I noticed that many people in our region were indifferent to the consequences of climate change. I attributed this lack of awareness to the rampant pollution prevalent in Sri Lanka today. This saddens me, as Sri Lanka, along with countless other countries, possesses invaluable natural resources that deserve our protection.
With industrialisation, the use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture, deforestation, insufficient waste management, and the rampant use of single-use plastic, In Sri Lanka, has generated 1.59 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up in the marine environment. Research published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin found that 87% of sea turtles in Sri Lanka consume waste products.
To combat this, I launched project Cee Green, where climate education for children is done in a child-friendly, entertaining manner, by way of the books I wrote, jigsaws I designed, and the board game I created, all of which highlight the beauty of the environment, and incentivises protecting all the natural resources we have been blessed with.
I wrote two books with climate awareness as their theme. One, titled "The ABCs of Climate Change," was aimed at older children, while the other, titled "Myrtle, Burble, and The Green Thing," is a light-hearted story about two turtles and the dangers of plastic that end up in the ocean.
I distribute these books free of charge to children digitally through their schools' General Knowledge Societies. I have also distributed a few physical copies of these books at no cost to underprivileged children who usually do not have access to many resources on conservation due to the lack of internet facilities and the scarcity of age-appropriate learning materials. I also converted these books to Braille and donated them to the School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana, and gave some copies to a branch of the National Council for Mental Health in Colombo named Sahanaya, because I want to promote inclusivity whenever I can. And I'm proud to say that my work can now be accessed by over 10,000 children if required.
Furthermore, I believe environmental awareness should begin at a very young age and be carried out in an engaging and entertaining manner. So, I also designed and produced three jigsaw puzzles to highlight the beauty of nature. Similarly, I also designed a board game called Seascapes to promote ocean awareness. Through Cee Green, I have also organized beach clean-ups, where we have utilized some of the waste found there and upcycled it into useful, decorative utensils.
I decided to measure the impact of Cee Green through the number of people who have access to its resources, their change of behaviour as a result of this project, and how it has motivated them to initiate action and take a stance against climate change.
For instance, I distributed books I wrote, digitally at no cost, and approximately 10,000 children can now access these directly through their schools' Quiz Club representatives. Also, the Deaf and Blind School of Ratmalana, where I translated books into Braille and donated them, has around 400 students, while Sahanaya, which assists those who are neurodivergent, has approximately 10 members.
Additionally, my poetry highlighting climate issues has been published online on websites like Hay Festival and Bow Seat, reaching a global audience.
Also, I documented 20 climate-friendly actions that my local audience can engage in directly to reduce their carbon footprint. Notably, as a result of Cee Green, around 30 students have taken up almost all 20 of these environmentally-friendly actions, while numerous others have opted to try out the ones they find easiest to incorporate into their daily lives. Also, as a direct result of Cee Green, my school's Gavel Club, which has around 25 members, held a speech contest on Ocean Awareness, while several students participated in beach clean-ups, too.
Please refer my website https://ceegreen.net
Also, I will be happy to send the books, jigsaws, and game I created by post, if I obtain a physical address.
