The global environmantal project "Go Green, not polythene" launched by students of Brazil Secondary School demonstrates the power of our youth, says President Anthony Carmona.
Carmona challenged the students to send in their nomination for the next World Environmental Competition, saying he was confident that they can be winners and bring back the trophy to make T&T proud.
Carmona thanked the Widener University and XTRA Foods, O’Meara, Arima, for helping to make the project a success.
He said he hoped to see a reduction in the amount of plastic bags being used.
Dr Bretton Alvare, chairman of the Department of Antropology, Widener University, said their challenge was not only to shift mindsets, but behaviour of the youth, because he learnt one thing from anthropology—what people think is what they do.
He said they were excited to take on this project. Alvare said the project will include public awareness where they educate consumers and vendors, distribution of promotional materials, posters, magnets, bracelets, brochures, etc.
He said this event alone will not bring about the change we need, but "sustained action on the part of the public and private sector leaders can break our dependence on the use of plastic bags."
Also in attendance was Minister of Education Anthony Garcia.—reporting by Ralph Banwarie