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Student Challenge

2024 Contest

This year’s challenge was hosted internally by Mount Douglas Secondary School and Reynolds Secondary School. Students were invited to submit videos sharing places, activities, and things in their community that support One Planet Living.

With thanks to our review panel:

  • Bryce Gilroy-Scott, Sustainability Consultant and Lecturer, Graduate School of the Environment, Wales
  • Cora Hallsworth, Municipal Programs & Ecocity Initiatives Lead, BCIT Centre for Ecocities
  • Frederick Grouzet, Associate Professor, Psychology / Director, Centre for Youth & Society, University of Victoria 
  • Glenys Verhulst, Sustainability Planner, District of Saanich 
  • Ryan Mackie, Technical Lead, BCIT Centre for Ecocities
  • Savannah Barrett, Geography Student and Research Assistant, University of Victoria 
  • Ted Sheldon, former Senior Community Climate Action and Clean Energy Advisor, BC Government

2024 Challenge Sponsors and Schools

2024 School Challenge

1st Place |  Ben

It’s about advocating for more people who have the ability to take transit to do so. In it, I talk about three subjects: Convenience, Cost, and Environmental Impact. I describe the pros and cons of cars and buses relating to the subject I’m currently talking about, and giving a point to the one I think wins over the other in that subject. After buses win, (2-1), I give an explanation of why not a lot of people take the bus. I explain how people in north saanich also have less buses, so we can’t fault the individuals for not going far out of their way to take one. And finally, I do a call to action for the people that do have access to lots of buses to take them.

2nd Place | Mila, Mya, Anika, Olivia

It is very important for us to do something about our climate crisis and waste management for generations to come. We have noticed around Saanich that people aren’t putting recycling or compost in their proper places due to the lack of diversity in trash cans. Improper waste disposal can lead to something called “contamination”. A single piece of contamination in the bin can have far-reaching, long lasting impacts. The consequences of contamination create real challenges that impact the health and safety of workers, the waste facilities and increase program costs. This can also lead to health problems, damage to equipment (like when processing items to recycle), lower quality materials to become new items, and more. Plastic also takes 20-500 years to decompose, so when you mix your waste together, you’re actually contributing to climate change, animals and plants being harmed, and unsustainability. To fix this problem- we want to install compost, recycling, and waste bins around Saanich to promote proper waste disposal in Saanich.

By taking two extra seconds out of your day to properly dispose your waste your not only making Saanich a more eco conscious community but also making earth a more sustainable living space. We have one planet, and we need to take care of it.

3rd Place | Ash, George

Our submission discusses the importance of taking local transportation systems instead of using a private vehicle. We focus on this point because taking a private vehicle is extremely wasteful on a variety of levels. Not only because of the carbon emissions, but also things like the production process and the required space. So by taking these systems of public transportation, which are typically more resource, space and energy efficient. You can really start to move the tip of the needle in a better direction. So during that we clearly cover the living principle of travel and transportation as well as zero waste by reducing the consumption of new vehicles.

1st Place | Em Beilstein

This video describes the positive impacts of hiking on your mental health and the environment. It offers different options on how to get there and keeps in mind the carbon footprint. The submission was inspired by the hiking holidays that I have gone on with my family which allowed me to see many parts of Scotland while keeping carbon emissions as low as possible. Additionally, this method of traveling lets you see the more beautiful parts of nature while keeping you away from the constant dark architecture of cities. Hiking offers incredible effects on many aspects of your health while encouraging you to stay off your phone and enjoy nature. It offers the ability to take a hike to better our planet.

This submission covers the One Planet Living Principles of Health and Happiness, Culture and Community, and Travel and Transport. Hiking supports Health and Happiness by boosting both mental and physical health. It improves mood, physical fitness, stress, and cardiovascular health. Hiking within many different parks, whether within a city or throughout many, encourages personal growth and exposes the hiker to new cultures, communities, and peoples, furthering the Culture and Community Living Principle. Finally, hiking offers a more carbon-conscious mode of transport, predominantly walking, rather than driving, bussing, or flying. The submission highlights the different benefits and drawbacks of staying within your city or hiking internationally.

3rd Place | Jason, Milo

In our film we cover the Health and Happiness principle as well as the travel and transportation principle. Your health and happiness is a key reason to choose to cycle as opposed to driving or other carbon emitting forms of transport. Cycling is a fun way to do cardio, can be done with other people, or by yourself and it allows you to take trails and roads that cars are not allowed on. This makes it very fun and good for you. Biking is also a great method of transport with more bike based infrastructure being built every year meaning depending on where you’re going it can be the fastest option.

We want to attempt to promote using a bicycle to those who might not be aware of the benefits. People who live in the cycling range of where they want to go would save tons of carbon emissions and reduce traffic. We know that cars are a very inefficient method of transport, and with the move to urbanization, everyone is using them. This creates a lot of traffic, and sometimes cycling is the faster option. Cycling also promotes a healthier lifestyle and improves our health and happiness.

