‘Happy International Youth Day’ to all of you.

On this important occasion, I would like to share with you about a campaign I had organised when I was in Dubai to spread awareness about paper (the fact that paper comes from trees), need to prevent paper wastage and saving trees, to contribute towards fighting climate change.

I had posted this report earlier after the event and here I am reposting to commemorate IYD.

 This was one of my most successful campaign and If I am able to inspire even 1 ambassador through this report, it would have served its purpose and I would be happy. 

Here on this forum I am sure that all of us know but externally, if we talk about common man or mass then I can say that not everyone knows that paper comes from trees so saving paper means saving trees and hence saving the planet.  To spread this awareness and to inspire people in my community in Dubai (I was in Dubai that time) about saving paper and reducing their wastage, I had run a campaign which I titled SAVE PAPER, SAVE TREES, SAVE PLANET.

I always believe that Trees are the lifelines and lungs of Earth. They are God's best creation and one of the most efficient ways to combat global warming, so I wanted to pass a very strong message of saving paper to save trees and hence the planet. First, I decided the day for this campaign. I decided to do it on 'International Youth Day'(12^th Aug). Then I decided the title "Save Paper, Save Trees, Save Planet" which is meaningful and by saying the name of campaign people will remember and learn that paper comes from trees.

Then decided on number of participants for which I took 1000 kg paper as target. I aimed to collect 1000kg paper from 40 students by asking each of the 40 students to bring 25kg paper each. Then I worked on next step i.e. where to give these 1000 kg paper after collection. I spoke to Emirates Environmental Group and they were very happy knowing about my initiative and agreed to send their pickup truck and banners at our venue in Sharjah where I decided to hold a ceremony/event. Next step in my planning was ensuring that I would get 40 participants to join my mission by bringing 25kg paper each. I thought unless I give them something good in return, they may not be excited to come carrying 25kg paper. After few days of thinking, I concluded that I would take them for an educational tour to DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) which is known as World's largest government sustainable building. I spoke to DEWA and was glad to have their support. I also wanted to make this whole event/day a very eco-friendly and sustainable day. I wondered if each of the 40 students go by their private transport , what kind of message will we convey. So to make it sustainable I hired a bus to transport all 40 of us to have reduced carbon footprint as compared to 40-47 cars going. I approached a transport company with my portfolio and shared with them how in past I have been organizing environmental events, told them about our group actively involved in social, humanitarian and most importantly environmental activities. Thankfully, they were so impressed with my presentation, our efforts and intentions that they extended their kind and generous support by offering us bus /transportation service free of cost from Sharjah venue to DEWA, Al Quoz, Dubai.  With that my last leg of planning was complete and I designed the event poster and launched this event. I was amazed to see overwhelming response. As I had targeted 40 students and had taken permission from DEWA for 40 (stretchable upto 45-47) so I had to close the registrations within 4 days once I received 47 participants.

I shared the event details with City7 TV and they were happy to come and cover our event.

The day came –International Youth Day. Students came fully excited with their parents bringing papers. Participants were very happy having collected old papers/newspapers not only from their homes but also from their neighbourhood to be able to make it 25 kg each which I had set as eligibility criteria to take them for DEWA building tour. Students put in their best efforts in getting 25 kg paper as they wanted to visit DEWA

Venue was full of piles of papers. EEG truck arrived in time. Cameraman from City7TV was ready to cover our event.

I addressed the attendees and their parents and unfolded the mystery or rather significance behind asking them to bring 25kg paper each. While we all loaded these 1000 kg papers for recycling into EEG truck, I told all of them that since recycling 1000 kg paper saves 17 mature trees so today on International Youth Day we all have saved 17 mature trees.

Few of them used their creative/artistic skills and had made such nice posters with title of our campaign and all made from waste paper.

I asked them to share their experiences and learnings from this campaign. I was happy to hear them how they went to neighbourhoods and collected papers for recycling. Few of them were not aware that paper came from trees. I am sure this went deep into all of their minds and they would continue to save paper for recycling to save trees and hence our lovely Planet Earth.

Also made them aware that it is always better to use public transport to reduce carbon emission like we are all going by 1 bus today to DEWA. Using public transport not only reduced carbon emission but also reduces congestion on roads, is economical means and is safe too.

