LAHORE: (Thursday, June 06, 2024): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood has said that climate change is a challenge for the whole world, for which everyone has to play an active role. He was addressing a seminar organized by PU College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) in collaboration with Bargad Foundation to mark ‘World Environment Day’. On this occasion, Secretary Environment Punjab Jahangir Anwar, CEES Principal Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad, Sabiha Shaheen from Bargad Foundation, faculty members, environmental experts and a large number of students were present. In his address, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that the research done in PU is recognized worldwide and many of our departments, including environmental sciences, are ranked in the QS. He said that human populations have a big hand in polluting the environment and it is our responsibility to eliminate it. He said that the students of CEES can go to other departments of the university and provide awareness to reduce the use of plastic and environmental pollution. Jahangir Anwar said that the Punjab government is taking practical steps to eliminate plastic to tackle pollution. He said that due to the lack of awareness about proper use, Pakistan is one of the countries in the world that waste plastic instead of making it reusable. He said that there are many countries including India and Kenya where eating plastic is harmful due to which millions of animals have died. He said that the Govt. of Punjab has created ‘no-plastic bag zones' in government offices to reduce environmental pollution. Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad said that climate change is a big problem in the present era, for the solution of which academicians, researchers, young students and government institutions must decide the action plan together. He said that the college students are with the government in every awareness campaign to improve the environment. He said that without denying the use of plastic, the clean drinking water, the comfort of the environment and the elimination of air pollution will remain a dream. He said that one million plastic bottles are being sold every minute in Pakistan, which needs to be reduced. He said that the work of universities is to find solutions to problems, that’s why they are guiding students towards applied research. Sabiha Shaheen said that the students of PU CEES can ensure the provision of a better environment to Pakistan by using their skills. An awareness documentary about environmental pollution was presented in the event. Later, the participants took out an awareness rally on ‘No Plastic’.