Westport Student Wins Prize For Climate Change Video

The following release is from Population Connection:

WESTPORT, CT — Eighteen winners from around the world earned top spots in the 12th annual World of 8 Billion student video contest sponsored by Population Connection. Over 3,100 videos from 45 countries and 47 U.S. states and territories were created. The 60-second pieces explore population growth as it relates to one of three challenges: Gender Equality, Climate Change, and Waste.

Sixth-grader Jade Lan of Coleytown Middle School in Westport, CT took 2nd place for her 60-second video Monitoring Climate Injustice. The piece looks at the disproportionate impacts of extreme weather events on poor communities and communities of color, especially in losing their homes. Jade proposes a global progress dashboard to keep track of concrete steps that richer countries make in meeting climate-related pledges made to poorer countries.

Jade competes on a local swim team and has previously made it to Connecticut's Age Group Championship for the 50-yard backstroke. She also participates in the Science Olympiad and her team placed 2nd in the state competition this year. Jade likes to cook, read, play piano, and hang out with her little sister and her parents, who are both immigrants from Taiwan.

“Our world of 8 billion and growing poses enormous challenges for the planet and the well-being of people everywhere,” said John Seager, President of Population Connection. “Students grasp that and are inspiring us with their ideas for a more equitable and sustainable future.”

A complete list of winners, from Costa Rica to Canada, from Missoula to Brooklyn, along with their videos, can be viewed here.

In addition to educating viewers about their chosen topic and how it relates to human population growth, students had to include at least one idea for a sustainable solution. The winning pieces were on topics as varied as fast fashion, access to menstrual products, e-waste, child marriage, water scarcity, and agricultural waste.

The contest was organized by Population Education, a program of Population Connection. A panel of 56 judges —including college and high-school educators, filmmakers, and topic experts—selected the winners.

“We hope the contest helps to amplify student voices on these global challenges related to our world of 8 billion and growing. The winning videos really celebrate the students’ exemplary research, creativity and problem-solving skills,” said Pam Wasserman, Population Connection’s Senior Vice President for Education. Many science and social studies teachers have been incorporating the contest into their lesson plans for years.

The three high-school first-place winners each received a $1,200 cash prize, while the three second-place winners each received $600 and six honorable mentions each received $300. Middle-school students who claimed first and second place received $600 and $300, respectively.