The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute is once again encouraging young people to explore their journalistic skills in its Young Reporters for the Environment journalism competition.

Now in its second year, participants will highlight environmental pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change issues in the competition, which is open to young people between the ages of 11 and 25.

Entries can be submitted in three categories: writing, photography and short films.

The BUEI said: “Young people are encouraged to use any one of three media tools (writing, photography, and film) to engage their audience in a local environmental topic of their choice.”

The institute will accept submissions between April 15 and April 29 and the winning submissions will be entered into the YRE annual International Competition which is assessed by an international jury and recognised on a global scale.

The BUEI said that “450,000-plus students in 44 countries are currently involved in the YRE programme and over 19,000 photos, articles and videos are submitted annually”.

In the lead-up to the competition, the institute will host a virtual workshop for students to learn how to “create their most inspiring articles, photos, and videos, ensure submissions are competition ready and to become the best reporter for the environment”.

The workshop will be hosted by the BUEI’s director of education, Julie Steele, and interested people are encouraged to join 15-minute sessions which will be offered on April 11 between 12.15pm and 3.15pm.

Meanwhile, the BUEI said an article titled “Plastic Pollution on Nonsuch Island, the Home of the Cahows” which was submitted by Bermuda’s Zoe Mir, was announced as the second-place winner of the 2023 annual Global YRE Competition.

The article can be viewed here.

• To learn more and register for the YRE Journalism workshop and competition, e-mail ecoschools@buei.bm or visit the YRE page at www.BUEI.bm