Brooding over ways to combat plastic pollution

Plastic pollution has reached worrisome levels, with various research exposing its catastrophic consequences on our delicate ecosystems. A recent study estimates that eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste enter our seas each year, posing a serious threat to marine life and sensitive ecosystems. That equates to placing five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the planet. In response to this urgent global crisis, the Asian University for Women (AUW) Environmental Sciences Club orchestrated the 'Earth Fest 2023' on the university campus recently. With a shared vision of a plastic-free world, the festival served as a catalyst for change, fostering collaboration among experts, organisations, and students to combat plastic pollution and protect the precious balance of nature. This event sought to inspire innovative solutions, ignite a collective determination, and reclaim our planet from the clutches of plastic, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for all.

AUW Environmental Sciences Club is a student organisation in Asian University for Women that aims to invoke youth participation in ecological restoration through environmental action programmes. AUW Office of Student Activities (OSA) and Center for Climate Change and Environmental Health (CCCEH) supervised the event in association with Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Footsteps, Green Bangle Movement, Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI), and Creative Conservation Alliance. With AUW Student Government, the green fest was put together by the united efforts of the club's founding executive board and a group of dedicated student volunteers. The rooftop of AUW's MM Ali Road campus in Chattogram was decorated with festoons sourced entirely from waste papers and plastics. Based on the 3R strategy: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, some of the environmental action and research-oriented clubs from AUW student body brought out display stalls.

The inauguration ceremony started with Dr Rubana Huq,  vice-chancellor of AUW, cutting the ribbon and club Co-adviser Dr Mukesh K Gupta presenting an introductory speech. Arpa Das, secretary of the AUW Environmental Sciences Club, was in charge of arranging the event. The first presenter of the day was Monira Parvin Ruba from BELA, an environmental advocacy organisation, who spoke about an equitable and gender-sensitive strategy to ensure responsible consumption and production.  Dr Abu Shadat Muhammad Sayem, professor of Mechanical Engineering at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), then discussed one of his significant initiatives, 'Collaborative Action for Improving Educational Capacity in Renewable Energy to Mitigate Climate Crisis'. Following that, the guests were introduced to the Green Bangle Movement, an ongoing afforestation plan of action directed by Dr Paulraj Mosae Selvakumar and his team of AUW students.  Swastika Ghosh, communications manager of the AUW Environmental Sciences Club, then briefed the audience on the club's signature programmes and future goals before yielding the floor to representatives from several sustainable organisations. BYEI, a non-profit youth organisation, shared its aim to cultivate change-makers capable of addressing environmental concerns effectively.  The Co-founder and President of Footsteps Bangladesh, Shah Rafayat Chowdhury who is an award-winning environmentalist and social entrepreneur, provided insight from  his organisation's public health and livelihood programme concerning climate resilience and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene).

Finally, the Regional Vice Chair-South Asia of IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, and a conservation biologist, Shahriar Caesar Rahman, took over the stage. He illustrated his organisation Creative Conservation Alliance's endeavours for the ecological and cultural conservation of Bangladesh's last wild places. The Founder and President of the AUW Environmental Sciences Club Nuzaba Tasannum wrapped the event urging the future torchbearers of the club to create opportunities for students pursuing Environmental Science and related disciplines.

The event's primary goal was to emphasise the flood of challenges generated by the global increase in the manufacturing and consumption of plastics by bringing together specialists in relevant sectors to brainstorm and exchange ideas for environmental solutions with students.

However, discussions soon branched out towards sustainable alternatives while maintaining the initial intent of spreading awareness, and inspiring action towards reduction and elimination of plastic waste. Talks from the speakers of the day resulted in the participants approaching the respective organisations for internship and research prospects followed by mutual exchange of views on potential collaborations.

Sunehra Sayanhika is an undergraduate student in Environmental Sciences & Bioinformatics at Asian University for Women.
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