With an email to over 17,000 internet activists,
Environment New Jersey launched its first ever Earth Day essay contest, urging
kids across the state to write about “Why We Need To Stop Global Warming.”
“It seems like every time a politician talks about
global warming, they say we need to take action now for ‘future generations,’
said Suzanne Leta Liou, Global Warming and Clean Energy Advocate for
Environment New Jersey. “It's time that
we stop speaking in kids’ stead and let them tell us why they care about global
warming and its impacts.”
The essay contest is open to all New Jersey elementary,
middle school and high school students. There will be three separate categories
of submissions: K-5; 6-8; 9-12.
Recommended word lengths are 250 words for elementary school students,
350 words for middle school students and 500 words for high school students.
Contestants are also encouraged to write about how our elected leaders can help
solve global warming. They can submit their essay, along with their
contact information, online at www.environmentnewjersey.org/global-warming/essay
or send it in the mail to: Earth Day Essay Contest, 143 East State St, Trenton,
NJ 08608.
“Future generations are not some phantom
presence. Every teacher, parent, aunt,
uncle, grandparent and family friend knows who this future generation is: our
kids,” said Leta Liou.
The deadline for all submissions is Saturday, April 21
at 5 p.m. Environment New Jersey staff will review the submissions and notify
the winners the on Earth Day, Sunday April 22nd. Entries will be
judged on writing skill, originality of thought, passion of argument, basic
grammar and persuasive nature, according to each age group.
Contest winners will be invited to read their essay at
a press conference at the New Jersey State House during Earth Week and a video
recording of the winners reading their essays will be posted on Environment New
Jersey’s website. Environment New Jersey
will also work with the contest winners to submit their essays to their local
daily and weekly newspapers for consideration for publication during and
immediately following Earth Week.
