Dear Children of China
Last years UNEP International
Children’s Painting Competition in China was a great success with
almost two million children of you involving with this competition
that showed your interest in and commitment to helping China and
the world address the problem of climate change. I would like to
congratulate all of you who entered. The talented winners were
selected for the creativity and imagination that they demonstrated
not just in terms of artistic abilities but also in showing that
they had taken time and effort to learn about climate change and
think what they, their families and communities could do to address
it.
I am delighted that my good friend Uncle Luo Hong, the organizer of the competition in China, has invited me to once again be the Chairperson for this year’s competition. I would like to encourage even more of you to enter and demonstrate again the knowledge and commitment that the children of China have to solving one of the world’s greatest problem.
Because climate change is such
a big problem, it is again the main theme for this year’s
competition, whose theme
Turn off appliances, heating and air conditioning when you are not using them. Computers and other electronic devices draw energy even when turned off, so be sure to unplug them too.
Change the light bulbs at your
home and school to energy efficiency ones.
Recycle papers or reuse bottles, chopsticks and plastics whenever you can.
Join or create an eco-club at your school or in your commune. Club members can learn about the environment in your region and practice ways to keep it healthy.
Plant Trees! Wherever you live, in a city or the countryside, growing trees makes a difference. Be sure to choose the right kind for your area. And have a plan to keep the trees alive. Visit www.unep.org/billinotreecampaign to learn how to plant and make your pledge..
Walk, cycle or take a train or bus. Only drive in a car if you must. Cars create far more pollution per person than public transport.
Try to use less. For example, when you go shopping carry a basket or cloth bag for your purchases instead of a plastic bag.
Encourage your family and friends to do these things and write to the people concerned asking for cleaner cars, better public transport or renewable energy.
These are just a few of the things you can do but go and find out more by asking your teacher to give you a special lesson on the environment and visit our website at www.woaihuanbao.com. or UNEPs website at www.unep.org/tunza.
Remember, when we judge the competition, we are not just looking for the best artists but for those pictures that demonstrate how you think you and your community can help address ‘Climate Change: Our Challenge’ both in China and around the world. And who knows, maybe it will be your picture that inspires other children around the world next year.
I look forward to seeing your paintings once again.
Auntie Liz
亲爱的中国小朋友：
去年，联合国环境规划署的中国儿童环保绘画大赛取得了巨大的成功，有将近两百万小朋友参与了此次活动。这些作品呈现出你们对于环保的兴趣，以及对解决世界和中国气候变化问题的郑重承诺。
祝贺每一位获奖小朋友！你们的聪明，创造力和想象力让我们不仅看到艺术才华的绽放，更加感受到你们为了学习气候变化而花费的时间精力，以及你们在思考自己、家人、和社区应对气候变化措施中付出的努力。大赛的发起者，我的好朋友罗红叔叔再次邀请我作为本届比赛的主席，对此，我非常高兴。我希望能有更多的小朋友能参与进来，展示出你们作为中国的未来，对于气候变化的认知学习，和致力解决这当今世界最大问题之一的承诺。
正因为气候变化是如此地影响广泛，我们今年仍将以它作为本次大赛的主题，即“气候变化，我们这个时代所面临的挑战”。大多数世界顶级科学家们都认为气候变化的主要原因是人类污染，若真是如此，解铃还需系铃人，我们现在虽无法做到彻底解决，但也应该知道什么对于环境有益，并行动起来。以下是我的建议：
在不使用它们的时候关闭空调，热水器，及其它电器。电脑和有些电器即使关闭仍在耗电，请把它们的插头拔下来。
在学校和家里使用节能灯泡。
尽量多的使用再生纸或可循环利用的瓶子，筷子和塑料袋。
在你的学校或社区里参加或自己创办环保社团，社员可以学习自己地区的环境并且在社区里进行保护环境的活动。
多种树！无论你住在城市或乡村，种树都非常重要。要注意为自己社区选择合适的树种，并且规划好如何照顾这些树。想知道更多关于种树的知识并且为绿化做出承诺，请登陆联合国的网站www.unep.org/billinotreecampaign了解。
多走路和骑单车，选择乘坐火车或公共汽车。除非不得已时才开车。一个人开汽车造成的污染远大于他或她使用公共交通所产生的污染。
不要浪费资源。比如去购物的时候拎一个篮子或布制购物包而不是在商场拿塑料袋。
鼓励你的家人或朋友按照以上的建议去做。写信给有关人士，呼吁推广更清洁的汽车。
小朋友所能做的可不只这些，你们还可以向老师请教，上一堂特别的环境课，或者登陆我们的网站www.woaihuanbao.com和联合国环境规划署的网站www.unep.org/tunza。通过这些途径你们可以找到更多应对气候变化的信息。
小朋友们请记住，评审时我们可不只是找画得最漂亮的，同时也要考虑你们是否能描绘出你，你的社区将如何应对中国乃至世界的“气候变化”这一共同的挑战。说不定你的画就能激发出下一年比赛中其他小朋友创作的火花呢！
期待再一次看到你们的画作！
国际环保专家
伊丽莎白·利好伊
联合国环境规划署特别协调员
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