Run for ocean conservation
The amount of plastic polluting our oceans is alarming and this fun run was aimed at educating Malaysians on its impact, writes Nadia Badarudin
ATHOUSAND participants, including 500 students, joined the Ocean Hero Conservation Run at Sunsuria City Celebration Centre in Sepang, Selangor on March 2. The 5km charity fun run, themed “Plastic-free Ocean”, was organised by Blossomly Global and aimed at spreading awareness and educating Malaysians about the impact of plastic pollution on ocean and marine life, and ensuring a sustainable eco-system and eco-tourism. This is in parallel with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include tackling climate changes to preserve oceans and forests.
The run was flagged off by Dr K. Nagulendran, deputy secretary general of Planning and Commercialisation from the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change.
“While it’s important to continue developing our cities and economy, we must remember that we cannot do this at the expense of our environment. Exercising and adopting environment-friendly techniques have been among the country’s continuous efforts, and the heartbeat of our nation,” said Nagulendran in his opening remarks.
“Therefore, as a quest to continue this principle, we hope that Malaysians will see the importance of protecting the marine life in order to ensure a healthy eco-system in the environment,” he added.
United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Stefan Priesner, Ocean Hero Conservation Run patron Tengku Datuk Hishammuddin Zaizi Tengku Azman Shah, and Sunsuria Chairman Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap, were among the guests of honour.
The Run Ambassadors were former F1 driver Alex Yoong, singer/actress Ning Baizura and professional mixed martial arts fighter Peter Davis.
EDUCATING THE YOUNG
Ocean Conservation Run was an initiative by Blossomly Global in support of the conservation efforts undertaken by Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia, MareCet Research Organisation (MareCet) and Sampah Menyampah-Tak Nak Straw volunteer programme.
Their mission was to educate the public on the impact of ocean sustainability in supporting eco-tourism projects such as the Turtle Conservation Village in Kemaman, Terengganu, Dolphin edu-trip in Kuala Sepetang, Perak and the Dugong Nature Excursion in Pulau Sibu, Johor.
Blossomly Global and Ocean Hero Conservation Run co-founder Shirene Moong said one objective of the event was to increase public understanding on how they could contribute by changing their habits.
“Generally, the public, especially the young generation, are not aware about the UNSDGs. We hope to increase people’s awareness about these goals and their importance in sustaining related economic activities such as fisheries and eco-tourism.
“We want to encourage them to transform their mindset and adopt environmentfriendly practices such as refusing the use of singe-use straws and plastics,” said Moong. She said Blossomly Global donated RM5 from each registration fee to the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia, MareCet and Sampah Menyampah-Tak Nak Straw to fund their activities.
Yoong said he has witnessed ocean pollution and its impact since he started diving in the 1990s.
“Ocean pollution is one of the big issues of our time along with global warming. I’ve been diving for over 20 years and I can see the damage which has been done, from bleaching of corals to depleting of marine life and resources.
“Plastic, for instance, is a very serious issue because it’s breaking down the ocean. When it comes to conserving ocean and marine life, creating awareness is very important. We have to put a stop to practices such as eating shark’s fin soup and turtle eggs. As a group, we have to gate crash policy makers to ensure that policies are duly implemented.
“And if we want to see a change in policy or perspectives, or in consumption habits that will impact the future, we have to engage the young right from the start.”