Of course, I promoted Tunza Eco Gen, emphasised the uniqueness and benefits of this amazing forum. While registering them at the start of the event, I gave them Tunza E Gen leaflets, rulers and pens/pencils. 

Then we proceeded to DEWA which was such a useful tour seeing various sustainable aspects, features and infrastructures in the building.

I am glad that we all celebrated "International Youth Day "in such a meaningful way by making a positive difference to environment through our campaign "Save Paper, Save Trees, Save Planet". All participants carried home strong and positive environmental messages. 

Through this campaign, I aimed to:

1. inculcate the habit of saving and recycling paper 

2. promoting the importance of trees for Earth. 

3. Promoting the need to use public transport or shared car to reduce carbon footprint.

4. Important realisation "Small Acts, Big Impacts" . I made them realise that each of our actions though may be small but are important like here each of us have got 25 kg paper which is not a big thing, it's a small effort but collectively we all have saved 1000 kg and saved 17 mature trees. So never think that "will my individual action make any difference?"

The message was loud and clear that whatever you do in your daily life, do it in eco -friendly and sustainable manner.

Feedbacks from some of the participants:

Participant Meghana Fessy said, " I am happy to be a part of this campaign. By collecting 25kg paper, I could contribute in a small way to save our mother earth".

Another participant Sana Feroz said, " We use paper in our daily lives and recycling it can reduce the need for more landfills and can also save trees. These types of initiatives can help save our planet and make our Earth green."

Another participant Annet Cecil said, " I liked being part of this wonderful event. By collecting papers from my home and neighbourhood, I am glad that I could help in saving 17 mature trees by this campaign''SAVE PAPER, SAVE TREES AND SAVE PLANET''.  I want to do more for the better future of Our MOTHER EARTH."

Another participant Nityashri said, " I am proud to be part of it on International Youth day. It enabled us to jointly collect one ton of paper for recycling which shows the collective efforts and impact the Youth have today. It spreads a lot of awareness among students and motivates us to contribute to a greener tomorrow by following green tips and practicing recycling in daily life."

Volunteer Armaan Farooqui said, " This campaign has been a guiding light to youngsters like me. By recycling 25kg of paper I can proudly say that I have done my tiny bit for the environment. I look forward to the future with HOPE in my heart to save the mother Earth who provides selflessly and abundantly"

Another participant Neola Castelino said, "It was a very good initiative and I was very happy after contributing 50 kg's of papers.I am thankful to my neighbors for supporting me in collecting so many papers. As a young child I am trying my best in all possible ways to save the environment".

Another participant Aumkar Misra said, "It not only taught me about the importance of saving paper but also that by carrying out such an act we could also simultaneously educate a whole lot of people about environmental awareness. It's such a good feeling that we saved 17 trees".

Volunteer Elisha Thomas said, "I am very happy that I could contribute 25 kgs of paper and be a part of this event to save our mother earth. This campaign was an eye-opener for me".

Our event was covered in so many newspapers and was telecasted on City7TV as well.

Below are the links where it is covered:

City7 TV news online link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pIiatuUjEs

"The Gulf Today" newspaper dated 16^th Aug

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/24ecfa1e-54a5-48e1-ab1d-07006e8de2d5.aspx

and

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/5c289a4e-df9f-44f1-999c-f308292832bc.aspx

Azad news

http://azadnewsme.com/en/33/6/4106/YOUTH-GROUP-STUDENTS-FOR-THE-EARTH-SAVES-17-TREES-BY-THEIR-CAMPAIGN-SAVE-PAPERSAVE-TREES-SAVE-PLANET-ON-INTERNATIONAL-YOUTH-DAY-.htm?LoginUserId=2

Few other media:

http://www.dubaiprnetwork.com/pr.asp?pr=101818

http://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?PR=101818&Sname=LifeStyle

http://hubii.com/article/55cfa38fe08cfd966aa0f94c/youth-group-recycle-1-000-kg-of-paper-to-save-17-mature-trees

http://mudukulathur.com/?p=36446

http://digitalpaper.mathrubhumi.com/c/6268778

http://www.dinamalar.com/nri/details.asp?id=9201&lang=ta

http://www.abudhabinews.net/index.php/sid/236254247