Say NO to a Plastic Planet

Today the Earth is under severe threat due to the increasing rate of pollution of the environment and associated ecosystems. Emerging in more recent times is the pollution created due to the unnecessary and excessive use of plastic. The National Biodiversity Authority of India, TREE Foundation and Roots & Shoots India - Dr. Jane Goodall International Volunteer Network initiated an awareness programme - “Say NO to a Plastic Planet” for students on World Environment Day - Tuesday, 5th June. The programme was launched by Dr. Supraja Dharini Founder-Chairperson, TREE Foundation at Akshar Centre of Education, Neelankarai Chennai. During the program Dr. Supraja Dharini, highlighted the various environmental impacts of one time plastic, from choking oceans to forests visually destroyed by plastic waste. She also interacted with the students on different alternative solutions in order to minimize the usage of plastic products and also how each student can calculate their individual plastic usage. The students of today, being the future generation, have to be educated more about the ill effects of plastic. This awareness programme therefore focused on how the students can make the school campus free from unnecessary plastic waste. This programme will be launched in 120 schools in Chennai and we expect the schools involvement will help spread the much needed awareness on the reduction in use of one time plastic and protection of Biodiversity and the Environment and also encourage all the students to become better guardians of the planet.