Climate change and the Reef: children's art competition

Abstract

In 2009 and 2010, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority joined with the Wet Tropics Management Authority and other partners to run a climate change education campaign based around a children's art competition. Using the themes of Keep It Cool and Keep It Wild, children were asked to create posters about protecting the reef and rainforest from climate change, and to highlight simple actions people can take to improve environmental resilience. The winning entries were exhibited in the Cairns Regional Gallery and were featured in annual calendars distributed to the community. The campaign successfully reinforced the connection between climate change and the well-being of the reef and rainforest, and encouraged the regional community to take action to protect these World Heritage icons.