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What is PlanetPoints? 
PlanetPoints is EarthSmiles.net’s Eco-labelling programme. The programme currently has two basic thrusts:
1) Ratings: Events are Rated according to certain dynamic criteria as to their Planet-friendliness (eco-credential promotion, sustainability, carbon footprint, etc.). These ratings are usually simplified and printed on the website, under the title “Environmental Status Report”, when the event is reported on. Standard Guidelines and advice on obtaining a good score can be had by emailing a request to green@earthsmiles.net, at least two weeks prior to the event. Answering the evaluator’s questions satisfactorily also generally lead to a good score, provided the event follows the guidelines. The event must be public, or an EarthSmiles.net evaluator must be present to obtain a rating.
2) Voluntary Labeling: Organisation themselves work actively to achieve eco-targets set by the programme, towards a graded Planet-friendly environment and processes at their location, culminating with a PlanetPoints Score - incorporated into a logo that can be reproduced just about anywhere to proclaim the organisation’s planet-friendly credentials, with pride. Scores usually take months of observing and auditing to achieve, but being based on making sustainable choices rather than earth-shaking changes, are very permanent (habit-making) and effective, if simple to achieve. Schools and non-profit institutions are not charged for the evaluation, which is monitored through internal auditors (“Eco Champs” in schools and colleges.)
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| The Green Roots team of Earthsmiles.net visited The Park English School, Kolkata, May 9, 2012; as part of the current PlanetPoints Program outreach to schools. This is our attempt to bring the younger generation close to the environment and to instill in them a sense of responsibility towards protecting the planet. The aim is to help the schools and institutions to “do something green” and by doing so, become active examples of measurable change. Active, as in purposeful and target based achievement in Planet-friendliness! A fifteen minute screening of scenes from the film HOME started the Green Roots hour at the Park English. The film, directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, speaks of the evolution of planet and the damage done to it by modern humanity. As such, the students were able to gain a better understanding of the planet, its strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as realize the beauty of the planet that we call home. In fact, some wondered if the beauty they saw in Yann’s shots was real – or just digital imagery. So out of touch are we, from our beautiful Planet Earth and Nature, today. Check out the complete film here » Next up was an environmental quiz, in which the entire audience participated. Both an interactive session as well as an educational session, the quiz helped increase the student’s awareness of basic environmental facts and enlighten them, too. The students were awarded an Earthsmiles.net badge if they were able to provide the correct answer – which made it get fun to get a question right! All students as well as the teachers were encouraged to participate, even if they were unsure of the correct answer.  © 2012 EarthSmiles.net . All rights reserved. Made from 100% recycled pixels. Green Roots 2012 kicks off at The Park English School, Kolkata
The Park English goes green
By Charlene Hendricks
|  | | Knowing our planet is the first step to loving it: HOME shows Earth's beauty and fragility, and the quiz gives the facts of our planet... | Finally the declaration of the Eco Champs initiative: Through this EarthSmiles.net hopes to elect school representatives – Eco Champs - who will serve as auditors for the organisation, towards a PlanetPoints Score for the school. Besides being green ambassadors for our Green Roots (school) programme and giving us on the spot information/reports of any “green” events taking place in the school, they will simultaneously evaluate events and help determine whether it was carried out in an eco-friendly manner. Not just that – the Eco Champs will offer advice on making processes and events in school sustainable and Planet-friendly, through support and input from EarthSmiles.net. Thus, the Eco Champ really develops into an eco-champion that her or his organisation can be proud of – and Mother Earth benefits! Students aspiring to become an Eco Champ need to fill out the application form which is present in the School section of the website. Later on, two Eco Champs would be selected from The Park English School by the Green Roots team, and be given a kit which will be their guide as Eco Champs. The Park English School is the first school to be part of the Planet Points Program 2012, and EarthSmiles.net was really happy with the tremendous response from the students. Despite having a limited amount of time with them, the Green Roots team of EarthSmilers felt that the students have immense potential to be catalysts towards the much needed environmental change that we as an organisation strive to create, everyday. EarthSmiler Aman introduces the Green Roots programme Welcome, The Park English School, to the Earthsmiles.net family! |
