For Georgetown:

I love the environment but unfortunately, failed efforts in the past and private interests have led to the Copenhagen Climate Conference being the last chance for policy makers to cooperate and save our planet from the depths of no return.

I believe in living responsibly, especially to protect and sustain this beautiful world we live in. However, alone there will be no great impact. So, I joined the Green Group at my high school that carried the same beliefs. Skepticism about the effectiveness of our efforts diminished neither my enthusiasm nor my belief in the mission of the group. Instead, it motivated me even more in my work and contribution and eventually, I became the Co-Chairman. Our work may not have been much in the eyes of those who were apathetic, but we believe any impact is still impact that will bring us a step forward in fulfilling our mission. With that in mind, the group attended the International Environmental Conference held at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The keynote speakers gave some fascinating insights about environmental protection in their respective fields of work. Politicians, businessmen, and environmental enthusiasts were met with dubiety about the reality of their proposed work by the students of the conference. The little insights they provided were not enough for the eager minds that filled the room.

For me, however, the highlight of the conference is realizing the most important environmental concern in different parts of the world. The forest fires in Singapore, the drought in Australia, the sustainable development in England, and the air pollution in Hong Kong were few that were addressed by the respective high schools. They discussed the issues of their own home country, suggested possible solutions and showed us their own efforts. It really was awe-inspiring to see so many young zealot and intellectual minds at work together.

I came back from the conference even more enthusiastic than I was before. The research and the strategies that international participants presented were valuable assets that helped improve and expand the work I did. More importantly, despite the inadequate progress made by world leaders, the conference showed me other fellow young enthusiastic environmentalists, like me, that have not given up on the world yet. Georgetown offers me the wide range of extracurricular activities and a unique location that allows me to act with passion. Eco-action on the campus, internships at NGOs in the city – I have all the opportunities at Georgetown to enforce what I believe in.