Earth Day celebrated with theme Our Power Our Planet
Bubaneswar(22/04/2025): Today, Earth Day was celebrated with the theme “Our Power Our Planet” by a collaborative effort of multiple organisations like Strong Women’s Association for Reformation (SWAR), Sustainability Innovation and Initiative (SAI), Focus Odisha Foundation, in association with the Climate Reality Projected founded by Al Gore, the former Vice President of USA at RMD Degree College, Patia.
Representatives of these organisations, intellectuals, women entrepreneurs, climate activist and environment enthusiasts along with students and faculty members of the RMD Degree college attended the programme.
The programme focused on a panel discussion titled “Accelerating Odisha’s Renewable Energy Journey”, with dignitaries and experts like Prof.Prashant Rout, Principal, RMD Degree College; Chandana Das, Founder SWAR; Dr.Jyotiraj Patra, Advisor, SAI; Sudarshan Chhotray,Senior Journalist; Dr.Manoranjan Mishra, JRP; Prof.Binaya Bhusan Jena from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Priyadarsini Das, a Climate Reality Leader (CRL) from Climate Reality Project.
Priyadarsini introduced about the Climate Reality Project, and initiatives taken in Odisha including their Green Campus Programme.
The panel discussion highlighted the impact of fossil fuel on the environment and the planet, and advocated for a need of switching to renewable energy.
Dr.Jyotiraj Patra highlighted the scope and immense possibilities of renewable energy in Odisha.
He said the country has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, where Odisha can contribute a major share.
Dr.Patra also talked about how green energy can create green jobs for the upcoming generations.
Chhotray also added to Dr.Patra by emphasizing on the massive opportunities in solar and wind energy generation in Odisha.
He further added that Odisha should be the leading state in renewable energy generation.
Prof.Jena, who moderated the panel discussion mentioned about achieving Net Zero targets by switching to renewable energy and spoke about sector specific measures like fashion industry.
Chandana Das, the founder of SWAR highlighted, how small firms and entrepreneurs can switch to renewable energy and take benefit out of the Government schemes, incentives provided by both the Central and the state Government.
Prof.Rout emphasized about collaborative initiatives in pushing the agenda of the Government in smooth transition to a renewable and sustainable future.
He cited the example of his own college, RMD Degree College, where he has already started installing solar panels in the campus.
Dr.Swati Pattnaik, a senior faculty member of RMD Degree College, emphasized the need of creating awareness among educational institutions about climate change and renewable energy.
Dr.Manoranjan Mishra cited many examples like solar cold storage, solar green house, and use of solar and wind energy in small small-scale operation.
He gave examples of how farmers can take benefit out of the Government schemes on renewable energy. Priyadarsini Das introduced the role of Climate Reality Project and explained how collaborations can make impact in reaching out to people and policy makers.
She added that Climate Reality is open to collaborate with all like-minded organization and institutions to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Krishna Aggarwal, a founder member of SWAR and a climate activist proposed the Vote of Thanks.
While giving the vote of thanks, Aggarwal also reiterated the approach adopted by SWAR in collaborative initiatives.
She emphasized the new alliance of Sustainable Alliance & Innovation (SAI), SWAR, Focus Odisha Foundation, with Climate Reality Project and RMD Degree College should continue in order to sensitize different stake-holders in the state about climate change and renewable energy.
