A Love That Only Grows for Mother Earth

09 Dec 2019 | Gamuda Berhad

Penang Climate Action Week 2019 is the first of its kind in Penang organised by Think City that is a programme of events aimed at creating public awareness on climate change, to promote sustainable production and consumption and to promote discourse on climate actions and solutions.

Held between 16th to 24th November 2019, Penang State Exco for Environment, Welfare and Caring Society YB Phee Booh Poh launched the inaugural Penang Climate Action Week with the programme spanning daily exhibitions, a 24-hour climathon, movie screenings, public talks, workshops, climate gig and a climate family day were just some of the activities that were carried on throughout the week.

We jumped at the chance to be a part of this initiative from the get-go by collaborating with Think City, Aimpactz Social Enterprise, OWL – Penang Zero Waste Bulk Store, Trash Hero, Water Watch Penang and Penang Science Cluster as part of our commitment to facilitate a better way of life within and outside of the organisation for a Riverside Clean-Up and Gamuda Park Rangers programme.

The Riverside Clean-Up programme or most commonly known as plogging was an opportunity for us to get our hands dirty for Mother Earth.

Together with the NGOs and social enterprises, our Gamuda volunteers rolled up our sleeves to pick up rubbish along the banks of Sungai Pinang located by the heavily populated PPRT flats – part of the Jelutong suburb. Not long ago, Sungai Pinang, a former Class 4 is now a Class 2 river. With an early start at 7am, the ADUN of Sungai Pinang, YB Lim Siew Khim joined us all the way through.

Volunteers from the private sector and NGOs also took time to create a clean environment by plogging along the banks of Sungai Pinang on a fine Saturday morning (Nov 23).

Three kilometres, two hours and a waste audit later, the effort yielded about 175kg of trash, consisting of 2,250 cigarette butts, 224 cigarette packs, 22 lighters, 521 plastic bottle caps, 300 plastic straws, 230 plastic bottles, 40kg of textiles, among many others. Recyclables amounted to nearly 31kg. It was a real moment awakening amongst the volunteers about how much trash we generated every hour, every day.

“It is good for us to be partnering Think City, Penang Island City Council and NGOs such as the Penang Science Cluster, Trash Hero, OWL – Penang Zero Bulk Store and social enterprises like Aimpactz to create a liveable environment,” said Andy Lee, Head of Gamuda’s Quality, Safety, Health & Environment Department.

“The plogging activity is in line with the Penang Green Agenda, and we are supportive of the state’s efforts in safeguarding the environment,” he continued.

The later part of the day consisted of nature and environment-related activities specifically targeted to children between 6 to 12-years-old. 80 young rangers signed up for the Gamuda Park Rangers Programme held at the Penang Science Cluster building.

Children were also not left out of PCAW 2019, as they had the opportunity to express their talents as aspiring Gamuda Park Rangers who explore things related to biodiversity.

Under the guidance of Gamuda Parks Chief Operating Officer Khariza Abdul Khalid and Penang Science Cluster’s Dr. Rebecca Ow, an interactive session with the kids was held to understand the impact of climate change and the importance of protecting our ecosystem. The session involved nature craft, fun quiz, environmental workshop and other activities.

Our involvement in Penang Climate Action Week 2019, we hope, is a small way we can contribute to our society and instil a greater love for Mother Earth through Partnership, Climate Action and Quality Education.