Facilitating World Environment Day workshop at British Council Colombo

The British Council Colombo marked World Environment Day 2013 in style this year, with a series of events and hands-on activities for customers, students and staff.

On June 5th 2013, the world joined hands in marking the 41st World Environmental Day under the Theme Think Eat Save. The message being put across was that we should think before we eat in order to save the environment through reduced food wastage, which FAO estimates at 1.3 billion tonnes of food globally per year. UNEP[1] estimates that global food production occupies 25% of all habitable land and is responsible for 70% of fresh water consumption, 80% of deforestation, and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. But, in Kenya and the larger Sub Saharan Africa, the food is not enough to eat leave alone to save, with an estimated 20,000 children dying annually from food related complications. So what ails this region in matters food security?

Despite a heavy storm the night before and branches littering the roads, the library was buzzing from early morning, hosting a food-themed book display and two inspirational and well attended talks by Dr Ajantha Perera, the well-known food scientist and environmental activist. There were also art competitions run by British Council Climate Champions, and two mesmerising, interactive storytelling sessions for children.

Dodging occasional rain, more than 150 Young Learners actively participated in workshops that demonstrated how compost is made, using biodegradable kitchen scraps collected on site at Alfred House Gardens. After loading the compost bin for future gardeners to use, each child planted their own hopeful seed in a cup of ready-made compost, to take away. With luck, Colombo will see a burgeoning crop of yard-long beans, radishes and snake gourd in the next couple of months!

Young learners also took part in a variety of high quality lessons and discussions on the day’s theme of Think – Eat – Save, including composting, climate change and farming. All visitors to the British Council were able to see a demonstration of how recycled paper is made, and peruse a variety of stalls including books and some amazing repurposed newspapers – now in the shape of beautiful lacquered baskets, vases and sculpture. 

British Council staff wrapped the proceedings up with a nice cup of tea - Sri Lankan grown of course - and the raffle of an ambarella tree and bicycle. All in all, a jolly environmental day to remember!