We are grateful to live, work, and be in relation with people from across many traditional and unceded territories, covering all regions of British Columbia.

STUDENT CHALLENGE

2023 contest Winners

This year, Grade 6-12 students in Greater Victoria are invited to submit a video or an illustration to “share places, activities and things in our community that help us with One Planet Living”  

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2023 One Planet Student Challenge. We celebrated together on Thursday June 8th. This is also where we showcased the winners and runner-ups across categories – view the videos and illustrations below.

We also celebrated One Planet initiatives happening in our community and heard from the CRD Chair Colin Plant, with special messages from Mayor Dean Murdock and Mayor Marianne Alto. 

The Challenge was organised by OneEarth Living as part of One Planet BC, in collaboration with the District of Saanich. Funding has been provided by the  District of Saanich, City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District. Door prizes were sponsored by City of Victoria , Capital Regional District, Nulla Project, Flipside Plastics, Abeego, PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation, Power to Be, and Supply Victoria.

With thanks to our judges:

  • Bryce Gilroy-Scott, Sustainability Consultant and Lecturer, Graduate School of the Environment, Wales
  • Clare Attwell, Artist and Board Member, Conversations for a One Planet Region
  • Frances Litman, Founder, Creatively United for the Planet and Multimedia Specialist
  • Frederick Grouzet, Associate Professor, Psychology / Director, Centre for Youth & Society, University of Victoria 
  • Glenys Verhulst, Sustainability Planner, District of Saanich 
  • Megan Rowe, Climate Action Program Assistant, Capital Regional District
  • Rhiannon Moore, Zero Waste Outreach Coordinator, City of Victoria 
  • Ryan Mackie, Technical Lead, BCIT Centre for Ecocities
  • Savannah Barrett, Geography Student and Research Assistant, University of Victoria 
  • Ted Sheldon, former Senior Community Climate Action and Clean Energy Advisor, BC Government

2023 Challenge Sponsors 

Middle School Winners

WINNER  |  Emily Kingsford, 13

I’ve painted this scene describing a stag looking back at the past as he steps into the future. It shows that if we work together, we can re-forest the world. It’s not too late to change the future.

RUNNER-UP  |  Logan Lund, 12

My product is a 3D-printed house made from plastic from the Great Pacific garbage patch. It is easily assembled and can be transported with very little effort. This product will help people in remote communities get houses, clean energy and reduce the overwhelming amount of plastic in the world.

High School Winners

WINNER  |  Jayla Boudewyn, 16

Imagine a world where bees thrive, waste is minimized, and communities come together to support one another. That’s the world depicted in my drawing. All of these principles are connected, and they reinforce one another. By promoting sustainable practices, we are creating a more equitable society. Let’s do our part in preserving the beauty of our planet.

RUNNER-UP  |  Emily Sangster-Mueller, 18

I hope that my presentation can encourage people to take action on climate change by linking up with people around them. There’s only so much we can do alone, but we can do anything together. I specifically chronicle my efforts to make connections within my community, connecting to the Culture and Community value.

WINNER  |  Sapphira Skuter, 16

There is nothing on this planet more astounding than nature. It is the foundation of all life and a vital part of our existence. Green spaces in our communities serve us in so many ways: they connect us to each other, our history and the life around us. We must protect these spaces and acknowledge the ways they benefit us as we move into a more sustainable future.

RUNNER-UP  |  Macy Stenson, 14 ; Leah Stenson, 14; Siena Leupelt, 14 ; Anabelle Forslund, 14

One planet living is a difficult task alone, but when we work together to build a sustainable foundation, our communities thrive. Through interviews, we explored how different people and programs are making a change for the future. May that be by education, sustainable food production, or thinking up renewable practices that benefit the community. Our video serves to prove how much we can change, if we do it together.

Honourable Mentions

Middle School Illustration

Elise Fontaine-kelly, 13 and Sophie Sun, 13

Half of this poster represents what could happen if we continue theses bad habits which harm the earth. My partner and I recognise that living with the one planet living rules can prevent the world and our community from falling apart. The other half of this poster represents how everything can thrive if we live by one planet living, keeping us happy and healthy without destroying the ecosystem.

Middle School Illustration

Olivia Martin, 12 

This project wasn’t just an opportunity to win a contest, helping the planet is very important to me and If I am able to help make a small difference by spreading the word or making a poster I am happy to do so.

Middle School Illustration

Quinn O’Connor, 12 and Saxon Aune, 12 

Our poster enforces how to keep the planet clean and healthy for everyone to live on. We show examples on how you can be a part of this community by following these principles. We hope this poster will influence others to share and contribute to cleaning our planet. When all pieces of the puzzle fit into one, a healthy earth is formed.

