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Climate Nexus: Connecting Global Challenges to Local Realities

Writer's picture: SabinaSabina


At Sunnyside, we embarked on a transformative journey to address climate change education with a refreshing perspective. Recognising that global discussions on climate change often feel disconnected from the daily realities of our lives, particularly for children, we launched the Climate Nexus Program. The idea was simple yet profound: bring the discourse on climate change to the local context so that children not only understand its implications but also connect with it meaningfully.


When Rahul, Maya, and I first came together to design these journeys, Rahul had already been working on developing a climate change curriculum tailored for children. Through our discussions, we focused on making these experiences deeply relatable, emphasising a strong local context. To make this vision a reality, Rahul Sridharan and Maya Seshagiri have been instrumental in guiding students through this immersive six-month-long program. Together, they redefined how climate education should be approached by weaving in local stories, ecological histories, and community voices.


The Learning Journey

The program focused on taking the students out of the classroom and into the world around them. Weekly sessions included nature walks, field trips to ecologically sensitive areas, interviews with local communities, and deep dives into historical and environmental archives. Through these activities, students didn’t just learn about climate change—they experienced its impact on their immediate surroundings.


The results of these explorations culminated in an open house where students showcased four key projects, each rooted in the local landscape and its stories.




1. Ecological History of Kottivakkam

The students delved into the rich ecological history of Kottivakkam, the neighborhood surrounding our school. Through conversations with long-time residents and archival research, they pieced together a vivid picture of what this region once was.

  • Rediscovering Water Bodies: The students uncovered a striking fact—many of the spaces now occupied by fuel stations, hotels, and hospitals were once thriving water bodies. These wetlands supported farming and artisanal fishing, fostering a self-sufficient way of life.

The project was not just about documenting the past but about reflecting on how unplanned development has eroded the region’s natural heritage and what this means for future generations.




2. Impact on the Fishing Community

The second project focused on the local fishing community, a vital part of the region’s identity. Students investigated the changes in fishing practices over the years, drawing connections to climate change and its cascading effects.

  • Shifts in Catchment Areas: Climate change has altered marine ecosystems, directly affecting the availability of fish. This, coupled with overfishing and increased competition, has made artisanal fishing less viable.

  • Adapting to Change: Many fishermen have been forced to leave their traditional livelihood for other occupations, leading to the gradual erosion of their way of life. This shift highlights a deeper loss—of cultural identity and self-sufficiency.

  • Documentary on Findings: To share their thoughts and findings, the students created a documentary that captured the challenges faced by the fishing community, showcasing their resilience, adaptation strategies, and the broader implications of climate change on their lives.

The project emphasised how climate change isn’t just an environmental issue but a social and economic one, impacting livelihoods and reshaping communities.





3. The History and Decline of the Buckingham Canal

The third project turned the spotlight on the Buckingham Canal, a historic waterway stretching from Andhra Pradesh to Pondicherry. Once a lifeline for transport and irrigation, the canal today stands as a shadow of its former self.

  • Unearthing Forgotten Stories: Students traced the canal’s origins and its pivotal role in local economies through visits to the Connemara Library in Chennai and conversations with older residents.

  • Documenting Decline: They discovered how neglect, urban encroachments, and pollution have led to the canal’s deterioration. The team also gathered oral histories and rare photographs, filling gaps left by incomplete archival records.

This project served as a powerful reminder of how neglecting local ecosystems can have far-reaching consequences for communities and biodiversity.




4. Food and Lifestyle Evolution

The final project revolved around understanding the food habits and lifestyle evolution of the local community in Kottivakkam. The students explored how traditional practices were deeply interwoven with the region’s natural resources.

  • Connection to Natural Resources: Historically, the abundance of water bodies and proximity to the sea enabled a thriving system of artisanal fishing and farming. The community was self-sufficient, relying on locally available food, which was both nutritious and sustainable.

  • Traditional Food Processing: The students investigated how food processing was traditionally carried out in the community. They discovered the use of hand tools such as the Ammi Kal (a traditional stone grinder) and Ural (a wooden or stone mortar and pestle) for grinding spices, making pastes, and preparing meals. These tools were not only efficient but also eco-friendly, requiring no external energy sources. This exploration highlighted the ingenuity and sustainability of traditional methods.

  • Impact of Urbanization: With the loss of water bodies and the rise of urban infrastructure, these traditional practices have largely disappeared. Modern food habits and market systems now dominate, often disconnected from local resources and traditions.

This project shed light on how the erosion of natural ecosystems has not just environmental implications but also cultural and social ones. By documenting traditional food processing techniques, the students preserved valuable knowledge about the resourcefulness and sustainable practices of the past.




A Program Rooted in Action

Through these projects, the Climate Nexus Program did more than educate—it empowered. By engaging directly with their environment and community, the students developed a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of ecological, cultural, and social systems.

Rahul and Maya’s efforts were pivotal in making this program a success. Their facilitation went beyond instruction, guiding students to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and connect the dots between the past, present, and future.


As a school, we believe that these projects are not just about documenting history or studying environmental issues—they are about instilling a sense of stewardship and responsibility in our children. The open house was not just an event to showcase their work but a call to action for everyone who attended.



Looking Ahead

The Climate Nexus Program underscores the importance of localizing the climate change narrative. By grounding global challenges in local realities, we hope to inspire our students—and the community at large—to take meaningful action.


This program is a testament to the power of experiential learning and the role of educators in shaping the next generation of change makers. Through their journeys into Kottivakkam’s past and present, our students have not only gained knowledge but have also become torchbearers for a more sustainable future.



About Sunnyside


Sunnyside is an experiential learning school in Palavakkam, Chennai, dedicated to nurturing curiosity, self-direction, and a deep connection to the world around us. Our approach focuses on empowering each child to reach their full potential by emphasising hands-on, experiential learning that encourages exploration and growth.


Rooted in strong values, we prioritise character development and self-direction, guiding children to become independent thinkers and compassionate individuals. At Sunnyside, learning goes beyond academics—it’s about empowering children with the skills, values, and confidence they need to thrive in all aspects of life - in the real world.


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