Meet the Indian teachers who won top spots in global climate change competition at COP29

Naqeeb Mehdi and Mariya Shah, two school teachers from India, have won the first and third spots in a global climate change challenge held at the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Naqeeb Mehdi, from Greater Noida, and Mariya Shah, from Lucknow, were rewarded for their innovative lesson plans to create climate education.

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Creating awareness about wetlands

Naqeeb, Head of Biology at Delhi Public School in Greater Noida, presented a lesson plan focused on wetlands, highlighting their ability to sequester carbon, recharge groundwater, and control floods and droughts.

"Wetlands are one of the most ignored ecosystems, and despite their immense ecological importance, they are quite fragile. Through my lesson plan, students engage in scientific research, collect data, and analyse the impact of neglecting wetlands. I wanted to draw global attention to the importance of wetlands in shaping a sustainable planet," Naqeeb said.

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"There is a wetland near our school, the Surajpur Wetland, and we involved our students in a project exploring how climate change impacts wetlands and how to protect biodiversity in such ecosystems. We conducted various activities with the students, and the findings formed the basis of my presentation, which won the prize. With its global relevance, this local study received high praise from the judges," he added.

Environmental impact of menstrual plastic waste

Mariya's proposal, which breaks taboos and addresses the environmental impact of menstrual plastic waste, also earned praise from global experts.

The initiative addresses the environmental impact of disposable sanitary products while empowering young girls to lead sustainable change in their communities.

"Disposable sanitary pads contain 90% plastic and take 500 to 800 years to decompose," she said.

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Her curriculum begins by identifying these problems and progresses towards solutions, including community initiatives like *nukkad nataks* (street plays), posters, and counselling programs.

"Through these activities, our students become community leaders, advocating for change. We also promote reusable menstrual cups that last up to 10 years. These cups save money and significantly benefit the environment," she explained.

Global climate change challenge

The Challenge, ideated by Indian-born entrepreneur Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil in partnership with Oxford Sa?d Business School, saw over 1,000 entries from 58 countries, including the UK, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and India, each bringing locally inspired yet globally relevant approaches to climate education.

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