Screening at Punjab University

August 7th, 2008
Topic: Screenings Tags: Environment, Pakistan, Screening

We had an amazing turn out today with over 70 students of the Environmental Sciences department at Punjab University. Thanks to Sana I, for organizing everything! It was a big crowd but the discussion ended up being very positive. I was surprised to see that one of the inherent opinions held by the students was that the environmental damage, pollution, etc is an issue for western countries alone. The discussion ended on a high note with a professor of Environmental Science talking about the importance of peer review of any large or small scale project. As active participants in society, it is important not only to act in an individual capacity, but also to hold accountable the projects that are creating potential environmental damages.

One of the examples of this comes from the Bachao group in Lahore that pressured the government not to cut down all the trees along the canal in order to widen the roads, eventually a bypass was developed, which took out some of the trees, but most of them were still left, their serenity in tact.

Another success story I heard was actually produced from a study by students from Kinnaird College for Women who tested the health of traffic police. The result was high levels of air pollutants in their lungs which is produced by petrol. The result was a proposal for CNG rickshaws to take over the transport system in lieu of the petrol burning rickshaws which were a source of major pollution.

Peer review and accountability are important features of environmental awareness!

New Faculty of Environmental Science at Punjab University

Lastly, I am excited at Punjab University in opening a new faculty department for Environmental Science. It will be in operation this year for students to expand their research and labwork in working with environmentalism. Although the establishment is far from an eco-design, the curriculumis very cross disciplinary, so many students will be exposed to the issues of the day.

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