High School Illustration

Angel Stewart-Haudenschild, 16

If we don’t take action, what would Victoria look like? What if we did? I aim to show this in my illustration. If we don’t take action, then sadly, many horrible things are predicted to happen, such as more droughts, flooding, heat waves, pollution, and much more. Do you remember B.C.’s record breaking high of 40C in 2021? We can avoid these horrendous things by taking the right actions such as reusing, planting native trees, and travelling sustainably (by bussing, biking, carpooling or walking).

High School Illustration

Olivia Erickson, 14, Elise Montgomery, 14 and Emily Clayton, 14

Our idea was to make a clean community for people to feel good about where they live. We also what people to feel like where they live is good for the environment.

High School Video

Ethan Hiebert, 16 

Garry Oak Ecosystems are one of the rarest and most endangered in British Columbia. Their importance to overall culture and the livelihoods of countless species of plants and animals is undisputed, yet there is little attention paid to them. The purpose of this submission is to highlight Garry Oak Meadows and their importance through a one planet living lens. I also know that the thesis of this video can be applied to other situations in relation to other native ecosystems across the globe.

High School Video

Tori-Ann McKinnon, 16, Maisha Klette, 16 and Grace Mickelson, 16

In our video, we explore the multiple issues with the local public transit system. Taking public transport reduces our carbon emissions by 45%, but these issues discourage many people from making use of it. We offer several suggestions for how to combat these issues and make public transport a more feasible option, especially for students living in this area.

High School Video

Claire Finnis, 14 and Mollie Friesen, 14

In wartime, hemp was used as a primary resource because it was cheap, easy to grow, and requires little water. It was replaced by cotton soon after, which is much less efficient. That’s why we decided to do our project on hemp. It’s an unappreciated resource we need to utilize.

We are grateful to live, work, and be in relation with people from across many traditional and unceded territories, covering all regions of British Columbia.

2022 contest Winners

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2022 One Planet Student Challenge. We celebrated together on Thursday June 9th. This is also where we showcased the winners and runner ups across categories – those videos and art works are below.

We also celebrated the work of our One Planet Saanich community and heard from the Honourable Elizabeth May (MP), Mayor Lisa Helps and Mayor Fred Haynes. Watch the recording here

The Challenge was organised by OneEarth Living as part of the One Planet Saanich initiative, in collaboration with the District of Saanich. Funding has been provided by the  District of SaanichVancity Credit Union and the City of Victoria. Door prizes were sponsored by Power to Be, Supply Victoria, Alset Tours, Creatively United, the District of Saanich (Tool Library memberships) and Mayor Haynes.

With thanks also to our judges:

  • Bryce Gilroy-Scott, Sustainability Consultant and Lecturer University of Wales
  • Carinna Kenigsberg, Director of Programs and Impact, Power To Be
  • Frances Litman, Founder, Creatively United for the Planet and Multimedia Specialist
  • Fred Haynes, Mayor, District of Saanich
  • Laura Berndt, Manager, Energy & Climate Action, City of Victoria
  • Michele Sealey, Writer, Social Media Manager, and Community Engager,  Amazing Places Podcast Series 
  • Ted Sheldon, former Senior Community Climate Action and Clean Energy Advisor, BC Government
  • Zac DeVries, Councillor, District of Saanich

With support from OneEarth Living team members: Alice Henry, Lauren Thu, Edna Catumbela, Cora Hallsworth and Dagmar Timmer.

Middle School

Runner Up: Illustration
Abbey Hancock, 13
One Planet Principles: Zero Waste
Elevator Pitch
Reduce the amount of plastic you’re using. Every plastic you recycle is one that doesn’t end up in the ocean. Participate in a beach clean up. Be conscious of your seafood consumption. Use reusable water bottles and bags try not to use balloons because they will most likely end up in the ocean.

Winner: Illustration
Nikky Anstey, 11
One Planet Principles: Local and sustainable foods, Health and happiness, Land and nature, Culture and community, Travel and transport, Sustainable water
Elevator Pitch
I have made a playdough picture of my middle school. The gorge is on the bottom, then the bike path and road. Then the school and the field, where me and my friends play. The basketball court, and the forest. On the top is the sky, where the sun and the clouds are and the birds are flying. I have also incorporated a little bit of the firsts people’s art in the sky and grass.

Runner Up: Video
Ben Hindley, 14
One Planet Principles: Land and nature
Elevator Pitch
You can protect the land and benefit the bees by instead of getting a fence, plant a few trees that way bees can collect pollen and you can cover your house. You can restore the land by whenever you take down a tree you can plant flowers or a bigger or smaller tree. In these two ways you are not only benefiting the bees and their future but also yourself.

