MUZAFFARGARH: The first draft of the ‘Children’s Greenbook’ has been published, which will be used to teach climate change in the public schools of south Punjab.

The book is full of colourful pictures, graphics and illustrations and revolves around the story of a young boy and girl who intend to lead by example and play their roles in spreading awareness of climate change in society. The South Punjab School Education Department has brought out the book with the help of experts of the Islamia University, Bahawalpur, and the MNS University of Agriculture, Multan.

Talking to this correspondent, Dr Ehtasham Anwar, SED secretary of south Punjab, said Pakistan was the fifth most affected country by the phenomenon of climate change, as was evident by the heatwave that had currently engulfed the entire country, and therefore warranted extraordinary measures.

He added that the best strategy to cope with the perils of climate change could be to prepare a generation fully cognizant of the value of a clean and green environment and the related issues.

“The launch of the ‘Children’s Green Book’ was, therefore, a step in the right direction,” he said, quoting a UNESCO report, ‘Getting every school climate-ready, and stated that no country in the world was currently teaching climate change as a separate subject to its children in public schools.

He said Pakistan would thus get the honour of being the first country to take the much-needed initiative. This correspondent has also learnt that UNESCO is in the process of collaborating with the south Punjab SED for the publication, distribution and teaching of the Green Book in the districts of southern Punjab.

The department has also launched the website www.thechildrengreenbook.net, and a digital version of the book has been placed there for the general public to review the contents and give comments, if any, for further improvement.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2022