Nationwide campaign by the U.S. Embassy and Biji-biji Initiative invites the nation’s youth to take the lead in tackling climate change
ATTENTION: EDITORS
Kuching, 15 June 2022 – A one-of-a-kind nationwide campaign encouraging all young Malaysians to take a stand on climate change kicks off at the American Corner, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak. Jointly developed and organized by social enterprise Biji Biji Initiative and the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, the Planet Us Campaign features a series of exhibitions and an exciting line-up of programs, all designed to inspire action and promote discussion on environmental conservation and sustainability.
Planet Us aims to empower Malaysian youths to make a difference within their immediate surroundings and environment in the good fight against climate change. The campaign also encourages the general public to reflect on and rethink their own sustainability habits and the impacts of their daily actions on the environment, hoping to elicit conversations and a mindset shift towards environmental consciousness.
The Planet Us Campaign, which is scheduled to run for four months between June to September, will be hosted in several states throughout the country, including in Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Sabah, and Kuala Lumpur. Visitors can look forward to joining physical activities like topical workshops on composting, handmade crafts, and business talks, as well as the mainstay exhibition that is designed with a wealth of infographic posters. There are also virtual activities, including an upcycling competition, an online game, and a website to engage the audience on ways to help the environment and learn the effects of climate change.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development YB Dr. Annuar bin Rapaee is supportive of this campaign that calls on youths to drive change in the environment. He said “We hope that with educational campaign 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 while helping the youth understand the need for a shift in mindset today for a better tomorrow.”
The U.S. Embassy in Malaysia is a proud partner of the campaign and expresses its commitment to empowering youth to be future environmental advocates. 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, and to recognize 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 Planet Us 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 programs just like this one. As we look to become the preferred information resource center in the state, we hope this campaign will resonate with more young people coming forward to play a larger role in protecting our environment,” said Hamid.
For more details on the campaign, visit the Planet Us (biji-biji.org) website, which also contains the full download of programs, exhibition installations, workshops, and infographic posters about the environment, sustainability, and climate change. Follow the Instagram page for posts and updates.
For more information, please contact:
Rubini Maruthian| 012 220 7547| rubini@madhat.asia
ABOUT BIJI BIJI INITIATIVE
Biji-biji Initiative helps organizations via accelerator programs to inevitably grow their environmental and social impact competence by aligning their initiatives and efforts with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
ABOUT AMERICAN CORNERS
American Corners are open-access learning and gathering places around the world that promote interaction – both in-person and virtual – among local audiences and the United States. In a welcoming American-themed environment, American Spaces deliver compelling programs and activities on a wide range of themes and topics — from STEM and makerspace education to environmental and entrepreneurship programs. American Spaces are currently located in Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Penang.
For more photos, please refer to the U.S. Embassy’s Flickr album.