Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Mar 25: It was an educative experience for both students and teachers as 13 air-conditioned bogies of 'Science Express' arrived at Mangaluru railway junction here on Friday March 25. The bogies contained exhibits on science and technology, especially on climate and environment.

Boys and girls from various schools thronged the exhibition. Guides explained to the guests and students about the exhibits in English and Hindi. The exhibition is open for all from 10 am to 5 pm up till March 28.

'Science Express' is a unique science exhibition mounted on an AC train. It has been travelling across India successfully for the past seven years. Flagged off on October 30, 2007 by the then Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, the exhibition train has since then covered over 1,22,000 km across the country, receiving more than 1.33 crore visitors at its 391 halts in 1,404 days. Science Express has thus become the largest, the longest running and the most visited mobile science exhibition in India and has created six Limca Book of Records in its journey so far.

From 2007 to 2011, the 'Science Express' travelled across the country displaying the world of micro and macro cosmos, spreading the awareness about strengths of science in meeting global challenges, including latest discoveries and innovations in the field of modern science. After four successful phases, Science Express was redesigned on the theme of biodiversity and from 2012-2014, it travelled as Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS). After 7 successful tours across India, 'Science Express' was redesigned on the theme of climate change, and from October 15, 2015, it has been running as 'Science Express – Climate Action Special (SECAS)'. It is a unique collaborative initiative of department of science and technology, union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, and union ministry of railways.

SECAS aims to create awareness among various sections of society, especially students, as to how climate change can be combated through mitigation and adaptation. 'Science Express', redesigned as SECAS, intends to contribute towards increasing understanding of the science of climate change, the observed and anticipated impacts, and different possible responses. Eight coaches developed by Centre for Environment Education (CEE), are exclusively devoted to information, case studies and material related to various aspect of Climate change, the underlying science, impacts, adaptation activities, mitigation solutions and policy approaches in a manner that is easy to understand and interesting for not just school students but also the masses.

The broad themes covered in each exhibition coach are as follows:

Coach 1: Understanding Climate Change - Insights in the climate as a system, the greenhouse gas effect and the underlying reasons for climate change with key message that the current change in the climate is due to human activities.

Coach 2: Impact of Climate Change - How temperature rise, monsoon variations, sea level rise are predicted to affect vital sectors like water, agriculture, forests and biodiversity, and human health and ways to reduce these.

Coach 3 and 4: Adaptation - Concepts of adaptation and examples from day to day life, adaptation strategies and stories from field. Adaptation options in urban and rural contexts and the adaptation actions India is taking.

Coach 5 and 6: Mitigation - Concept and definition with examples, emphasis on restoring balance, enhancing sinks and reducing emission through Renewable Energy (RE) technologies. Various programmes implemented by India and low carbon strategies and ambitious goal to increase renewable energy footprint.

Coach 7: International Negotiations on Climate Change - Introduction to UNFCCC, IPCC and internationally agreed action and targets. Explaining concept of equity and common but differential responsibility, Kyoto protocol and other key outcomes of major COP, etc.

Coach 8: Handprint - What can one do at school, on roads, at home and in offices and focus on concept of lifestyle choices with the key message ‘Increase your Handprint. Decrease your Footprint’.

Coach 9 and 10: Exhibition put up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India, covering themes like Biotechnology for bio-resources and nature conservation with emphasis on tiger conservation and chemical ecology and India's research and development initiatives in field of biotechnology.

SECAS will travel across the country for about 7 months, halting at 64 locations in 20 states, covering about 19,800 km. The exhibition will convey a strong message about climate change and will also be a good opportunity to generate dialogue and discussion.