UH Energy Critical Issues in Energy: NetZero by 2050 Writing Competition - University of Houston
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UH Energy Critical Issues in Energy: NetZero by 2050 Writing Competition

Net Zero by 2050 - What will the world be like in 2050?

A writing competition jointly sponsored by 
The Energy Coalition and UH Energy Transition Institute

OVERVIEW

According to the United Nations, to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.  To achieve this goal, as called for in the Paris Agreement, net emissions of greenhouse gases need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Many governments, corporations, and industry associations have therefore announced roadmaps to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Prompt: This writing competition addresses the question “Net Zero by 2050 - What will the world be like in 2050?”

As part of your submission include your views on one or more of the following, but you are encouraged to think beyond the suggestions.

  • What will the energy mix look like?
  • What are some of the challenges that we will still be facing?
  • How far would we get in meeting the target of Net Zero by 2050?
  • How will life change as a result of meeting this goal, from what we eat, to how or if we travel, or how we arrange our communities and cities, and how we use energy?
  • How can the transition be managed to provide just and equitable access to energy across the globe, while also considering the impact of energy infrastructure on all communities?

REQUIREMENTS

Entries submitted for the UH Energy Transition Institute & UH Energy Critical Issues in Energy Writing Competition must:

  • Be the original work of the student.
  • Cite any references that are used to supplement the student’s creative work (if any).
  • Not be published elsewhere.
  • Be Submitted by March 31, 2023, 11:59 PM (Central).

A submission will be disqualified if it does not follow the submission guidelines, including the formatting guidelines stated below:

  • A PDF submission with 12-point font.
  • 1” margins.
  • Single spaced.

Other requirements MUST include:

  • A submission title.
  • PeopleSoft ID of the author at the top right for UH main campus students only. Others include your name and that of your institution.

IT MUST NOT include:

  • Include the author’s name anywhere on the submission PDF (only for UH main campus students).
  • Exceed 8 pages in length. 

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to all undergraduate and graduate students -- full or part-time -- at the University of Houston, UH Downtown, UH Clear Lake, TSU and Prairie View A&M. No more than two students per entry.

PRIZE:

The top five winning entries will receive a cash award of $3,000, $2,000, $1,000 , $500 and $500 respectively.

JUDGING PROCESS

The submissions will be read and judged by a panel of faculty members from the University of Houston. The top 5 submissions selected will be notified by April 7. They then will prepare and present a 15-minute poster board presentation to a panel of judges made up of industry experts and UH Faculty. The poster board presentation will be on April 19 in the afternoon before the Energy Banquet. The winners of the different cash prizes will be announced during the banquet.

The top 5 winning entries will be determined based on the following rubric.

ORIGINALITY, ORGANIZATION, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF IDEAS AND CONTENT: 35 POINTS

  • Ideas are relevant to the prompt and fully fleshed out.
  • Ideas are original, imaginative, and reflect critical thinking.
  • The organization is effective and relevant to the prompt.
  • The content is communicated creatively and is relevant to the prompt.

STYLE AND VOICE: 25 POINTS

  • The style of writing is effective and includes descriptive details.
  • Writing reflects uniqueness and critical thinking.
  • Consistent use of chosen voice.

FORMAT, ELOQUENCE, AND QUALITY OF WORD CHOICE: 25 POINTS

  • Word choice is creative, conscious, appropriate for the chosen format, and relevant to the prompt.
  • Writing reads well and flows smoothly.
  • Writing is relevant to the prompt.
  • Word choice is appropriate and effective for the chosen format and style.

CONVENTIONS: 15 POINTS

  • Correct grammar and spelling.
  • Correct use of punctuation.
  • Correct and formal presentation of writing.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

COMPETITION: SUBMIT A PAPER THAT ADDRESSES ANY RELEVANT ISSUE TO NETZERO BY 2050

3 STEP PROCESS

1. Submit a PDF

VIA EMAIL TO UHENERGY@UH.EDU.

2. Judge Process

The submissions will be read and judged by a panel of faculty members from the University of Houston. The winning entry will be determined based on the following CRITERIA

3. Notification of Winner

The winning submission will be announced on April 19, 2023 prior to the Energy Banquet at the Hilton University of Houston.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you have your finished writing prompt, please ensure it has followed the rules and guidelines above.

The next step is to submit your writing prompt via email to uhenergy@uh.edu. Be sure to include a reference to the writing competition within the subject of your email.

Look in the "HOW TO GET INVOLVED" section and click on the link in the first step.

If you would like to see the grading/judging criteria, please click HERE

Deadline is on Friday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m.

The winning submission will be announced on April 19, 2023 at the Waldorf Ballroom, Hilton University of Houston.