It’s time to love thy environment, Bangalore students tell the world

The 1990s popular song We are the world, we are the children… could not have found better relevance today. Only, this time it is the youth that shall sing in a bid to convey the message of environmental conservation against ‘all out consumerism’.

This was the theme at the two-day ‘Awareness on climate change through art’ programme that began on Tuesday at the Manipal Institute of Communication (MIC).

“We have to send a strong message to the world through pictures, collages, films, articles and photographs or even through speeches, street plays and other means of communication, before it is too late,” said Vrinda, a first-year student at MIC.

“What we need is a bit of pro-environment activism in each one of us. I have been crusading in my own way against the use of polythene bags. Initially, I was dejected as it did not have any effect at all, but after sustained efforts I managed to awaken a few people in my own circle. I hope they will carry forward the message,” Vrinda said.

“There was art, film, talks and interactive sessions all were aimed at creating awareness about ecology and environment among the future media honchos to become,” said Prof Varadesh Hiregange director in-charge of the MIC.

Suraj, a third-year student, vehemently argues about the denudation of forests and trees for making way for broader roads. “Why don’t we plant trees of the same species after cutting them down? Why do we plant exotic trees that cannot survive? Who will answer these questions?” he asked.

There was also an exhibition of over 100 cartoons, aimed at conveying the concern for one’s ecology in a humourous way. It was organised by the British Council, Chennai, and the Association of British Scholars of India.

“This exhibition has been put together with the help of hundreds of students and budding artists and cartoonists. The cartoons have been chosen carefully to match the theme of climate change, aiming at motivating and awakening young minds,” said AJ Solomon, manager projects, South India, British Council.

“Karnataka was one of the states which has a high degree of awareness on climate change and environment and we are getting very good response from the students in many colleges,” he added.