I would like to start with a simple question, ‘when is earth day celebrated?’. It is celebrated on April 22, every year. Well most of us won’t know it. It might just be a one mark question in EVS examination for some of us.
With the degradation of our planet it should be our duty to not only know but also to celebrate this day as a huge festival. We can celebrate this day by helping our mother earth in every possible way. We can have inspiration from The Northeastern University which has set an ideal example of earth day celebration. For making their campus sustainably developing, they have grown 1473 trees and that too with 143 diverse species of them. They even have 16 buildings with ground water recharge system. Also 40% of their campus buildings are equipped with high reflective roofs which keeps the buildings naturally cool. With 31 electric carts and one hybrid vehicle used in campus operations and by usage of sustainable method of transport by 93% of students, they are reducing their carbon emission to a great extent. Not only this, but on the waste reduction and recycling fronts, they have recycled, composted, reused or donated 1878 tons of material, from Boston campus. For this they have installed the modern technology machines like ‘big belly’ solar powered trash/recycling compactors (69 in number) and water bottle filling stations(250 in number) throughout campus.810 tons of food compost waste was collected and around 56 tons of food grease was recycled. The overall composted waste was found out to be 233 tons.
This great gesture gives us a promising idea of saving mother earth. The Northeastern University has protected nature not only by decreasing pollution but also by improving the quality of nature. With lots of love for nature and bit of determination, even we can contribute to save our earth. It is well said by Margaret Mrad,”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”.
Nikhil Bhad