Eighteen winners earned top spots in the 10th annual World of 7 Billion student video contest. Over 3,000 students in grades 6 through 12 from 44 countries and 49 U.S. states and territories participated in the competition. The videos explored population growth as it relates to one of three challenges: Promoting Environmental Justice, Strengthening Global Health, and Reimagining Industrial Systems. The winners tackled topics ranging from food deserts and lab-grown meat to climate migrants and maternal health. Check out the winning videos and learn more about the student filmmakers now!
In addition to educating viewers about their chosen topic and how it relates to human population growth, students had to include at least one idea for a sustainable solution. “The students show a great deal of concern for the well-being of all people and the ecosystems that support us. Their videos illustrate some really inventive solutions with significant research and thought,” said John Seager, president of Population Connection.
“Unlike in prior years, many students were working on their videos from home, making collaboration more difficult. Even so, they rose to the challenge, and their resourcefulness and creativity really show,” said Pam Wasserman, Population Connection’s Senior Vice President for Education. Many science and social studies teachers have been incorporating the contest into their lesson plans for a number of years.
Promoting Environmental Justice Winners
*View all winning videos on promoting environmental justice and read bios of the student filmmakers.
High School
First Place
- Rana Duan of Sugar Land, TX for “Food (Deserts) for Thought”
Second Place
- Tian Hsu of London, U.K. for “Erase the Redline”
Honorable Mentions
- Anna Paradise of Greenlawn, NY for “Stop the Mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples”
- Valerie Xiong and Isnene Schirrecker of Piedmont, CA for “Climate Migrants”
Middle School
First Place
- Henry Zitoun of Shorewood, WI for “A Solution to E-Waste”
Second Place
- Stephanie Akinfolarin of Long Beach, CA for “Environmental Racism”
Re-Imagining Industrial Systems Winners
*View all winning videos on re-imagining industrial systems and read bios of the student filmmakers.
High School
First Place
- Aidan Hurlock of Barrington, RI for “Carbon Tagging – A Solution to Consumer-Fueled Carbon Emissions”
Second Place
- Luana Escamilla of São Paulo, Brazil for “What nobody tells you about your favorite products”
Honorable Mentions
- Jensen Coonradt of Oswego, IL for “Lab-Grown Meat – Future Proteins“
- Crystalia Evelyn Liaw of Tangerang, Indonesia for “Digging Earth’s Grave”
Middle School
First Place
- Arnav Bali of Edgewater, MD for “Managing E-Waste”
Second Place
- Emalee Leishman of Nampa, ID for “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)”
Strengthening Global Health Winners
*View all winning videos on strengthening global health and read bios of the student filmmakers.
High School
First Place
- Alaina Smith of Pittsburgh, PA for “Wonder Women”
Second Place
- Amrita Guha of Fremont, CA for “The Importance of Maternal Health”
Honorable Mentions
- Emmy Yang of Kirkland, WA for “Polluted to Pure”
- Grace Kaneshiro of Indianapolis, IN for “Watching the World”
Middle School
First Place
- Kayla Brezenski of Beverly Hills, MI for “Fossil Fuels and Our Health”
Second Place
- Kennedy Merkel of Shorewood, WI for “Amping Up Testing”
Want to use the contest next year or share with future students? The contest is easy to use whether you meet with student in-person, or can be completed as a virtual learning assignment.
Sign-up today and you’ll receive updates and information on the 2021-2022 contest as it becomes available.
