Ø Emotional & Social Benefits
Ø Cognitive & Thinking Skills
Ø Classroom and Group Benefits
What
is Earth Day, when is it and what has it achieved?
Millions
of people across the globe are gathering to mark Earth Day and celebrate the
environmental movement.
The event began in 1970 in the United
States, and is now marked around the world.
What is Earth Day and
when is it?
Earth Day is a global event which aims to
highlight the importance of protecting the environment.
It takes place every year on 22 April.
It was set up in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a
US senator and environmentalist, and Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard
University.
Both had growing concerns about
environmental damage in the US, such as that caused by a large oil spill in
1969 in Santa Barbara, California.
They came up with Earth Day as a way to
engage the public and push green issues to the national agenda.
Even
the first Earth Day attracted large crowds, such as these in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
The first Earth Day saw 20 million people
across the US take to the streets.
It became a global event in 1990, and now
involves over one billion people of all ages in nearly 200 countries, according
to organisers.
"Celebrating Earth Day is often the
first environmental action for a lot of people," says Earthday.org
president, Kathleen Rogers.
·
A simple guide to climate
change
·
How the
largest environmental movement in history was born
What is happening for
Earth Day 2024?
The 2024 theme, "Planet vs.
Plastics", aims to raise awareness of the harms of plastic pollution for
human and planetary health.
Previous events have covered a range of
environmental issues, from climate change and clean energy to protecting
species and the benefits of tree planting.
This year's focus comes ahead of an
historic UN treaty
on plastics, which is expected to be agreed by the end of 2024.
More than 50 countries, including the UK,
have called for an end to
plastic pollution by 2040.
But the organisers of Earth Day want to go
further, and are calling for a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics
by 2040.
Organisers have suggested that people
could volunteer for a clean-up event or learn more about the damage done by
plastic pollution.
You can find out what's happening near
you via this map, or
organise your own event.
What has Earth Day
achieved?
Within a few years of the first Earth Day
in 1970, the US Environmental Protection Agency had been set up, and several
environmental laws - such as the Clean Air Act - had been established or
significantly strengthened.
More recent events have included planting
hundreds of millions of trees, supporting farmers with sustainable agriculture
practices, and starting climate literacy projects around the world.
Some observers also cite the importance of
Earth Day in pushing environmental issues back up national and international
agendas.
"With a host of issues driving our
environmental challenges down society's priority list, events like Earth Day
remind us of the long-term cost of short-termism," says Yvo de Boer,
former UN climate chief.
It was the first time that countries of
the world had collectively agreed targets to try to limit global warming.
What do critics say
about Earth Day?
Some critics warn that these achievements
give a false sense of progress.
Many environmental indicators - from global temperatures to species extinctions -
are changing rapidly due to human activities. Efforts to date have fallen far
short of halting or reversing these trends.
Some individuals and companies have also
been accused of using Earth Day as an opportunity to misleadingly promote their
environmental credentials, without making the real changes that are needed.
This is known as "greenwashing".
For example, campaigner Greta Thunberg
tweeted in 2022 that Earth Day "has turned into an opportunity for people
in power to post their 'love' for the planet, while at the same time destroying
it at maximum speed".
"We all know greenwashing is
happening and it is infuriating," Earth Day organiser Ms Rogers told BBC
News.
"It's not an issue we've caused, but
we know Earth Day is used cynically by some businesses to [mis]use the ethos of
sustainability for their own gain."
"Governments need to take robust
action and crack down on any business or industry lying to consumers."
World Heritage Day (18
April)
World Heritage
Day, which is also known as the International Monuments and Sites Day,
celebrates the work carried out by the ICOMOS – International Council on
Monuments and Sites.
The day is all
about increasing the awareness of the importance of the diversity of cultural
heritage and preserving it for generations in the future.
Ancient
monuments and buildings are an asset to us all around the world. However, they
need to be protected to ensure that they continue to be an asset for years and
years to come. Therefore, the day is a collective effort of communities around
the globe.
On this day,
there are a number of different events that happen all over the world. This
includes a wide range of activities, conferences, and visits to heritage sites
and monuments.
For those who
are unaware, a heritage site is basically a place that is of cultural
significance. It preserves the legacy of intangible attributes and physical
artifacts of a society or group that is inherited from previous generations.
