How to Enter the Climate Challenge 2071 Short Story Competition

Closing Date: Friday 15th April 2011 at 5pm

Entry cost: Free

Length: 3000 words (submissions exceeding this will be disqualified)

Categories:

• Primary 1-3 (Illustration)
• Primary 4-7 (Illustration/written)
• Secondary S1-3
• Secondary S4+
• Adults over 18 years (or 16 if left school)

Submissions must be previously unpublished

Climate change is making headlines around the world, but being energy efficient is often seen as a momentous task and one which has very little impact overall. Every single one of us can do our bit and it can be incredibly easy to make a real difference. The smallest adjustments to our everyday lives can help, from re-using plastic bags and recycling unwanted clothes to taking the bus, instead of the car, to work can reduce our impact upon the environment.

The Climate Challenge Short Story Competition aims to get people thinking, talking and most of all doing things to help tackle climate change. We want to raise awareness about climate change and educate people about the changes they can make in their lives to reduce waste within the community.

When the Banff Community Association was formed in post-war Britain (1951) life was very different to what it is today. Very few cars were on the streets and the air was thick with smog from fossil fuel fires and industrial pollution. It was a time when steam driven trains travelled between coastal towns and Fair Fortnights saw tourists flood to the seaside from the cities. Few houses had central heating, double glazing or roof insulation and communal wash areas were very much the norm.

Today, steam trains have disappeared from the landscape, wind farm propellers brush the brow of our hills and cars fill our streets and pollute our air with harmful CO2 emissions. Our homes are insulated, double glazed and crammed full of energy hungry appliances.

As Banff Castle Community Association enters its Diamond Jubilee year, we want people to start thinking and writing about changes, whether good or bad, that could affect our lifestyles over the next 60 years. We want you to tell us what you think the year 2071 will hold, in the form of a short story.

Winners of the various categories will be announced by Friday 29th April 2011. The winners and a shortlist of runners up will be included in the Diamond Jubilee – Towards 2071 Anthology.

Get writing now!

Stories can be submitted by email or post, email your story to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or pop it in an envelope along with your name, age and contact details to Banff Castle, Castle Street, Banff, Aberdeenshire before Friday 15^th April 2011 at 5pm.