My thoughts and actions for the Environment

Happy 2011!

2011-01-04T09:37:00.002+08:00

I know I haven't been here for a long time - as a matter of fact, I haven't been blogging regularly too. Honestly, my limited free time is spent on FB these days! :D

Anyway, I'd like to wish you a Blessed 2011. May our efforts to protect this precious Earth continue vigorously! Remember, our hearts must be there - the passion, perseverance, patience and commitment! ;)

Just to update you, the implementation of the Sabah Environmental Education Policy is being monitored by the Environment Protection Department. The first monitoring has been carried with the help of JICA through the BBEC2 Programme in Sabah. We have done quite a bit in carrying out environmental education programmes in Sabah BUT there are still loads to be done. One of the most challenging tasks is changing the way people think and act, in this case, to be more environmentally-friendly. We have to work together to manage wisely whatever we have left!

Always remember that 'The Environment is Everything that isn't Me'.

God bless!

Happy Earth Day 2010!!

2010-04-22T07:41:00.000+08:00

A very jolly Happy Earth Day to you and your family!

Earth Day is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. However, for me, Earth Day is Everyday.

So, what is your plan to commemorate Earth Day?

Our department is organising EPD Hunt (a mini treasure hunt) for our staff during lunch time today. I’m super excited! All questions are based on the environment and our department.

Oh Tigers!

2010-04-19T01:21:00.000+08:00

Three of us in the family were born in the year of the tiger. :p My Dad, my eldest sister and I. Apparently, those born in the year of the tiger have characteristics which include bravery (grrrr!), sensitivity (oucchh...) and confidence, and thought to be bold, powerful and adventurous. However, tigers are prone to be short-tempered and risk takers... Hmmm, yeah, honestly speaking, I'm sometimes like that.. :D But hey, hang on.. There's much more.. Tigers make good bosses and leaders, and are superb actors, writers, and publicists. :D yeehaa! ;) (haha prasan bah..)

Anywaysss....

On a more serious note, let's talk about real tigers out there. For your information (if you haven't already know), we don't have tigers in the wild in Sabah (but we have in the Lokawi Wildlife Park lah). Sarawak doesn't have tigers too. Tigers in Malaysia are mainly found in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak and Pahang.

According to WWF-Malaysia, there are several threats faced by tigers. The main ones are hunting/poaching/illegal trade, habitat and prey loss and also conflict with humans. With all the threats and pressures from all sides, there is absolutely a serious and urgent need to protect these amazing creatures. Do you realise tigers are used in our national emblem? They symbolise strength and courage.

"Save our Tiger, Save our Heritage"

Earth Hour is Here Again!

2010-03-27T17:40:00.000+08:00

Earth Hour serves as a reminder that we have the power to change our lifestyles to be kinder and more friendly towards our Earth. It may just be 60 minutes tonight with our lights off and all, but it can make a jolly big difference for our Earth.

So, pretty please, do your part. We are all responsible to look after our Earth. We have a say! And we have the power to change things. Believe!

Oh Dear!

2010-03-06T23:01:00.002+08:00

... I haven't been here for the longest time! There's so much to share but somehow, I have been really bad in updating this blog, huh?

Before I forget, let me quickly share that now Sabah has its very own Sabah Environmental Education Policy (SEEP)! Yayyyy! We sure have loads to do to implement the policy on the ground but hey, it's team work, isn't it? ;)

I do not wish to see SEEP sitting nicely on anyone's cabinet waiting to be implemented. It WILL be implemented, I know so. ;)

Happy weekend peeps!

I'm Back!

2009-05-27T17:52:00.004+08:00

My apologies for not updating this blog in a long, long time. My missing-in-action-ess was mainly due to a really bad morning sickness. I was super lazy to update my blogs.

Anyway, all is well now, as I've given birth to a baby girl on 5 May. :-) Her name is Tessa Tevelyna.

I'm still in confinement now but who says I can't log on to the internet, eh? hehe

Please browse through the Sabah Environmental Education Network website for some EE activities throughout Sabah.

I'll link you to my other blog where I shared about the recent Earth Hour. ;-)

Happy Clean Up the World Weekend!

2008-09-16T20:50:00.002+08:00

This year, Clean up The World Weekend is from 19th - 21st September.

