By Atmananda Nayak, IB Year 2

The members of GIIS Youth Club conducted a virtual symposium, for Grades 6 to 10, over the looming threat of climate change and pollution and its adverse effects regarding the environment on 5th of June, the World Environment Day.

Over the course of two days - 3rd and 4th of June, a series of interactive sessions were conducted, with the speakers, David Rolnick and Priya L. Donti, the Co-founders and Chairs of Climate Change AI.

Grade 6 students watched a TED-Ed video that offered insights on the dire consequences of global warming. Post that, they discussed and exchanged views on the video. Along with a quick quiz, the students also designed a poster to highlight the negative impacts that humans inflict on the planet. These activities served to stimulate deeper thought about the environment and ignite a spark of empathy within the participants.

Grade 7 students were tasked with a much more challenging feat; they had to write a persuasive essay on the concepts of recycling, oil, endangered species, and paper problem. This compelled the students to truly understand the prevalent issues and then brainstorm the ideas among their group to discuss the root cause, consequences and possible solutions that could allay the adverse effects.

Garde 8 students crafted a poem with the title “It’s Time for Nature”. What followed was the construction of several exquisitely written poems that exuded students’ love and respect for the environment. It was quite heartening to witness that those who will soon lead the world have empathy for the environment.

Grade 9 and 10 students discussed the demanding topics of biodiversity, sustainable development, and the connection of COVID-19 pandemic to these. An exemplary article written by Kristine Tompkins, an American conservationist was used as the base for an engaging discussion between the students and the speakers. Finally, blueprints of sustainable cities were analysed in order to trigger discourse regarding the appropriate steps to create a sustainable world, that has healed from the wounds inflicted by humanity and the COVID-19 pandemic.

A large number of students took part in this symposium. The efforts of the GIIS Youth Club in kindling the flames of curiosity were indeed conducive.