The Department of Zoology, Sri Sathya Sai College for Women, Bhubaneswar, organized a seminar on “Global Environmental Scenario – The Way Forward” on 10th September 2025. The resource person for the seminar was Dr. Jayakrushna Panigrahi, Working President of the Orissa Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar. The session aimed at creating awareness about pressing global environmental issues and the path towards sustainability.

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Key Discussions and Highlights:
1. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The seminar began with insights into global greenhouse gas loads, highlighting the disproportionate contributions of the USA, Europe, and China. The session emphasized the urgency of reducing carbon footprints worldwide.
2. Global Water Scarcity
Projections indicated that by 2100, billions of people across Asia, Africa, and Europe will face severe water scarcity. The seminar highlighted the importance of sustainable water management and conservation practices.
3. Case Study of Nagada, Jajpur
The tragic incident of 2016, where 19 children died due to malnutrition and lack of resources, was presented as a reminder of the human cost of environmental and developmental neglect.
4. Impacts of Climate Change
Discussions covered the predicted 4.8°C rise in global temperature by the end of the 21st century, melting of Himalayan glaciers affecting 1.6 million people, and economic losses amounting to USD 70–100 billion annually.
5. Urbanization and Future Challenges
The resource person stressed that over 5 billion people will live in cities within a decade, leading to increased urban stress and the need for sustainable urban planning and management.

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Conclusion

The seminar successfully shed light on the global environmental scenario, emphasizing both global and local challenges. Dr. Panigrahi urged participants to take proactive steps in their personal and professional lives to mitigate environmental degradation. The session ended with an interactive discussion, where students and faculty members engaged with the speaker on practical solutions for a sustainable future.