There are truly
some incredible heritage sites and monuments around the world. This includes
the Machu Picchu, which is situated in the lush and mountainous terrain high
above the Urubamba River in Peru. There are lots of amazing sights in Egypt,
and the Pyramids of Giza are one of them. Other places of note include Bagan in
Myanmar, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the Great Wall of China.
Fostering Values through School Cinema at KV IIT Ropar
In alignment with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023
In a progressive step towards nurturing values and socio-emotional learning, Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Ropar has initiated an engaging program through School Cinema. This initiative is thoughtfully designed in line with the NCF SE 2023, which emphasizes holistic development, reflective thinking, and experiential learning.
As part of this initiative, students watch short, meaningful motivational films that focus on real-life scenarios, moral dilemmas, and inspirational themes. After viewing, students are encouraged to observe the nuances and reflect deeply on the messages conveyed.
They then articulate their learnings in their own words, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and self-awareness. Librarian listen actively to the students’ perspectives, leading to open dialogues that promote student agency and expression—core goals of the NCF 2023.
After the discussion, a specific core value is identified, related to the theme of the video, such as honesty, perseverance, respect, empathy, or responsibility. Students are then gently encouraged to internalize and adopt these values in their daily lives for their personal and social development.
This initiative not only makes learning joyful and meaningful, but also helps in building emotionally intelligent, responsible, and compassionate citizens, echoing the vision of education for life and not just for livelihood, as emphasized in the NCF SE 2023.
National Book Week in India: Celebrating the Joy of Reading
Introduction
National Book Week is a week-long event celebrated in India each year from November 14 to November 20. Organized by the National Book Trust (NBT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, this event promotes the importance of reading, fosters a love for books, and aims to make literature accessible to people of all ages across the country. National Book Week also starts on Children’s Day, celebrated on November 14 in memory of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a staunch advocate for children’s education and welfare.
The Importance of National Book Week
Reading is a foundational skill that opens doors to education, critical thinking, empathy, and lifelong learning. National Book Week serves as a powerful reminder of the role that books play in personal and societal development. With the influence of digital media and declining reading habits, this celebration becomes all the more significant in helping people reconnect with the joys of reading and learning through printed words. The National Book Trust’s motto, Books for all, reflects this goal, aiming to make books available to every person in the country, regardless of background or financial status.
Activities and Events during National Book Week
National Book Week is marked by a range of events and activities that encourage engagement with books and authors:
Book Fairs: The NBT often organizes book fairs across India, bringing a vast collection of books in multiple languages to local communities. These fairs provide readers an opportunity to explore and purchase books at discounted rates.
Literary Events and Talks: Schools, libraries, and cultural centers host discussions, storytelling sessions, and author talks, creating platforms where readers can interact with authors, learn about their journeys, and discuss literature.
Reading Challenges: Various institutions conduct reading challenges and competitions to promote reading habits among students. Schools may reward students for the number of books read or even hold read-aloud competitions.
Workshops and Storytelling for Children: Storytelling and creative writing workshops are popular activities, particularly among children. These interactive sessions help foster a love for reading from a young age, making stories come alive in fun and engaging ways.
Promoting Regional Languages: National Book Week emphasizes literature in regional languages, helping to keep indigenous stories and languages alive in a rapidly globalizing world. This inclusion supports linguistic diversity and broadens access to literature.
Focus on Rural and Remote Areas: The National Book Trust also ensures that rural and remote areas participate in National Book Week through mobile library vans and small local fairs, giving these communities access to books that might otherwise be hard to find.
The Role of Digital Initiatives
The integration of digital tools has brought a new dimension to National Book Week celebrations. Online sessions with authors, virtual book readings, and interactive webinars make it possible for readers from all over the country to participate. Additionally, the use of social media to showcase personal reading journeys, recommend books, and discuss literature further amplifies the event’s reach.
Impact of National Book Week
National Book Week has a lasting impact on society. It helps promote literacy, stimulates a love for learning, and fosters a more informed and thoughtful citizenry. For children, it can spark creativity, curiosity, and imagination. For adults, it provides a break from routine, a chance to explore new ideas, and an invitation to return to the pleasures of literature. The event also stimulates India’s publishing industry, supporting both emerging and established writers.
Conclusion
National Book Week in India is not just a celebration of books but a vital cultural event that inspires a lifelong love for reading. It serves as a reminder of the joy, knowledge, and power that books bring to our lives. Through engaging activities and a diverse selection of books, this week helps connect people across age groups, backgrounds, and regions to the magic of literature.
