Hello folks!
Welcome back to our newsletter from the Young India Fellowship (YIF) at Ashoka University. Created by the Learning & Engagement Committee of the YIF2024 batch, this space dives deep into the fellowship experience.
We plan to share:
Curated content -- articles, videos, podcasts, etc., that explores the topics touched upon by professors during the classes.
We also plan to publish articles, recommendations and tips written by fellows.
Now let’s dive into the fifth edition!
Prof Meghna Agarwala started with an introduction to the term Biodiversity, its historical origins, and what sustainable practices' mean.
A curation of the topics that were covered.
What is Biodiversity? Here’s what David Attenborough has to say.
Books Discussed:
'Man and Nature: Or, Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action' by George Perkins Marsh
"Man and Nature: Or, Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action," written by American polymath and diplomat George Perkins Marsh, was first published in 1864. Marsh aimed to demonstrate that "whereas [others] think the earth made man, man in fact made the earth." He cautioned that humanity could bring about its own destruction, along with the Earth's, if we fail to restore and sustain global resources and remain mindful of our actions. This seminal work was one of the first to document the impact of human activity on the environment, helping to spark the modern conservation movement. Source: Wikipedia.
‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson.
"Silent Spring," an environmental science book by Rachel Carson, was published on September 27, 1962. The book detailed the environmental damage caused by the indiscriminate use of a type of pesticide employed by soldiers during World War II. Carson accused the chemical industry of spreading disinformation and criticized public officials for unquestioningly accepting the industry's marketing claims. Source: Wikipedia.
‘The Word for World Is Forest’ by Ursula K. Le Guin.
This was first published in 1972 as part of the anthology "Again, Dangerous Visions," and later as a standalone book in 1976 by Berkley Books. It is a part of Le Guin's Hainish Cycle. The story is set on the fictional planet Athshe, where a military logging colony has been established by people from Earth, known as "Terra." The colonists enslaved the entirely non-aggressive native Athsheans and treated them with extreme cruelty. The narrative centres around a native whose wife was raped and killed by a Terran military captain. He leads a successful revolt against the Terrans, forcing them to leave the planet. However, this uprising introduces the native Athsheans to mass violence for the first time, fundamentally altering their previously peaceful culture. Source: Wikipedia.
The Great Smog of London
The Great Smog of London, also known as the Great Smog of 1952, was a major air pollution event that enveloped London, England, in December 1952.
Unusually cold weather, combined with an anticyclone and windless conditions, trapped airborne pollutants—primarily from coal use—creating a dense layer of smog over the city.
This smog persisted from Friday, December 5th, to Tuesday, December 9th, 1952, before dissipating rapidly when the weather changed. Source: Wikipedia.
What is Fracking?
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
Recent YIF news:
We recently had an exhibition as part of the Art Appreciation Course.
We also got done with an exhibition for the ‘Design Thinking and Innovation’ Course.
That’s all for today! We’ll be back soon :)