Date released: January 11, 2022
Agus an EPA ag seoladh an comórtas The Story of Your Stuff 2022 inniu, iarrtar ar dhaltaí dara leibhéal ar fud na hÉireann na hiarmhairtí domhanda a baineann le gníomhartha áitiúla a mheas. Cuireann an comórtas roimh dhaltaí smaoineamh ar thionchar comhshaoil leathan a gcinntí laethúla. Iarrtar ar dhaltaí taighde a dhéanamh ar shaolré agus ar thionchar comhshaoil earra laethúil - mar shampla, scuab fiacla - nó gníomhaíocht laethúil - mar do lón a ithe, agus a gcuid torthaí a chur i láthair i slí cruthaitheach.
Agus é ina shéú bliain, tá cumhachtú na daltaí i gcroílár The Story of Your Stuff, ag spreagadh daoine óga chun an tionchar is féidir leo a chur i bhfeidhm ar a gcáirde agus ar a dteaghlaigh maidir le roghanna tomhaltóra atá freagrach ó thaobh an comhshaoil a bhaint amach . Agus é dírithe ar an inbhuanaitheacht, an bainistíocht dramhaíola, ar ghníomh ar són na haeráide agus ar an gcosaint comhshaoil, iarrann an comórtas ar dhaoine óga smaoineamh, labhairt agus athruithe beaga a dhéanamh a bhféadfadh tionchair fhorleathan a bheith acu.
Insíonn iontrálaithe scéal comhshaoil a gcuid ‘stuif’ le aiseanna amhairc (lena n-áirítear físeán, beochan, infograificanna, grianghrafadóireacht, srl.) agus trí mheán cruthaitheach dá rogha féin. Ansin tá seans acu € 500 a bhuachan dóibh féin agus € 500 dá scoil. Tá duais speisialta ‘ábhair aeráide’ ann agus duais don iontráil trí ghaeilge is fearr freisin.
Ag labhairt dó ag seoladh an chomórtais, dúirt Stephen Fennell ón EPA:
“Whether using disposable coffee cups, or taking the car instead of walking, or using public transport – these short-term conveniences often are not environmentally sustainable. Our individual actions have lasting impacts, and The Story of Your Stuff competition asks young people how they, and those closest to them, can act in a more environmentally friendly way. Now more than ever, we cannot lose sight of our power as individuals to bring about change, and this competition instils that message among young people. By presenting their findings in a creative way, students will communicate the benefit of making environmentally conscious decisions and hopefully empower others to reflect on their own consumption habits.
Students can access resources from the EPA website, particularly the Ireland’s Environment and Environment and You sections while researching their topics. These resources will help students to better understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind us needing to change our waste systems, the way we use energy and the ways that we get around, as well as wider environmental concerns.”
Filleann innealtóir aerloingseoireachta, iarrathóir eolaí-spásaire saoránigh agus tacadóir ETIM (Eolaíocht, Teicneolaíocht Innealtóireacht agus Matamaitic) a bhfuil go leor duaiseanna faighte aici, An Dr Norah Patten mar ambasadóir an chomórtais do 2022. Dúirt An Dr Patten:
“The Story of Your Stuff is a fantastic initiative, and I am delighted to take on the role of competition ambassador for a second year. Its focus on thinking, talking, and making changes to consumption habits, highlights to students the impact they have as individuals on our environment and climate change. It also allows them to develop important skills that they will use throughout their studies and into the future. I hope The Story of Your Stuff can be an entry point into environmental research and science communication for a new generation.”
Ba é Robert Urquhart buaiteoir na bliana seo caite ó Presentation College Athenry i nGaillimh as a fhíseán an-tráthúil ‘Story of Disposable Face Masks’. Bronnadh duais ábhar aeráide ar Oonagh Hales ó Scoil Phobail Eoin Baiste, Co. Luimnigh as a hiontráil ‘The Story of Plastic Cutlery’, agus bronnadh an chéad duais Gaeilge ar Rebecca Ni Challanain agus Kate Ni Mhathúna as Gaelcholaiste Charraig Uí Leighin, Carrig Uí Leighin, Co. Chorcaí as a n-iontráil, 'Scéal Lipéad Crochadh' a d'fhéach ar lipéid éadaí.
Tá treoirlínte an chomhórtais agus leideanna ar fáil ag www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie. Is é Dé Luain, 7 Márta 2021 an spriocdháta d’iontrálacha.
