Secondary school pupils across Northern Ireland have been invited to take part in NI Water's first video competition.

The young people are being tasked with creating a video photobook or short three-minute live action film around the theme of 'The Value of Our Water Environments'.

This competition will allow the pupils to tell stories of the issues which impact their local water environments and the value these areas have.

Explaining more about the competition, Anna Killen, Outreach and Learning Officer at NI Water, said: "Many young people are concerned about the climate and environmental emergency now facing us both globally and locally, particularly with the advent of COP26 in November. Photography and videography are powerful tools for young people to express their opinions and understanding of the impacts of environmental change and to help to inspire others to live sustainably.

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"Water is one of the most essential things on earth, we can't live without it!  How we value water is changing and the emphasis we place on water for heath, recreation, wildlife, farming etc. has never been more important. Unfortunately, our local water environments are under pressure from many things including pollution, climate change and increased consumer demand.

"Our secondary schools video competition aims to encourage young people to think about the value they place on their local water environments, understand the impacts on them and highlight to others the important value water has for us all."

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon added: "This first video competition provides a unique opportunity to see how the world of water is viewed through the eyes of young people. As a society we need to think and act differently and this includes the value of water - one of our most precious resources.

"We are in the grip of a climate emergency and our young people understand the urgency of acting now to protect our environment and the immediate action we need to take to save our world. I hope lots of secondary school pupils enter the competition as I know that there will be lessons that we can all learn from their creations."