Invent The Future Contest
2008 Winners
VIDEO CATEGORY
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GRAND PRIZE WINNER |
What was the inspiration for your idea?
I was in gym class running cross-country. As I ran I tried to think of a way I could harness the energy generated by my body. The thought
reminded me of a science world project I did many years ago that focused on the concept of harnessing human power.
Were you interested in sustainability before this contest?
Yes, I have always been interested in sustainability. I have read a lot of books on the subject but they somehow seemed outdated.
Movies like An Inconvenient Truth and Planet Earth presented the concept of sustainability in a new and powerful way and I wanted to
somehow be a part of that. Invent the Future gave me the chance to express my ideas about the environment through video.
Has this contest changed your everyday behaviour?
It made me realize the potential of a big idea. I became a more vocal advocate for change and the impact it could have both in my school
and the world.
Describe one small change everyone could make that would have a positive impact on the world?
I would ask people to become more open to the messages of sustainability – think about the issues and make informed choices. We can
no longer simply do nothing.
Do you feel that youth are given an opportunity to make a difference?
Yes, I think so. We are more privileged, informed and connected than any other generation. Not knowing is no longer an excuse. The
web and things like YouTube make it easy to share information. We can say and do anything we want and share it with thousands of
people. I don’t think any other generation has had the opportunity to do that.
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RUNNER UP |
What was the inspiration for your idea?
Like most people we have too much stuff. We looked at our friends and realized we all had doubles and triples of everything. The worst
part was that we were always complaining about having no money – you know why? – because we all bought so much stuff.
Were you interested in sustainability before this contest?
Our family lives a sustainable lifestyle. Our parents have had a huge influence on the way we think about the world and how we can live
more sustainably.
Has this contest changed your everyday behaviour?
Although we always knew that we didn’t need so much stuff, the process of making the video really drove the idea home for us. It made
us realise we didn’t need – or really want – so many of the things we were buying.
Describe one small change everyone could make that would have a positive impact on the world?
Before you buy something, ask yourself “do I really need this?”
Do you feel that youth are given an opportunity to make a difference?
Everyone can make a difference if they consume less and only buy what they need.
ESSAY CATEGORY
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GRAND PRIZE WINNER |
What was the inspiration for your idea?
I had my idea before the competition was even launched. My family’s fuel bills were growing ever higher and my parents got the family
together to discuss how we could reduce our consumption. My parents showed us the energy bill but they were tough to fully
understand. When the Invent the Future contest was launched I decided to create a kid-friendly bill that all families could use to reduce
wastage. It worked great! We reduced our overall electricity costs by 40% in one year!
Were you interested in sustainability before this contest?
Yes, my high school is one of two schools in BC that use solar energy panels. My school is also really proactive with recycling – plastic bags, cans, and paper. We have an environmental club too. Really, my school has had a big impact on my attitude towards sustainability.
Has this contest changed your everyday behaviour?
Winning the contest has motivated my friends to become more interested and aware of the environment. It seems like we talk about it a
lot more than before. And, my overall awareness about the big issues – global warming, cutting CO2s, pollution – has really increased.
Describe one small change everyone could make that would have a positive impact on the world?
Explore alternative energy sources like wind, hydro and solar. If it works in my school, then it can work in people’s homes.
Do you feel that youth are given an opportunity to make a difference?
Absolutely. This contest is proof that we can. Plus, people are making a difference just by participating in our school’s environmental
club. If you get involved, you can make a difference.
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RUNNER UP |
What was the inspiration for your idea?
At UVic, the idea of a campus farm has been around for years. I just expanded on the idea. A farm addresses food security issues –
especially important because Victoria is on an island. Farms also increase our ability to combat climate issues. Moreover, I saw an
opportunity to make the farm part of on-campus life at UVic…maybe even a place where students could work and potentially build a career.
Were you interested in sustainability before this contest?
Absolutely. It is what inspired me to pursue a PhD in Earth and Ocean Sciences.
Has this contest changed your everyday behaviour?
With regard to substantial life changes around sustainability, the turning point for me occurred a couple of years ago. However, Invent the
Future provided me with a great venue to share my ideas and inspiration with thousands of like-minded people.
Describe one small change everyone could make that would have a positive impact on the world?
I would like to see more people eat a local, seasonal and mostly vegetarian diet and do their best to avoid seafood because of the
rampant over fishing problems.
Do you feel that youth are given an opportunity to make a difference?
The biggest opportunity for youth to make a difference is with each other. It is amazing how much influence that we have on each other.
