One-day Workshop entitled ‘Importance of Climate Literacy’ on the occasion of World Ozone Day-2025 (In collaboration with IMS, Nagpur Chapter at the Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur on 16th September 2025)
On the occasion of ‘World Ozone Day’, a one-day workshop on the theme ‘Importance of Climate Literacy’ was organised by the Foundation for Education and Research in Climate Change (FERCC), New Delhi at the Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur, in collaboration with the Indian Meteorological Society (IMS), Nagpur Chapter on 16th September 2025 at Nagpur. Earlier, school teachers interested to participate in the event were registered online free of cost. It total, 91 teachers initially registered and out of them 47 teachers from various schools were invited to participate in the event. Dignitaries who shared the dais included Er. Sanjay Shende, President, Sevadal Shikshan Sanstha as Chairperson; Dr Atul Vaidya, Vice Chancellor, Laxminarayana Innovation Technological University, Nagpur as Chief Guest; Prof. Sushil Kumar Dash, Former HoD, Centre of Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, and President FERCC as the Guest of Honour; Dr. Rizwan Ahmad, Scientist-D, IMD as Guest of Honour; Dr Nirupama Dhoble, Principal, Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur; Dr. Pravin Meshram, HoD, ENV, SMM and Dr. Ravindra Akre, Secretary, IMS, Nagpur Chapter. Prof. D. V. Bhaskar Rao, former Visiting Professor, Centre of Atmospheric Sciences, K. L. University and General Secretary, FERCC joined online from Vishakhapatnam. The workshop started with the University Kulgeet followed by the IMD song. Dignitaries inaugurated the program by lighting traditional lamps.
Dr. Nirupama Dhoble, in her introductory speech welcomed the dignitaries and participants. She reaffirmed the commitment of the college in spreading environmental awareness and encouraging student engagement in sustainable practices. Dr. Ravindra Akre welcomed all present and thanked Er.Sanjay Shende for his support in providing institute infrastructure and some partial funds in organizing the workshop; Dr. Vaidya for accepting his invitation; Prof. Dash for conceptualizing the event, valuable guidance and cooperation; and Dr. Dobale and Dr. Meshram for their cooperation. Dr. Akre also appreciated the permission granted by Shri R. Balasubramanian, DDGM, RMC, Nagpur for arranging the meteorological exhibition in the college hall. He discussed the importance of climate literacy in influencing the society. He also highlighted that the ozone layer acts as the roof of a house in protecting us from the harmful radiation. Dr. Meshram talked about the importance of ozone in the life system on the earth. Dr. Ahmad highlighted that climate awareness must translate into action at local as well as global levels to combat the challenges effectively. Prof. Bhaskar Rao stressed that climate change education should become part of the mainstream curricula. He further hinted at the importance of ozone day celebration world over.
Prof. Sushil Kumar Dash emphasized on the theme of the workshop and explained how climate literacy is important for teachers’ education. He also mentioned about the detection of ozone depletion in the ozone layer, its scientific explanation and finally global cooperation in conserving the layer higher up in the atmosphere. Dr. Atual Vaidya also emphasized on climatic literacy for school teachers. He highlighted the urgent need to spread scientific knowledge at the grassroots level so as to generate scientific temper. According to him climate literacy is not merely passing on the academic knowledge but an urgent necessity to inspire climate action and policy change for the betterment of future generations. Er. Sanjay Shende in his address threw light on this year’s Ozone Day slogan “From Science to Global Action” and emphasized the role of academic institutions in building environmentally responsible citizens. He further mentioned that educational institutions must play proactive role in sensitizing students about environmental protection and sustainable living. Inaugural program proceedings were conducted by Dr. Seema Nimbarte and a vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Savi Shende. An exhibition of meteorological instruments was inaugurated as part of the workshop.
Two technical sessions followed the inaugural event. Com. Abhyankar chaired both sessions. In the first technical session, Dr. Gajanan Khadse and Dr. Debishree Khan,both scientists at NEERI, presented the impact of climate change on water resources and management of solid waste respectively. Prof. Sushil Kumar Dashin hispresentation elaborated on the fundamental physics behind the climate change science, difficulties in reducing Greehouse Gases, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and finally the need of climate education for all sections in the society. In the second technical session, Dr. Sangita Goel, Dr. K.V. George, and Dr. Ashok Bhadgave presentations on various burning environmental issues in relation to ozone layer depletion.Adv. Pravina Uradetalked about the need for formulating rules and regulations for improvement in environmental pollution. Technical sessions included discussions and the participants were very interactive through questions and answers. Overall the workshop provided a very good platform for the participants with insights into ozone protection, sustainable development and climate-resilient practices. More than 100 school teachers, faculty members and students of the college and some environmental enthusiasts actively participated in the deliberations. The workshop was so engaging and impactful that several participants stayed till the end of the event at about 5:30pm. Every speaker was honored with memento and a certificate. The participant teachers also received certificates of participation. Dr. Sanjay Pal, Dr. Bharathi Tapase, Mrs. Prabha Kumbhare, Mrs. Ananya Chichmalatpure, Ms. Shreya Indurkar faculty members of the Department of Environmental Science worked hard to make the program a grand success.
