A student from The Hague has received international recognition for raising awareness about one of the world’s most overlooked environmental ecosystems: wetlands and peatlands.
Anay Pradhan, a student at The International School of The Hague (ISH), recently won 2nd Place globally in the High School category of the international “World of 8 Billion” student video contest, organised by Population Education in Washington DC, USA. His winning project, “Breathing Under Pressure: Earth and 8 Billion,” was selected from student submissions around the world and received a $600 cash prize.
The annual competition encourages students to explore global sustainability challenges connected to population growth, climate change, environmental protection, and resource management through short educational videos.
For his project, Anay chose to focus on wetlands and peatlands after discovering how significant they are for climate regulation despite receiving relatively little public attention.
“You often think of forests as the major carbon sink,” he explained, “but one fact that really surprised me was that peatlands cover only 3% of the Earth’s land surface while storing nearly 30% of all soil carbon.”
The topic also carries particular relevance for the Netherlands, where water management, environmental protection, and climate resilience remain central national concerns.
Rather than relying entirely on online research, Anay incorporated fieldwork into the project. He visited peatland areas, collected and tested samples himself, and combined scientific investigation with storytelling and video production. One of the biggest challenges, he said, was fitting complex environmental concepts into a one-minute format while keeping the film engaging and understandable for viewers.
The final result blended climate science, visual storytelling, and practical sustainability ideas, including awareness around paludiculture – a method of farming on wet and rewetted peatlands without damaging the ecosystem.
The project has already been recognised within the school community. The International School of The Hague shared the achievement through its newsletter and social media platforms, highlighting the combination of research, creativity, and environmental awareness demonstrated in the film.
Beyond this award, Anay has also participated in multiple Model United Nations conferences, sustainability initiatives, and mathematics competitions, reflecting a broader interest in global issues and problem-solving.
As conversations around climate change increasingly involve younger generations, projects like this demonstrate how students are finding creative ways to make complex environmental topics more accessible and engaging.
The official winner page and video can be viewed here:
https://www.worldof8billion.org/video-winner/breathing-under-pressure/
Anay Pradhan is a student at The International School of The Hague with interests in sustainability, global affairs, science communication, and environmental awareness. Text & images provided by Ankit Pradhan.
