It was a typical Wednesday morning in school, but something was brewing in the air. The atmosphere hummed with excitement, not only from the typical bustle of students rushing to classes, but a fresh wave of awareness spreading throughout the school. Conversations sparked in the hallways about one thing: a challenge to rethink how we live and our impacts to the world.
Imagine this: your daily choices-what you eat, how you commute, your energy usage-can either contribute to the problem or become part of the solution. What if adopting a low carbon living lifestyle was not just a responsibility, but a movement led by students like you? These are the questions that was prompted in the event “Low Carbon Living Lifestyle”, conducted by Institute of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (ISuRE) and Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, University of Malaysia Sarawak in conjunction with the National Summit Governance 2024, where the students are subjected at the forefront of a sustainable revolution. The event was led by the Director of ISuRE, Prof Ts Dr Shanti Faridah Salleh, with the help of ISuRE’s Head of Sustainability, Dr Florianna Lendai Michael Mulok. This event is not just another lecture on climate change, but rather a call to action. Through interactive workshops, inspiring speakers, and hands on activities, students are exposed to environmental awareness and practical skills for sustainable living, instilling sustainable habits in youths.
Following this event, five (5) schools were selected; SMK Sungai Maong, SM Sains Kuching Utara, SMK Matang Jaya, SM Sains Kuching, and SMK Penrissen No.1 to join this activity which started on 4th to 6th September 2024. The event drew enthusiastic participation from high school students to explore practical ways to live more sustainably.
The event kicked off with an eye-opening session from Dr Lennevey Kinidi and Dr Josephine Lai Chang Hui on “Low Carbon Living”, where a talk on carbon footprint and low carbon living lifestyle are presented. Energy conservation, sustainable transportation, low carbon diet, waste reduction and conservation are some of the topics that were discussed during the talk. Introducing low carbon living lifestyle to youngsters is crucial as it builds environmental awareness early, instilling habits that can last a lifetime. By learning the impact of their lifestyle choices, younger generations become empowered to make eco-friendly decisions and advocate for change.
Further into the program, the students participated in the low carbon inspired activities, such as the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) kit and Amphenol Advanced Sensors for Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The activity session was led by Dr Yonis M. Buswig and Ms. Taharah Edin, alongside facilitators from ISuRE. Through the interactive workshop, students are introduced to one of the alternatives to renewable energy (Turbine) and the principles of converting wind energy into electricity. This approach makes complex concepts in STEM more accessible, whilst encouraging creativity, problem solving and teamwork. On the other hand, the activity which involved Amphenol Advanced Sensors for CO2 provides a hands-on learning on indoor quality and the impact of CO2 on health and environment. This real-time monitoring tool fosters scientific inquiry, data analysis skills, and environmental awareness, promoting the practical application of STEM concepts and encouraging proactive behavior to reduce carbon emissions.
Through the series of activities and expert talks, students are left with a deeper understanding of how they can personally contribute to a cleaner and greener future. Towards the closing of the event, Dr Florianna ended with an impactful remark; “Remember, every small action you take can make a big difference. The choices you make today will shape a greener future for tomorrow. Whether it’s conserving energy, reducing waste, or spreading awareness, you have the power to lead the way toward a sustainable world. Let’s commit to living low-carbon lives, not just for ourselves, but for the planet and future generations. Together, we can create lasting change!”