You
are reading the introductory issue of the G:NET newsletter, a newsletter for all those who
are concerned about our deteriorating environment. Environment affects us all, be it the
dangerous smoggy air we breathe in our traffic-choked cities or the slow death of our
thirsty drought stricken villages due to mismanagement of our water resources. The world
has just celebrated yet another World Environment Day on June 5th this year, the first of
this millennium. It was not a matter of routine for the filthy waters and banks of the
river Yamuna in Delhi, that were cleaned by none other than the Chief Minister of Delhi. A
great photo-op? Maybe. But, environmental issues will, if not already, be at the centre
stage of all human endeavours this century. The Environment Education Unit at the Centre
for Science and Environment (CSE) takes this opportunity to invite people from all walks
of life, not just formal educators but just about any concerned individual interested in
environment education, to create a forum and a network of environment educators around the
country and beyond, namely the G:NET. People who are determined to change the way we live,
and learn, towards a more socially equitable and ecologically sustainable society. To
share in a mutual learning (and unlearning) process.Over twenty years of extensive and
intensive research and documentation of the state of India's and the global environment by
CSE has created an enormous body of information and knowledge. Though CSE has been
disseminating this knowledge over the years to the public using various media, only
recently have we begun specifically targetting the young and the education community. |
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Gobar
Times, a children's supplement to the science and environment magazine Down To Earth is
one such attempt. Now, with G:NET we hope to cater to the growing demand for environment
related information and knowledge from educational institutions, organisations,
individuals and communities.The young should be provided with a more holistic picture of
environment - something that our present mainstream education does not adequately
address.It is this critical gap that G:NET and the Environment Education Unit at CSE
wishes to fill. Is it not time to make a fresh start? Environment is as mainstream as
science, civics, and mathematics. Will our schools begin to factor this truth into their
workday routines?G:NET has been started to help educators achieve the above task.Joining
G:NET is as easy as spelling ecology. Just fill in the form in the back page and send it
across to us. When you join the network you will receive a bimonthly newsletter that will
facilitate your own learning, and your teaching - as a teacher in class or as a parent at
home. You will get access to CSE publications, websites and audio-visuals that will help
you impart environment education in an engaging and effective manner.
The Environment Education Team
Centre for Science and Environment
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