EPTDO-EVN organized different events on behalf of tUrn from October 11 to 15, 2021.
Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in world regarding the adverse impacts of climate change. It is a mountainous and very dry country; Afghanistan has an arid and semi-arid continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. The lowland plains in the south of Afghanistan experience extreme seasonal variations in temperature, with average. Major environmental issues include flooding, droughts, limited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution, changing of grazing land and forests to crop cultivated land, no proper irrigation systems and water distribution rights.
To reduce and eliminate the devastating impacts of climate change on Afghanistan. EPTDO-EVN is implementing different national and international programs. During 2021, there was a huge and unexpected political revaluation in Afghanistan, but the EPTDO-EVN committed volunteer members conducted several programs to reduce the devestating impacts of climate change. The EPTDO-EVN represented tUrn climate crisis awareness and action project U.S. in Afghanistan and conducted many events:
- Environmental awareness training (The training conducted for the duration of 2 days, during the two days training the attendees learned the basic level of environmental protection and its benefits related issues 120 trainees attended these two days training)
- City cleaning campaign (City cleaning campaign was organized for 3 hours in different areas of Kabul city and more than 600 people from different communities were directly and indirectly engaged). EPTDO-EVN volunteer members were gathering wastes and plastics from public places and were placing in the garbage cans. At the same times the members were providing awareness to people to place the wastes and plastics in the right places.
- Environmental academic dialogue (Environmental Volunteer Network (EPTDO-EVN) organized an Academic Dialogue in Kabul. The Academic dialogue was the first-ever initiative that EPTDO-EVN members voluntarily conducted to share experiences and knowledge among people in higher education. In the highly participatory session, the role and responsibilities of local people including civil societies was discussed.Panel members:
- Director of Environmental Faculty, Kabul University – He explained the methodologies of environmental protection and the benefits of a clean and protected environment.
- Director of Environmental Volunteer Network – He explained the structure of EPTDO-EVN and its objectives, plans, vision and mission.
- Environmental Expert and University lecturer – He talked about impacts of climate change on Afghanistan and how to combat against climate change.
- Civil Society Representative – He talked about the roles of local communities, civil societies and other people in protecting the environment.
Participants:
Environmental Academic Dialogue was an open opportunity announced for all people. In this case the EPTDO-EVN has received hundreds of interested requested but considering the conference hall 380 participants attended the conferences that includes lectures of different departments of the Kabul University, other professors, environmental specialists and experts, civil societies, media representatives, undergraduate students from different universities and other youths attended the conference.
- Air pollution reduction home to home awareness campaign (During the EPTDO-EVN and tUrn Climate Action week in October, EPTDO-EVN members conducted air pollution reduction campaigns in different parts of Kabul city.Purpose of the campaign: To educate people about the risks of air pollution and how they can help prevent air pollution in Kabul city.Methodology of the campaign: This campaign was conducted by 52 different groups of 10 volunteers. Each group contacted industrial companies, commercial buildings, and civilian homes that were burning dangerous materials in the group’s assigned area.
Targeted areas: The campaign was conducted in all 22 districts of Kabul city. In every district, residential buildings, industrial companies, and other sites were identified. EPTDO-EVN volunteers reached out to the identified locations and conducted public awareness campaigns to local people.
- Water Conservation Campaign (EPTDO-EVN members conducted water conservation campaigns as a volunteer initiative in Kabul city during tUrn week which was held throughout Afghanistan. Hundreds of young EPTDO-EVN members joined this campaign. EPTDO-EVN members helped spread awareness to people about how to manage water and be ready for the draughts and shortages of water. This campaign was conducted by 50 different groups, with every group containing 10 members; each campaign was conducted in their local areas. The campaign targeted two different areas that need improvement. 1) The companies which are using more water such as cars-washing, carpet washing, and water filtration and processing companies, and 2) local people’s homes where they use too much water, especially by overwatering yards and gardens. In this case the people were educated in how to save water and still keep their gardens and trees alive).