Simple and inexpensive ways to go green
Society not motivated enough to be environment-friendly due to lack of awareness and education, says environmentalist.
It can start with a simple gesture like turning off the lights and air-conditioner when they are not in use.
According to Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) executive director Anthony Tan Kee Huat, not all green initiatives or technologies are costly.
“One of the most powerful tools are our fingers. With our fingers, we have the power to switch off the lights or any electrical appliances not being used.
“It does not cost anything. In fact, you gain more by saving and cutting your electricity bills,” Tan told FMT after attending the European Climate Diplomacy Week forum at Taylor’s University yesterday.
Tan said the current thinking is that people are not motivated or educated enough to go green.
“Their knowledge about going green is limited,” he said, adding that people mostly thought of hybrid and electric cars when it comes to being environment-friendly.
“They are unaware of the fact that there are plenty of ways to go green without having to spend so much money.”
While many can’t afford to buy electric or hybrid cars, he suggested several practical ways of going green that can be implemented in daily activities and which can also save money.
According to him, the public should take the initiative of taking public transport such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) as this will reduce carbon emission produced when driving vehicles using regular fuels.
“Alternatives, such as taking the train to work, walking or riding the bicycle to shops are some of the things people can do.”
Other than that, he suggested that people start planting their own vegetables at home to minimise environmental impact.
However, he claimed it is a major change that people have to be willing to adopt if they are serious about reducing their carbon footprint.
“Not everyone is willing to invest in green technology, such as electric cars, but if they want to be environment-friendly, they must be willing to make a few changes in their daily activities.”
Tan also mentioned that awareness and education are the major catalysts for people to start caring for the environment.
“People should know that every small effort counts, even if it is as simple as turning off the lights.”
Another significant global effort towards reducing carbon emission is the Earth Hour initiative, introduced by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia in 2007.
The effort has seen the participation of 178 countries, including Malaysia, annually since. It is held to encourage individuals, communities and businesses to turn off all non-essential electric lights for one hour.
Once a year, every March, national landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers and households will participate in the 60-minute challenge to “go dark”.
Among the panellists involved in the forum yesterday were green expert Matthias Gelber, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry deputy secretary-general Azimuddin Bahari, Taylor’s research fellow Dr Kannan Narayanan, Asian Overland Services Tours and Travel director Anthony Wong and Cypark Resources general manager Achmat Nadhrain Ibrahim.
Wong claimed the ban on plastic bags should be implemented in every state in the country.
“Every state should implement the no plastic bag campaign as it is the start of reducing the usage of plastic in everyday life,” he said during the forum.
So far, only five states are implementing the initiative – Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Perak and Johor.
Wong also said that supermarkets and hypermarkets should increase the charges for plastic bags since many people are still willing to pay for them instead of using “eco-friendly” shopping bags.
“By doing so, they will think twice before saying ‘yes’ to plastic bags.”
Present during the forum was the European Union’s (EU) head of delegation Maria Castillo.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram