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This is where Planet Us, a multi-platform environmental campaign held now and over the weekend at Publika Shopping Gallery, comes in.
Jointly organised by the social enterprise Biji-biji Initiative and the United States embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Planet Us aims to enhance environmental literacy, encourage sustainable habits, and implement solutions to climate change among Malaysian youths.
With five previously held exhibitions in Sarawak, Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah and Penang, Planet Us has made its final stop in KL with a launch at The Square in Publika on Wednesday.
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The campaign features a range of exciting activities including talks, booths and workshops aimed at educating visitors on sustainable climate action.
Among them, Air Kita aims to bridge the communication gap between water users (that is, everyone) and agencies under the national water commission; while ImpactLution, a social enterprise, is imparting environmental education through handmade crafts.
Other highlights include an edible-gardening workshop by Eats, Shoots & Roots; a talk on keeping clothing out of landfills by Kloth Circularity; and a presentation on eco-living by Zero Waste Malaysia.
Visitors can also play the online game at the Planet Us website to test their sustainability habits and discover daily steps they can take to reduce waste.
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Speaking with FMT, Biji-biji Initiative Group CEO Rashvin Pal Singh said they drew inspiration for Planet Us from global organisations, taking note of what works when it comes to raising awareness on environmental issues, and applying it in a local setting to appeal to the younger generation.
He expressed hope that the events held over this weekend will inspire youths, especially students, to act on eco-sustainability after they graduate, and perhaps even make a career out of it.
Fellow enterprise EcoKnights, one of the groups involved in Planet Us, concurred that such campaigns are important as environmental issues are “a peas-in-a-pod situation for all”, according to its founder, Dr Yasmin Rashid.
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She told FMT that her work in the NGO has inspired her 21-year-old daughter to start a sustainable clothing brand called Poshstop that uses thrifted garments and fabrics.
“She picked up sewing during the pandemic and realised how much fabrics are discarded in the clothing industry, so she wanted to do something to mitigate that,” Yasmin added.
It is this kind of awareness and determination that Planet Us hopes to inspire in young people.
So, if you have nothing planned this weekend, head on over to Publika and check out the scheduled events. After all, in the face of the climate crisis, learning about how you can further help the environment is more useful and important than ever.
And, as they say, think of the children!
Find out more about Planet Us via its website, and click here for the list of upcoming programmes at Publika. For further posts and updates, follow Planet Us’ Instagram profile.
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