On August 7, 2024, an ASEZ forum was held at the Polytechnic University of Amozoc (UPAM) in Amozoc, Puebla, Mexico, with the theme, “Earth Recovery Project.”
The Earth Recovery Project is one of ASEZ’s flagship initiatives, aimed at preventing desertification and restoring ecosystems through the global network of over 20,000 campuses worldwide. This particular forum on environmental awareness was made more meaningful since it was accomplished through ongoing networking and a prior meeting with the Mayor of Amozoc, who was deeply moved by a tree-planting event held earlier in the city. University students, environmental experts, city officials, the university president, and faculty attended the forum to discuss solutions for restoring the planet.
The forum began with opening remarks from the President of UPAM, followed by an introduction video explaining ASEZ’s purpose and activities. The ASEZ choir performed two songs: “Beautiful Country” and “Let’s Save the Forests,” ASEZ’s song that won the UNCCD Executive Secretary’s Award in 2019. The performance conveyed a message of environmental preservation for a beautiful and sustainable future.
Two keynote lectures addressed global challenges of climate change and environmental conservation. Armando Guillermo Guadarrama, a professor and a doctor at UPAM, highlighted the role of AI in tackling climate change and its solution with the title, “Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence: Global Challenges and Innovative Solutions.” Biologist Susana Torres, followed with a lecture on “Sustainable Economic Development and Environmental Conservation: Strengthening Rural Community Strategies,” offered solutions for addressing environmental issues through community cooperation. The event concluded with strong support for ASEZ’s activities from the UPAM President, city officials, and environmental experts, who recognized ASEZ’s contributions and presented the organization with certificates of appreciation, signing in support and praising ASEZ’s efforts for its environmental protection and sustainable development.
After the forum, UPAM President Nadia Jisett Quezada commented, “Through ASEZ’s Earth Recovery Project, including reforestation and awareness-raising activities, we can inspire individual actions among students, which I believe will help combat climate change. I hope ASEZ continues to carry out such initiatives that more students can engage in environmental conservation.” Biologist Susana also shared, “To prevent future environmental crises, we must take steps now to preserve the environment. In this regard, ASEZ plays a crucial role, and I hope they continue their activities to create a better world.”
ASEZ member Leticia Gil, who participated in the forum, remarked, “I realized the importance of reforestation and biodiversity conservation in addressing accelerating issues like land degradation, desertification, and droughts. I’m glad we could raise awareness about these matters among the students through this event.”
The environmental forum successfully highlighted the issues of land degradation caused by climate change and presented sustainable solutions. It is hoped that this effort will go beyond raising awareness, leading to tangible actions for change.
