‘Innovative Green School Program’ launched in Kashmir

Pulwama, Nov 06: The Indian branch of the Climate Reality Project has launched an innovative Green School Program in Kashmir, with a mission to promote sustainability and climate education in the region’s schools.
This initiative offers a comprehensive approach to tackle environmental concerns and empower the next generation to combat climate change.
The Climate Reality Project, a non-profit organization founded and chaired by former US Vice President Al Gore, operates in various branches worldwide, including one in India.
Rekha Lalla, the Green School Program Manager for India, highlighted that they are already operating in 25 states and union territories of India, with a special focus on Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.
She added that they are expanding their focus to include Orissa, as these three regions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Lalla emphasized that the Climate Reality Project’s core mission is to educate students about the climate crisis, enabling them to understand its consequences and prepare them to take action against it.
She pointed out that Kashmir is witnessing the melting of glaciers and facing floods, while Maharashtra is grappling with water scarcity, and Orissa, as a coastal area, is exposed to significant climate vulnerabilities. The program has gained approval from the education department for 100 schools in the region.
“We build up the knowledge of teachers in these schools registered with us, and then we engage with the students to raise awareness about the vulnerabilities. They should understand the area they are living in and take appropriate climate action to preserve natural resources,” She said.
Aadil Bhat, Green Campus Programme Manager for Kashmir, outlined the two key phases of the Green School Program: Awareness and Action.
In the Awareness phase, teachers receive training, and students are educated about climate change and sustainable development. Climate Reality India conducts workshops and online training for teachers, actively engaging with students to raise awareness. Schools that successfully complete this phase become part of the ‘Indian Climate Aware School Network’ and receive a certificate.
The Action phase encourages schools to implement essential green practices in their buildings, focusing on improving air quality, enhancing biodiversity, managing waste, conserving water, and optimising energy efficiency. Schools are evaluated and awarded based on their practices, with recognition ranging from Satisfactory to Outstanding.
Bhat underscored the numerous benefits of the Green School Program, which include improving air quality, conserving water, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting waste reduction, and encouraging biodiversity within school campuses.
He noted that this initiative not only benefits the environment but also provides direct advantages to school management, teachers, students, and the community.
He added that since the program’s launch in the Union Territory in June, more than 40 workshops and one green audit have been conducted in Kashmir.