Environmental awareness campaign Planet Us kicks off in Kuching 

KUCHING – For the first time, a one-of-its-kind nationwide campaign encouraging all young Malaysians to take a stand on climate change kicked off at American Corner, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak on Wednesday. 

Known as the Planet Us campaign, it has been developed and organised as a joint partnership between social enterprise Biji Biji Initiative and the US Embassy in Malaysia.

Featuring a series of exhibitions and an exciting line-up of programmes, the campaign will extend over the next few months until September. It will culminate in an exhibition finale in Kuala Lumpur.

This campaign aims to empower Malaysian youths to make a difference in their immediate surroundings and environment in the good fight against climate change. No action is too small nor too late, and everyone has a chance to make these everyday changes count.

By participating in this campaign, youths have access to educational content digitally and in person, via interactive, fun, and engaging sessions. This campaign also encourages the general public to reflect on and rethink their sustainability habits and the impacts of their daily actions on the environment.

It hopes to inspire conversations and a mindset shift towards environmental consciousness. 

The exhibitions, which are scheduled to run for four months, will be hosted in several states throughout the country, including in Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Sabah, and Kuala Lumpur.

Besides the mainstay exhibition with its infographic posters, visitors can enjoy physical activities such as composting workshops, handmade crafts, and business talks. There are also virtual activities, including an upcycling competition, an online game, and a website.

These activities engage the audience on ways to help the environment and learn the effects of climate change. 

The Sarawak Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ministry is supportive of this campaign that calls on youths to drive change and make positive impacts through tangible actions. 

“We hope that with educational campaigns like Planet Us more young people can inspire action and brainstorm creative solutions to the myriad of environmental problems we are facing. It is also important that we sow the seeds of environmental initiatives from a young age.

"Initiatives like Planet Us are a great way to encourage sustainability efforts. They help the youth understand the need for a shift in mindset today for a better tomorrow,” said the Ministry’s spokesperson. 

The US Embassy in Malaysia is a proud partner of this campaign designed with the overarching goal of achieving a sustainable future for the planet.

Chargé d’ Affaires Michael Newbill said, “It is so fitting that we launch Planet Us here in Sarawak, a state so rich in wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources, and which is spearheading environmental conservation efforts in Malaysia.

"Through Planet Us, we aim to inspire Malaysian youth to take action in combating the climate crisis. We want them to recognise that every small step they take can go a long way towards protecting the environment.” 

Pustaka Negeri Sarawak chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Hamid Bugo lauds this campaign for its outstanding series of online and offline activities to generate interest and curiosity in youths and the general public.

“We are excited and proud to be the first state in Malaysia hosting the Planet Us exhibition. One of our key roles as the state library is to provide an educational environment for our community through insightful exhibitions and programmes.

"We hope this campaign will resonate with more young people coming forward to play a larger role in protecting our environment,” said Amar. 

For more details, visit the Planet Us website. Follow the Instagram page for posts and updates. – The Vibes, June 17, 2022