On the 9th March 2019, I conducted a sharing session at my hometown, Kuching whereby I talked about my experiences during the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) in the United States learning about environmental issues and natural resource management last September. During my time there, I developed a better understanding of the United States and how environmental movements and policies affect the society through case studies, study tours and various workshops on challenge prizes, hackathons and impact investing. At the end of my sharing session, I also urged the audience to start doing things that will help to protect and conserve the environment.

            YSEALI is an initiative by the United States government to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. My YSEALI journey started in Washington, DC where I met 20 other fellows from all over Southeast Asia. After a short briefing and orientation about the program – its vision, mission and expectations – we were taken on study tours to some of the famous landmarks in the capital city. What impressed me most about DC was how well-preserved and documented their history was in museums, monuments and memorials. Exhibits were beautifully preserved in glass cases and tour guides well-versed with the nation’s history.

            Besides that, there were many green places in and around Washington, DC. It taught citizens to appreciate nature besides giving them a place to rest and relax. Whilst conducting interviews with the citizens, I realised that the Americans are mostly conscious about being environmentally friendly and I think that it is high time that we learn from them and start appreciating nature in our own country.

            Our YSEALI journey continued in California where we experienced biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and sailing around the San Francisco Bay to learn about marine life. In San Francisco, we learned about the difference between a biosphere reserve and a national park. The Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve is one of the world’s largest parks in an urban setting and features 37 park sites including the Alcatraz, more than 1200 historic structures and 19 separate ecosystems in 17 distinct watersheds.

            Biosphere reserves are not protected areas. They are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. What this means is that biosphere reserves help ensure the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the region by encouraging wise use of natural and human resources. Biosphere reserves serve as learning and research sites to explore different approaches to sustainable development. They provide valuable lessons which can be applied elsewhere.

            In San Francisco, we also had a session with Ms Fatima Colindres, a US National Park Ranger. She told us the story of how the San Francisco Bay was threatened by development and pollution about 50 years ago. Save The Bay, a non-profit organisation, launched the world’s first coastal environmental protection movement to stop the filling of the bay and to encourage restoration of the bay into its natural state. At the start of the movement, the bay was dying. Today, it is larger than it was in 1960 and is the largest stopping point for migratory shorebirds. She helped us understand that nature is resilient and will recover itself with time.

            San Francisco is also voted as California’s sustainable city. I understood why when I visited the Farmers’ Market. The community placed considerable importance on sustainable food and waste reduction. While speaking to a few locals, I learnt that more and more grocery stores and restaurants in the area are opting to purchase produce from local farms that grow food sustainably. Every week, there are education programs at the market to connect city dwellers with farmers who grow their food. I also learnt that San Francisco plans to go waste-free by 2020. It is the first city in the US to ban plastic bags entirely and switch to biodegradable bags.

            So if they can do it, why can’t we? We have to remember that change begins with us. Change begins with one person willing to be different from the rest. The next time, you’re at your favourite restaurant, refuse the plastic straw; when you’re out shopping, bring along a reusable cloth bag; when you’re going to take away food, bring along a tiffin carrier or a lunch box. We might not influence everyone but at least we can influence someone. And the people you influence will influence more people to do the same. Remember, it’s a chain effect.

 Picture Credits: The audience