Bahrain resident Peter Lee has been named among the winners of the Supreme Council for Environment’s (SCE) video production competition on climate action, for a powerful entry that calls on individuals to take greater personal responsibility for protecting the environment.
The competition was launched in conjunction with Bahrain’s World Environment Day celebrations, with the aim of raising environmental awareness and encouraging the creation of content that supports climate action and sustainability.
SCE chief executive officer Amna Al Rumaihi honoured Mr Lee and two winners in recognition of their efforts and creativity in producing educational content that helps spread awareness.
Mr Lee, 41, told the GDN that the central message of his entry was ‘Sustainability does not begin with governments or corporations; it begins with us’.
His video featured various locations across Bahrain, including the World Trade Centre, Bahrain Bay, fishing areas, palm trees, suqs, popular walkways and green spaces, as well as scenes of litter in public streets.
The World Trade Centre
It also included personal moments of him planting greenery, recycling, conserving electricity, and switching off unnecessary lights.
“Each location was chosen to tell part of the country’s story,” he said. “From the Bahrain World Trade Centre that symbolises progress to the streets and public spaces we use every day, I wanted viewers to see that sustainability can easily be woven into our everyday lives.
“My goal was to remind people that protecting the kingdom’s future is not just about preserving beautiful places, but also about caring for the environments and communities that shape our daily lives.”
Mr Lee, who is from the Philippines and China and has lived in Bahrain for the past 12 years, and visited on and off the past 30 years, said he was inspired to enter the competition after coming across the announcement on the SCE Instagram account.
Manama Suq
Participants were required to submit original work before June 1, with all footage filmed by the entrant and no AI-generated or externally sourced content allowed.
“Since I am usually on the streets anyway taking photos, I thought why not?” he said.
Mr Lee, who is passionate about photography, said the competition pushed him to explore videography for the first time, with the aim of making a meaningful impact.
“I did not expect to win, as there are so many talented videographers and storytellers. When the SCE contacted me, I was shocked.”
Plastic bags on the ground
Describing the moment of the announcement, he said he went to their offices on June 18, filled out forms and was told to wait – a moment that made him nervous. “Then they invited me and two other winners and announced that we had won. I received a prize and certificate and took part in a photo session with SCE officials.”
He added that the recognition reinforced for him the power of storytelling. “Photography and videography do not just document what is happening – they help people see, feel and connect with important issues.”
A man exercising on a popular walkway
“To anyone who watches my video, I want them to reflect on the choices we make about the environment and take personal responsibility,” he said, adding that if it encourages even a few people to think differently about sustainability or make small changes, then it will have achieved its purpose.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))