Winner: Video 
Malachi Pierce, 12
One Planet Principles: Zero Waste
Elevator Pitch
My idea contributes to zero waste by demonstrating how waste can be reused through a fun example of turning waste into something useful and easy – study flash cards! Zero Waste is about eliminating waste which means we must go beyond recycling and instead be creative about continuous reuse.

High School

Runner Up: Illustration

Rekha Brackley, 15
Heather Doheny, 14
Alegra Martínez, 14
Devon Radley, 14

One Planet Principles: Zero Waste

Elevator Pitch
Our project is about how to shop environmentally friendly at the grocery store. Including how to check labels to find the most sustainable products, how to shop locally and reminders to bring reusable bags, jars etc.

Our project relates to the One Planet Living principle, Local and Sustainable Food. It relates
because it is about how to buy food in a way that is better for the environment.

Winner: Illustration
Ava Bate, 16
One Planet Principles: Local and sustainable foods, health and happiness, land and nature, travel and transport, materials and products, sustainable water, and zero waste.
Elevator Pitch
Over the past four years at Reynolds Secondary, I have thought a lot about how I, as an individual, can be of service to the environment and the community. With the help of my family, I have added these 4 habits into my life. They are simple green habits that many people can practice in their life. My poster is a creative way of sharing these green ideas which promote a healthy, resilient planet.

Runner Up: Video 
India Furtado, 15
Nancy Liu, 18
One Planet Principles: Health and happiness, Culture and community, Local and sustainable food
Elevator Pitch
To attain the goal of one planet living, it is essential to rethink. We interviewed the community to see how people were contributed to a greener future. Whether that be being conscious of plastic usage or growing sustainable, organic produce. Our group linked healthy micro-organism rich soil with levels of natural dopamine, which gives the feeling of happiness.

Winner: Video 
Matthias Spalteholz, 15
One Planet Principles: Health and happiness, Land and nature, Sustainable water
Elevator Pitch
I organized a beach cleanup to remove some abandoned docks that had washed up on a local beach. I first noticed these docks when we were camping at the nearby campground a year ago and was concerned about the polystyrene filled tires used for floatation under the docks that were falling apart and polluting the beach and surrounding area with microplastics.

Over the past year, I investigated who has ownership of these docks with no success, so I contacted
local government, beach cleanup organizations, neighbors, and landfills to determine how it could be disposed of. I contacted a local business – Arbutus RV – to sponsor the project, and on May 14, sixteen volunteers came together to cut up the docks, carry the pieces 500m to the parking lot, load them into a U-Haul trailer, disposed of 1750lbs of old tires, and reused about 1000lbs of lumber! I named the video “Change that can be seen from space” because I could see the debris from satellite photos.

Choice Award Winners

Saanich Choice Award 

Hayley Wiebe, 16
Mahum Ahmed, 16
Isabella Castillo-Empey, 16
Brody Bell, 16
One Planet Principles: Sustainable water, Local and sustainable food, Travel and transport, Materials and products, Zero waste
Elevator Pitch
As teenagers, we always learn about the same old things we need to do to help protect the environment. However, a lot of us are already doing those things, so we wanted to explore more ways we could help within our means.

Victoria Choice Award 

Sarah Gayleard, 14
One Planet Principles: Equity and local economy, Materials and products, Zero waste
Elevator Pitch
My One Planet Living video idea video was about shopping sustainability and reusing, reducing, recycling. The video demonstrates a couple of old toys being donated and given a new life.

Honourable Mentions

High School: Video Finalist

Andrew McCloskey, 17
One Planet Principles: Culture and community, Travel and transport
Elevator Pitch
My video details easy alternative methods for transportation, while also urging people to band together and get more involved in solving these issues. If everyone tries to solve the climate crisis by themselves, change is still too far away for our reach. But if we all come together and remind each other about the problems and the solutions, we can provide real change where nobody can simply forget and move on with their day.

Saanich Choice Award: Finalist

Liam Madsen, 14
One Planet Principles: Health and happiness, Land and nature, Zero carbon
Elevator Pitch
I’m supporting land and nature by having bees. I’m supporting health and happiness by becoming someone that people can rely on. I’m supporting zero carbon by walking a lot and having an electric vehicle. The bees help the land prosper, the electric vehicle and walking reduces my carbon footprint, and my support in my community makes it a slightly better place to live.

Victoria Choice Award: Finalist

Finn Skinner, 15
One Planet Principles: Local and sustainable food
Elevator Pitch
Our video surrounds the One Planet idea of sustainable and local foods – the ways they are procured, where they can be purchased, and their benefits in our society. In our video, we showcased the benefits of shopping at local food markets. We went to Moss Street Market, a local farmer’s market, to interview the staff of various stands.

We are grateful to live, work, and be in relation with people from across many traditional and unceded territories, covering all regions of British Columbia.