Drasa Installs LED Lights, Bans Plastic Bags in School to Advocate Climate Action

Drasa Secondary School is replacing all tube lights within its premises with LED (light emitting diodes) lights and banning the use of plastic bags in school.

Vice-principal Sanjeet Singh said in doing so is indicative of the school’s stance on climate change. “Climate change starts from us as individuals, then to our homes, our communities and then outwards,” Mr Singh said. “Replacing tube lights with LED lights and banning the use of plastic bags in school is practical,” he said.

“They are simple practical things the whole school can take care from and encourage others to do as part of climate change awareness.”

Chief guest at the school yesterday for their Climate Change Week programme, University of Fiji lecturer Rigieta Lord said the theme ‘Creating a culture of preparedness safety and resilience in my community’ was very timely.

“Fiji is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the unsustainable exploitation of the oceans,” Ms Lord said.

“As a small island developing state, Fiji feels very keenly the negative effects of climate change, including unpredictable storms of extreme intensity, such as Tropical Cyclone Winston,” she said.

Ms Lord added that sea level rise has caused a number of villages in Fiji to relocate and the issues of climate change needs to be addressed. She urged students to share climate change issues with their parents, siblings and community at large as it was affecting our nation and neighboring Pacific Island countries.

She also said the Conference of Parties (COP23) will be held in Bonn Germany from November 6-17. Our Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is the president of COP23