Brookline Students Win International Contest On Climate Change

BROOKLINE, MA — Two Brookline students were among the first place winners in the 9th annual “World of 7 Billion” video contest sponsored by Population Connection, which "advocates for progressive action to stabilize world population."

Devin Sullivan, 13, and Kai-Yu Zhang, students at the Baker School, beat out more than 5,000 others from 35 countries and 46 U.S. states and territories to win $500 prize, the organization announced Tuesday.

In addition to educating viewers about waste disposal and how it relates to human population growth, the teams had to include at least one sustainable solution.

"One of the solutions was trying to lower the amount of garbage that you create [through more strict laws and recycling]," said Devin in a phone interview with Patch.

Their winning 1-minute video also recommends having more local recycling centers.

The video was part of an optional class project assigned by her Social Studies teacher at the Baker School in the fall. Devin and her co-producer and classmate Kai-Yu were both interested in learning more about water pollution and started putting together the video in December or November, she said.

"I didn't know much at all about waste disposal and it's effects on water pollution before I made the video. I didn't realize how much of a problem it was," said Devin. "There's so much to learn. I feel like learning about something as your going adds to the importance of it, it's not only a project but you're learning along the way."

But her favorite part of the project was getting to edit the video, complete with sound files.

The cherry on top was hearing, on April 22, that her video had won.

The call came at 3 p.m. while she was in the backyard. Devin said her mom picked up the phone and then called her in to take call.

"I was just kind of overwhelmed and excited," she said.

She still has to talk with her co-producer about it, but Devin is hoping to donate the $500 winnings to a project at the school.

"We're very proud of her, and it's been one of the most exciting things that's happened to us since we've been [in stay-at-home mode], " said Devin's mother Jennifer Sullivan.

More than 5,000 students in grades 6 through 12 participated in the competition, but only 18 earned a first or second slot. The videos explored population growth as it relates to one of three challenges: Improving Climate Resiliency, Sustaining Water Systems, and Ensuring Economic Opportunities.

The three high-school first-place winners each received a $1,000 cash prize, while the three second-place winners each received $500 and six honorable mentions each received $250. Middle-school students who claimed first and second place received $500 and $250, respectively.

The winning pieces were on topics as varied as microfinance, urban sanitation systems, climate justice, and overfishing and included solutions.

“These students showed a sophisticated grasp of some really complex issues, as well as innovative ideas,” said John Seager, president of Population Education, a program of Population Connection,

A panel of 41 judges including college and high-school educators, filmmakers and topic experts selected the winners.

“This is a great project for stimulating students’ research, writing and video production skills on some of the biggest challenges facing the world. That’s why so many science and social studies teachers are including it in their lesson plans each year,” said Population Connection’s Senior Vice President for Education Pam Wasserman.

Would Devin recommend the competition?

"Even if you don't win I just recommend it," she told Patch."It's such a great competition and you're making a difference cause you're expanding your knowledge and sharing it with the rest of the world."

Watch their winning video:

To view the rest of the winning videos and student bios, visit www.worldof7billion.org

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).