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Photograph courtesy UNEP
Paint for the Planet was an exhibit and auction of children's art, which launched the global United Nations campaign, "UNite to Combat Climate Change." The event featured a selection of paintings from UNEP's International Children's Painting Competition. The paintings are a powerful plea from children for leadership on climate change. -
Artist's message: "I would like to express the need for everyone to act, as climate change is happening now. The silhouette of a figure in my painting represents the governments' and global businesses' idle hold over the world. In the background red, oranges and yellows represent the fossil fuel power plants and the warming of the planet while those that could act use the umbrella to shelter behind. The umbrella illustrates the world being turned inside out by the wind. My wish is that everyone should take care of the environment."
-Charlotte Sullivan, 13, United Kingdom -
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Artist's message: "My wish is that people around the world would join hands to save the environment. I think that every little bit can help; for example, switching lights off when you don’t need them, recycling plastic bottles, paper and cans, bringing your own recyclable bag when shopping, using showers when washing oneself, getting energy from solar panels, etc. Just like what I drew in my picture, many people are taking action to protect our environment. I think that only by working as a team will we succeed in making a difference. Even children can join together to help because we are the next generation and we should treasure our own natural environment." -
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Artist's message: "On behalf of the children of Africa I appeal to the leaders of the industrialized countries, to study the effects of pollution in the whole world. I sometimes ask my Mum: Are there no children in the industrialized world? Don’t their leaders care about their children and grandchildren? If nothing is done, we shall all lose our beloved planet. It is our collective responsibility to find ‘unselfish’ solutions and fast before it’s too late to reverse the damage caused every day." -
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Artist's message: "If our generation is to be our planet's future, then our world leaders must be our models and friends. They must tell us their worries, give us guidance, take new initiatives for our cause, but at the same time remain someone we can trust. We cry for a change. When will we receive it?" -
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Artist's message: "Save our planet." -
Photograph courtesy UNEP
Artist's message: "The greenhouse effect which is caused by the global warming is increasing everyday. The weather has been changing, the world is hotter than before but pollution is still increasing. With our helpful hands we can do many useful things. We can grow trees to save the world, but the most important thing is to use less energy." -
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Artist's message: "Nowadays, there is a big problem for our world and our lives called global warming. It is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. There are many causes, such as greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide from cars, the industrial revolution, and lots of people in the world. It causes floods, air pollution, bad economies, homelessness and unhappiness. It's time that we planted trees for fresh air, stopped using plastic bags and recycle something back to use again. It's the best way for our lives and our world." -
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Artist's message: "Currently our planet is facing environmental problems due to human behavior, i.e. cutting down trees, air pollution, the use of plastics that can neither be reused or recycled, chemical use agriculture that releases CO2, and wasteful rapid use of energy. Global warming has affected us greatly by causing, El Niño, cyclone Nargis, floods, and other disasters. Due to rapid climate change, I believe that painting could lead to understanding of cooperation for our global environment. Tree planting would reduce CO2. Biking and mass transit would reduce air pollution and save energy for a better world." -
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Artist's message: "To the leaders of the world: The message I would like to send is that nature is in danger because of climate change. In my painting the penguins are on the move, but where are they going? That will be the question when there is no decent place for the penguins to live. Then not only the penguins but the whole world will be in danger. Children of today in different countries are in danger because of global warming! Please do everything in your power to prevent global warming!" -
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Artist's message: "Everyone should protect his or her home. The Earth is not only home to us humans, it's also home to plants and animals. But we've basically damaged this wonderful home. The biggest problem is that the Earth is warming up caused by air pollution. It is best that we now start protecting the Earth. One thing we can do is to use renewable energy. For example, instead of using dryers to do laundry, we should hang up our clothes outside. If everyone did his part in preventing global warming, we might be able to stop climate change." -
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Artist's message: "Through this simple artwork, I personally was able to express my message on climate change, specifically about solar energy as a very useful source of electricity in the whole world. I would like to reach out to our world leaders to help initiate educational awareness and local government efforts to empower children to protect and restore the environment. Social and political institutions must respond and adapt strategies to protect public health, particularly for children. As a fifth grader, I think these are possible ways in order to ensure the survival of our Mother Earth." -
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Artist's message: "Concerns about greenhouse gases and global warming have troubled not only big countries, but also us, the Armenians, where each season is unique—Spring full of life, Summer with delicious fruits, Fall with multicolor leaves and Winter with its white blanket. Ice is melting because of rising temperature. The boy sits upset. A bird has fallen—another victim of polluted air. Flowers grow near the trash can. They die before the boy can take them to the bird. To reverse these phenomena my appeal to world leaders is: keep nature clean, use solar and wind energies, improve air-polluting technologies." -
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Artist's message: Ukrainian Andriy Palamarchuk is an 8-year-old son of art teachers, Andriy has been a member of the "Fine Arts" group at the Arts Centre for Children and Youth since 2006. His painting shows a realistic future for clean energy." -
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Artist's message: Elizaveta Rossokha is 8 years old and from Ukraine. She was born on April 21, 2000 in the Town on Kremenchuk, Ukraine.She likes plants, flowers and animals and uses them in her art and photos. She wishes that our beautiful planet will be saved for all of us. In future she is going to be an artist. -
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Artist's message: "In my picture the penguin is losing its family members as the ice suddenly broke. They cry to each other but they have drifted so far that their voices cannot be heard. The places which are considered suitable for Polar animals to live are now losing inhabitants. People here in Russia all dream of owning big luxury cars, but just think about those little animals and you will know what to do." -
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Artist's message: "Let's put in a joint effort to reduce the carbon in the air and please invest in biodegradable resources, natural gas reserves, wind power and solar energy now before it's too late to save our Mama Earth. -
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Artist's message: "Help us save our planet Earth as it is the only planet we can survive on! My four suggestions to our great world leaders to help save our environment are: That they should build more public transport systems so people start using the transport and we cut down on fuel. Start doing what the Australians are doing by storing carbon dioxide in carbon sinks. Provide more money for the universities and research centers to find more fuel efficient cars and industries. The concept of reduce, reuse and recycle should be introduced to all children of the world. " -
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Artist's message: "Take care of your Earth. Look after its creatures. Don't leave your children. A planet that's dead." -
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Artist's message: "I would like to take this opportunity to share my feelings on the critical, international problem of global warming. I have painted a scene that, though slightly extreme, gives an insight into a possible future, one where animals lose their homes and are forced to migrate to unfamiliar territories. While humans are able to freely express their distress at the dramatic changes in climate, I feel this painting gives voice to all creatures' silent protests against the rapid changes taking pace. Due to our wrong decisions, these creatures are suffering just as much as we are or more." -
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Artist's message: "Dear adults and children! -
Photograph courtesy UNEP
Artist's message: "Through my painting I would like to transmit to all people, including the world’s leaders, my hope and desire to stop global warming by promoting the use of our sun because it is powerful, clean and practically endless. So far it is misused but if we want it could be our every day energy source. It is necessary for governments and companies to support the use of solar energy and for scientists to find the best way so people can easily use it in their homes, appliances, machines, factories, vehicles, etc." -
Photograph courtesy UNEP
Artist's message: "Break the prison bars, Ban all private cars; Embrace solar power, Plant more flowers; Help trees grow, Feel the wind blow; Hear environment's cries, Take nature's advice! Leaders take a stand, And climate change will end. Governments be heroes! Make greenhouse gases zero.Show citizens the way, Let's create a better day! It'll never be too late to free our planet."
