E-Magazine

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An Introduction to EcoDosti; Our Aims EcoDosti is a student led NGO with the purpose of shedding light on the plethora of aspects threatening our natural environment, while advocating for its betterment. With globally rising pollution levels and unsustainable economic practices, climate change is an issue that we cannot choose to neglect. While many of us do acknowledge that climate change is real, not everyone is taking steps to steer us away from it.



Shajarkari is an initiative where utmost importance is placed upon Our initiative, Tajdeed e Estekaam; the conservation and plantation of revival and permanence, addresses trees. The initiative aims to spread the concept of sustainability. The awareness through creative mediums team of Tajdeed e Estekaam believes, in order to reach different that with the unforeseen and demographics. The initiative will be unanticipated grip of the virus, the the ideal platform for volunteers to world's dynamic has changed. We, at contribute towards the preservation EcoDosti, aim to tackle the increasing of our environment. The contributions problems the world is facing by of volunteers will act as a significant attempting to halt the problems step towards environmental associated with pollution. Here our sustainability and environmental focus revolves around the three main protection in a country where the Rs of sustainability; Reduce, Reuse deforestation rate is the second and Recycle. We plan to actively highest in Asia. The importance of participate in our fight against trees in the environment cannot be pollution caused by the increasing overstated. They purify the air we usage of masks and other protective breathe, filter the water we drink, equipment. prevent erosion, and act as an important buffer against climate DID YOU KNOW 25% of the bottled change. water you buy is really municipal tap water, so you might as well pass on DID YOU KNOW Pakistan has 4.2 the plastic bottle. On average, ONE million ha of forest and planted supermarket goes through 60,500,000 trees, which is 4.8% of the total land paper bags per year! Bring a reusable area; this is one of the lowest levels bag instead. Recycling a single 330 of forest cover in the region and well ml aluminum drink can saves enough below the 12% recommended by the energy to power a TV for over 3 hours. UN. However, progress can be seen The world has over 3.04 trillion trees as the Pakistan government in the world, however, 27,000 of them spearheaded the 10 billion tree are cut down daily to make toilet plantation drive, out of which 1 billion paper, translating to about 9.8 million trees have been successfully planted trees being cut annually. ECODOSTI

As humans have searched and left Jihad Al Aludgi comes to you with its footprints on nearly every corner of the arsenal of activities and agendas that world, we are leaving less and less room strive to combat the continuous growth of pollution. There is an increase in pollution for wildlife. Every 60 seconds, one every single second ranging from air, to animal suffers abuse. Close to 65% of water, noise, thermal, and much more. all abused animals are dogs. we present There are heaps of trash that continue to to you Project 'Nighaban e Haywan', a pollute every sphere of our eco-system. voice for the Bezubaan. This is a virtual This issue needs to be addressed before awareness campaign that highlights it gets out of hand, or as some may animal culling, conditions of animal believe, has already gotten out of hand. sanctuaries, state funding for animal Jihad Al Aludgi and its volunteers join protection, laws and legislation that hands to work together to make a need to be maneuvered, what goes on in pet markets, and veterinary failure difference. Let it be through the use of and negligence. Our aim is not only to copious art forms, research, initiatives educate the population on how severe and much more to help reduce pollution. these issues are, but try to put into place Creating awareness is the first, and most simple ways of how to go about their daily lives while bringing us one step important step that we believe is necessary for change. Our goal is to work closer to Animal Justice. towards a future that is safe and sustainable for the years and generations to come. DID YOU KNOW animal cruelty is rampant and exists in varied forms in DID YOU KNOW prolonged or heavy countries like ours. 97% of animal cruelty exposure to hazardous air causes varied cases come from farms, where most of health complications, including asthma, the creatures die. Laboratory testing lung damage, bronchial infections, strokes, heart problems, and shortened uses 115 million animals in experiments life expectancy. It was estimated in 2019 every year. Dogs comprise 65% of all that 128,000 Pakistanis die annually due abused animals. It is horrifying how to air pollution-related illnesses. People these beautiful creatures are treated who live in places with high levels of air around the world today. Animal abuse pollutants have a 20% higher risk of and cruelty is an issue not addressed death from lung cancer than people who enough. live in less-polluted areas. ECODOSTI

