Source : http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/8kitar/Article/
by Ahmad Fairuz Othman
An environmentalist shows Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas (left) how compost is made at the launch of a Rakan Alam Sekitar programme at SK Taman Pasir Putih in Pasir Gudang.
Rakan Alam Sekitar volunteers planting mangrove saplings.
Such simple deeds take up little of our time. So it is bewildering when some people turn a blind eye towards recycling.
However, the essence of such campaigns remain the same -- to encourage people to recycle, reduce carbon emissions or carbon footprint, and to have more green lungs by planting more trees.
Of course, these examples are but a fraction of what environmental awareness is all about.
Many governments prefer to focus on practical ways of caring for the environment.
An example is the Rakan Alam Sekitar (Friends of the Environment) programme, which is under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. It was officially launched on June 4, 2009.
Its main activities are tree-planting, beach clean-ups, collecting and recycling old electrical and electronic appliances (e-sisa), its sustainable school programme, talks, exhibitions, and briefings on environmental issues.
To ensure its programme reaches out to the grassroots, the ministry set up committees for environmental matters at each of the 222 Parliamentary constituencies in the country.
Each member of Parliament (MP) is the chairman of the Rakan Alam Sekitar committee at his or her constituency.
Each committee receives about RM30,000 a year to conduct environmental programmes.
It makes it easier for members to hold programmes on environmental awareness. However, do such programmes change mindsets?
Some neighbourhoods in Johor have recycling centres, and many traders who purchase old newspapers and mattresses often go around the housing estates.
But the effectiveness of such efforts from these campaigns on the public still remains to be seen.
To make a better impact, the ministry is expanding Rakan Alam Sekitar to schools nationwide.
Recently, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah Embas said the ministry aims to set up Rakan Alam Sekitar programmes in 1,000 schools, beginning this year.
He said so far, 80 schools nationwide have taken part in the programme and more schools need to be involved to spread the word on environmental matters.
The Rakan Alam Sekitar in Johor has been particularly encouraging as its participants have gathered and recycled 14,911kg of rubbish and planted 5,860 trees so far.
"I am happy to say that 36,455 people in the state have been involved in the programme, with 4,409 members registered so far," said Douglas Unggah after launching the programme at SK Taman Pasir Putih, Pasir Gudang.
Tebrau MP Teng Boon Soon, who is the constituency's Rakan Alam Sekitar committee chairman, said the programme will greatly benefit everyone.
Teng urged the people to become the eyes and ears of the authorities and look out for evidence of pollution in their area.
Such a call is part of the Rakan Alam Sekitar objective for encouraging vigilantism in environmental matters and proactive measures to preserve the environment.
Now, it is up to us to care for Mother Earth.
A SIMPLE act of separating plastic waste from paper may save space at a landfill.
Even collecting aluminium cans and bringing them to a recycling centre in exchange for cash is not only profitable, but helps care for the environment.
Then there are the stacks of newspapers one collects and later sells to the suratkhabar lama (old newspaper) man who comes by the house or office in a truck.
Then there are the stacks of newspapers one collects and later sells to the suratkhabar lama (old newspaper) man who comes by the house or office in a truck.
Such simple deeds take up little of our time. So it is bewildering when some people turn a blind eye towards recycling.
It is the easiest way to care for Mother Nature, and ensure our world is kept liveable for years to come.
There have been numerous campaigns for recycling and environmental awareness through the years. Some more successful than others.
There have been numerous campaigns for recycling and environmental awareness through the years. Some more successful than others.
However, the essence of such campaigns remain the same -- to encourage people to recycle, reduce carbon emissions or carbon footprint, and to have more green lungs by planting more trees.
Of course, these examples are but a fraction of what environmental awareness is all about.
Many governments prefer to focus on practical ways of caring for the environment.
An example is the Rakan Alam Sekitar (Friends of the Environment) programme, which is under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. It was officially launched on June 4, 2009.
Its main activities are tree-planting, beach clean-ups, collecting and recycling old electrical and electronic appliances (e-sisa), its sustainable school programme, talks, exhibitions, and briefings on environmental issues.
To ensure its programme reaches out to the grassroots, the ministry set up committees for environmental matters at each of the 222 Parliamentary constituencies in the country.
Each member of Parliament (MP) is the chairman of the Rakan Alam Sekitar committee at his or her constituency.
Each committee receives about RM30,000 a year to conduct environmental programmes.
It makes it easier for members to hold programmes on environmental awareness. However, do such programmes change mindsets?
Some neighbourhoods in Johor have recycling centres, and many traders who purchase old newspapers and mattresses often go around the housing estates.
But the effectiveness of such efforts from these campaigns on the public still remains to be seen.
To make a better impact, the ministry is expanding Rakan Alam Sekitar to schools nationwide.
Recently, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah Embas said the ministry aims to set up Rakan Alam Sekitar programmes in 1,000 schools, beginning this year.
He said so far, 80 schools nationwide have taken part in the programme and more schools need to be involved to spread the word on environmental matters.
The Rakan Alam Sekitar in Johor has been particularly encouraging as its participants have gathered and recycled 14,911kg of rubbish and planted 5,860 trees so far.
"I am happy to say that 36,455 people in the state have been involved in the programme, with 4,409 members registered so far," said Douglas Unggah after launching the programme at SK Taman Pasir Putih, Pasir Gudang.
Tebrau MP Teng Boon Soon, who is the constituency's Rakan Alam Sekitar committee chairman, said the programme will greatly benefit everyone.
Teng urged the people to become the eyes and ears of the authorities and look out for evidence of pollution in their area.
Such a call is part of the Rakan Alam Sekitar objective for encouraging vigilantism in environmental matters and proactive measures to preserve the environment.
Now, it is up to us to care for Mother Earth.
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