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• Environmental educational potentials on school grounds in Budapest

  23-30

  Eszter Jákli

  Views:

  274

  As nature and greenspaces in urban areas are agreed to enhance children’s appreciation towards nature and so the purposes of environmental education, it is of high importance to create spaces in and around schools that allow students to connect to nature on a daily basis. The aim of the study was to analyse functions and other components supporting environmental education appear in the open spaces of school grounds in Budapest, and to understand the main characteristics of school grounds with the highest potential in environmental education. The study points out that the presence of environmental educational functions often depends on the size, urban context and location of the school grounds, however the curriculum of the school does not necessarily influence its open spaces, while the presence of motivated and engaged teachers does. The study reveals environmental educational functions do exist in school grounds of primary schools in Budapest, however they play only secondary role behind active movement and play functions. The schools with the best potentials in environmental education are without doubt the ones situated on large plots in the suburban zone, mostly with a high proportion of green spaces in and around the school grounds.

• Exploring air quality and health effects during diwali: A comprehensive study in Lucknow city

  16-32

  Suleman

  Views:

  9

  Diwali, a revered cultural festival nationwide, poses significant environmental challenges, especially in urban hubs like Lucknow. Traditionally marked by elaborate rituals and widespread firecracker usage, Diwali contributes notably to air pollution. Amid mounting concerns over environmental degradation's health impacts, this study examines Diwali's air pollution dynamics, indoor exposure factors, and health effects in Lucknow. By dissecting these intricacies, it seeks to inform targeted interventions for environmental preservation and community health enhancement. The study adopts an exploratory survey design, employing both primary and secondary data collection methods. Primary data, acquired through structured questionnaires, involves 523 parents and 179 doctors in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Quota and purposive sampling techniques were utilised to select participants meeting specific criteria. Statistical analyses, including frequency, Chi-square, and exploratory factor analysis, were conducted using SPSS version 25 to achieve research objectives. The results of the Diwali 2023 air pollution survey in Lucknow City indicate a significant rise in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 levels, notably during nighttime, attributed to firecracker burning. Slight increases in SO₂ and NO₂ suggest additional fuel combustion. Further, hypotheses testing associations between locality types and indoor air pollution sources revealed significant links to factors like burning mosquito repellents, candles, and genetic predispositions. Doctors highlighted children in flats/apartments, aged 0-4, as most vulnerable, citing socioeconomic and behavioural influences. Seasonal variations and festivals, particularly Diwali, exacerbate air pollution effects. Doctors noted diverse health impacts, from respiratory issues to neurological effects, stressing the need for comprehensive mitigation efforts.