Introducing our newest initiative Individuals should explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving and take action to improve the environment. Environmental education promotes critical and creative thinking skills and inspires kids to become more engaged with their communities. It helps kids understand why the environment is important and provides them with the building blocks they need to live eco-friendly and sustainable lives. Moving on, it encourages us to form sustainable habits such as recycling, using reusable bags, etc. DID YOU KNOW lack of awareness regarding environmental issues, for years, has caused our surroundings to be abused, the consequences of which are slowly unveiling themselves. It is now imperative for us to educate those around us and our future generations on our environment before the ignorance of today leads to irreparable environmental catastrophes tomorrow for those who will come after us ECODOSTI

Activities Organized & Executed! by Tajdeed e Estekaam in by Shajarkari on 19th Feb the start of February Volunteers made seed bombs to Volunteers were asked to work help in the plantation of trees on projects which serve as more which were made at home by viable alternatives to daily used mixing water and clay properly products which are practical and then 2-3 seeds were added. and eco-friendly. It tested their Ball shaped seed bombs were creativity and artistic abilities. made by rolling which were then Moreover, they were also left to dry in the sun. required to pitch their products to the heads individually. 4.Interviewing Janitorial Staff by Jihad ul Aludgi in the end of Feb by Nigheban E Haywan Interviews were conducted by volunteers. in the end of February Some interviewed their school janitors while others decided to go for their local Animal rights activists and area janitors. Every volunteer submitted vets were contacted for 10 questions ranging from personal online interviews on topics experiences in this profession to the way such as common health people dispose of their trash. The best issues, importance of questions were shortlisted and then neutering pets, animal combined into a survey. protection laws and discussion on its implementation. ECODOSTI

Shajarkari x Environmental Education (Date: 5th March) Presentations on importance of planting trees and environmental preservation were given by the respective initiatives. Shajarkari engaged the students in painting pots and planting etc. 6.Noorgah Jihad Al Aludgi (Date: 11th March) 7. El Shaddai Jihad Al Aludgi (Date: 12th March) 8.Deaf Reach Jihad Al Aludgi x Environmental Education (Date: 25th March) 9.SOS Bedian Jihad Al Aludgi (Date: 26th March) A verbal presentation was given to create awareness about the three types of pollution among children. The implementation of the three Rs in our daily life was also discussed and an activity was conducted in which the students were asked to correctly identify what type of trash goes where. 10.Deaf Reach Nighaban e Haywan x Environmental Education (Date: 11/12th March) March Respected initiatives showed presentations on environmental preservation and importance of animal rights. They conducted activities eg. Making bird feeders, scavenger hunts and handing out booklets. ECODOSTI

Tajdeed e Estekaam x Environmental Education (Date: 19-20th March) Environmental Education distributed their eco magazine and gave a brief speech on the included environmental problems. This was followed by a short play by Tajdeed e Estekaam, reinforcing the solutions. Posters were made by the children for awareness regarding the aims of the initiative. Shajarkari (Date: 27th March) (Date: 2nd April) A total of 100 Ficus plants were 50 eco-friendly cardboard boxes planted at Nawaz Sharif Park, (sized 5x3.5x1.5) were provided to Model Town. All departments and the brand with a joint logo sticker initiatives were involved. of both organizations to promote the activity. 14.Straw Making Activity 15. Animal Feeders Activity Tajdeed e Estekaam (4th April) Nighaban e Haywan (20th April) Volunteers of the initiative were asked to make paper straws to The initiative’s volunteers were play a role in eradicating plastic asked to make eco- waste. friendlyrefillable animal feeders which were installed in their respective schools (with permission from administration) or their homes. ECODOSTI

Danaydttohdeairy sporloubtlieomnss Recycling Aluminum When you go to the mall, you see dust bins labelled “paper”, “plastic”, “metal,” and we all use products with said materials, do we not? This waste (if not recycled) end ups in landfills - pollutes our lands, takes exponentially long to decompose and supports the downfall of our planet. This can be prevented. Manufacturing using recycled aluminium is 92% more efficient than when unused raw materials are used. If we avail recycling opportunities, we can ensure these products can be recycled and used again instead of ending up in landfills and accelerating climate change. the overuse of plastic Let’s say you buy a bottle of coke and a can of yogurt. The shop keeper pulls out a plastic bag and starts bagging it. Ask yourself that how hard is it for you to carry those few items in your hands. Can these not fit in your pockets? This little bag you so ignorantly accept will have devastating effects for the earth. Could it not have been avoided? Yes! It most certainly could have been. A question may hover above your mind “What difference would me not using it make?”, but if every single person starts thinking this way, then climate change wins and we as a species fail. ECODOSTI

