Once upon a time, in a world where people were becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment, schools around the globe celebrated World Recycling Day, Earth Week, and Pangea - The Global Village in unique and creative ways.
In Alberton, South Africa, Junior Colleges Castillian organized an event to mark World Recycling Day. Learners and their parents were invited to create outfits entirely from recyclable materials. The event aimed to promote environmental awareness and community spirit, with participants repurposing items that would typically end up in landfills. They showcased their handmade ensembles, highlighting their commitment to sustainability. Parents played a crucial role in supporting their children's efforts and discussing the importance of recycling and waste reduction. The event received praise for its creativity and community engagement [939c7ba5].
Meanwhile, in Delhi, India, Delhi Public School R.N. Extension organized an 'Earth Week' celebration to mark World Earth Day and foster environmental consciousness among its students. The celebration included various competitions and activities such as painting sessions using recycled materials, crafting reusable bags, and a bird feeder making competition. The principal, Ms. Pallavi Upadhyaya, expressed the aim of instilling a sense of responsibility towards the planet and promoting sustainable practices among the students [4f090447].
In Palo Alto, California, environmental activists celebrated Earth Day with dance and song. The event was organized by Fridays for Future Palo Alto, Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition, Dance for Peace, The Climate Strikers, and the Raging Grannies. The celebration included a singalong led by the Raging Grannies, a dance led by Dance of Peace, and performances by The Climate Strikers. The activists are active throughout the year, not just on Earth Day. The event showcased the collaboration between youth and older generations in taking action against climate change. The participants demonstrated their commitment to raising awareness and advocating for environmental protection [bab32f5d].
In Pune, Maharashtra, India, Elpro International School hosted a two-day virtual conference called Pangea - The Global Village on April 22nd and 23rd, 2024. Over 195 students from 14 schools across 8 nations participated in activities designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and cultural exchange. The conference featured activities like collaborative blog writing, case study presentations, a world quiz, collaborative cultural singing, monologue, and an art and doodle exhibition. Educators also participated in a panel discussion on fostering empathy and global awareness among 21st-century learners. The conference was a success, promoting global connections and collaboration among students and educators worldwide [fec85e61].
In Langley City, Canada, Earth Day was celebrated with an Upcycling Challenge in Douglas Park. Shirley Sawatsky, a participant in the challenge, expressed gratitude to Langley City and Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) for hosting Earth Day 2024. Sawatsky won first place in the adult category with her tarp raincoat and hat. The event had a great turnout, with participants enjoying the beautiful day and learning about upcycling. Sawatsky appreciated the opportunity to meet other participants and witness their creativity [7a7f27c6].
These events in South Africa, India, and Elpro International School demonstrate the growing global movement towards environmental consciousness, sustainability, and global collaboration. Schools are taking the initiative to educate and engage students in activities that promote recycling, waste reduction, sustainable practices, and cultural exchange, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the planet and creating environmentally conscious and globally aware citizens [939c7ba5] [4f090447] [fec85e61].
During Earth Week, students and staff at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) participated in activities to raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices. The Sustainable Future Talents (SFT), an environmental student organization at the International Business School Suzhou, organized a creative design workshop where students transformed discarded plastic bags into new items such as pillows, aprons, and first aid kits. The event was part of SFT's 15 Ways in 15 Weeks series, aimed at promoting sustainable and positive behavioral changes. Additionally, Dr. Xiaoying Pang led discussions and interactive games to educate participants about plastic pollution and the science of plastics. The event also included a recycled-plastic Plastic Heroes Auction to raise funds for reducing plastic and environmental protection [6355e2b6].
In Sydney, Australia, the Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE) will take place on July 24-25, 2024, at ICC Sydney. The expo aims to explore, connect, and catalyze Australia's transition to a circular economy. It will feature live events, a showcase of innovative products and sustainable solutions, a seminar program with industry leaders, and networking opportunities. AWRE is a platform for waste professionals, suppliers/service providers, government departments, and special interest groups to drive change in the waste and recycling industry. The expo is organized by Diversified Communications and is free to attend. Register now to join AWRE [5042c7ee].
