THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are climate change sceptics all over the world, and at least one was present at the inauguration of ‘Change Can Change Climate Change’ project, an initiative which rests entirely on CSR funds. They told this newspaper that the narrative surrounding rise in temperature was false. Perhaps it was them that collector K. Vasuki was addressing when she said, “many seem to think that climate change will happen only 100 years later. But it is now that it is happening. There is evidence. One of the main reasons for Ockhi is climate change. For, normally cyclones don’t hit the west coast.
Thiruvananthapuram was the worst-affected during the dengue outbreak. Many new communicable diseases are coming up. These are all effects of climate change,” Vasuki said. The project has as its objectives urban afforestation, setting up rooftop organic gardens, growing poultry and fish ethically as well as developing a healthy community through arts and sports. They will choose five 5-cent plots for afforestation and five 20-cent plots for organic farming. They plan to set up 12 kiosks to sell eco-friendly products like cotton pads and various reusable products as well as RO water at a lesser rate. They will choose five 40-cent plots for organic farming. The produce from these will be sent to apartment complexes in the city.
“The farms can also be used for farm tourism. Children in the city can be taken to these farms for a visit,” said C.N. Manoj, founder, Pelican Foundation. The first contribution to the project was given by Terumo Penpol. Their Rs 12 lakh will be used to turn 36 dumpsites into gardens. The project was initiated by Pelican. Now it will be implemented with the support of various organisations like CREDAI, Builders’ Association of India, Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry, schools, arts and sports clubs, residents’ associations and NGOs. It has Vasuki and Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran in its advisory role.
