Williamnagar, July 3: Stressing the urgent need for collective action against climate change, Meghalaya Soil & Water Conservation Minister Marcuise N. Marak on Friday urged students to become responsible environmental stewards by planting and protecting trees for a greener future.
He was addressing an Environmental Awareness and Plantation Programme organised by the Simsanggre Soil & Water Conservation Division at Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Rikwarenggre, Samanda, in East Garo Hills to commemorate World Environment Day 2026.
Organised by the Department of Soil & Water Conservation, Government of Meghalaya, the programme aimed to promote environmental awareness and encourage tree plantation among students and the local community.
Speaking as the chief guest, Marak highlighted this year’s World Environment Day theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” and said environmental awareness among students is vital as they are the future custodians of the planet.
Referring to the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Minister said preventing the worst impacts of climate change requires immediate, rapid and large-scale transitions across all sectors. He noted that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions globally by the early 2050s. He added that every fraction of a degree of warming matters, warning that exceeding the threshold would significantly increase the risk of irreversible environmental and human damage.
Marak also cited the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which has confirmed that the past decade was the hottest on record, leading to more frequent floods, droughts and heatwaves across many parts of the world.
Highlighting the role of forests in mitigating climate change, he said forests act as major carbon sinks by absorbing an estimated 7.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. He urged students not only to plant trees but also to nurture and protect them to ensure a healthier and greener future.
The programme was chaired by Divisional Soil & Water Conservation Officer Corbet H.D. Sangma. Principal-in-Charge of EMRS Sushil Kumar delivered the welcome address, while students presented a cultural performance.
The event concluded with a tree plantation drive on the school campus, in which the Minister, officials of the Soil & Water Conservation Department and students participated.
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