Clean Up the World partners with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to inspire and assist communities to "clean up, fix up and conserve their local environment" through carrying out initiatives ranging from waste removal and tree planting to water and energy conservation projects. (Information obtained here)

Although there's a certain period for this purpose, it does not mean we don't clean up other days! Everyday should be a Clean Up Day, Earth Day, World Environment Day! ;-)

Happy International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer!

2008-09-16T20:47:00.002+08:00

That was a mouthful, wasn't it? :D

September 16 was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

This designation was made on December 19 1994, in commemoration of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Information obtained from wikipedia.

Obon Stuffs Are Cool!

2008-09-16T08:54:00.004+08:00

Have you heard of papers that are made of sugar cane pulp called Bagasse? We can get them right here in KK! :D

I'm talking about O’BON Notebooks. I'm really excited about it. :z I'm also going to get the A4 papers made of bagasse too. :D

Apart from notebooks, O'bon also produces pencils, pens, folders, etc. Our department uses these products as gifts during talks, exhibitions, games, etc. They are the coolest I tell you!

The papers may be more expensive than the conventional ones BUT they are worth it. Sometimes people complain about recycled papers being expensive. For the longest time humans have messed up the Earth! :@ So, it's only fair we pay more for recycled materials.

Note: Photos borrowed from here. Cheers!

Do You Owe Nature?

2008-09-13T08:57:00.003+08:00

Have you ever thought of planting a tree for every book you read or bought? :D

I blogged about this in my other blog a few months ago. I admit I'm one of the guilty ones always buying a book everytime I go out. :$ So what have I done to contribute?

Through Eco-libris, I've started my journey to ‘pay back’ the trees I’ve sacrificed by paying USD1 for each book I've bought. :D So far, I've paid USD10 for 10 books. I’ve received the stickers (made from recycled paper) for every book I balanced out. Pretty cool eh? :z

I know, I owe nature much more than 10 trees but I'll slowly pay back.. :D

Have a nice weekend peeps!!

To be Gorgeously Green...

2008-09-10T22:16:00.007+08:00

I don't know about you but I must admit I've got quite a number of household chemicals at home that I think are bad for the environment. :-(

I'm doing my best to reduce the use of these chemicals. I've started using ecowash washing powder, those with or without bleach. For the ecowash washing powder with bleach, it contains plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly detergent concentrate. I'm also using the Eco-wash Floor Cleaner.

I'm using EM (effective microorganisms) to clean my sink, toilet bowl, etc from time to time.

My point here is that whatever I do, I'm trying real hard to reduce harmful impacts to the environment. I'm a firm believer on the concept of 3R - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The first thing I focus on is the 'Reduce' bit!

I'm currently reading a book on Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano. My dear friend Jess gave it to me for my convocation.. Cheers, Jess! I love the book! ;-) There are so many tips in there. I know in Malaysia we don't get many eco-friendly products readily available yet but I believe things will improve. I'd want to believe so anyway.. ;-)

Eco-Bag is the Way For Shoppin'

2008-09-06T08:34:00.006+08:00

I feel really bad for not updating my green blog frequently. I should have a little bit more extra time now that finally convo is over. :-)

Anyways...

Just wanna share with you what I purchased recently.

Cool, huh? I bought them from http://miabambina.com/. They can be folded and very handy to bring around. I think I will buy a few more and give my Mummy. ;-)

Quoting envirosax.com, these bags provide an exclusive range of reusable shopping bags, while introducing an exciting new medium for the message of environmental sustainability. Design-led, in-expensive and colourful, Envirosax® environmental eco friendly shopping bags will carry the environmental message to a world ready to embrace a brighter ecological future.

Someone commented our department's effort to use eco-bags recently. He questioned whether the bags were made of RECYCLED materials or not. When I said no (because we did not have any information on where to obtain recycled eco-bags in Malaysia at that time), he said then that's not eco-bag. I beg to differ! For me, eco-bags (whether they are made of recycled materials or not), are good alternatives to using plastics any time. The most important thing is we have initiated efforts to promote REUSABLE eco-bags. One step at a time bah! We are also going towards the use of recycled papers. Sometimes I wonder why people do not appreciate efforts by others... Hmmm..

Note: Pix and background information obtained from here. Cheers!

Express Ourselves Through Blogging

2008-06-19T22:33:00.000+08:00

Blogging has been fun for me, especially when I'm able to share about my thoughts and express myself on the things I love. One of them is the Environment.

