Engaging and Inspiring Employees of ERICSSON to Care for Nature (Organised by Earthwatch Institute India at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi on 7^th June 2023 )

Dr. Sushil Kumar Dash, President of FERCC was invited as an expert to discuss with some employees of the renowned company ERICSSON who volunteered to join the programme on the science of climate change and its impact on the nature. It may be noted that the scientific research, citizen science and experiential learning programmes of Earthwatch Institute India engage employees and inspire them to care for nature from time to time. The employee volunteers map the natural resources in the ecosystem with scientists and experts and understand the importance of biodiversity, healthy air and clean water. The employee volunteers participate in a field research programme as citizen scientists to connect with nature and increase their understanding of biodiversity in our city and the significance of blue and green spaces in providing ecosystem services. It is worth noting that although ERICSSON is known for its focus on communication technology; it is also interested in the application of mitigating climate change and connecting every school in the world. This volunteered group of about 25 employees have long experience in engineering, management, finance, marketing, operations etc. It is expected that such interaction programmes on the issue of climate change and its impact on the biodiversity and ecosystem in particular and the nature in general will assimilate the climate issues in their daily professional and personal activities. The most important aspect of this programme was the field tour of Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary which was conducted by the CEO of the Earthwatch Institute India Mr.Raghuvansh Saxena and his experienced employees.

After about 3 hours of field tour, the volunteers joined the scientific discussion session. First of all the fundamental scientific reasons for manmade climate changes occurring and experienced by us were explained. How the greenhouse gases emitted by our activities cause the rise in temperature, extreme weather events and other changes was explained to the employees. There was very interesting discussion on this topic giving rise to the next issue of impacts of climate changes on agriculture, human health, economy, marketing, biodiversity, ecosystem etc. Evidence was also given on the changes in the dates of leafing and flowering of plants and the extinction of several species from the earth due to climate changes. Overall, there was very illuminating discussion where the Mr.Raghuvansh Saxena and his employees joined from time to time. At the end of the discussion session there was a puppet show on clean air topic by Puppet Kala.