ALL LIVING things are part of Earth’s biodiversity. Ranging from microscopic bacteria to larger life forms such as insects, worms, mosses, trees, and animals, biodiversity is important to humans and is a part of our everyday life. However, despite our dependence on biodiversity, it is increasingly being threatened by our activities. Many countries including Guyana, have signed on to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), aimed at measures to conserve and protect biodiversity. Under this Convention and to bring attention to the importance of biodiversity, the global community celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May, each year.
Countries that have signed on to the  Convention each have a National Focal Point (NFP) which is responsible for taking the lead in coordinating national efforts towards meeting the  CBD’s requirements.  Guyana’s NFP is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which organised a number of activities to mark IDB, 2012 under the international theme ‘Marine and Coastal Biodiversity’  aimed at highlighting the importance of marine life to us, the ways in which we threaten them and to encourage practical efforts to aid in their protection.
Activities organised by the EPA included a TV Panel discussion which was broadcast on NCN Channel 11; an Exhibition of biodiversity resource materials at the National Library; Seminars at the Cyril Potter College of Education and the School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of Guyana (Turkeyen); a Youth Forum for secondary schools on the Essequibo Coast; and an Art Competition among selected Primary Schools.
The Art Competition, held under the theme: “We depend on marine life – Protect it”, targeted Grade Six students of twenty (20) Primary schools across Regions 3 and 4. A total of fifty-five (55) entries were submitted from eight of the schools targeted.
Entries were judged on originality, relevance to the theme (for the Art Competition), and creativity.
The first place winner was awarded a $20,000 book voucher and a trip for three to Splashmin’s Eco-Park. The second and third place winners received book vouchers worth $15,000 and $10,000 respectively which are redeemable at Austin’s Book Store.

The top three winners were:
1st place – Kizzan Henry of Den Amstel Primary School
2nd place – Keran Kester James of Sophia Primary School
3rd place – Saurav Moonsamy of La Grange Primary School
All schools participating in the competition received a Certificate of Participation.

Challenge yourself by producing your own piece of art depicting how we depend on marine life and what we can do to protect them.

You can 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