Isn't it lovely being able to blog about things we love and make money at the same time? *wink* If you answered yes, why not register with Bloggerwave? *grin*

Happy World Environment Day!

2008-06-06T09:45:00.005+08:00

Kick the CO2 Habit - Towards a Low Carbon Economy!

That's the theme of World Environment Day (5 June) this year. Let's do our part as an individual and collectively as a community to reduce pollution and improve environmental conditions, not only for us now, but for our future generations!

We don't own the Earth, we are just borrowing from our future generations.

Some tips-
1. reduce usage of plastics - use ECOBAGS instead!
2. Do composting at home
3. Switch off electric appliances if not used
4. Turn off water tap tightly
5. Use CLOTH DIAPERS for your babies! It's cost effective in the long run. Trust me! *wink*

Let's treat everyday as WED ok!

Definitely Earth Day on a Wet-Land!

2008-05-14T22:38:00.004+08:00

Early morning at the KK Wetland Centre was definitely WET! Around 7ish am, the wind blew and it began to rain heavily! The Mangrove Race participants under the tents had to go into the centre building due to the wind blowing and heavy rain. I thought it was fun! *grin*

Anyway, around 8ish am, we gave the participants a choice on whether they wanted to do the 'race' within the centre (we had alternative no. 2) but most of them were willing to go into the mangrove area, walking on the boardwalk of course! That was exciting! My big boss blew the whistle and the race began.

So, here are some photos during that day. *smiles* It was indeed a lovely celebration of our Earth.

Winners of the Mangrove Race - Jumat, Vitalis and Sabrina - together with our Permanent Secretary, Minister and Director

Everyday is Earth Day...

2008-05-08T22:25:00.004+08:00

On 10 May, our department is organising an environmental education and awareness programme at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre for staff of agencies under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. *grin* This is to celebrate Earth Day. Well, better late than never!

It's gonna be really exciting because we are going to have a Mangrove Race for the staff! hehe It's so easy - they (3 participants in a group) just need to look for info (questions will be given on Saturday morning itself) around the KK Wetland Centre. The fastest group with the highest marks will win!

I'm really looking forward to this Race. *wink* Cash money of RM500 awaits the Champions!! Yayy!!

Apart from the race, there will be tree planting by our invited guests.

Happy Earth Day!!

2008-04-22T15:57:00.003+08:00

Today is Earth Day.

It started in 1970 when an American Senator Gaylord Nelson called for a national gathering to highlight environmental issues at the national level. The gathering paved the way of the establishment of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the formulation of environmental acts. From then onwards, 22 April is celebrated annually all over the world as a sign of concerted effort to educate the global communities in environmental protection.

On this special day, I’d like to ask you, what are your contributions to protect our Earth? No matter how small it is, it is still a contribution, right? *smile*

There are so many things we can do at home, at work, in schools, and wherever we are.

This year's theme is Call for Climate. We all must do something to tackle the problem of global warming in whatever possible ways. We can conserve energy by switching off what's not needed, and many more.

Have an extra lovely day and remember, Earth Day is every day! *smile*

Green Homes, Anyone?

2008-04-20T08:54:00.007+08:00

When hubby and I get the chance to build a house (one fine day) at our kampung (the countryside), I'd love it to be more green and environmentally-friendly. (o:

I read a very interesting article online about cool, innovative, green homes.

Some come in packages like the Earthships! One of the Earthships that caught my attention is this (hubby, check this out! *wink*):

And you know what? The earthships are can be delivered as a kit anywhere on the planet (coolest! Even to my kampung! hehe), can be adapted to any climate (I like this one), they come in any size, and packaged earthship drawings start at $5,500!!

Take a peek on the inside:

How cool is cool?

*Pictures borrowed from http://www.earthship.net/ (cheers!)

Disclosure Policy

2008-04-19T14:56:00.000+08:00

This policy is valid from 19 April 2008.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog please contact me at osindak74@gmail.com

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blogger's own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

To get your own policy, please go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

How Green Is Your Life?

2008-04-15T20:40:00.000+08:00

Your Life is 72% Green

You live a very green life, and you're aware of how your actions help the earth.

Of course, it's hard to be totally green. But when you make a tradeoff, you know why you're making it.

How Green Is Your Life?

