Environment Defence is searching for Canada's Next Green Journalist. The competition will give Canadian youth the opportunity to have their wining article, photo or video published online. This year's theme for the annual competition is litter — participants ages 11 to 18 are searching for their litter solutions while competitors ages 19 to 21 must look for ways to help waste management.

"How we are impacting our environment today will affect our youth tomorrow," said Stephanie Kohls from Environmental Defence Canada. "Through Canada's Next Green Journalist, we are encouraging Canadian youth to think about litter — a local environmental issue — and what they, and their friends and family, can do to make a difference."

Winners will also receive prizes such as a laptop, video camera or digital camera, an all-expense paid trip to report on an environmental education mission, and $500 for their school. In addition, winners have the opportunity to compete in the Young Reporter for the Environment international competition. Last year, Becca Williams' short video on how veganism is an environmentally-friendly lifestyle won not only the Canadian competition but went on to receive a top award internationally.

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2013. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and winners will be announced in April just before Earth Day.

For more information, visit youngreporters.ca.