A 12-year-old climate champion has been honoured after launching a shop that trades single-use plastic for bags of rice and school stationery.
Licypriya Kangujam is one of the world's youngest environmental campaigners. She first came to global prominence when addressing world leaders at Cop25 in 2019 and the World Economic Forum a year later.
The dedicated activist, who lives in India’s capital New Delhi, has been busy in recent months playing her own part in tackling the climate crisis.
She aims to take the concept of a kiosk she started on her school campus global to reject single-use plastic.
Licypriya’s project is a testament to the power of youth-led initiatives in driving real, tangible change
Beryl Kay,
Action for Nature president
Ms Kangujam’s project was recently selected for the International Young Eco-Hero Award by Action for Nature, a non-profit group that recognises the effort of young people, aged eight to 16 years, to address climate change.
“My main message is, bring me plastic you will use only once and in return I will give you something you can use many times,” said Ms Kangujam in an interview with The National from New Delhi.
“I started my shop because I believe young or old, we can do small things that can make a big difference.
“I don’t want Mother Nature to be treated poorly by big polluters, big leaders and politicians."
Ms Kangujam hit the headlines in December last year when she was removed from the Cop28 venue at Expo City Dubai after disrupting a key session.
“I wanted more people to listen so I went up on the Cop28 stage in Dubai to protest and remind our leaders about pollution and to save our planet.”
She remains determined to make her voice heard and is showing the benefits of taking tangible action.
Meaningful trade
The passionate environmental activist began the Plastic Money Shop two years ago at the Prometheus School in Noida, northern India.
Children and adults queue up at the solar-powered kiosk to deposit plastic bottles, bags, plates, bowls and straws.
If a pupil brings in 1kg of plastic, she hands over a 2kg bag of rice, 500g plastic waste will be exchanged for a plant sapling or a notebook and a single plastic bottle will earn a pencil or eraser.
Ms Kangujam sends the plastic waste to green companies she has partnered with in India’s Rajasthan state.
This is recycled into floor tiles, school benches and desks that she either donates or sells to schools.
She buys stationery, rice and plants for the store with the money raised from selling recycled products to schools.
Any cash awards and reimbursement money she receives when she travels for functions also goes towards stocking the store.
The project is attracting attention in India with messages from educational institutions asking her to bring the kiosk to their city.
Ms Kangujam hopes the idea will take root overseas too.
“I really want there to be meaningful change and I would love other people to start similar work,” said the campaigner who turns 13 in October.
“I take my shop to different schools and to events. I have got emails from kids in India and abroad asking how they can start the same shop.”
Power of young people
California-based non-profit organisation Action for Nature said the young campaigner’s project stood out among hundreds of applications as it showed the “incredible impact” young people can have.
“Licypriya’s project is a testament to the power of youth-led initiatives in driving real, tangible change,” said Beryl Kay, the group’s president.
“By creating a system where plastic waste can be exchanged for essential goods, she has found a creative way to engage communities in environmental action.
“Her work not only raises awareness but also motivates people to actively participate in reducing plastic waste. Projects like hers remind us that age is not a barrier to making a difference.”
Other awards were won by children who launched campaigns to convince schools to replace styrofoam lunch trays with eco-friendly alternatives, turned home gardens into wildlife sanctuaries and built early warning sensors to save lives from deadly tornadoes.
The award gives Ms Kangujam the chance to engage a global audience with her message on climate education.
“My mission is to eliminate single-use plastic from our planet,” she said.
“It is a major crisis. Plastic is a good product but we as human beings have made it bad because of how we use it. I want to raise awareness so people have more knowledge.”
The climate champion has big dreams linked to tree-planting drives and climate education programmes she advocates governments should implement.
“I’m working on reaching out to governments including the Indian government to pass a climate change law to control carbon emissions and greenhouse gases,” she said.
“I believe climate education should be in every school curriculum so young children learn more. I also ask students to plant 10 trees every year.”
Global crisis
Plastics that are used for a few minutes can last for hundreds of years emitting chemicals that disintegrate into microplastics harming health and killing wildlife.
A million plastic bottles are used every minute, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
The UN has committed to deliver a legally binding agreement by the end of this year to transform how countries produce and dispose of plastic.
Professor Chandan Ghosh is Ms Kangujam’s mentor and said the vision of young people is the key to creating change.
“I have been with Licypriya on her activities in many cities and even in villages and seen so many children just come to listen to her,” said Prof Ghosh, a retired Indian government official who headed the federal disaster management department.
“I connected with her when she was just 7-years-old, asking questions and wanting to make a difference. Instead of playing in a park like other children, she has devoted herself very specifically to climate change This is very unique.
“She is a sensation not only among her peers but to parents and older people also. We need motivators like these to inspire the young so they are directly involved and impact change.”
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
FIRST TEST SCORES
England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)
England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0
Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 (Tosun 9', Doucoure 93')
Rotherham United 1 (Olosunde 56')
Man of the Match Olosunde (Rotherham)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Match info
Uefa Nations League A Group 4
England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')
Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
How do Sim card scams work?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
The five pillars of Islam
RESULT
Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
