Environmental sustainability is among the most important topics in the preservation and protection of the environment. It refers to the practice of using resources efficiently, particularly in the face of natural resource depletion. It encompasses various strategies to protect and conserve the environment while at the same time promoting socio-economic development that contributes to sources of income. Environmental education plays a key role in this context, where environmental awareness programs can educate the public on the importance of understanding our environment and the need to protect it. In addition, such programs also help communities and individuals to gain a basic understanding of environmental issues that could potentially impact the environment, socio-economy, and health at the global level as a result of human activities and climate change.
Therefore, it is crucial to raise public awareness of these impacts through environmental awareness programs. School children are especially important to target, as they represent the future generation who depend on today’s resources. Hence, equipping this generation with knowledge on environmental sustainability is vital, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land). In collaboration with the Ecoswed Initiative, we conducted the program EcoSmart Kids: Building a Sustainable Future. The program was held with the participation of students from SK Saujana, Setiu, Terengganu and Sekolah Rendah Sri Showme Kids, Kuala Terengganu. A total of 175 students represented Year 4, 5, and 6 from SK Saujana, and 127 from Sekolah Rendah Sri Showme Kids, Kuala Terengganu. The participants were exposed to various activities throughout the program, including talks, exhibitions, and interactive quizzes.
Through the talk sessions, students were introduced to mangrove forests and their importance in addressing climate change, especially global warming and sea level rise. The Ecosweed Initiative also took part by conducting a mangrove seedling planting demonstration, giving students exposure to mangrove conservation and sustainability efforts for the future. Students were also emphasized on the importance of biodiversity and its functions within the ecosystem.
During the exhibition activities, students had the opportunity to learn about the diversity of plants and their classification visually through posters and specimens provided. In addition, they were taught about animal diversity and its role in sustaining ecosystems, as well as the interaction between plants and animals in their environment. Students were also introduced to insect specimens and the observation of their pollen to determine pollination relationships. Through this activity, students gained awareness of the importance of this mutualistic relationship, which is not only crucial for the survival of plant and animal species but also contributes to human food security.
Students were also taught about threats of environmental pollution, such as plastic and microplastic pollution, through a presentation by experts from the microplastic research group at UMT. They took part in hands-on activities, such as separating plastic waste and isolating microplastics, making the learning experience engaging and providing them with a deeper understanding of how to tackle microplastic pollution issues.
In conclusion, this program successfully exposed students to understanding environmental components—namely biodiversity and conservation efforts—while encouraging them to take an active role in protecting and preserving the environment for a more sustainable future.
Kelestarian alam sekitar adalah antara topik yang sangat penting dalam pemeliharaan dan penjagaan alam sekitar. Ia merujuk kepada amalan menggunakan sumber secara cekap, terutamanya dalam menghadapi kehabisan sumber semula jadi. Ia merangkumi pelbagai strategi untuk melindungi dan memelihara alam sekitar dan pada masa yang sama mempromosikan pembangunan sosio-ekonomi yang turut menyumbang kepada sumber pendapatan. Pendidikan alam sekitar memainkan peranan penting dalam konteks ini, di mana program kesedaran alam sekitar boleh mendidik masyarakat awam tentang kepentingan memahami alam sekitar kita dan keperluan untuk perlindungannya. Selain itu, program ini juga membantu kumpulan masyarakat dan individu memperoleh pemahaman asas tentang isu alam sekitar yang berpotensi memberi kesan kepada alam sekitar, sosio ekonomi dan kesihatan di peringkat global akibat aktiviti manusia dan juga perubahan iklim.
Oleh itu, adalah penting untuk meningkatkan kesedaran orang ramai tentang kesan ini melalui program kesedaran alam sekitar. Kanak-kanak sekolah amat penting untuk disasarkan, kerana mereka mewakili generasi masa depan yang bergantung kepada sumber hari ini. Justeru, menyediakan generasi ini dengan pengetahuan tentang kelestarian alam sekitar adalah penting, sejajar dengan Matlamat Pembangunan Mapan (SDG) 13 (Tindakan iklim), 14 (Hidup di Bawah Air), 15 (Hidup di darat). Bekerjasama dengan Ecoswed Initiative, kami telah menjalankan program EcoSmart Kids: Building a Sustainable Future. Program ini telah dijalankan bersama warga sekolah SK Saujana, Setiu Terengganu dan Sek Rendah Sri Showme Kids Kuala Terengganu. Seramai 175 orang yang telah di wakili oleh pelajar Tahun 4, 5 dan 6 dari SK Saujana dan 127 dari Sek Rendah Sri Showme Kids Kuala Terengganu. Para peserta telah didedahkan dengan pebagai aktiviti sepanjang program termasuklah ceramah, pameran dan kuiz interaktif.
Melalui aktiviti ceramah, pelajar telah di terangkan tentang hutan paya bakau dan kepentingannya dalam menangani perubahan iklim terutamanya pemanasan global dan peningkatan aras laut. Pihak Ecosweed Initiative juga menyertai program ini dengan mengadakan demonstrasi penanaman anak benih bakau untuk memberi pendedahan kepada mereka dalam pemeliharaan dan kelestarian bakau pada masa hadapan. Pelajar-pelajar juga turut di tekankan tentang kepentingan kepelbagaian biologi dan fungsinya di dalam ekosistem. Melalui aktiviti pameran, pelajar berpeluang untuk mengenali kepelbagaian tumbuh-tumbuhan dan cara pengkelasannya secara visual melalui poster dan spesimen yang disediakan. Selain itu, kepelbagaian haiwan dan fungsinya dalam kelangsungan ekosistem serta interaksi antara haiwan dan tumbuhan di persekitaran mereka turut diajarkan kepada para pelajar. Pelajar juga didedahkan dengan spesimen serangga dan pemerhatian terhadap debunga mereka untuk menentukan hubungan pendebungaan. Melalui aktiviti ini, pelajar akan didedahkan dengan kepentingan hubungan mutualisme ini, yang bukan sahaja penting untuk kemandirian spesies tumbuhan dan haiwan, tetapi juga menyumbang kepada keselamatan makanan manusia.
Pelajar juga di ajarkan tentang ancaman pencemaran di dalam alam sekitar contohnya pencemaran plastik dan mikroplastik melalui pembentangan daripada pakar dalam kumpulan penyelidikan mikroplastik di UMT. Pelajar-pelajar telah mengambil bahagian dalam aktiviti hands-on, seperti pengasingan sisa plastik dan pengasingan mikroplastik, untuk menjadikan pengalaman pembelajaran menarik dan memberi kefahaman yang mendalam kepada pelajar-pelajar dalam menanaganoi isu pencemaran mikroplastik.
Kesimpulannya, program ini telah berjaya memberi pendedahan kepada pelajar dalam memahami komponen alam sekitar, iaitu kepelbagaian biologi dan usaha pemuliharaan alam, serta menggalakkan mereka untuk mengambil peranan aktif dalam melindungi dan memelihara alam sekitar demi masa depan yang lebih lestari.