Off the wire
• Corruption a major hindrance to Africa's industrialization: experts  • Roundup: String of insurgent attacks in Kabul cause panic among Afghans, leaving many in distress  • U.S. stocks open higher after Labor Day  • ANC reaffirms support for Mkhwebane as new Public Protector  • China-Mongolia international horse racing kicks off  • FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying results  • Zimbabwe reiterates plans to re-introduce flights to China and UK  • Arrests for jihadism outstrip those for ETA in Spain  • China's green finance presents massive chances for global investors  • Pakistan, Senegal to enhance trade: officials  
You are here: 　 Home

Over 23,000 Norwegian schoolchildren compete to be eco-friendly

Xinhua, September 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

More than 23,000 primary school pupils in Norway are taking part in an environmental competition throughout September by walking, cycling or using public transport on the way between home and school, newspaper VG reported on Tuesday.

The goal of the competition named Beintoft, or "tough-legged," is to make children aware of sustainable development and to reduce carbon dioxide pollution in the areas where they live.

This would lead both to cleaner air and safer school roads, said Are Shaw Waage, leader of Eco-Agents, a children's environmental organization that organized the national competition.

"In the first week of the competition there is a focus on traffic safety and we encourage the kids to take photos when doing the 'Silly Walk' to school. Children today are too young to remember Monty Python, but they saw an inspiring video and found it very interesting," Waage said, referring to a British comedy group and their television show.

"The purpose is to spread the engagement for the climate and environment among children and youth," he said.

More than 1,000 classes from the whole country have already registered and by now they have already covered 69,067 km.

On Oct. 1 the settlement will be made and it will be measured how long the children cycle or use collective transportation and how much carbon dioxide is saved by not driving.

The best classes of 1st to 7th grade on national level will get a reward of 10,000 kroner (1,211 U.S. dollars). The same amount will also be given to the winner classes in five regions, as well as to the winners of weekly assignments.

The best class in the whole Beintoft competition will win 30,000 kroner, which will be used for the whole class and contribute to further activities.

"The needs and wishes of the schools differ a lot, but the money can be used for example for new bicycle racks, garden crates, kick scooters for the whole class or garbage bins in the school yard," Waage said. (1 U.S. dollar = 8.26 kroner) Endit