On November 16, the Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government (TYDEP) led a team of 20 elite contestants to compete in the 2024 National Environmental Knowledge Competition Finals, held at Feng Chia University and organized by the Ministry of Environment. Among the outstanding participants, Yu Tsung-yen from Fu Fong Junior High School secured an impressive third place in the junior high school division, marking a major achievement for Taoyuan.
TYDEP Director General Chen Shih-wei noted that the 20 contestants representing Taoyuan were selected from a pool of over 300 participants across four divisions: elementary school, junior high school, high school, and the adult category. After rigorous training by TYDEP and the contestants’ dedicated preparation, four contestants from the elementary school group, five from the junior high school group, four from the high school group, and four from the adult group successfully advanced through the fiercely competitive elimination rounds to reach the sudden-death stage. While not all participants placed in the finals, their hard work and outstanding performance deserve high praise. Reaching the sudden-death stage is already a remarkable achievement, showcasing their perseverance and strength in intense competition. Their ability to fully demonstrate their skills in the national finals highlights the growing foundation of environmental knowledge in Taoyuan.
Yu’s mother shared their family’s journey into environmental education, which began with storytelling activities based on eco-themed picture books and gradually expanded into participating in TYDEP's environmental education initiatives. Two years ago, Yu competed in Taoyuan’s local competition but didn’t achieve a high ranking. However, instead of being discouraged, he used the experience as motivation, persistently improving his environmental knowledge and focusing on related topics. This year, his hard work culminated in his national-level achievement.
Yu’s mother emphasized the importance of instilling environmental responsibility from a young age. Beyond academic knowledge, their family incorporates eco-friendly practices into daily life, such as minimizing food waste, avoiding overconsumption, and carrying reusable cups, bowls, chopsticks, and shopping bags to reduce single-use plastics. She believes that everyone, as a global citizen, has a shared responsibility to protect the planet.
Director General Chen congratulated the winners for standing out among many talented contestants from across the nation and expressed gratitude to the families and mentors who supported and guided the contestants. He hopes that events like the Environmental Knowledge Competition will inspire students and the public to actively learn about environmental issues, stay informed about current affairs, and adopt sustainable practices in daily life. By raising awareness and encouraging action, the goal is to enhance the environmental literacy of all citizens.
TYDEP highlighted the diverse and challenging topics featured in this year’s competition. In addition to content from the “Environmental Education Lifelong Learning website”, questions covered a wide range of subjects such as resource recycling, pollution prevention, environmental management, natural conservation, cultural preservation, community engagement, climate change, and disaster prevention. The competition tested participants’ awareness of environmental issues and their ability to process complex information. Excelling in such a competitive field underscores the contestants' dedication and capability. Through this event, TYDEP aims to inspire more individuals to practice environmental conservation, working collectively toward the sustainable future of our planet.