Planet vs Plastics

Remember Manfred “Manny”, the mammoth, or the Sidney “Sid”, the ground sloth, from the movie The Ice Age? Are the mammoths present now? Mammoths, like dinosaurs, have gone extinct from our earth, mainly because of changing climatic conditions thousands of years ago. Similarly, in our present times, climate change has become one of the major threats that is altering our lives and impacting the floral and faunal diversity of our earth. To raise awareness regarding climate change, its impact and possible solutions and to boost our national and global efforts in safeguarding our land, water, and air, Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April.

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#EarthDay, since 1970, is an annual celebration of our efforts in creating #awareness regarding #conservation and #protection of our #NaturalResources for our #future generation, focusing on the broad theme of #sustainability. The core values of environmental advocacy, sustainable production and consumption, transitioning towards renewable sources of energy, gradual reduction and elimination of plastic use, and promoting green economy are at the centre of the earth day.

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The theme of this year’s World Earth Day is “Planet vs Plastics”.

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Picture this: a sea turtle struggling against a plastic bag, mistaking it for a jellyfish. A seabird choking on a bottle cap, its stomach filled with our discarded fragments. These scenes aren't just tragic; they're indictments of our stewardship—or rather, our lack thereof.

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#Plastic consumption has quadrupled over the past 30 years, driven by growth in emerging markets. Global plastics production doubled from 2000 to 2019 to reach 460 million tonnes. Globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled while 22% is mismanaged. The rest? It lingers in our oceans, infiltrates our soil, and suffocates our wildlife. But it doesn't stop there. #Microplastics, invisible to the naked eye, infiltrate our food chain, potentially harming human health.

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The year’s theme highlights the existing binary between our earth and the continuous increasing use of plastic along with the efforts required to gradually eliminate the usage of single use plastics and adopting practices of saying “NO” to any plastic use. Also, this year’s Earth Day marks our global commitment in ensuring a 60% reduction in production of all plastics by 2040 in an attempt to make our planet plastic-free.

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We, Seth M. R. Jaipuria Schools , understand the need of efforts and #partnerships to encourage conservation of #nature and natural resources and utilizing them in a sustainable manner to ensure inter-generational and intra-generational equity in terms of utilization of resources. In an effort to promote environmental advocacy and awareness, our schools are engaging their #students in different activities; to understand and exhibit our efforts in ensuring that initiatives are taken to beat plastic pollution.

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#Events and #celebration dates are important; but we believe in integrating ‘what’s important’ within the #curriculum; so that it’s relevant, contextual, and can support deep learning amongst our learners. Our Foundational stage (Nursery to Grade 2; 3-8 years) learners will engage in a “60 minutes with….” activity, wherein they will not only be able to differentiate between plastics and non-plastics from everyday use objects but also address the essential questions:

·?????? Which are the places where plastics are used in their homes?

·?????? As part of recycling process, what are they planning to make from them and why?

This will be in alignment with SDG Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

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Our Preparatory stage (Grades 3-5; 8-11 years) learners will focus on SDG Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG Goal 14 (Life below Water), and SDG Goal 15 (Life on Land) and address:

·?????? What are the challenges of using plastics in our everyday life?

The students will discuss amongst themselves on the impact of plastics on our ecosystem; and collaboratively think, investigate, and frame ideas for designing a suitable poster.

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Our Middle school (Grades 6-8; 11-14 years) learners will work on “Fashion for the Earth: End Plastic Use”, and address:

·?????? What are the places where plastics are used in their house and immediate locality?

·?????? What alternative solutions can be adopted to minimize use of plastics?

Using creative expression via doodling and art, they will promote renewable sources of energy, gradual reduction of plastic use and transformation towards sustainable solutions.

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Not to be left behind, our senior students (Grades 9-12; 14-18 years) will focus on SDG Goal 13 (Climate Action), and SDG Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). They will read about Climate Change, Global Warming, Plastic Pollution, Biodiversity Loss, etc. and ponder on:

·?????? What initiatives are taken by different stakeholders to address the triple planetary crisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution?

Under the sub-theme “A Great Global Effort: A Step towards Climate Education”, the students will disseminate learning and discussion through role play or a nukkad natak.

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How are you celebrating Earth Day this year? Have you put Sustainability at the top of your agenda yet?

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This Earth Day, let's pledge to be part of the solution. Let's reduce, reuse, and recycle with newfound vigor. Let's support businesses that prioritize sustainability over profit margins. Let's advocate for policies that hold corporations accountable for their plastic footprint. And above all, let's remember that change begins with each and every one of us. It starts with that reusable water bottle in your bag, that refusal of a plastic straw, that commitment to properly dispose of waste. It starts with the understanding that we're not just inhabitants of this planet; we're its custodians.

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There’s STILL no sight of a Planet B!