Children's climate quiz proves a timely contest

Twenty-one schools take part in the Inter-School Environment Awareness Quiz, answering questions on topics.

ABU DHABI // As delegates 5,000km away at the Copenhagen summit discussed ways to halt climate change yesterday, children from across the country demonstrated their own knowledge of the challenges facing the environment. Twenty-one schools took part in the Inter-School Environment Awareness Quiz at the Abu Dhabi Indian School, answering questions on topics that touched upon climate change, endangered species and sustainability.

The event has been held for the past 17 years, but its scheduling during the opening week of the talks in the Danish capital made it particularly pertinent. "In line with the Copenhagen summit, we wanted to raise awareness among the students to think globally and act locally," said Fozeya al Mahmoud, the manager of the environment education department of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. "This is a very good channel to educate the future generation, and we encourage and support the schools every year.

"We believe that if they are educated well, then they will act and behave environmentally friendly and this will help sustain the environment." Sunrise English Private School in Abu Dhabi was the winner. Its team - Mugdha Polimera, Zeena Mariam Zacharia and Manish Pillai - said their victory was more than just about winning a quiz. "We try to do as much as we can to help better the environment, like recycling and walking instead of using cars to save fuel," said Mugdha, a Grade 11 pupil.

As for the talks in Copenhagen, Zeena said: "I think they should stop bickering and be more mature. There is so much we can do with what we have." [e-mail]