BBMP launches climate action clubs in schools to build green leaders
Bengaluru, May 13 (PTI): The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Climate Action Cell (CAC) on Tuesday announced the launch of the Bengaluru Climate Action Club programme to engage educational institutions in the city in meaningful climate action across the city.
Climate Action Clubs in Bengaluru schools will serve as catalysts for change, transforming students into climate-conscious citizens, it said.
In a statement, the BBMP's Climate Action Cell said that by integrating climate education with hands-on action, the initiative will create a generation of young leaders who will actively work towards a greener, more sustainable Bengaluru.
This initiative, launched with the support and guidance of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, aims to bring all schools and students across Bengaluru together to learn about climate change and take real steps to build a greener and more sustainable city, it said.
"To encourage participation, the first few schools that register will be recognised and awarded by the Deputy Chief Minister on World Environment Day, 5th June 2025. The programme's goal is to enrol 100 schools within the first month and eventually reach over 6,000 educational institutions across Bengaluru," it further said.
The BBMP has invited all educational institutions in Bengaluru to join this initiative and be part of a city-wide youth movement for climate action. All government, aided, and private schools in Bengaluru are eligible.
According to BBMP, over 6,000 schools in Bengaluru can participate, creating a large-scale youth movement for climate action. Students will develop leadership and advocacy skills while actively contributing to local environmental solutions.
The initiative will strengthen Bengaluru's resilience to climate change by embedding sustainability in the city's education system.
"This programme is not just about raising climate awareness—it is about empowering students to take real, on-the-ground action in their communities," it added.
"By encouraging grassroots-level participation, the initiative aims to connect climate education with local solutions, helping students become active contributors to Bengaluru's sustainable future," it further said.
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PSG's Ousmane Dembele wins the Ballon d'Or; Barcelona's Bonmati retains women's award
Paris (AP): Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d'Or for leading Paris Saint-Germain to its first Champions League title and Aitana Bonmatí received the women's award for a third successive year.
Dembele succeeded Manchester City midfielder Rodri to become the sixth Frenchman to win it after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane and Karim Benzema.
Bonmatí won ahead of her Spain teammate Mariona Caldentey. She's only the third player in the award's history to win three in a row after Platini (1983–85) and Lionel Messi (2009-12).
The award capped a remarkable turn of fortune for Dembele, who at one point last season was snubbed by PSG coach Luis Enrique for disciplinary reasons. But once repositioned as a No. 9, he became a scoring machine and was inspirational in PSG's historic Champions League campaign. The French club also completed a quadruple last season.
Dembele was praised after the Champions League final for the way he contributed to PSG's pressing and his ability to defend during the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan. He delivered 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 official matches last season, and was involved in 14 goals (8 goals, 6 assists) in the Champions League in 15 appearances.
Dembele received the Ballon d'Or from former winner Ronaldinho and teared up during his acceptance speech in which he asked his mother to join him on the stage.
“It's incredible to win a trophy like this,” he said in French. “I worked for the team to help win PSG's first Champions League (...) To then be rewarded with an individual trophy like the Ballon d'Or is truly exceptional.”
Dembele won ahead of teenage star Lamine Yamal. The forward, who turned 18 in July, helped Barcelona win La Liga and the Copa del Rey last season and reach the Champions League semifinals. Yamal was given the Kopa award for the best under-21 player for the second straight year.
“I need to keep on working to win other awards in the future,” Yamal said through a translator.
Dembele was injured and able to attend the ceremony in Paris while his team lost at Marseille 1-0 in the French league. He was one of nine PSG players nominated for the men's award, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, forward Desire Doue, who scored twice in the Champions League final, and winger Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia.
Although Bonmati lost to England in a penalty shootout in the Women's European Championship final last summer, she was named the best player of the tournament, which she began just days after being hospitalized by viral meningitis.
Bonmatí's spot kick in the shootout was one of two saved by England's Hannah Hampton, who was voted the best women's goalkeeper.
“Third time in a row here and I still can't believe it,” Bonmatí said “I owe Barcelona everything, this is the club of my life.”
She won a domestic treble with Barcelona and also reached the Champions League final.
Barcelona has won the last five women's awards but it was expected an Englishwoman would win for the first time. England won the Euros and Arsenal took the Women's Champions League. But with five England players among the women's top 10 nominees, the highest placed was Alessia Russo at third.
Other trophies
Barcelona forward Vicky Lopez won the women's Kopa trophy and Sarina Wiegman, who led England to European victory, took the Johan Cruyff award for best women's coach. On a great night for PSG, Luis Enrique won in the men's category.
PSG was voted the best men's club and Donnarumma received the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper. Donnarumma, whose shot-stopping in the knockout stages proved crucial to PSG's success, left for Manchester City during the offseason. Hampton was crowned the best women's goalkeeper.
The men's and women's Gerd Müller trophies for the top scorers went to Barcelona's Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal this summer from Sporting Portugal after a prolific season.
