Extreme weather events are an indicator of climate change and its impact. But it is not too late to act when it matters most. One way to do so is to educate young minds about the environment and climate change issues. The United Nations Office in Bhutan conducted a roadshow at the College of Natural Resources (CNR) for the last three days. The roadshow was to commemorate Bhutan’s 50th Anniversary as a member state to the United Nations. Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971.
Some 35 first-year students studying Environment and Climate Studies were taught to use climate change-related knowledge and data to find solutions to climate-related issues.
“The workshop is not necessarily teaching them to be climate scientists rather teaching them to be climate advocates, and how they can use the resources and the data and the knowledge that is there in terms of climate change and climate science, how they can use that and translate that into relevant programs and activities in the community, in the human life, the landscape in everyday life,” said Thinley Choden, from the Global Shapers Thimphu Hub.
“CNR in Lobesa is starting PhD in Climate Studies soon, and this for me is building the future because we know we are going to need some of our smartest, our wises young people working actively and understanding climate change what it means for Bhutan,” added Gerald Daly, the UN Resident Coordinator.
The students discussed several environmental-related issues like waste management and water scarcity in the college. During their stay there, the students will work on resolving these issues.
“Firstly, we will not keep this knowledge with ourselves, we will go to other departments and we will advocate them on what our little ignorant deed can hamper our environment,” said Rinzin Choden, a student at the CNR.
“This time we decided to engage first-year students and then we also asked them to come up with proposals. These proposals will help them to think through in the next four years. In the end, the college is looking forward to producing quality graduates who look into the issues of climate change and they can have solutions how to implement and when to implement this kind of strategies to the communities,” said Om Katel (PhD), CNR.
The roadshow is designed by the United Nations in Bhutan in collaboration with Global Shapers Thimphu Hub. So far, the United Nations Office of Bhutan had organised eight similar events in various schools since August last year.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
