RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, April 21: An environment conservation society, SwitchON Foundation, on the occasion of Earth Day announced setting up of real time air quality monitors across the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.
These air quality monitoring centres are none other than the schools in the non-attainment cities. With setting up multiple air quality monitors in the urban schools, SwitchON Foundation sets forth the Inter School Clean Air Championship Programme.
More than 100 schools will be on board from across three states. This initiative is supported by Columbia University in the City of New York.
Inter School Clean Air Championship Programme aims to create awareness amongst students on Air Pollution through training, workshops, events, competitions and studies. Awareness and advocacy building efforts will be organized on specific days like Environment Day, World Health Day or Institution specific Foundation days and on regular days as well.
The Air Quality Monitors will report minute-by-minute changes in the air quality levels and provide immediate alerts if pollution levels rise. Giving the children hands-on experience with scientific tools, SwitchON aims to educate them about air pollution.
Students will be trained on how to use the data, collect the report and spread awareness amongst their campus and community, also within their family. With the data with basic research skills given to them they will also be encouraged to take action as part of the interschool clean air championship program. They will be taking up activities throughout the year.
There are multiple organizations supporting the interschool clean air championship program are WWF, Garbage free India, National Museum of Natural History, Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change. Experts say children are more vulnerable to pollution because their lungs are underdeveloped and their immune systems are weaker. And yet, nine out of 10 children around the world are breathing in toxins that exceed safe levels. Over the years, the situation has become critical, even global bodies like UNICEF have predicted that air pollution will become the leading cause of child mortality by 2050.
Supporting this initiative, Manfred Auster, Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany Kolkata (Calcutta) said, “Air pollution is a serious health concern and it affects all of us, but children are particularly at risk. Change has to start with all of us and building children’s awareness is key, because they can then start mobilizing family and friends to take action on the issue. I congratulate SwitchON Foundation for their work on this issue and particularly the launch of the intra school competition to take action on air pollution.”
Vinay Jaju, Managing director of SwitchON Foundation said, “SwitchON Foundation believes that as young leaders of tomorrow, it is crucial for them to understand the significance of sustainable living and take concrete steps to address the issue of air pollution. The interschool clean air championship provides a unique opportunity for schools to not only learn about the importance of clean air, but also actively engage in efforts to improve air quality in their communities.”