How We Manage Kitchen/Food Waste

2008-04-09T20:41:00.006+08:00

We started composting our kitchen/food waste last June. My friend J & H introduced the method to manage kitchen/food waste using a bucket and bokashi. Bokashi is a compost-starter and has EM (effective microorganisms) and the biotechnology comes from Japan. (For more information, please visit sustaining our environment..together ok, so I need not explain so much here.. hehehe)

Some pix to show how we do it at home:

We keep the waste in a container (reduce all moisture as much as possible and cover)

This is the compost bucket (has a special place on a chair in our kitchen! LOL)

Ahh.. the container especially to keep the bokashi. It has to be kept away from direct sunlight.

Mix a layer of bokashi and food waste alternately.. Cover the bucket tightly.

*Shania helping me* (o;

The kitchen bio-juice can be collected everyday or every other day. It can be used to clean the toilet and drains, to get rid of grease in the sink, etc

The bottle must be labelled the date the bio-juice is collected. It can be used after 2-3 days. The solid waste can be transfered to the ground and mixed with soil to become compost. Since we are staying in an apartment, hubby usually sends the solid waste to my brother's house for his plants. *grin*

Again, please visit sustaining our environment...together for more info ya! *wink*

3R - Focus on Reduce...

2008-04-06T19:26:00.012+08:00

I try to reduce the use of plastic bags when I go shopping. Please note the word 'reduce'. At present, perhaps it's not possible (yet) to totally not use plastic bags due to various factors.

So, what are the alternatives?

Cloth/Eco bags and baskets. *wink* I remember when I was small, Mom used to bring baskets to the market or tamu (we can still do so now..). When my parents did groceries, the things were placed in big boxes. These days, we don't really get those boxes when we go to supermarkets, do we? Instead, we get loads of plastic bags, even for the small stuff the cashiers will put in small plastic bags too. My cousin shared her experience buying an eco-bag in one of the big supermarkets. When she paid for the bag and other stuff, she told the cashier she wanted to put her groceries into the eco-bag but the cashier insisted to put the eco-bag in a plastic bag!! Hello??? The staff need environmental awareness! (May be the supermarket management should hire me for that! LOL)

When possible, plastic bags should be reused as storage bags or garbage bags, or recycled. I still feel that we all must try to use heavy duty multiple use bags (such as the cloth/eco bags) often. One of the problems faced in most places is indiscrimate throwing of used bags. Oh so unsightly!

Here are some of the bags I use for shopping. *grin* Need to get more lah.. (There are times I don't have enough to put my groceries so I have to use the plastic bags from the supermarket too. Anyway, I reuse them as storage or garbage bags. Ok also, huh?) When I shop for clothes or shoes, I usually keep those trendy paper or plastic bags so I can use 'em to keep pressies when I attend birthday parties. *grin*

During the Seminar on Environmental Education for Practitioners in Sandakan last year, we gave out this cool eco-bag for the participants. I love it!!

See, you can even fold it like this:

So, what do you think?

Go get the eco-bags lah ok? *wink*

Relieved!

2008-04-05T08:27:00.003+08:00

I was so relieved to hear the news that the State Government decided to scrap the RM1.3 billion coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu.

Thank God for that!

The location is near to the well-known Danum Valley Field Centre, Darvel Bay and Ulu-Segama. These places are a part of our nature's gems.

I've been to Danum Valley twice. It's a refreshing place to be! Waking up early and greeted by the morning dew is really an experience to be remembered. The chirping of birds in the serenity of its surroundings can add years to our exhausted physical and emotional selves.

Try it. *wink*

River Rangers in Action!

2008-03-27T20:25:00.006+08:00

Our field works yesterday went really well. We had fun learning the methods. (o: The facilitators prepared comprehensive kits for us as guidance. Cool!

Some pix taken at Beringgis Beach Resort and during our field works:

Soon To Be River Rangers

2008-03-25T13:47:00.002+08:00

There are about 30 of us attending the River Ranger Training of Trainers in Beringgis Beach Resort, Papar.

This training is part of the activities under the One State One River Programme in Malaysia. We will be trained in the next few days so we are also able to train students in river protection. (o:

The objectives of the River Ranger TOT are:
a. To increase students' awareness and knowledge in managing resources

b. To provide living skills to students for use in local environmental management

c. To coach students on ways to evaluate and audit river basins

d. To develop a data base on local rivers by the schools

e. To motivate students to initiate water/river conservation projects in their school and community

Loads of theories today but tomorrow is a different story! *grin* We are going to one of the rivers in Papar to do investigative works.. Yay!!

