EonEcon meetings have taken an interesting turn since the time we got started. A series of ideas, perspectives and debates have been going on to take the next step forward. For now, the first project aimed at raising awareness about environment and environmental issues amongst the students has kicked off.

Many question the fact that why awareness programmes for school going children when schools have environment education as a part of their curriculum? On the basis of our interaction with a few students as well as Government officials, we found that the understanding of environment and environmental issues was extremely skewed amongst masses and is limited to the green cover only. Apart from that, there seems to be a strange disconnect between people and environment at large. It is referred to in third person as something that they may or may not be bothered about.

The first project that we have started with is ‘Just Do Your Bit!’, whereby we are trying to pass the message to the students through ‘GREEN SHEETS’ that everyone has the power to make a difference and all of us need to start today. The approach has been to try and connect global problems to what is happening in our country. Facts and images of current environment situation in our country and city helps in building a connection and a better understanding amongst the students. An effort has been made to make the students not just understand the kind of actions that they can take and understand why these actions are important and why there is a need for each one of us to step in.

We are covering about 100 schools, colleges and organizations of the city as a part of this programme. The DPI has approved that we can have the same sessions in all the Government schools as well. Alongside, certain companies and organizations are also being approached so that they are also made aware of various environmental issues. Most importantly so that they are able to identify some action steps that they can take at their own end to make a positive impact.

We hope that this endeavour will trigger a change.