As part of the national observance of World Environment Day 2025, staff and faculty members from the Meenakshi Faculty of Pharmacy actively participated in an online program organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on 5th June 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The event was conducted under the UGC-CHETNA Lecture Series, in conjunction with the UGC Expert Committee on Environment, focusing on this year’s global theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
The session aimed to raise awareness about pressing environmental issues and promote sustainable practices within higher education institutions across India. The central discussion was framed around the thought-provoking question, “On a Finite Earth, Can We Afford Ever-Growing Consumption?” — highlighting the urgent need to reconsider current models of growth and development in light of the planet’s limited natural resources.
Speakers addressed the escalating impact of climate change and the degradation of essential resources such as air, water, and soil. The session drew attention to the environmental pressures caused by unchecked industrialization, population growth, and increasing reliance on automobiles and advanced technologies. The concept of living within ecological limits was emphasized throughout.
A notable highlight of the session was the presentation on the Energy Swaraj Yatra (2020–2030), a national movement advocating for energy independence through decentralized renewable energy solutions. The presentation noted that 2024 was the hottest year on record, underscoring the urgency of shifting toward sustainable energy and consumption patterns.
The discussion concluded with a call to action for educational institutions to adopt a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to combat climate change. This includes initiatives such as afforestation, pollution control, development of green technologies, sustainable economic frameworks, and implementation of the SATAT (Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital) framework. SATAT aims to create eco-conscious campuses and cultivate environmental stewardship among students and faculty alike.
The participation of the Meenakshi Faculty of Pharmacy in this important initiative reflects its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in alignment with national goals.
