INDIA: Salesians take vital steps for green initiatives on campuses
Salesian missionaries launch new 45-kilowatt solar on-grid power plant and rainwater collectors at Don Bosco House
INDIA
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries inaugurated a new 45-kilowatt solar on-grid power plant and rainwater collectors at SPCI Don Bosco House, New Delhi, India. The project is supported by Jugend Eine Welt of Austria and in partnership with the Don Bosco Network – Bosconet. This installation is a vital step toward fulfilling the Salesian congregational ambition of greening all Salesian campuses worldwide by 2032.
Don Bosco Network’s vision is in alignment with the environmental actions outlined by the Sustainable Development Goals and in response to Pope Francis’ call to care for the Earth. In December 2019, the Salesian Energy Forever Conference reflected on a response to the environmental crisis and drove actions that Salesians worldwide could take to make an important difference.
Don Bosco Network is actively promoting many green initiatives including greening campuses with clean renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, promoting afforestation and green cover, greening training, promoting jobs in green sectors, e-learning, efficient natural resource management through rainwater harvesting, and waste management.
Father Biju Michael, regional superior, and Father Davis, provincial of the Salesian Province of Delhi, led the inauguration ceremony. Fr. Michael acknowledged the instrumental role that Don Bosco Network played in conceptualizing and successfully implementing the power plant.
“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 it also helps Salesians save energy costs, which is then used to aid programming.”
The Don Bosco Green Alliance, which began in India in 2018, launched a new campaign “Rethink, Reconnect, Renew” in 2020. It invited all alliance members to rethink their priorities, their choices and their lifestyles, especially during the global pandemic.
Alliance members were encouraged to make pledges on how they will concretely live more eco-friendly lives and to hold activities and programs to bring about concrete outcomes at institutional and individual levels.
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 UN Environment or other international organizations.
Members of the alliance have also undertaken such initiatives as environmental education to increase green areas and planting trees, the reduction of the use of non-degradable materials, promotion of organic agriculture and home gardens, preservation and conservation of water, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources.
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ANS – India – Energy Forever for a green future: Solar Powered SPCI house