(will post some photos later when time permits ok! Toodles...!)

Blessed Easter to All!

2008-03-23T11:43:00.001+08:00

The best mathematical equation I've ever seen:

1 cross + 3 nails = 4GIVENESS

That's how God loves us all!

Blessed Easter to you!

Happy World Forestry Day!

2008-03-20T23:55:00.003+08:00

World Forestry Day is celebrated on 21 March annually. (Oh, this year it falls on Good Friday!)

It has been celebrated around the world for 30 years to remind communities of the importance of forests and the many benefits which we gain from them.

For more info, please visit Dept of Sustainability & Environment Australia.

Let us all do our part to look after our forests in whatever possible ways, ok?

Happy World Forestry Day!

Starbucks Story

2008-03-15T18:50:00.004+08:00

I was at Starbucks City Mall a few days ago. While I was waiting for my old friend, I had a cuppa coffee. Thank goodness WIFI's available so I was juggling between doing some work AND blogging. *wink*

Anyways...

When I took the tissue, I was so impressed that Starbucks' tissues are made of 100% recycled fibres. Coolest! That made me very happy indeed. *grin*

(May be I should frequent Starbucks more than the other coffee place from now on.... hmmm...)

Who's Responsible?

2008-03-06T13:41:00.003+08:00

I received a very interesting question from a fellow blogger akinabalu about who's responsible of the garbage in Sembulan area.

Who is responsible?

Of course, ALL of us! (o: All of us have the responsibility to care for the environment wherever we are.

The Local Authorities are only here to assist us manage our garbage (among other things). At the end of the day, our garbage is our own responsibility. For instance, at home, my family and I practice waste segregation. What we can recycle, we send to the recycling centres. There are a few in KK. We also do kitchen waste composting using a special bucket and a compost starter called bokashi.

Having said that, at the moment, it is fair to acknowledge that there may be limitations in services to collect rubbish or recycling. But I know the efforts are being stepped up to improve the situations.

Thanks akinabalu for your concerns. Really appreciate it. Cheers!

My Other Blog

2008-03-05T22:02:00.002+08:00

Something is seriously wrong with my other blog - This is My Life.

Since Sunday, I haven't been able to open blog.com or my blog. )o: I hope my colleague will be able to help me tomorrow to sort out this problem.

Fingers crossed..

EE Girls' Birthday Gathering

2008-03-05T21:09:00.005+08:00

EE Girls?

*grin*

We call ourselves EE girls - the Environmental Education girls because of our work and passion!

Six of us celebrate our birthdays in February and March so we decided to have a 6-in-1 birthday dinner! The birthday girls were me, Jocelyn, Rose, Chai, Hui Shim and Cornelea, but Cornelea couldn't make it due to urgent matters. We also missed Jess, Helen and Benn John (they couldn't make it due to other commitments). So, the only un-birthday girl that evening was Benn Joeman!

It was indeed a lovely evening at Fish and Co.

And would you just look at us (and the pressies!) *big grin*

What Planet Are You From?

2008-03-05T20:51:00.000+08:00

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability.

You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea.

Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion.

You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone.

If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

What Planet Are You From?

What Colour Green Are You?

2008-03-05T20:42:00.004+08:00

You Are Apple Green

You are almost super-humanly upbeat. You have a very positive energy that surrounds you.
And while you are happy go lucky, you're also charmingly assertive.
You get what you want, even if you have to persuade those against you to see things your way.
Reflective and thoughtful, you know yourself well - and you know that you want out of life.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorgreenareyouquiz/

Messages from The Card

2008-03-01T23:20:00.002+08:00

To quote the messages from ERE Consulting Group:

Question the aspiring candidates about their environmental commitments. Will they defend our few remaining urban forests? Will they push for green laws at the state and federal levels? Do they really understand that 'progress' does not just depend only on physical development?
Please attend the 'ceramahs', please read the pamphlets but do not bring them home (please cut down on paper use)
On election day, carpool, walk or cycle (BURN YOU CALORIES, NOT FUEL) to the polling station (this is my favourite.. hehe)
Finally, after the elections, if you are a candidate or a party supporter, please remove all your posters and leave our neighbourhood clean.

