INDIA: Green campuses share changes and challenges
Don Bosco University Assam holds webinar focused on greening campuses
INDIA
(MissionNewswire) As more Salesian centers and schools move toward a greener environment, Don Bosco University in Assam, India, in collaboration with Don Bosco Tech Africa and Don Bosco Green Alliance, held a webinar on “Climate Action: a Green Approach.” The goal was to share existing models of green campuses and learn from their changes and challenges.
During the webinar, Mebari Vanessa R. Dorphang, a faculty member from the department of zoology at Don Bosco University, explained how the university’s 274 acres of land was made into a green campus by using the land to sustain livelihoods and create an eco-friendly community. Green initiatives included strategies for land utilization, energy conservation, waste management, water management and air quality improvement. Dorphang also gave a brief overview of the eco-friendly campus policy.
In a second presentation, Jack Omondi, project officer from Don Bosco Tech Africa, introduced the “Green TVET” project which focuses on waste management, water and wastewater management, solar energy, and biogas energy. The project is being implemented in Salesian centers of excellence and through mobile awareness teams and green clubs.
“This is one among many Salesian initiatives toward greener practices,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Not only do greener practices help the environment and ensure a better life for the youth we serve, but they also help Salesians save energy costs, which is then used to aid programming.”
The Don Bosco Green Alliance, which began in India in 2018, launched the campaign “Rethink, Reconnect, Renew” in 2020. It invited all members to rethink their priorities, their choices and their lifestyles, especially during the global pandemic.
Members were encouraged to make pledges to live more eco-friendly lives and to hold activities and programs to bring about concrete outcomes at institutional and individual levels. As a result, more Salesian organizations are working toward greener practices.
Don Bosco Green Alliance is focused on combating pollution, reducing global warming and eliminating disposable plastics. In each of these areas, it aims to partner with ongoing global campaigns promoted by U.N. Environment or other international organizations.
Members have also undertaken such initiatives as environmental education to increase green areas and tree planting, reduce the use of non-degradable materials, promote organic agriculture and home gardens, preserve and conserve water, and increase the use of renewable energy sources.
###
Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