The concept of reducing, reusing, and recycling was explored in an episode of TED Radio Hour. The episode featured speakers who reimagine this well-known slogan and reconsider how we think about what we consume and throw away. They discussed topics such as why big manufacturers prevent people from repairing their own stuff, how everyday materials can be used to create innovative products, how to tap into the power of geothermal energy, and the connection between seaweed, cow burps, and climate change. The episode also touched on the environmental impact of technology and the importance of admitting when we're wrong [87a13025].
Schools have a crucial role to play in shaping young minds and instilling respect for nature. A recent article by the Principal of a Mumbai-based ICSE school emphasizes the need to raise environmental consciousness and sustainable practices for a greener and restored land through education. The Bengaluru water crisis has highlighted the urgency of environmental protection, and the global surface temperature from January to April 2024 was the warmest in the 175-year record. Deforestation contributes to climate change and desertification, leading to severe droughts. India has 25% of its land desertified and 32% under degradation. The New Education Policy (NEP 2020) promotes environmental education in the curriculum, and schools can encourage hands-on activities, promote sustainable practices, and teach the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). Parents also have a role in teaching environmental education at home. Environmental education helps develop problem-solving abilities and critical thinking. Making youngsters conscious about the environment is crucial for a sustainable future, and schools can be a medium for students to see environmental challenges as personal matters. The positive effects of environmental education extend beyond the classroom [e9b21574].
World Environment Day is a global event celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of our environment. The theme of World Environment Day 2024 is 'Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience' under the slogan 'Our Land, Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration.' The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2024, and the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Desertification is the degradation of land caused by weather fluctuations and human activity, and it threatens the food security and way of life for over two billion people. India has experienced desertification, with around 83.69 million hectares of the country undergoing desertification in 2018-19. Natural causes of desertification include prolonged droughts, deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanization, and mining. The impacts of desertification are decreased agricultural productivity, food insecurity, reduced biodiversity, and socio-economic challenges. Global initiatives, such as the United Nations' Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and the African-led Great Green Wall project, aim to combat desertification and restore degraded lands. [cc24187c]
Students of Gopichand Arya Mahila College in Punjab celebrated World Environment Day by taking the 'Mission Life' pledge, affirming their dedication to promoting sustainable living and protecting the environment. They participated in a tree plantation drive and showcased their creativity through a poster and slogan-making competition focused on environmental conservation. The students recited poems centered on environmental themes. The principal, Dr. Rekha Sood Handa, congratulated the staff and students. [d38f2944]
West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) and Dofy Global have empowered 150 students of Government Secondary School, Onne, Rivers State with training on how to produce eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads. The Menstrual Justice Programme aims to keep girls in school by addressing period poverty and promoting the use of eco-friendly pads. WACT provided materials and sewing machines to the students to produce the sanitary pads. The programme also inaugurated 42 Menstrual Justice Advocates among the students. The initiative was celebrated on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The Principal of the school praised the programme for reducing the number of students who cannot afford sanitary pads. The training was conducted in late 2023 and the event took place on June 14, 2024.
Mobilizing all generations in support of sustainable land stewardship is the focus of Desertification and Drought Day 2024, celebrated on 17 June, marking a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat land degradation and drought. The event, hosted by the Federal Republic of Germany, brought together changemakers from around the world under the theme 'United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future'. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the sole global agreement dedicated to sustainable land management, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Land degradation affects up to 40% of the world's land and nearly half the world's population, with the highest costs borne by indigenous communities, rural households, smallholder farmers, youth, and women. A new program was launched to train youth negotiators to become future decision-makers on land and drought issues. In its first year, youth negotiators from more than 30 countries will receive training ahead of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024. [e8c04ec7]
A project funded by the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) has helped the rural village of Zorian in Niger combat desertification and improve its economy. The project involved the rehabilitation of 60 hectares of land, providing employment for 100 young people and 50 women for three months. The income generated from the project allowed many residents to start small businesses and meet their families' needs. The land rehabilitation work also created bonds of fraternity between Zorian and five other villages in the region. The project is part of Niger's efforts to combat climate change and improve the resilience and livelihoods of communities [eccd70ef].