I’m genuinely worried about the world we live in – present and future. And especially when reading about the heatwaves, raging wildfires and melting ice caps happening in the Arctic, and areas like Siberia, Alaska and Greenland engulfed in flames.
It spurred me to do something about it. So last year, I embraced my role as an Environmental Sciences major (at the National University of Singapore), and founded SG Climate Rally (SGR) with other youths.
My aim is to get more people, especially young adults, to understand the devastating effects of climate change, and to spread the word. In turn, they can also provide feedback to our government to do more in slashing emissions on a policy level. Singapore might be a small country, but I believe we can make a difference.
To get the ball rolling, we organised the first SGR event, the first of its kind in Singapore, at Hong Lim Park last September. I was moved to see about 1,700 people, mostly youths, show up. We held activities like talks, a picnic and postcard-writing session, where participants were encouraged to send notes urging stronger climate action to their representatives in Parliament and government officials.
But the work doesn’t end there for us. I’m excited about the initiatives that we’ll be rolling out next to achieve our goals, such as public education outreach, and workplace sustainability campaigns.
You might ask why youths play a crucial role in making this world a better place? Well, we are our future.
According to United Nations reports, there are 3.5 billion people under 30 living on the planet, which makes half of the population. About 1.8 billion people are young adults aged 15 to 24. Half of all youths are residing in developing countries.
We’re the most well-educated generation in history, with the highest numbers when it comes to literacy, entrepreneurship and social engagement.
– Lad Komal Bhupendra
Some might ask if one person can help spread the word on the global climate crisis. My answer is “Yes, you can”.
To understand the issues of climate crisis, we can first learn more about it through various channels. Then engage your friends and family, and approach people at the workplace, education institutions, and communities.
We should never stay silent, because as Napoleon Bonaparte once said: “The world suffers a lot, not because of the violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people.”
This story was first published on Her World’s April 2020 issue.
