World Earth Day Observed in City

BHUBANESWAR: April 23: Odisha got immense potential in exploring ways and means for energy transition, especially through solar, wind and tidal so that the State can achieve the national target of bringing 50% of its energy needs through the alternative sources, observed panelists at the meeting to mark the World Earth Day held here at Raja Madhusudan Degree (RMD) College, Patia on Tuesday.

While speaking at the panel discussion on "Accelerating Odisha's Renewable Energy Journey"  in the inaugural session Climate  Expert and Focus Odisha Foundation Director Sudarshan Chhotoray said various studies suggested that through energy transition Odisha can create 10 lakh green jobs, could mobilise both Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) and Indian investments and boost its GDP to 23%.

Making a presentation NiFT Professor Binaya Bhusan  Jena highlighted that the State can harness alternative, new and renewable energy sources given its geographical locations and favourble monsoons.

The panelists narrated  the impact of fossil fuel on our environment and planet and urged both the Government  and people at large for a need of switching to renewable energy. 

Climate Campaigner Dr Jyotiraj Patra said that the country has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, where Odisha can contribute a major share.

The World Earth Day was celebrated  here  with students, women entrepreneurs, climate activists, environmentals enthusiasists and  faculity of RMD College focusing on this year's  theme “Our Power Our Planet”.

The meeting was jointly organised by RMD College, Strong Women’s Association for Reformation (SWAR), Sustainability Innovation and Initiative (SAI), Focus Odisha Foundation and the Climate Reality Project.

Prominent among the guests were Prof. Prashant Rout, Principal, RMD Degree College; Mrs Chandana Das, Founder SWAR; Dr Jyotiraj Patra, Advisor, SAI; Mr Sudarshan Chhotoray, Senior Journalist and Founder, Fous Odisha Foundation; Dr. Manoranjan Mishra, JRP; Prof. Binaya Bhusan Jena from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Ms Priyadarsini Das, a Climate Reality Leader from Climate Reality Project.

 Mrs Krishna Aggarwal, a representative of SWAR proposed the Vote of Thanks.