Winners 2025
Congratulations YRE Winners!
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 YRE Canada National Competition, and thanks to everyone who submitted such inspiring entries this year! To raise awareness, youth investigated environmental issues in their communities and shared their stories through video, photography, and writing. Winners of this year’s competition are below. We hope you enjoy them and share them with your community!
Photography | Ages 11-14
The game is not over yet- your move
- Author: Manraj
- Award: 1st Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action
Photographer Statement
Over and over again we hear the same promises for change, yet our climate suffers in this game of inaction. We no longer can turn a blind eye towards the consequences of our actions as irreversible damage is being made. Our glaciers are melting, our oceans are overheating as our air quality declines. The forests that once dominated the Earth with their vibrant green are slowly becoming ash. It’s not too late to reverse our actions. We hold the future in our hands, but the question remains, whether or not we are ready to change the outcome set in play.
Growing Green
- Author: Emma and Phoebe
- Award: 2nd Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary
- SDG GOAL 15: Life on Land
Photographer Statement
As human expansion grows, we often forget we are stripping the Earth of its own skin; the native wildlife. It’s time we give back, starting with regrowing the very roots at our feet. By reusing sustainable containers as planters instead of buying disposable plastic ones, and planting seeds from nature instead of using store-bought seeds in plastic, we can greatly contribute to reducing plastic in our environment while still helping repair mother nature. It is time we rise up as a team, and combat the ever-growing ultimatum: how far until we cannot reverse the damage we’ve done?
The Growing Impact of Littering on Our Environment
- Author: Hafsah and Gunika
- Award: 3rd Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action
Photographer Statement
As the amount of trash being littered daily rises, our rivers, lakes, and oceans have begun suffering. After countless missed opportunities, trash builds up on the shores for numerous days, months, and even years. Furthermore, animals are being profoundly impacted, causing more species to become endangered. This has been a well-known issue for decades, yet the problem still exists. The leading cause of these issues is people littering every moment of the day. Approximately 31 million tonnes of garbage is littered every year in Canada. Although this problem is challenging to solve, we can start small by throwing away our trash in the correct bins instead of littering.
Photography | Ages 15-18
Starting from the Roots!
- Author: Tanya and Gurmehar
- Award: 1st Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary School
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action
Photographer Statement
This image is a representation of how different environments can encourage the growth of different mindsets. This picture illustrates how a healthy environment that provides the necessary resources for a plant to grow can enrich and nourish not only the plant itself, but also those surrounding it. Meanwhile, an environment that deprives the plant of these resources results in flaccid vegetation. Similarly, when children are provided environments that encourage and empower them to take action towards the climate crisis, they have the opportunity to become better, eco-minded citizens. Engaging young minds in this world of action early is the key to raising a future generation of leaders and change-makers!
Suffocating our Surroundings
- Author: Sohaan
- Award: 2nd Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary School
- SDG: GOAL 13: Climate Action
Photographer Statement
The world is trying harder and harder to breathe. Everyday we are releasing more carbon and dropping more litter on the earth. We can’t let this continue. The environment deserves to be taken care of and we have the ability to change the course of history for the better. Whether it is by walking to schools, or omitting single use plastic from our daily lives. Let’s work towards a sustainable future where our actions don’t hurt, but benefit our surroundings.
The Landfill We Call Home
- Author: Buvan and Cohen
- Award: 3rd Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary School
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action
Photographer Statement
“Humans have a negative relationship with waste. Billions of tonnes of waste are buried, tossed, and projected into never-ending landfills and the atmosphere, as the Earth is seen merely as a trash can. As of 2022, 36.5 million tonnes of waste have been produced in Canada alone.* We bury, burn and forget that our Earth isn’t an infinite garbage disposal. As waste piles up, we must find more sustainable ways to dispose of our garbage, as Earth won’t accept our trash forever. The real question is, how long before this garbage overflows on us?
_________________________
* “National solid waste diversion and disposal,” Government of Canada, last modified November 28, 2024.
Articles | Ages 11-14
Winter’s Double Edged Sword: The Impact of Road Salt in our Communities
- Author: Kashvi
- Award: 1st Place
- School: Zion Heights Middle School
- SDG GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Restoring the Everglades: The Floridian Python Program
- Author: Anna
- Award: 2nd Place
- School: Zion Heights Middle School
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action
Microplastics
- Author: Advika and Chloe
- Award: 3rd Place
- School: Steelesview PS
- SDG GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Articles | Ages 15-18
Little Invaders: How Goldfish Are Taking Over Lake Ontario
- Author: Darina and Anna
- Award: 1st Place
- School: Iroquois Ridge High School
- SDG GOAL 14: Life Underwater
Tempting to Suck, Tempting to Toss: Teenagers and Disposables Vapes
- Author: Louis
- Award: 2nd Place
- School: Maple Ridge Secondary School
- SDG GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Canada’s Climate Crisis: The Urgent Need for Action and How Canadians Can Help
- Author: Sanya
- Award: 3rd Place
- School: Seaquam Secondary
- SDG GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Videos | Ages 11-14
Eco-Olympics 2025
- Author: Caleb, Eunsung and Rachel
- Award: 1st Place
- School: Zion Heights Middle School
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action
Top Story News: Protect The Blue Report
- Author: Dave and Daniela
- Award: 2nd Place
- School: St. Alphonsa Catholic Elementary School
- SDG GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Protect The Blue
- Author: Sophia, Savannah, Nia, Laila and Gracia
- Award: 3rd Place
- School: St. Alphonsa Catholic Elementary School
- SDG GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Videos | Ages 15-18
Can the Don River Restoration Project save Toronto?
- Author: Sophie
- Award: 1st Place
- School: École secondaire Michelle-O’Bonsawin
- SDG GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Trees or Transit?
- Author: Ben
- Award: 2nd Place
- School: École secondaire Michelle-O’Bonsawin
- SDG GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Rouge park: Silence at stake
- Author: Félix
- Award: 3rd Place
- School: École secondaire Michelle-O’Bonsawin
- SDG GOAL 13: Climate Action