‘An old tree is hard to bend’ is an old proverb which implies that it is easier to impress change on the young, compared with older persons, who may be set in their ways. This view is sometimes referred to as the impressionable age hypothesis, which has been supported by some studies. Recognizing this fact, the EPA targets youths for many of its environmental awareness and capacity building activities.
Last week, the EPA’s education and training team arrived in Linden to engage the town’s youths on environmental issues, their causes, impacts and actions to reduce them. Twenty-eight (28) youths from the mining town, participated in two Environmental Day Camps conducted at the New Silvercity Secondary School. The youths were drawn from three youth groups existing in Linden, namely, the President Youth Awards Republic of Guyana (PYARG); Youths for Change (YFC); and Young and Thoughtful Youth Group (Y&TYG).

On day one, the group of enthusiastic youths took part in team-building exercises to strengthen their communication, problem-solving and decision making skills. Following this, they were introduced through interactive presentations, to different environmental issues; ways to care for their environment; and what Biosafety is all about. To allow the youths to practically demonstrate their appreciation for the environment they were engaged in making birdfeeders using ‘upcycling’ techniques.
On day two, the motivated group of young people were made aware of the issue of climate change, its impacts and solutions. With this background, the youths were given the opportunity to articulate their perspectives on the future of our planet through art. This was a particularly interesting and useful exercise as the youths unleashed their talents of poetry, drama and even singing. To further enhance environmental awareness and knowledge, the youths were introduced to the value of Guyana’s biodiversity and the threats to this resource. Through a series of “waste wise” activities, the youths’ understanding of the issue of improper waste management was deepened. The session ended with upcycling craft focused on the reuse of old CDs and DVDs to make coasters and other innovative items. The interactive and hands-on approach of the sessions were educational fun geared to stimulate critical thinking to deal with current environmental issues.
This Environmental Day Camps were well received by the Region 10 youths with many of them expressing their desire for an extension to the Camp. The EPA plans to continue this activity in other regions of the country.

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9.