Monday Morning Inspiration: Artist for the Environment

Congratulations to 13-year-old Diana Fan, an American teenager whose painting beat out more than 630,000 global entries in the 21st International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment, run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Kids between the ages of 6 and 14  submitted pictures representing “Green Communities.” Diana’s painting (pictured here) shows forests, oceans and modern environmental solutions, such as wind turbines all within the body of a penguin — the penguin protects the Earth between its feet, much like it would protect an egg in nature. To see a complete gallery of this year’s winner, click here.

“On behalf of UNEP, I congratulate Diana Fan and the other prizewinners on their achievements,” said  UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in a press release. “Their colorful artwork sends a clear message that we are all part of the global green community, and that by leading more sustainable lives, we can ensure that the rich, diverse environments depicted in these paintings can be supported for generations to come.”

For her effort, Fan will receive $2,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the next Tunza International Children’s Conference on the Environment. But the contest organizers say her work — and the art of other entrants from around the globe — will earn other rewards, as well: “We hope the children’s artworks will keep encouraging people around the world to take actions together for present and future generations,” said Tomoko Yano, Secretary General of Foundation for Global Peace and Environment.