PIONEERING YOUTH INSPIRES REAL ACTION FOR A SUSTAINABLE EARTH
This is a Response to the Bagaimana cara kamu mengurangi sampah plastik untuk kelestarian bumi kita? wikithon
"How do you reduce plastic waste for the sustainability of our earth?"
"Start from yourself." That's the answer.
This statement is not just an invitation, but also a reminder that big changes start from small steps taken by each individual. Reducing plastic waste does start from daily habits, such as reducing the use of single-use plastic. However, this effort should not stop there. As a young activist, apart from myself, I am committed to spreading the spirit of maintaining a sustainable environment through real action in the community.
Together with colleagues from Green Generation South Kalimantan, we held a big activity on January 1, 2024 entitled GG Beraksi: New Year Eco-Friendly. Taking place in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency with seven other young activists, we managed to gather 200 young men and women from various organizations to participate in this environmental clean-up action. This activity shows the power of young people's collaboration in maintaining environmental sustainability with full support from the Hulu Sungai Utara Regency Government.
The culture of mutual cooperation has become part of the identity of the Indonesian nation. Its potential is great, including in overcoming environmental problems such as plastic waste. However, this clean-up activity is not just a symbolic action, but is also expected to be a turning point in public awareness. Through good handling, mutual cooperation can be an effective step to build new habits that care more about the environment.
In GG Beraksi, an important step that we take is education about sorting plastic waste. This sorting is the main focus because it teaches people to be more sensitive to the types of waste produced. We provide separate trash bins and provide direct education in the field, so that people can feel the importance of separating plastic waste from other types of waste. During the activity, we also emphasize the importance of reducing the use of single-use plastic. Participants are encouraged to bring their own drinking bottles, and we provide water gallons to refill. This simple step not only reduces plastic waste, but also provides a real example that changing habits can start with small actions.
We also provide practical education in the field to provide a deeper understanding. The public needs to know that plastic that is thrown away carelessly can pollute the environment, damage the ecosystem, and endanger health. Even from this clean-up action, 80 percent of the waste found was plastic waste. This shows that the use of single-use plastic is still high and the behavior of littering is still a serious problem. Therefore, the peak of the activity was marked by a joint campaign and declaration to reduce single use plastic consumption. This declaration was then disseminated through social media to reach more people and inspire them to take action.
Being a 17 year old student is certainly not easy to pioneer and coordinate a big movement like this, but I believe that good intentions will certainly produce good results, I hope that this ongoing real action can motivate other young people to protect the environment, especially in reducing plastic waste. If not the younger generation, who else? Come on, start from yourself and be a pioneer for the sustainability of the earth!- Affiliation
- SMA NEGERI 1 AMUNTAI
- Age
- 16-21
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