Chinese children turn to art in UN environment contest

Millions of schoolchildren in China have demonstrated their concern for the environment by participating in a painting contest, using their artistic creativity to come up with images to illustrate their commitment to conservation, the United Nations environment agency said today.

An estimated 2.6 million children took part in the contest organised by the Luo Hong Environmental Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), after which judges chose 20 striking images as the winning entries.

“Whether it’s a hapless giraffe struggling to find food above a cloud of smog, a colourful criticism of the fur trade or a six-year-old’s vision of a green utopia, the pictures are a compelling insight into the concerns of China’s children for their environment – and their suggestions for how to make things better,” UNEP said in a press release.

The contest was organized in partnership with Mr. Hong – one of China’s best known entrepreneurs and a UNEP Climate Hero. The founder of the country’s biggest cake bakery chain as well as a leading environmental photographer, he said he organised the contest to make China’s children more aware of their environment.

“I think our small friends are painting to voice their love of the environment and their commitment to protect our planet,” said Mr. Hong.

The 20 winners of the contest, along with 10 teachers and Mr. Hong, will travel to UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, for a special awards ceremony on 9 August.