Salesian Eco Club students at Fatima School Kodambakkam launch Eco-Fest to highlight environmental awareness

(MissionNewswire) Salesian students who take part in the Eco Club at Fatima School Kodambakkam in Chennai, India, organized an Eco-Fest to highlight the importance of environmental consciousness and help teach other students how to take responsibility for protecting the environment from further destruction.

The middle school students gave a presentation titled “Five Elements of the Earth” and dressed like factors of the ecosystem to demonstrate that the environment is a positive and fun place to live. Classrooms exhibited innovative carvings, including vegetable and fruit carvings explaining ways to avoid plastics and use biodegradable materials. There were also collages, canvas paintings, crafts made with waste materials and bottle paintings.

The chief guest at the event was G. Palani, president of the Rotary Club Galaxy. He interacted with the students to motivate them to take action every day to affect change in the environment and make a difference. Sister Amala Sebastian, principal of the school, along with Sister Shamila and Sister Elizabeth, lit an eco-friendly lamp to mark the occasion.

“Salesian missionaries in India and around the globe have had a focus on environmental impact and sustainability education,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This has been driven by Pope Francis’ 2020 Laudato Si’, which underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth foster environmental responsibility. As a result, youth have launched important projects to help their communities and beyond.”

In April 2018 in India, Salesian missionaries launched the Don Bosco Green Alliance, an international collective of youth from Salesian institutions and organizations that contribute to global environmental action, thought and policy. The Alliance is open to all Salesian institutions and organizations worldwide.

The Alliance’s priorities are 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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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco South Asia

Don Bosco South Asia – Eco-Fest Creates Environment Consciousness among Students

Salesian Missions – India