Course on climate change, disaster management launched at Punjabi varsity – Tribune India

Report on the Six-Day Short-Term Course on Climate Change and Disaster Management

Introduction

The UGC Malviya Mission Teacher Training Centre at Punjabi University has launched a six-day short-term course focused on Climate Change and Disaster Management. This initiative aligns with the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Course Objectives and Leadership

• Dr. Raman Maini, Director of the Centre, emphasized the course’s aim to address critical issues related to climate change and disaster preparedness.
• The course supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing knowledge and skills related to environmental sustainability.
• Various ongoing initiatives and activities by the Centre contribute to building resilience against climate-related disasters.

Inaugural Session Highlights

1. The inaugural session was conducted online with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jagdeep Singh as the chief guest.
2. Dr. Singh highlighted the increasing carbon emissions resulting from technological advancements, underscoring the urgency of climate change studies.
3. He stressed the importance of integrating environmental protection into all development projects, supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
4. Dr. Singh encouraged educators to raise awareness among students and society, promoting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through community engagement.
5. He expressed optimism about the course’s success and its benefits to participants.

Additional Contributions

• Dr. Onkar Singh, Head of the Department of Zoology and Environmental Science and course coordinator, shared his insights on the importance of the course.
• The course is designed to empower participants to contribute effectively to climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, directly supporting SDG 13.

Conclusion

This short-term course represents a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by fostering education and awareness on climate change and disaster management. The initiative by Punjabi University’s UGC Malviya Mission Teacher Training Centre exemplifies a proactive approach to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article focuses on a course about Climate Change and Disaster Management, directly relating to combating climate change and its impacts.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The course is an educational initiative aimed at raising awareness and building capacity among educators and students.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Disaster preparedness and management contribute to making communities resilient and sustainable.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The mention of increasing carbon emissions due to tools and technologies implies the need for sustainable consumption patterns.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including education for sustainable lifestyles and climate change mitigation.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for Target 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
2. Indicator for Target 13.3: Extent to which education on climate change and disaster management is integrated into curricula and training programs.
3. Indicator for Target 4.7: Proportion of schools implementing education for sustainable development and global citizenship.
4. Indicator for Target 11.5: Reduction in disaster-related losses in lives and economic assets.
5. Indicator for Target 12.2: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tribuneindia.com