The National Environment Service on Friday finalised the winners of the Ozone2Climate Art Competition held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Six people – three each from the youth and general categories – received prizes for their superb effort in the competition.

In the Youth Category (15-years and Under), top placed Temunakorero Jacob received an Apple Ipad Pro followed by Alan Nanai, who received $1000 voucher from CIPS Electronics. Third placed Davis Tetauru settled for $500 worth voucher from CITC Avarua.

Jacob, 15, described his art piece titled Ozone Day as: “The Ribbon wrapped around the Earth represents the Montreal Protocol and shows that it is protecting the earth and ozone layer. The Spray can, fire extinguisher and fridge all represent some of the products that contain harmful chemicals (such as CFC) which is harming the ozone layer. But thanks to the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment, they have been banned in most countries, and have been changed to better alternative products.”

In the General Category (16-years and over), local tattooist Raniera Ellison received the top prize, an Apple MacBook Pro. Second placed Ritia Numanga was awarded a Samsung Galaxy 21 Ultra mobile phone and third placed Vaevae Nanai received a Go Pro Hero 10.

Ellison’s art work titled The Cost of Ice Cream “represents the actual cost of those small pleasures we experience in modern life. That the energy and chemicals we use to keep cool are actually a big contributor to ozone depletion and global warming”.

“To think that the freezer, fridge or air conditioner in your home or office keeping your food or yourself cool. Is actually contributing to melting ice caps. Having the fridge cutting through the ozone represents the contribution to ozone depletion. The white paper it the tissue you get to clean up your mess with an ice cream. It represents the effort made to fix/change with the Montreal Agreement,” Ellison said describing his piece.

“It also has the things that have contributed to ozone depletion and some of the alternatives we could use to alleviate the pressure we have created on our environment. This represents the changes made under the Kigali amendment to reduce Hydro fluorocarbons and a focus on greener energy.

“A lot of us have enjoyed a $2 ice cream at Wigmore’s on a Sunday with family and friends laughing and having fun. Creating great memories with our children and the next generation. But have we ever really stopped to think…how much does this ice cream really cost?”

In a statement, NES said the winners will gain automatic entry into the regional contest. The winners from the regional competition will be announced in September.

NES received over 70 entries that included participants from Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke and Palmerston.

“On behalf of the director, management would like to congratulate all the winners, and a huge Meitaki Maata to all those who have entered,” the statement said.