2011 Earth Hour Student Essay Winners

This year BELCO, Greenrock and Bermuda National Library, Youth Services, joined together to develop a new project for 2011 Earth Hour. The 2011 Earth Hour Student Essay Competition, for students ages 9-18, was introduced to help raise awareness amongst young people and to encourage research and writing.

They received 119 essays and the judges were: Thania Redman and Wendell Richards of BELCO; Jeane Nikolai and Nicola O’Leary from the Ministry of Environment Planning & Infrastructure Strategy, who are also Earth Hour Council members; and Marla Smith from the Bermuda National Library, Youth Services. The Essay Contest winners were announced during the 2011 Earth Hour celebration at City Hall on Saturday, 26 March:

AGE: 15 -18

• 1st Place – Renee Greenslade — Renee attends St. Margaret’s School in Virginia; she has elected to donate the $250 school award to the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy
• 2nd Place Rory Ben Wilson – Warwick Academy
• 3rd Place Tie: Charnae Richardson and Kamel Easton both of CedarBridge Academy

AGE: 12 -14

• 1st Place: Elizabeth Emma Kook of Warwick Academy
• 2nd Place Tie: Jair Duke and Sherrita Bailey both of CedarBridge Academy
• 3rd Place Brandon Sousa – Mount Saint Agnes Academy

AGE: 9 – 11

• 1st Place Nicholas Siese of Somerset Primary
• 2nd Place Malini Romeo – Warwick Academy
• 3rd Place Tie: Ezra Joel-West End Primary and Zakira White -Purvis Primary

Honourable Mention:

• Peyton Caldoza – Bermuda High School for Girls
• Melanie Soares-Chan – Warwick Academy
• Sean Tucker – Warwick Academy

Prizes will be awarded during the Earth Hour ‘wrap-up’ news conference on Wednesday, 13 April at 11:30 am at the Youth Library on Reid Street. Each 1st Place winner wins $250 for his or her school to use on an environmental project.

The students’ prizes: the 1st Place winners will each receive an Amazon Kindle, as well as $50 and books on environmental topics. Each 2nd Place winner will receive $50 and books, and each 3rd Place winner will receive $25 and the books. The books selected by Marla Smith for the winners are: “Not Your Typical Book about the Environment”, “Operation Redwood” and “Carbon Capture 2015″.

Below is Warwick Academy’s Elizabeth Emma Kook’s essay, winner in the 12-14 age division:

I Can Make Bermuda’s Energy Future “Greener”

Bermuda has a huge problem with its carbon footprint – being the amount of carbon dioxide we (the people) each produce. This carbon gas, which is released into the atmosphere, involves every day things that we do – such as driving your car, to running your electricity. However, carbon dioxide is highly hazardous; it is what causes the earth to be warmed by insulating it – also known as ‘Global Warming’. Now, Bermuda’s carbon footprint is very large considering the amount of people situated here. We (the people of Bermuda) are contributing to the death of our planet. We must find a way to stop and reverse global warming… So how can I make Bermuda’s energy future ‘greener’?

I believe that, if Bermuda really is keen on reversing the amount of pollution and bringing an end to carbon admissions, the best and most effective way is to turn to sustainable uses of energy. By doing so, we are ending the use of fossil fuels – preventing global warming from growing any worse. Considering that Bermuda is a tropical island – we can use (pretty much) any form of greener energy – solar energy, wind energy, tidal or wave energy. This allows Bermuda to have a sustainable but yet effective source of energy.

However, if this sustainable step is a bit too big for Bermuda to handle, we could always fall to a smaller and easier – yet effective greener future. This future involving persuading (or demanding) residents to drive electric cars. In Bermuda, very few cars make it to 250,000 miles. This means that Bermuda is constantly importing, and manufacturing new cars to be bought, trashing used cars that were, in fact, perfectly fine – causing pollution to occur more and more. New cars create emissions in manufacturing and shipping, also in the disposal of the old car. If Bermuda introduced electric cars, we would stop the usage of fossil fuels. Bermuda could, also, introduce electric cars within the law – ‘All residents of Bermuda must drive an electric form of transport, no fueled cars allowed.’ On the other hand, if this is too big a jump, the best thing to do than, is to keep driving the same old car.

Another way to a greener future is through doing the little things – for it’s the little things that count. By little things, I mean turning the lights off when you leave the room, unplugging electronics that aren’t being used, using reusable bags or bottles. Just by following those few concepts, you are helping reduce the amount of carbon emissions that Bermuda is producing. It may not seem like much, but, if thousands of people decided to follow those same few guide lines – it soon begins to add up…

The carbon emission of Bermuda needs to be reduced or even reversed. In doing so we, the people of Bermuda, have to change our ways – either by installing solar panels, driving electric cars, or by just reusing the same water bottle every day, we just have to! Though, I am only a 14 year old girl, I cannot do it be myself – I need Bermuda’s support… However, it is, of course, your choice… help our planet, or stand there watching our planet crumble away.

