Climate change is real, and we need to act now. Glaciers are melting, floods are happening more frequently, and global temperature is rising.
Countless factors can affect climate change, and on an individual level, our carbon footprint is a good tool to measure our impact.
What is your carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the greenhouse gas emissions that are generated by your daily activities, from the way you travel between places and your air conditioner usage, to the clothes you buy and the food you eat.
Greenhouse gas emissions are detrimental to Earth as they have a direct impact on global warming.
How can we reduce our cabon footprint?
There are plenty of different ways you can be creative about how to reduce your carbon footprint. Some of the ways are: recycling and reusing, buying only what you need to avoid waste, purchasing sustainable clothing or avoiding shopping excessively, taking public transport or carpooling as much as you can, and only turning on the air conditioner when you need it.
No action is too small or insignificant. In Malaysia, there are quite a number of organisations that are fighting for the environment.
5 Local Environmental NGOs in Malaysia:
1. Community Recycle for Charity (CRC)
Community Recycle for Charity (CRC) was founded in 2008 with the mission to help the less fortunate, without any discrimination.
CRC has successfully set up 400 bins around Klang Valley for people to donate and recycle items you no longer need such as clothes, toys, plastics, glasses. These donated items will be sent directly to charity homes that need help.
Other recyclable items such as paper, glass, plastic and metal will be separated at their locations and then sold to raise funds for CRC.
Photo Credit: CRC Website
Find out more about CRC and locate a charity bin near you!
2. The Lost Food Project (TLFP)
The Lost Food Project (TLFP) distributes surplus food from supermarkets, manufacturers, and wholesalers to disadvantaged individuals.
Instead of letting surplus goods go to the landfill, they collect them to provide an average of 33,000 meals a week for their charity partners and Malaysians living on or below the poverty line from their rescued food alone.
Food waste is the third largest greenhouse gas emitter. Around 30% of food that’s produced in the world goes to waste. Amazingly, TLFP has successfully prevented 6,783,571kg of greenhouse gas emissions with their efforts!
Photo Credit: nst.com.my
You can help support them by donating, starting a fundraiser campaign, or volunteering! There are plenty of different ways you can be creative about how to reduce your carbon footprint. Some of the ways are recycling, resusing, buying only what you need to avoid waste, purchasing sustainable clothing or avoiding shopping excessively, taking public transport or carpooling as much as you can, and only turning on the air conditioner when you need it.
No action is too small or insignificant. In Malaysia, there are quite a number of organisations that are fighting for the environment.
Sahabat
Sahabat Alam Malaysia – Friends of the Earth Malaysia (SAM) was first established in 1977. Their mission is to ensure that the management of natural resources in the country is sustainable and justified. They are fighting for the sustainability of our nature, which helps combat climate change.
SAM is constantly campaigning and raising awareness about climate change, an important cause you can support by donating. Each contribution will help them create more impact towards environmental justice. Your donations will go a long way!
4. Zero Waste Malaysia (ZWM)
Zero Waste Malaysia (ZWM) was established in 2016 and is registered under The Registry of Societies of Malaysia.
They advocate for sustainable development whilst aiming to increase the local community’s awareness of sustainable living. They help the general public and large organisations figure how to start a zero waste lifestyle and achieve their sustainability targets.
ZWM has also created a map where you can easily search for sustainable shops all over Malaysia. It is the first in Asia of its kind and it is called the Zero Waste Resource Map!
You can support ZWM’s cause by volunteering or through donations.
5. Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM)
The Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM) was founded in 1985, and is based in Petaling Jaya. They are committed to improving environmental quality through the appropriate use of technology and sustainable development.
CETDEM focuses on climate change, sustainable energy, sustainability studies, organic farming, and sustainable transportation. Since they are also an independent NGO, they can use all the resources they can get!
Photo credit: CETDEM website
