Be the Change

Have you experienced this? I am sure you all have: The air is heavy with pollution, rivers once full of life are clogged with plastic, and the earth is dry and barren. 

This isn't a distant future; it's the harsh reality we face if we don't act now.

As World Environment Day approached in June, this gruesome reality dawned upon us, the students of Ajmera Global School. We recognised the urgent need to confront climate change, echoing the clarion call of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13), which demands immediate action to combat climate change and its devastating consequences. The increasing pollution and waste surrounding us served as a stark reminder of the challenges we faced, jeopardising the health and future of our community, especially our younger fellow students.

Plastic waste had become a monstrous menace, choking our planet at an alarming rate. While our school had always promoted sustainability, we realised that a more impactful initiative was necessary. With children being particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including air pollution and environmental harm, we, the students and faculty, embarked on a mission to not just clean up, but to inspire a lasting change.

Inspiration hit during a school assembly when a teacher shared a thought-provoking documentary about urban gardening and its myriad benefits. The idea of repurposing discarded plastic bottles as planters instantly sparked our excitement. This creative solution not only addressed the pressing issue of plastic waste but also offered a hands-on opportunity to learn about sustainability and environmental responsibility first-hand. Eager to become agents of change, we embraced this task with enthusiasm.

The project kicked off with a burst of energy and creativity. We scoured our homes and neighbourhoods, collecting plastic bottles that were destined for landfills. These discarded items were then transformed into vibrant, personalised planters through a flurry of painting and decorating. Each class adopted a designated area around the school, turning it into a vibrant oasis of greenery. We planted herbs, flowers, and small shrubs, breathing life back into the campus.

As our green haven began to flourish, we took turns nurturing our creations, watering them diligently and observing their growth cycles. We learned about the delicate balance of nature, the importance of sunlight, and the vital role of healthy soil. Challenges arose, of course. Some plants struggled due to inadequate sunlight or insufficient nutrition. But these setbacks proved to be valuable lessons, prompting us to delve deeper into environmental science and refine our gardening techniques.

The culmination of our efforts arrived during the World Environment Day celebrations. We proudly showcased our work to parents and community members, presenting detailed logs of our journey, sharing our knowledge through captivating social media posts, and displaying our vibrant planters alongside informative posters on climate change and sustainable practices. The impact extended far beyond the school grounds. Inspired by our enthusiasm, many parents began adopting similar practices at home, reducing plastic waste and cultivating their own miniature gardens.

Over time, Ajmera Global School became a green paradise, showing just how much we can achieve when we all work together. This project not only made our school look better, but it also taught us a lot about taking responsibility. We realised that even small actions can make a big difference to the environment. The lessons we learned about looking after nature, thinking critically, and the power of teamwork will stay with us long after we leave school. They’ll help guide our choices and inspire us to keep pushing for a more sustainable future.

Aarav Shah

Student's Category

Turning Art into Action: A Sustainable Initiative at Pawar Public School

On November 23, 2024, Pawar Public School organized a unique event—a student-led painting sale that reflected the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The aim was to contribute to environmental sustainability while promoting creativity and responsibility.

The initiative focused on SDG Target 12.4, which emphasizes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste across their lifecycle. This target calls for reducing harmful emissions into the air, water, and soil, minimizing their negative impacts on human health and the environment. The school’s project aligned with this by ensuring the paintings’ refurbishment and disposal followed sustainable practices, addressing environmental concerns regarding waste.

The Story behind the Paintings

The idea for the sale originated from a collection of paintings that had been stored in the school’s art room for years. Created by past students, these artworks had no specific use and were gathering dust. While the paintings were visually appealing, they posed a dilemma: discarding them seemed wasteful, but acrylic paints used in some of the artworks could be harmful if disposed of improperly.           

Rather than throwing these paintings away, the students saw an opportunity to transform them. With the help of current art students, they refurbished the paintings, turning what could have been waste into valuable artwork for sale. The result was a collection of refreshed, vibrant pieces, moving from “dull to dazzling.”

The Sale and Its Impact

After refurbishment, 39 paintings were selected for the sale, with only five remaining unsold. The event raised a total of ₹8,550 in net profit, and what made the initiative even more impactful was that no additional monetary investment was required. The students worked diligently without the need for external funding, ensuring that the environmental footprint remained minimal. By refurbishing the paintings instead of discarding them, the school reduced waste and demonstrated that creativity and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

The sale provided a platform for students, both within the art department and beyond, to showcase their talents. It offered recognition for students regardless of their formal involvement in art, promoting the role of creativity in both self-expression and social change.

Driving the Spirit of Change

The success of the initiative was driven not by a desire for fame or profit, but by a commitment to sustainability. The purpose of the sale was not just to clear out the art room or raise funds but to reduce waste, raise awareness about sustainability, and encourage others to adopt similar practices. By refurbishing the paintings, the students contributed to sustainable development while promoting responsible consumption and production.

The overarching goal of the project was to inspire others to think creatively about how they can contribute to sustainability. It demonstrated that even small actions, such as restoring old paintings instead of discarding them, can have a significant environmental impact. The event proved that sustainable practices, when paired with creativity and collaboration, can lead to positive change within a community.

Conclusion

Pawar Public School’s painting sale, inspired by SDG 12 and Target 12.4, is a powerful example of how education and creativity can drive meaningful change. This initiative not only addressed waste reduction and sustainable consumption but also showcased students’ artistic talents. It highlighted how even small, thoughtful actions can contribute to environmental sustainability and inspired others to take similar steps to make the world more responsible and sustainable.

This project is a testament to the impact of combining creativity with environmental consciousness and serves as a reminder that sustainability can be integrated into everyday actions, even in the most creative spaces.

Category: Student 

Name: Shreyas Rane

Grade: 9

Breathing New Life into Blooms: Transforming Floral Waste into Sustainable Incense Sticks

Flowers are one of the most precious, beautiful, and scented gifts that Earth has to offer. Each bloom brings beauty to the world, a splash of color, and a captivating aroma. However, as magnificent as flowers are, a huge amount of them go to waste every day. Studies reveal that India alone generates around 800 tons of floral waste daily, which often ends up discarded or decomposing by the roadside.

But dried flowers are more than just "waste." They retain their aesthetic charm and aroma even after withering, holding potential value that could be better utilized. Instead of allowing these fragrant flowers to biodegrade slowly, we could repurpose them. They bring beauty to our lives and can be transformed into meaningful products, creating a more sustainable cycle of use and appreciation.

India has a long history of turning nature's gifts into objects of purpose and beauty. Centuries ago, incense sticks were handmade from natural ingredients, including flowers and herbs. In keeping with this traditional craft, our Interact Club was inspired to find a way to bring this ancient practice into the present, focusing on sustainability. After researching multiple methods to reduce floral waste, we considered options like potpourri and floral compost, but ultimately, we felt that creating incense sticks was the most meaningful and impactful way to give these flowers a new life.

Our club gathered flowers, prepared them, and used them to handcraft incense sticks. It was a deeply fulfilling experience, bringing together the tradition of incense-making with modern environmental consciousness. We made a full plate of incense sticks, putting into practice our idea of repurposing what would otherwise be discarded. This project was an effort to reduce waste and honor our cultural heritage to contribute to a greener planet.

We presented our work to the Rotary Club of Telangana, we received encouraging feedback and appreciation for our innovative approach. It was heartwarming to see that our small contribution could resonate with so many, proving that even the simplest of ideas could make a positive impact.

By transforming floral waste into incense sticks, we found a meaningful way to express our gratitude to Mother Nature, honoring her beauty in a way that gives back.

Category – Student

Name – Rida Fatima