“The children are the future of the world,” Giordano Middle East’s Executive Director Ishwar Chugani says amid the organization’s initial brainstorming session. Hence, an eco driven art competition, billed Go Green, for primary level schools was conceptualized. With art as a medium, the contest aims to get the kid’s brain into thinking on ways to preserve earth.

Students from various schools will draw, color or paint their bright ideas, guided by the following themes:

Think Green: Be mindful of and be sensitive to the natural environment in our daily lives. Popular examples are “Think before you print or photocopy” when it comes to deforestation. Incremental changes such as turning off unused lighting to conserve energy when put together will shield the environment.

Build Green: refers to an attempt to consciously create buildings with an eye on how they interact with our planet’s ecosystem. “Green Building” centers on the concept of sustainability: the simple notion that the way of life we choose must not lead to circumstances that prevent that way of life from continuing.

Eat Green: It is both environmentally and economically friendly to “eat green“

The choices we make about what we eat each day really can have some major environmental consequences. It’s easy to forget about the energy, water, chemicals and effort used to produce everyday food items like chocolate bars, soft drinks or a packet of chips. Not to mention the fuel burnt to get these items to you.

Shop Green: Shopping has a far greater impact on the environment than may be immediately apparent.

Consumers need to become more aware of the indirect impacts their purchases have. After food, clothing purchases alone have the second highest environmental impact, (in terms of land disturbance, energy and water use) of all consumption activities. The amount of water used in the production of and transport of clothes bought by an average household each year is 150,000 liters. Packaging of products is worth scrutinizing and supporting companies who utilized recycled materials is very much encouraged.

Hundreds of entries poured from the three out of thirteen schools scheduled to take part in the event. The activity kicked off at Al Hukma and Al Wurood International Schools and Al-Falah Delhi Public School (boys and girls sections) in Jeddah from May 4 to 9. The two-month long crusade to increase awareness on nature’s safekeeping will hop from educational institution to the next.

Enthusiastically joining are American International School, Al Omam International School, Continental School, Tamer International School, Dar Al-Fikr School, Al Waha International School, Al Wadi International School, Jeddah Prep and Grammar School, Al Manarat School and Jeddah International School.

Thirty top artworks from each school were painstakingly picked. To appreciate the pupil’s efforts, gifts were distributed along with certificates for participating and winning. Winners from Al Hukma International School (boys) and Al Wurood International School (boys).

“The participants’ masterpieces might be childlike but genuinely express concern to the only planet we live on,” says Hani Abdulaziz Saab, the director general of textile and garments (TAGS), sponsor of Giordano in Saudi Arabia, upon viewing the “Obra Maestras” of the youngsters. Through their artworks, they were able to communicate innumerable means to preserve the environment’s welfare, from conserving energy to the use of biodegradable materials.

“Instilling the ecosystem’s importance and sustainable living in their young minds, we can be assured that they will consciously incorporate earth friendly methods in their daily lives, which guarantees abundant natural resources and a wonderful world for future generation to enjoy,” said Chugani.