Selamat Mengundi di Pilihanraya ke - 12!

Let's Have Environmentally Responsible Elections

2008-03-01T23:09:00.004+08:00

I received a very interesting card from ERE Consulting Group about voting. (o:

It says Let's Have Environmentally Responsible Elections and urges everyone to question the aspiring candidates about their environmental commitments.

Pretty cool card!

So, are you voting? (o;

Defining Environment

2008-02-28T20:39:00.004+08:00

I attended a workshop today on biodiversity.

I was very shocked (and honestly dissappointed) to find out that a guy whom I believe is a professional (who works in the field of biodiversity and all) does not understand the definition of Environment. He thinks Environment does not take into account social factors.

So, I'd like to share with all of you the definition as stated in the Environment Protection Enactment (2002).

“environment” includes –
(a) the external physical surroundings and conditions influencing
development and growth of people, animals or plants and
includes social, living or working conditions;
(b) all natural and physical resources;
(c) ecosystems and their constituent parts including people and
communities; and
(d) amenity, aesthetic and cultural values

When I was at the university, one of my professors defined Environment really nicely. He said 'Environment is everything that isn't me'.

Have a lovely evening, everyone!

SERASI

2008-02-24T22:00:00.002+08:00

Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar Programme or better known as SERASI is an environmental education programme and an award scheme for schools in Sabah.

It has been implemented since 2003 by the Environment Protection Department, Department of Environment, Education Department, Department of Forestry, Science and Technology Unit, Environmental Action Committee, Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre and SHELL Malaysia.

I did my MSc research on the evaluation of SERASI implementation in 39 schools in Sabah. If all goes well, my viva voce will be sometime in March. *keeping my fingers crossed!*

Food for Thoughts...

2008-02-21T23:30:00.002+08:00

The trees are God's great alphabet:
With them He writes in shining green,
Across the world His thoughts serene.

~Leonora Speyer

Recycled Shoes, Anyone?

2008-02-20T19:16:00.003+08:00

Hubby told me a few days ago about this new Nike shoe called 'Trash Talk' that is made from manufacturing wastes (scrap-ground foam from factory production). The outsole uses environmentally-preferred rubber that reduces toxics and incorporates Nike Grind material from footwear.

How cool is that??!

Nike has also created a recycling programme in 1993 called Reuse-A-Shoe, which collects worn-out athletic shoes of any brand and recycles the footwear into usable material called Nike Grind (rubber from the outsole, foam from the midsole and fabric from the upper).

Presenting Trash Talk to you:

Some Facts About Styrofoams...

2008-02-19T20:50:00.003+08:00

I found this on the Net. Thought of sharing it with you all because we tend to tapau our food in this white packet, right?

Styrofoam is actually Dow's trade name for polystyrene.
There are two problems with polystyrene, involving both production and waste. During production, a blowing agent blows gas into the polystyrene. For years, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were the agents-contributing to the destruction of the Earth's ozone layer. After the Montreal Protocol's ban on CFCs, slightly-more benign HCFCs replaced them. However, Ozone Action's Christopher Ball notes, "HCFCs are better for the ozone layer than CFCs, but they still cause problems." Because of this, HCFCs have also been banned, with their total phasing-out not expected until the year 2030. Carbon dioxide and pentane (a highly flammable chemical that contributes to smog) are also used as blowing agents. On the waste issue, polystyrene products, including cups, don't biodegrade well and, if incinerated, produce toxic ash.
To combat such problems, recycling programmes are popping up, but not yet everywhere *this is in the US, I presume*
Drinking from reuseable mugs, however, is an easy way to reduce such waste problems and ease pressures on the ozone layer. If people can't be convinced to change their throw-away habits, try telling them that the mugs can save them money, too.

There you go. I guess, this is something for us to ponder about, ya?

Celebrating World Wetlands Day at KKWC

2008-02-17T16:35:00.011+08:00

13 groups of students won prizes during the Mangrove Hunt Challenge at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre yesterday (16 Feb). It was a gloomy day (and it rained just after the students finished their tasks) but it did not stop the students from having fun! Most were covered with mud because they also had to go down to the mud to collect rubbish.

At the finishing line...

Mike & I as part of the judging team

Some of the winners receiving their prizes...