Below is Somerset Primary’s Nicolas Siese’s essay, winner in the 9-11 age division:

The Power of One: I Can Make Bermuda’s Energy Future “Greener”.

Did you know that almost all of our electrical energy comes from fossil fuels being burned? This is a problem for three reasons. It makes carbon dioxide which is causing global warming. Fossil fuels will eventually be extinct. Finally, it puts pollutants in the air. Even though this is a big problem, if everyone did a little something it would mean a lot.

There are ways I can cut down on my use of fossil fuels, and also ways I can get energy from other sources. We have solar panels. They make our hot water with the power of sunlight. At our house there is also a lot of wind. Maybe I could get my parents to buy a small windmill and that could make energy.

I can make sure my house lights are off when I leave the room. This is important because when you use electricity, you are burning a fossil fuel. When you leave your house make sure all of your lights are off as it will decrease your carbon footprint. That means you are not using as much carbon, the main ingredient in fossil fuels.

I can also use energy efficient light-bulbs. They cost more but use less energy and last longer. The bad thing about them is that they cannot be recycled. Maybe one day I can invent an even better light-bulb!

I can cut down on my carbon footprint by riding my bike. If I have to go in a car, I should share my car with other people, or ride the bus or ferry. Maybe one day I can buy an electric car, which is better because I am not burning gasoline.

I am one person, but I can make a difference.

Below is Renee Greenslade’s essay, winner in the 15-18 age division:

“To waste, to destroy, our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified…” (Falls Church City Environment Web). The world today is becoming contaminated, and this effect is because of our society and people. The ozone layer is slowly becoming larger because of careless people and their ways. If we as one do not stop our negative ways, our descendents will not live in the same green world we do now. Contamination is seen everywhere, Bermuda is a small island, that has many beauties. If our ways do not stop, people to come will never be able to experience Bermuda like we all do now. Its glorious beaches will no longer exist, the tall, swaying palm trees and wild life will slowly become no more. Bermuda is known for its beauty, so today some ideas for a Greener Bermuda will help keep Bermuda the same for our children in the future.

The main energy source for Bermuda at this point in time is the Bermuda Electric Light Company. Although they provide power for the entire island, there are several ways to provide energy, without polluting the environment I will discuss several options the pros and cons of each option that can be used alone or in conjunctions with BELCO’s existing equipment.

Solar panels are usually made out of silicon, and this is to do with the element and its outer shell electrons. Silicon has four electrons, and in order for an element to be stable it needs eight electrons, so silicon must gain four to become stable. When the silicon reacts with other atoms, it produces negative and positive charges. When this occurs, electricity is the outcome. Solar panels do not require oil, or any other non-renewable resource. The solar panels use the sun to create its electricity, are quiet and renewable. Since they are costly, BELCO could use solar panels, in conjunction with the diesel engines, it would significantly reduce the carbon foot print.

Wind turbines harness the power of wind to turn the blades which in return spins the shaft of the generator to produces electricity. These could be set up in locations such as North Rock and/or along South Shore. Wind power is safe, unlimited and renewable and since wind is free, customers would not have to worry about the rising fuel prices. Since wind turbines can be noisy, interfere with radar, radio and television transmissions, finding a suitable location may be an issue on a small island. Wind is irregular so BELCO could use wind turbines in conjunction with the diesel engines.

Wave power harnesses the power of the ocean’s waves and uses that power to generate electricity. A buoy type device is placed in the open ocean and as each wave passes, the buoy rises and falls. With each rise and fall the generating device, generates power. The height of the waves, speed, length and the density of the water is a determining factor in the amount of power generated. There are three major problems with wave power. Construction of a device able to withstand the force of the waves, difficulty converting wave power into electricity and the cost of developing these devices to harness the power generated. This could be a practical option for BELCO in the future.

“Green Microgym” uses any piece of moving fitness equipment powered by humans to create energy. Just plug the equipment into a regular electric outlet and start adding electricity to the grid. There are several different equipment options to choose from the Dynamo Stationary, like a Bike, Spin Bikes and Elliptical Trainers. BELCO staff and family members could come and work out for free in return they would be assisting BELCO in generating additional power and reduce the carbon footprint. Employees and their families would also have a healthier lifestyle.

If Bermuda were to implement any of these renewable energy sources, it could significantly reduce the amount of pollution that is emitted into the air. BELCO as a good Corporate will be doing their part in saving the planet and reducing the amount of contamination. By working together we can make this world a better place for everyone.

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Category: All, Environment