(BEIJING, June 6) -- In a recent citywide speech contest, Beijing's elementary school students vied to show their knowledge and will to protect the environment.

They made speeches about water wasting in their schools, made suggestions on the facelift of their communities, called for trash sorting and recycling, promoted the "Drive One Day Less" campaign to reduce pollutant emissions, and urged the public to refuse disposable chopsticks.

Sponsored by the Beijing environmental Protection Foundation, the Beijing Education Center for Environmental Protection, and the Beijing people's Broadcasting Station, the annual contest, which was started 10 years ago, is widely acclaimed because of its inspiring role in mobilizing the society to contribute to the improvement of the environment.