Winners 2021

Congratulations YRE Winners!

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 YRE Canada National Competition and thanks to everyone who submitted an entry this year! Despite a challenging pandemic school year, Canadian youth investigated environmental issues in their communities, and shared their findings through video, photography and writing. Winners of this year’s competition are below, we hope you enjoy them!

Photography | Ages 11-14

Save our Green

  • Author: Ananya 
  • Award: 1st Place
  • School: HDSB Virtual School Secondary (Halton, ON)
Photographer Statement

Plastics and other waste are damaging the sustainability of our biodiversity. Don’t let plastic decide our environment’s future. As the Earth’s population increases, the more plastic consumption there is. In this photo, there is garbage and waste surrounding a small sprout.

The picture is showing how much plastic and waste there is around a plant, which is disturbing the growth of our environment. Plastic is harming the environment as it does not break down and decompose as quickly as we think they do. Therefore, it is mistakenly consumed by organisms, preventing them from thriving.

We need to learn from our mistakes and prevent plastic from determining the future of our environment before it is too late.

The Irony of Disposable Masks; A New Threat to the Environment

  • Author: Naomika 
  • Award: 2nd Place
  • School: Gordon Graydon Sr. P.S. (Brampton, ON)
Photographer Statement

While wearing a mask to cover our nose & mouth is protecting us from spreading the infectious disease Covid 19, it is imperative that we are mindful of disposing of the used masks in the garbage.

It is estimated that we use an astounding 129 billion face masks globally every month, and due to incorrect disposal, these masks can lead to unmanageable pollution of the environment. Keeping this as the forefront issue, I am submitting this image of the repercussions of masks found littered in the environment.

This picture depicts the irony of how the very masks which are saving lives on one hand, is defeating the purpose of restoring the Earth if not disposed of correctly!

A Look Inside Tony-the-Turtle

  • Author: Ira 
  • Award: 3rd Place
  • School: HDSB School Secondary (Halton, ON)
Photographer Statement

Tony-the-Turtle has digested plastic from the ocean. This is a visualization for children to understand the effects of water pollution! It is estimated that 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste are in our oceans. This means there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic turtles can eat or get trapped in. If we do not stop water pollution, our wildlife will be extinct.

We can help these turtles by using less plastic. Start slowly by simply using reusable bags at the grocery store. This little change makes a big difference. Be the change.

Photography | Ages 15-18

Our World is Slipping Down the Drain

  • Authors: Diya & Anika 
  • Award: 1st Place
  • School: Seaquam Secondary School (North Delta, BC)
Photographer Statement

The life of our planet is slowly draining away. Light needs to be shed on this dark hole that is gradually devouring our world. The apathy and neglect towards our planet is speeding up the process of degradation in our environment.

Reduced biodiversity presents a direct threat towards millions of people and the health of our ecosystems. Alarmingly, pollution has also become a contributing factor towards ecosystem endangerment and global warming. With the world crippling beneath our feet, action needs to be taken in order to achieve a beautiful and healthy planet.

How Can We Evolve If We’re Already Going Extinct?

  • Author: Alyssa
  • Award: 2nd Place
  • School: HDSB Virtual School Secondary (Halton, ON)
Photographer Statement

This photo represents the ever growing amount of pollution in our oceans, and how it eventually will affect the livelihood of humans unless a global effort is made to stop it.

In this photo, ocean life has ceased to exist because of the immense plastic, paper, and other waste in the ocean. The dinner plate and cutlery represents how the seafood that may of us depend on for nourishment and survival will eventually lead to our downfall.

We must make a larger effort to clean our oceans, reuse, and recycle. We must take action before the contamination that seems so far away from us becomes a real issue in our own towns, cities, countries, and on our daily dinner plates.

A Floating Reminder

  • Author: Ira
  • Award: 3rd Place
  • School: HDSB Virtual School Secondary (Halton, ON)
Photographer Statement

A Mallard duck swims and feeds beside a floating plastic water bottle in a local pond. As plastic sits in our waterways it can leech toxic compounds into the water and degrade the water quality.

Plastic pollution can be ingested by animals and cause the animal suffering, increased risk of disease and affect reproduction. Nestle is a huge producer of bottled water, and since 1970 they have been selling plastic water bottles that people continue to buy. Plastic pollution has become a global issue and requires big companies and individuals to take meaningful action.

As an individual you can opt for a sustainably sourced reusable water bottle. If you see trash in your local waterways don’t turn a blind eye!

Articles | Ages 11-14

The Healthcare Industry Saves Lives while Killing the Planet

  • Authors: Seohee & Elaine 
  • Award: 1st Place
  • School: W.H. Morden (Oakville, ON)
Read here

A Solar Solve: The Green Innovation to Pollution

  • Authors: Krish & Sasvat
  • Award: 2nd Place
  • School: Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School & St. Edmund Campion Secondary School (Brampton, ON)
Read here

Algae Blooms in Lake Erie

  • Author: Alessio
  • Award: 3rd Place
  • School: St. Peter Catholic Elementary School (Tecumseh, ON)
Read here

Articles | Ages 15-18

Why I’m not a Fan of Air Conditioning

  • Author: Andy 
  • Award: 1st Place
  • School: St Paul Secondary School  (Mississauga, ON)
Read here

Lake Ontario’s Plastic Contamination

  • Authors: Zakia & Sabia
  • Award: 2nd Place
  • School: Colonel By Secondary School  (Ottawa, ON)
Read here

PE Pollution: Could the mitigator of COVID-19 be harming the environment

  • Author: Hamidah 
  • Award: 3rd Place
  • School: Cardinal Léger Secondary School (Brampton, ON)
Read here

Videos | Ages 11-14

Deforestation

  • Authors: Ronen & Sarah 
  • Award: 1st Place
  • School: The Toronto Heschel School (Toronto, ON)

Videos | Ages 15-18

Warehouse vs. Wetland

  • Authors: Antonie & William 
  • Award: 1st Place
  • School: École secondaire Ronald-Marion ( Pickering, ON)

Cloudy With a Chance of Land Development

  • Authors: Geneviève & Ahlem 
  • Award: 2nd Place
  • School: École secondaire Ronald-Marion (Pickering, ON)

Melancthon vs the Mega-Quarry

  • Authors: Imtiaz & Eden 
  • Award: 3rd Place
  • School: École secondaire Ronald-Marion (Pickering, ON)