Climate change is a devastating global issue, one of the main leading factors of it is deforestation. In India alone, in 2020 India lost around 132 hectares of forest. That being said due to my subjects like ESS and Global Politics, I’ve been aware of this issue for the past 1-2 years and I’ve been very keen to help and contribute to society regarding the issue, to prevent it, and to meet/complete the SDGs by the UN.

However, for a long time, I couldn’t do anything due to a never-ending stream of assignments and examinations but due to CAS, I volunteered for a mass tree plantation (for a day) for Econova which is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Surat. I personally planted 3 trees and a registration fee of Rs.300 which would be used to donate to PRAYOSHA which is an NGO based in Dang, Gujarat, and that NGO will use these funds to protect the Dang forest and for the welfare of the forest as well as its tribal community. Hence due to my volunteering, I would indirectly benefit Surat’s local environment and Dang’s local environment. Adding on, SDGs like Good Health and Well-being, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, and Life on Land would be met due to my service as more trees mean more fresh air, oxygen, less CO2, etc. which correlates to good health and well-being for people, sustainable and eco-friendly Surat and Dang, action to directly combat climate change and improving the life on land by planting trees which give animals and people a habitat, shade, a cooler climate, etc.

The learner profiles which I exhibited during my service are caring as I cared for the environment and the issue (Climate Change) threatening it. Then, principled as I acted both morally and ethically right no matter with/without anybody seeing it. Lastly, reflective and knowledgeable as I used and reflected on my previous knowledge of climate change, how to combat and prevent it, achieving SDGs, etc. through my subjects like ESS and Global Politics. Adding on, I demonstrated L1, L2, L6, and L7, as I identified my strength which is the keenness to combat climate change and also the reflection and usage of my previous knowledge to take such action but there were challenges for me to learn how to plant a tree as I didn’t know how to use a shovel, dig a hole, how to coverup the tree, etc. but after several tries, I learn it. Moreover, I engaged with an issue of global significance and I recognized and considered the ethics of choices and actions prior to my tree plantation I doubted how tree plantation would affect the communities, animals, etc. but after my tree plantation, I quickly understood the vital role a tree plays as, during and after my tree plantation, the locals were appreciating and thanking us.

All in all, I feel very positive after my service also I developed some new skills which could really help me for making more ethically and morally right choices and actions. Below are all of the pieces of evidence ;