Tibetans Observe International Day of Climate Action[Monday, 11 October 2010, 11:39 a.m.]

Mr Tenzin Norbu (right) speaks on the environmental significance of Tibet as the world’s third pole in Sambhota Tibetan school in Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh on 10 October 2010

Dharamshala:
The Sambhota Tibetan School at Paonta Sahib in the north Indian state
of Himachal Pradesh observed “Global Work Party”, as part the
International Day of Climate Action to create a carbon-free and
eco-friendly world.The function was attended by all the staff and students of class VI and above.Mr Migmar Tsering, the school principal spoke on the objective behind inviting Mr Tenzin Norbu,
head of Environment and Development Desk of the Department of
Information and International Relations (DIIR), as the chief guest at
the function.Mr Tenzin Norbu gave presentations global warming and its impact on the Tibetan plateau, the Third Pole.In an e-mail message to tibet.net,
Mr Norbu said: I was moved by the participation of the students and
staffs in this event. It is indeed a big step from the school towards a
global cause and it also sends a strong message to the world that they
too are responsible citizens of this planet. I am happy to learn that
this message has been conveyed on the right time (10-10-10), at the
right place (at their school) and at the right moment (just after the
Climate meeting at Tianjin-China).”

Schoolchildren of Sambhota Tibetan School Paonta Sahib participate in painting competition

A documentary film titled ‘Meltdown in Tibet’ by Michael Buckley was also screened at the function. All
the students and the staff took part in a drawing and painting
competition and the prizes were distributed by Mr Tenzin Norbu. The function ended with a mass clean-up of the school campus. The
day was also commemorated in Dharamsala under the joint initiative of
‘Clean Upper Dharamsala’ Project of the Tibetan settlement office and
the Environment and Development Desk of the DIIR. Hundreds of
people from all walks of life participated in the mass cleanliness
drive from the main temple Tsuglagkhang road to Bhagsu road. A
movie on the detrimental impact of plastic titled “Addicted to Plastic”
was screened after the event. An interactive discussion was held
following the movie screening.Three environmental
researchers from the DIIR’s Environment and Development Desk – Bhartso
Dhondup Dolma, Chokyi and Jigme Norbu – participated in the event.