BACKGROUND
One of the foremost issues demanding rising attention from people of all ages is climate change. A marked change in usual weather patterns is the definition of climate change and these small changes in Earth’s temperatures can have a big impact such as rising ocean levels and melting glaciers.
In the past 100 years or so, according to NASA, the burning of fossil fuels which subsequently release carbon dioxide have interfered with the energy balance of the planet. This human interference leading to rising carbon dioxide levels has led to a consistent rise in Earth’s temperatures.
From our energy consumption, to the products we purchase and discard, and our day-to-day behaviours, each one of us is responsible for the condition that our planet is in – including its improvement.
OUR CLIMATE ACTION WORK
We prioritize the inclusion of crucial and up-to-date information, questions and action points on climate change in our awareness education sessions. We use traditional methods of learning and creative arts and other innovative forms of expression to encourage young people to address environmental issues in their localities and come up with solutions to ensure a safer and cleaner world for future generations.
Youngistaan Foundation has educated students on practical steps to be taken such as encouraging people to stop littering and using plastic products as well as finding ways to reduce water and noise pollution through the Bright Spark Education Program. An ongoing part of our Gender Equality Program is speaking to young girls about sustainable menstruation and the option of using cloth pads which are biodegradable and safer to use.
As an organization that focuses on the change that can be brought about by young people, it is heartening that much of the action against climate change is being spearheaded by the youth of the world.
In April 2021 on the occasion of Earth Day, Youngistaan Foundation was one of three organizations who partnered with the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad to launch the Young Climate Leaders’ Action Project (Y-CLAP). Each of the organizations are leading a team of young climate volunteers to address and find solutions to a specific focus area. The focus area of Youngistaan Foundation is to end plastic pollution and reduce/manage plastic waste. To read more about the Y-CLAP project and browse through the activities of our young volunteers, please click here!
OUR IMPACT
- our programs have educated children on incorporating behaviours that help mitigate the effects of the climate crisis
In April 2022, one year after the launch of YCLAP, our young climate leaders had the opportunity to present their work conducted over the past year to the US Consulate General in Hyderabad and had an interactive and eye-opening session:
GET INVOLVED
If you would like to volunteer with us, you can:
- join our teams to educate children on climate change
- help us create fun, creative and innovative materials for children to learn about ways to adopt environment-friendly behaviour
KEY FACTS
- 21 out of 30 cities in the world with the worst air pollution are in India
- Commonly used sanitary pads take roughly 500 years to decompose
FURTHER READING
Global Climate Change | NASA
Sustainable Menstruation: The Impact of Menstrual Products on the Environment | Medium
Youngistaan Foundation Program Brochure
READ OUR CAMPAIGN REPORT
Our Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign 2022 reached a total of 763,483 people through both online and on-ground initiatives – and you can read about it here and join our Gender Equality program to continue raising awareness on menstrual hygiene and breaking period taboos in your life.
