Speaking 4 the Planet: creativity, courage, and a call for change
Speaking 4 the Planet (S4P) is an arts-based approach to sustainability education that empowers young people to become informed, passionate advocates for the Earth and its many species. Launched in 2013 as a competition for secondary school students, S4P has since evolved into a global platform where students express environmental concerns and hopes through creativity, critical thinking, and evidence-based advocacy.
Designed to celebrate youth voices on issues affecting the planet and their future, S4P invites participants to blend the humanities and sciences, to reflect on the philosophical dimensions of human impact, and to imagine a better world grounded in scientific understanding.
Over time, the initiative has expanded to include primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, offering competitions in a variety of expressive formats—public speaking, art, writing, drama, video, memes, and STEM. These events not only help students develop their skills, but also emphasize the importance of having a voice and using it for change. S4P values creativity, critical inquiry, and unconventional solutions to some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
Importantly, S4P helps young people recognize that they are not alone in their concern for the future. It builds local and global networks of students, schools, and communities united by a shared commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
A timeline told through posters
Each year, the competition is shaped by a new theme, as illustrated in its visual archive of event posters:
2021: “Rewind the Clock – Reverse Ecosystem Degradation” encouraged students to reflect on the importance of ecosystems.
2022: With events such as “Only One Earth… so don’t waste it!” and “One Planet, One Pedder”, the focus shifted to waste reduction and ecosystem restoration.
- 2023: “One Planet. Our Future: Consume with Care” addressed sustainable consumption, while Kids 4 the Planet continued engaging younger students.
2024: The largest S4P to date was held in Vietnam, giving voice to wildlife and biodiversity. In Uganda, the first African edition mobilized over 200 students from 11 school clubs, showcasing solutions through performances, displays, and debate.
2025: “Greenhouse Gases = Climate Calamity”, hosted in Sydney, focused on air pollution and climate action through speaking, writing, visual and recycled art.
These posters not only capture annual themes—they mark the growth of a movement that continues to adapt to local contexts while remaining rooted in a shared global vision.
An invitation to join the movement
Educators, students, and organizations around the world are invited to take part in future editions of S4P. The project offers guidance and support for those interested in hosting their own competition, helping local communities create engaging, meaningful, and youth-driven sustainability events.
For more information, contact: phil@speaking4theplanet.org.au
Visit: https://speaking4theplanet.org.au
Let the next generation’s words, images, and ideas speak for the planet.
