PRESS RELEASE
27 April 2019, Petaling Jaya: Hundreds of young adults came from all across Malaysia to witness their inspiring friends taking the stage to speak passionately about plastic pollution. Created five years ago, the event is an opportunity for students to speak on various environmental issues held each year in conjunction with the Global Earth Day.
“Recently Malaysia has been rated as one of the world’s worst countries for plastic pollution. Most of our plastics are dumped, a small portion burnt and a very tiny fraction recycled. This speaking platform is an instrument for us to listen and share ideas on what we can do as individuals to make a change for a better environment,” said Ms Sophia Lim, Executive Director/CEO WWF-Malaysia.
She added, “Young people are among the best communicators on the environmental issues and its impacts. They have a strong presence in social media which is a great tool used to spark environmental activism. It is been used widely and successfully to get people influenced and involved in the environmental movement.”
“I’m honoured to be one of the speakers this year representing the world’s biggest population. We have a long journey ahead of us, it’s important that we play an active role in protecting and improving the environment, said Chong Xin Yi from SMK Damansara Jaya.
Held for the second time at Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia, the event featured a forum discussion titled ‘Joining the Conversation: No Plastic in Nature’. In addition to the speakers sharing their views, a representative from the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, expert from the circular economy and WWF-Malaysia officials sat down to share the challenges and issues surrounding plastic pollution in our country.
Mr Looi Chee Choong from Soka Gakkai Malaysia mentioned that “The waste and environmental problems caused by humans can certainly be resolved by humans. To resolve issues of ‘global proportions’, we do not have to look very far. We can do something in our local community – schools, local groups, NGOs.” Addressing the youth, he said, “Please be convinced that your efforts have the potential to change the future of our planet and the destiny of humankind.”
WWF-Malaysia also launched the Living Planet Centre – an education initiative to produce an online library of original videos complete with interactive lessons for students and teachers to learn about environment. The online platform celebrates innovative learning that sparks ideas from students around the world to become leaders who will strive a balance between economic, social and environmental sustainability.
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