By Olivia Miwil - December 26, 2020 @ 11:42am
KOTA KINABALU: The younger generation must be included in conservation efforts, said Ara Dinawan Research Education Conservation Centre (ADRECC) Education and Conservation director Monica Chin.
She said despite global goals urging greater conservation efforts, only 3 per cent of the world's oceans are protected.
"There is still overfishing, and ecosystem degradation jeopardises food security, and sea-level rise endangers the well-being of coastal communities.
"Thus, tapping into the young population of around 1.8 billion people worldwide, and their energy and potential for innovation and creativity, is extremely timely," said Chin, who is also Co-Founder of Blu Hope.
She said young people remain one of the largest untapped resources in advancing the global marine conservation agenda, which includes creating a circular economy for stakeholders to live sustainably while saving nature.
Meanwhile, Chin said she is also proud of her 14-year-old son, Harvisanth Singh, who recently received the Bronze Award of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award this year.
Such awards have been recognised in over 130 countries across the world under The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation.
The teen's mentor, Beh Zeng Kang, said Harvisanth's keen interest in environmental and plastic pollution issues, specifically marine life and ecosystems, has allowed him to witness the huge potential of young people in conservation and sustainable development in Sabah.
"It has shown the importance of engaging youth, not only as participants and collaborators, but also as genuine strategic partners.
"By engaging youth around coastal and rural communities, we can also bring people together, fostering good citizenship, peace and pride, and ultimately, building communities of optimism and hope.
"This is exactly what marine conservation and our world needs," said Beh, who is also Gold Award Leader.
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