Young Champions of Earth: Celebrating World Environment Day with Youngistaan Foundation

5th June 2024

Prarthana Raghuveer

“There is no one giant step that does it, it’s a lot of little steps” ~Peter A. Cohenn

Introduction:

World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. Land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystem.

“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” — Lady Bird Johnson

This year we find Youngistaan Foundation sharing this responsibility by taking a creative leap, engaging with children and the community through various innovative activities aimed at fostering a deep-rooted connection with nature and promoting sustainable practices.

Theatre for Change: In an enlightening theatre workshop, children inspired by the characters from the popular movie “Pushpa,” performed skits that delivered powerful messages about environmental preservation. The first skit depicted the grave consequences of deforestation, compelling the audience to reflect on how survival on Earth is intricately linked to the existence of trees. This segment was brilliantly led by interns Varsha, Deeksha, Harshitha, Jyothi, Kalam, and Nikitha, who guided the young performers to convey that true wealth lies not in material gains but in the natural resources that sustain life.

The Love for Green: Another heartwarming performance showed two children who nurtured a sapling into a tree. When faced with a bribe to cut it down, the kids chose to protect their beloved tree, demonstrating their commitment to conservation. This skit, symbolizing resistance against environmental exploitation, resonated with the theme “Save Trees,” echoing throughout the venue.

Hands-On Learning: To engage younger children, a playful yet educational activity was organized where kids below the age of eight were taught the importance of trees through a dynamic “move and freeze” game. They excitedly planted imaginary trees and froze in place to signify stopping tree cutting, illustrating their understanding and commitment to environmental conservation.

Engaging Narratives: Further enriching the day, a storytelling session from the “Pratham Storybook” titled ‘Wet or Dry’ was held, focusing on waste management and segregation. The story paved the way for a practical activity, helping children learn about and implement waste reduction strategies.

Digital Outreach: Recognizing the power of digital media, Youngistaan also ventured into creating awareness through social media reels. These reels were inspired by UNEP and the latest trend of #Generation Restoration. These short videos highlighted the urgent need for environmental stewardship, reaching a wider audience and inspiring collective action towards a greener future. To watch their reel — click here.

Conclusion: The activities organized by Youngistaan not only educated but also empowered children and the community, planting seeds of change for a healthier planet. These initiatives underscore the dedication to environmental education and advocacy, proving that when we come together, the impact can be profound.

We encourage everyone to get involved with or support initiatives like these. Whether by planting a tree, reducing waste, or spreading the word, every small action contributes to a larger change. Join us in our mission to make every day a World Environment Day.