The United Nations has proclaimed May 22, ‘The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)’, to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity “Be part of the Plan”, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, a day dedicated to understanding and appreciating the variety of life on Earth and the crucial role it plays in sustaining the environment we live in.
Peer Educators of class X CBSE took up the cudgels to spread awareness regarding the same among their peers on 17 June 2024. Campaigning actively, the Peer educators informed the students in the secondary classes that despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy and hence we need to respect, protect, and repair our biological wealth. Virtual tours of different ecosystems were conducted online to enhance their understanding of global biodiversity. The students were also encouraged to write stories or poems about the different species or habitats.
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June to raise awareness and act on pressing environmental issues such as global warming, human overpopulation, marine life and sustainable consumption of resources. This year the day focused on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience, a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, which is critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Educating students about critical environmental issues, the Peer educators aimed to develop a sense of responsibility towards nature, develop vital skills like critical thinking and teamwork, inspire creativity and innovation, promote eco-friendly practices, such as reducing plastic use, conserving water, and using public transportation. The Peer educators encouraged the students to take pledge to protect the environment.
These two awareness campaigns gave the participating classes an opportunity to understand the importance of environmental issues, the need for conservation, and recognize the urgent need for sustainable practices empowering them to face the environmental challenges in the future confidently.