Vivo Energy And Little Hands Go Green Organize Schools Climate Change Conference

Vivo Energy Uganda, the company that distributes and markets Shell fuels and lubricants, has partnered with Little Hands Go Green, My Kid is a Super star to create a culture of environmental care among school children in the fight against climate change. They conducted environmental symposiums in 30 schools that have come together on World Earth Day, 22nd April 2015 at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala to participate in a climate change conference. The children presented messages on the theme of the “The child citizen finding our own solutions to the climate change crisis”.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Vivo Energy’s managing director, Mr. Hans Paulsen, said that this is part of Vivo Energy’s effort  s to instill in young people a sense of ownership and pride in their environment. He noted that children are the future and that their involvement in conservation is a necessity for the survival of the planet earth

Rainbow International School pupils at the Vivo Energy and Little Hands Go Green – Climate Change Conference at Sheraton Hotel Kampala

Paulsen cautioned citizens to avoid illegal tree harvesting, one of the leading causes of environmental degradation. “Uganda has already lost  two-thirds of its forests in the last 20 years and if action is not taken could lose all of its forested land by 2050. This would have severe repercussions for the country’s poorest people. Issues surrounding deforestation have to be addressed,” said Paulsen.

He added that as a company that deals in fuel, Vivo energy has both direct responsibility for the impact it makes and a business, and a responsibility to educate local communities to help them protect the environment. ” In all our operations our target is goal zero which means zero harm to people, assets and environment. We have prioritised environmental management in the design of all our structures and in our operations”.

Irish Ambassador to Uganda, Donal Cronin said he was happy to see schools join together to find solutions to preserve environment. “It’s people like you to make sure that the climate is protected. He said he is happy to join Little Hands Go Green for the betterment of the world’s climate,”.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Pius Bigirimana advised guests to protect rights of children. “Help these children to know that they have big contributions to make especially protection of the environment,”.

This conference saw 250 children join together to develop solutions to the existing climate change crisis. The brilliant presentations by the schools challenged policy makers to address issues of environmental management with urgency.