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This blog is a global conversation among young people on poverty and other development-related issues. It's maintained by the World Bank's Youthink! team

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World Bank Essay Competition 2009

Blueprint for Green Schools

Submitted by Saadia Iqbal on August 10, 2009 - 10:57

If you were intrigued by Saptarshi's blog post about the "green" ideas of Sophie Bathurst, you'll be happy to know she has been blogging in more detail about them on the World Bank's Climate Change blog. Sophie is the winner of this year's World Bank Essay Competition, and she has some innovative ideas about tackling climate change through youth-led solutions. Check it out!

Eco-citizenship

Submitted by Saptarshi Pal on June 24, 2009 - 09:55

Highlights of the essay by Jean-Paul Brice Affana (Cameroon) who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

Jean Paul is from Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. According to him, one will be surprised to find the number of yellow taxis and motorbikes plying the streets of Yaoundé. Most of the taxi drivers use “Zoa-Zoa” fuel to run their taxis. “Zoa-Zoa” is adulterated petrol illegally supplied in Yaoundé. Its poisonous emissions are affecting the environment and the health of the people. There are about 18,000 taxis and motorbikes running in Yaoundé and most of the taxi drivers are unaware of the fact that the adulterated fuel that they are using not only spoils the engine of their vehicles but also poses a severe threat to the environment.

Jean Paul believes that ignorance of the impacts of human activities on the environment and the lack of awareness about climate change lead to such irresponsible actions by the citizens of Yaoundé.

Local Actions, Global Benefits

Submitted by Saptarshi Pal on June 22, 2009 - 14:09

Highlights of the essay by Guillermo Recio Guajardo (Mexico) who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico, is known for its enormous diversity of natural resources with over 7,000 plant species, or one fourth of all the botanical species in Mexico, that includes various species of forest resources, such as pine, fir, and ash forests.

Widespread deforestation for commercial gains is having serious repercussions on the socio-economic conditions of the indigenous people of this region. Lack of forest cover has led to a decrease in the rainfall in that region and has led to extreme fluctuations in temperature. These conditions have led to the desertification of that region which has seriously affected agriculture. In the absence of their traditional occupation, the locals have been forced to turn to sawmills for their livelihoods, although they are witnessing its consequences! Some of the other impacts of this loss in livelihood include migration, malnutrition, and drug trafficking. 

Greening the Ghanaian Youth

Submitted by Saptarshi Pal on June 19, 2009 - 10:04

Highlights of the essay by Kwasi Gyeabour (Ghana) who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

"He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions."
                                                                                                       - Confucius

Kwasi, along with his friends, wants to establish a Green Mutual Fund for initiating “green” enterprises. Apart from professionals, this fund will appeal to the general public to invest in, as it serves the dual purpose of avoiding “natural” calamities by protecting the environment, and of having a return on the investment. With this fund, Kwasi wants to pioneer such enterprises in his country.

The Cebuano Youth in the Climate Change Crisis

Submitted by Saptarshi Pal on June 12, 2009 - 15:39

Highlights of the essay by Miguel Antonio Garcia (Philippines), who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

Climate change is a major threat to Cebu and has been responsible for widespread devastation. In his essay, Miguel begins by sharing his experiences with three local organizations dedicated to combating this threat. I will describe them briefly:

Youth - Greening the NOW and the NEXT Generation

Submitted by Saptarshi Pal on June 9, 2009 - 11:41

Highlights of the essay by Sunviana Sunaryo Suni (Indonesia) who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

“Growing thoughts in a kid’s mind is the same as growing plants. We have to be patient in planting the right thoughts in their mind and keeping the thoughts away from bad factors, until the thoughts grow and become a mature tree. A right, strong, and mature thought will lead to the actions supporting the thoughts. This will be the time when kids are not kids anymore but youth. The problem we are facing now is that: Have the right thoughts been planted in our kids yet?”

Sunvi’s essay focuses on ideas on how to build a green awareness in both the NOW and NEXT generation –the youth and the kids.

 

Next Generation Of "Green" Entrepreneurs

Submitted by Saptarshi Pal on June 4, 2009 - 11:06

Highlights of the essay by Sonali Punhani (India) who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

“The earth produces enough to satisfy everyone's need but not everyone’s greed.”
                                                                                                       -Mahatma Gandhi

The Holy cave shrine of Amarnath is among the most sacred pilgrimages of the Hindus, as it is considered to be one of the three abodes of Lord Shiva. The ice Shiva Lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva) found here is a natural ice stalagmite that forms between July and September and melts thereafter. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit Amarnath each year to offer their prayers, and Sonali Punhani was among the visitors in 2006. However, an unusual occurring happened that year which stunned the more than 1 billion people in India. The Shiva Lingam had melted from a majestic height of over fifteen feet to a mere seven inches! Investigations revealed that this was due to the unexpected increase in the temperature that year—global warming, as it was later established.

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