Mangroves are super important for many reasons. It is a breeding ground for crabs, prawns and other marine animals, essential for sustaining a viable fishing industry. It also protects coastlines against erosive wave action and strong coastal winds, and serve as natural barriers against tsunamis and torrential storms. (For more information click here Mangrove forests)

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre or better known as KKWC (formerly known as KK City Bird Sanctuary) is situated in the heart of Kota Kinabalu and was once part of a huge area of mangrove forest. The total area now is about 24 hectares. The centre offers various environmental education programmes for students and the public. For more information, you can call my buddies Jocelyn or Cornelea at 088-246955 or email kkcbs@streamyx.com.

Ahh.. this is my little environmentalist *grin*

Trust me, it's really fun planting mangrove seedlings and being in the mud! *wink*

Be Friendly to The Environment

2008-02-16T16:41:00.003+08:00

Actually, when we think about it, all of us pollute the environment in one way or another. For example, if we drive to work, the moment we start the engine, we are already polluting the air with the fumes (although these days we can get cars with 'green engines'). One of the green driving tips I've read is to combine trips because warmed-up engines and catalysts generate much less air pollution. If we plan on having several short trips in a day, we may become one of the contributors to increased air pollution! Do you know also that if we follow the speed limit, we can lower our fuel economy?

My point is that, most of our activities will impact the environment. To be realistic, we have to establish an understanding that the things we do have an impact on the environment. However, we CAN REDUCE the impacts (not necessarily zero-impact) by practising environment-friendly actions.

In terms of development activities, we have rules and regulations to control these activities so the impacts on the environment can be minimised. It is the same with waste management. We can't help but generate wastes everyday BUT if we try to reduce the wastes generated, practise waste segregation at home, do recycling of papers, aluminium, etc and compost our kitchen/food or garden wastes, then we become positive contributors to environmental protection.

My good friend Dena is expecting her first baby soon and she is really into cloth diapers instead of the disposable ones. Cloth diapers are more environmentally-friendly than the disposable ones based on comparisons of their pros and cons. They are also cheaper and cost-effective in the long-run. Honestly speaking, I did not know much about the latest development of cloth diapers except for the white, thin cloth I use for my kids' lampin when they were babies!

We live and learn.

And most importantly, we REALLY must learn.

World Wetlands Day

2008-02-14T02:31:00.003+08:00

World Wetlands Day (WWD) is celebrated on 2 February annually.

It marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. WWD was celebrated for the first time in 1997 and made an encouraging beginning. Each year, government agencies, NGOs, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular. (http://www.ramsar.org/wwd/8/wwd2008_index.htm)

In Kota Kinabalu, the KK Wetland Centre is organising a Mangrove Hunt Challenge on 16 February, Saturday, in conjunction with WWD this year. The participants of the activity are students around KK. It's gonna be really exciting! (p.s. I'll be one of the judges. *wink*)

This year's theme is Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People.

Happy WWD Everyone!

My first environmental talk in 2008

2008-02-12T22:17:00.000+08:00

I've given quite a number of environmental talks in my working life.

My first talk this year was at SM St Michael's Penampang yesterday morning. After the talk, my colleague and I were supposed to give a hands-on training on how to make garden waste compost but it was raining quite heavily. It wasn't really a good idea to let the students get drenched so we cancelled the hands-on training (although it would have been fun being in the rain! ha..)

Showed some students how to make kitchen waste compost..

Changing Ourselves First

2008-02-12T21:08:00.000+08:00

Attitude change must come from within us.

In environmental protection, we must realise that we can make a difference if we change our heart attitude. We need to internalise good values towards the environment and slowly try our best to spread this to others.

I’ve worked in this field for more than 10 years. That’s not so long but enough to see some people from all walks of life, educated or not, being indifferent about environmental protection.

That’s really sad but it will not dampen my spirit to do whatever is within my strength to look after the environment!

There are so many little ways we can do to help.

Remember, when we heal the earth, we heal ourselves (David Orr)

Welcome to Osindak's Green World!

2008-02-12T20:20:00.000+08:00

Welcome!

Being an environmental educator, I decided to have a special blog for the environment.

In my other blog, I talk about the environment too but mostly This is My Life is about many aspects of my life, my family, friends, food, travels and many more.

So dear friends, this is a blog especially about and for the environment!

Hope you’ll find useful and interesting stories and information here.

Cheers!

There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed (Mohandas K. Gandhi)