10 year olds, Aabha Talwar and Naisha Gupta of Step by Step School, Noida have been championing the cause of climate change and global warming. Our conversation with them was an eye opener. Kudos to the young changemakers who prove that every bit counts.
Tell us about Sunshine Kids.
Sunshine Kids is an initiative started by us to help save the environment and fight climate change. Sunshine Kids is a Learn for a Cause. Through the concept of learning, we want to create awareness about the positive impact of planting trees. We conduct workshops for children aged 7-10 years where we teach them about different countries and their respective cultures in an interactive and fun learning. We donate the entire proceeds towards tree plantations. Each child is given an e-tree certificate which empowers them as a climate warrior.
What is your goal?
Our goal is to create awareness about the global warming and the need to plant more trees to help save the environment. In our small way, we want to help in making Mother Earth more green and mitigate the effects of climate change. We want to work today and everyday towards a better tomorrow.
What inspired you both to start this project?
Every year we see our city, country and the world battling with pollution, schools shutting down duet o crop burning and A.Q.I worsening .In April, during the recent second wave, we saw our city and entire country struggling for oxygen. Since our planet Earth is also struggling, we decided that in our small way we want to make a difference.
How can we all contribute towards a greener environment?
We all need to realise that Climate Crisis is REAL. Remember, it is just one straw said a billion people! We need to follow the R’s of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle!
Some simple and easy steps can go a long way in helping the environment like;-
- Carrying a water bottle and saying no to bottled water.
- Carrying a cloth bag and saying no to plastic, paper or any outside bag.
- Stopping the usage of plastic straws and minimising single use plastic.
- Switching from plastic toothbrushes to bamboo tooth brushes
- Using recycled paper to wrap gifts
- Stopping the usage of black garbage bags
Waste segregation and composting of kitchen waste are really important in contributing towards a greener environment. It is easy to segregate waste and compost has become an integral part of both our households. Segregation of the waste ensures that it doesn’t end up in landfills and most importantly, there is a need to plant more trees.
How do you ensure that the trees are well taken care of?
We have tied up with growtrees.com which has quite a rigorous process. Independent auditors visit the sites to verify the planting.
The trees are only planted in government or community land. Growtrees.com has planting partners from the local community at or near the planting sites. The saplings are in nurseries for several months prior to the planting where they are nurtured to ensure the survival. Only indigenous trees are planted and bio diversity is maintained. Stone walls are erected if necessary to protect planting. Planting partners have substantial experience in assuring the survivability of the trees.