TORONTO, Oct. 10 - Canadian young people who are helping the environment will get some recognition for their efforts through the first national environmental kids awards launched today. Kids between the ages of six and 12 years old who are working to make an environmental difference in their communities are eligible for The Sunlight Eco-Action Kids Awards.
Canadian youth are passionate about the environment, according to a panel of kids who got together recently to share their thoughts and dreams for a better planet. After hearing about their concerns and learning about all the ideas they have for protecting our planet, Sunlight Multi-Action created the Awards. The purpose of the awards is to give Canadian kids a chance to share their ideas and raise awareness about what any individual can do to help ensure the future health of our environment.
"I think that in a few years, if we don't do anything, the world will go wrong. We only have one earth so we should use it well," said Maddy, age 11. When six-year-old Harrison was shown an image of environmental damage, he said, "it makes me scared."
The Awards are supported by key environmental organizations including Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Evergreen, the Pembina Institute, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Pollution Probe and Zerofootprint. Experts from these groups will act as judges.
To enter, kids between the ages of six and 12 submit a letter outlining their contributions to helping protect the planet. Winners in three different age groups (6-7 years, 8-9 years and 10-12 years) will receive the title of ultimate Eco-Action Kid and join a community of young people investing their time and energy to protect the earth. Each winner will also receive $1,000 to donate to the environmental charity of their choice and a $1,000 cash award.
The entry deadline is January 21, 2008. The judges will select finalists from six regions across the country by February 7, 2008. National winners will be announced March 27, 2008.
More information about the Awards and rules and regulations can be found by visiting www.sunlightecoactionkids.ca.
"The Sunlight Eco-Action Kids Awards will educate people about the small steps that they can take to help the environment," says Todd Allen of Sunlight Multi-Action. "By encouraging kids to step up, we hope we will raise both awareness and action among other kids and adults as well."
The Awards sponsored by Sunlight Multi-Action extend the product's important contribution to the environment. The three times concentrated detergent has dramatically reduced the amount of water used and has lowered gas emissions through major reductions in packaging and transportation. This year alone in Canada, Sunlight Multi-Action saved 2,201,000 liters of water, 896,000 square feet of cardboard, 173,000 pounds of plastic and 120,000 liters of diesel gas.
Background information and additional facts can be found at www.sunlightecoactionkids.ca