think before you buy Why do companies make the products they make? To satisfy consumer demand. In other words, it’s what we, the people who buy the products, want - this allows them to make more products. This creates even more waste, whether it’s the air pollution from factories, the plastic from packaging, or the burning of petrol in transportation. Hence, polluting the earth. The reason for discussing this to outline the consequences of what we buy. Which is why we, as humans, who want to preserve our planet for future generations, need to be more concise about our shopping sprees and buy ONLY what we need. the infamous car bon footprint You will reduce your carbon footprint if you limit the amount of meat and dairy you consume. Animal-derived food production has a much higher greenhouse gas output than grain and vegetable production because of the highly inefficient transfer of plant energy to animal energy. You don't need to become a vegetarian or a vegan to reduce your footprint. By eating chicken instead of beef for one year, you will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 882 pounds, and by having just one vegetarian meal a week you could save the GHG equivalent of driving 1,160 miles. ECODOSTI

What would happen if all the trees disappeared? So, what happens if we lose all trees? ECODOSTI

ECODOSTI

How to 3. Buy what you need BECOME AN ECO - You are wasting money and DOST natural resources used to produce them when you buy Make your approach items you won't regularly need. towards the environment For those items you already have sustainable and friendly in the tool shed that you don't regularly depend on, let friends by practicing the and family know you are happy following tips in your to share. Use block parties and everyday interactions to initiate a daily life! sharing culture in your neighbourhood. 1.Avoid disposable items Paper, plastic plates, utensils, disposable diapers, 4. Give new life to old paper towels and napkins and other non-durable electronics consumer goods and (goods designed to last for a short period of time) make up about 20% of the If your TV, computer, cell waste stream. Store away a quantity of durable, phone or other consumer bargain-priced dishes, flatware, and glassware for product containing parties and picnics. Use cloth napkins, cloth diapers, electronics still works, give it cloth rags, rechargeable batteries, durable razors, to someone who can use it. & refillable coffee thermoses for take-out coffee. There are non-profits that specialize in the charitable 2.Turn down the bag redistribution of computers and companies that Plastic bags pose ecological problems. refurbish electronics for They take hundreds of years to resale. If your electronic decompose and pose a particular threat device is no longer to wildlife. A sound approach to retail serviceable, there are many bags is to decline them when your recyclers who would be purchase is otherwise carriable or bring interested in the valuable your own bags. Use and reuse all those metals it contains. paper, plastic or cloth bags that have been accumulating in the closet over the years. And, ultimately, dispose of them properly — recycle them if you can. ECODOSTI

5. Turn of the lights The cost of keeping a single light bulb on doesn't amount to much on an hourly basis: using a 60-watt bulb for one hour requires 0.06 kilowatt hours of electricity, costing about 1.2 cents if your electric rate is 20 cents per kilowatt hour. But the costs add up. By shutting off unnecessary lights, such as in empty rooms, you will not only save money but also lower your carbon footprint. 6. Save water In your own household you can conserve outdoor water use by mulching your gardens, keeping your grass a little longer, and washing your car on the lawn. Indoors, simply keep the water off when you are not actively using it, like when washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or generally cleaning up. Try this in the shower by turning the water on to the lather up, off while scrubbing up, and on again for the rinse. Shorter showers are good too. 7. Green your school Work with your local school administrators and PTAs to shrink the carbon footprint of your school through architectural design, waste management, cafeteria choices, and energy conservation. Involve students in green programs, such as student-maintained gardens, cafeteria composting, and initiatives to reduce energy use and waste. ECODOSTI

Animal LAibeProaemtiobny ,KHeunnmetah nCLasisbareration The parallel is obvious for those with eyes to see For all feel the same suffering, all the same misery The segregation of privileged from those considered tools The state miseducation that makes all citizens fools Taught that dogs and cats should be treated well as pets While in the cold laboratories same animals meet their deaths With painful experimentation for more products to consume A cheap way to make profits sends animals to their doom Consider factory farms with the animals crammed inside With no access to daylight, from human eyes they hide No real animal welfare, this would increase the costs They’re treated as a commodity, as just profit or loss Consider circus animals or animals in the zoo Slaves for your entertainment, suffer just to please you In solitude they stay in their prison cage for months With violence they are trained to perform unnatural stunts Consider the tradition of killing just for fun Where birds are shot out of the sky for the pleasure of one A dead corpse in a showcase for one to see and boast No matter pointless killing is murder to the most Violence to animals leads to violence to human beings A culture of death does not have eyes for seeing An all-inclusive world makes it better for every being Animal liberation leads to human freeing ECODOSTI