Category (Age 15 to 18)
1st place: Thuraia Thomas, Queen’s College
2nd place: Shamari Cyrus, Mackenzie High School
3rd place: Eze Ochasi, School of the Nations
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat delivered the feature address at the Prize Giving Ceremony, which included the winners, their parents, teachers, Education Ministry officials, CPGL officials and personnel from the Chinese embassy in Guyana in the Promenade Gardens.
“I wish to commend CNOOC for taking this initiative regardless of them being in oil and exploration and production. They have taken the position to recognize the environment and to place emphasis on cutting emissions and the preservation of our environment. The conversation on climate change and the reduction of emissions should be a global effort, it should not rest on the shoulders of Guyana alone, and it is everyone’s business,” he was quoted as saying.
President of CPGL, Liu Xiaoxiang, also addressed the gathering, saying that the company wanted to encourage children, who are tomorrow’s leaders, to understand the need for a green energy future, to observe the practices around them today, and to think about what can be done in their homes and communities to help with the transition. “Our company CPGL will be your partner in this transition. Globally we are known as an oil and gas company, but today we are actively involved in the transition to being an energy company as we are determined to secure sustainable energy solutions for future generations.” Liu added.
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Cooperative of Guyana, Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, also made brief remarks and commented, “Congra-tulations to all the students for your excellent performances, I believe by taking part in this essay competition you may have a more profound and comprehensive understanding of climate change and green development.” The ambassador added, “Guyana has great potential to develop a green energy and low carbon economy. China and Guyana share the same ideas and have the courage to share the responsibilities while tackling climate challenges. There is great potential for green cooperation between the two sides.” Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Marcel Hutson, also congratulated the students on their achievements. In brief remarks, he further encouraged them to continue to let their voices be heard on issues relating to climate change and green energy. The CEO also congratulated CPGL on hosting the successful essay competition, noting that the Ministry of Education welcomes these types of competitions and encouraged them to continue to push for talks on the development of green energy and renewables in Guyana. The first-place winners in each category read a small portion of their winning essays. Minister Bharrat, Ambassador Haiyan, CEO Hutson and CPGL President Xiaoxiang handed over the prizes.
