The NetApp Data Explorers Program, held at D.T.E.A Senior Secondary School Pusa Road, one of India STEM Foundation beneficiary schools, showcased the remarkable efforts of a group of data-driven girl students. Through a skit on Sustainable Development Goal 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, they highlighted the importance of taking action against plastic waste. They encouraged families to switch to more eco-friendly substitutes in their daily lives.

NetApp Data Explorers Program

The NetApp Data Explorers Program is designed to empower students with data-driven skills and promote their engagement in addressing real-world challenges. This program allows students to explore the world of data analytics, develop critical thinking abilities, and enhance their problem-solving skills.

Through hands-on learning, workshops, and projects, students learn to collect, analyze, and interpret data to gain insights and make informed decisions. The NetApp Data Explorers Program aims to nurture a generation of young data enthusiasts who can harness the power of data to drive innovation and shape a better future.

Understanding SDG-11

SDG-11, or Sustainable Development Goal 11, aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It focuses on creating sustainable urban environments, ensuring access to basic services, promoting sustainable transport, and safeguarding cultural and natural heritage.

The Skit: Making the Shift from Plastic to Eco-friendly Alternatives

The skit portrayed a mother visiting a vegetable market with her two younger family members. She requested the shopkeeper to pack 1kg of tomatoes in a plastic bag without thinking much about the consequences. However, her eldest daughter encountered her at the shop and enlightened her about the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. She explained that plastic bags and bottles are non-recyclable and contribute to pollution.

The daughter provided an example by pointing out a stranger who carelessly discarded a chocolate wrapper on the road. She emphasized the pollution caused when such waste is burned along with garbage. To offer a solution, she handed her mother a paper bag for carrying vegetables and a metal water bottle for drinking water and mentioned how these little changes can create a much bigger impact.

Impact on Other Sustainable Development Goals

By avoiding the use of plastic products, individuals can contribute to several other Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Reducing the consumption of plastic products aligns to promote sustainable consumption patterns and minimize waste generation.

• SDG 13: Climate Action – Plastic production and disposal contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives helps combat climate change.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – When not properly managed, plastic waste ends up in oceans and negatively impacts marine life. By choosing eco-friendly alternatives, we can protect marine ecosystems and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.

 Conclusion

The skit performed by the data-driven girl students from the NetApp Data Explorers Program highlighted the urgent need to address the issue of plastic waste. Their powerful message and practical solutions encouraged the audience to make small but significant changes in their households. By shifting from plastic to eco-friendly products, we can contribute to SDG-11 and create a sustainable and environmentally conscious future.