On the 4th of June 2022, The Habitat Foundation was invited to be part of an event organised by Penang Green Council in conjunction with World Environment Day. With the theme ‘Fuyoh’: Once Upon A Time, this bazaar at HinBus Depot aimed to recreate the memories of the 50s lifestyle where plastic does not exist. Local entrepreneurs, artists, performers were brought together to showcase their ideas and examples of sustainable living to the community.
In September 2021, Penang Hill was designated as a UNESCO site under the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB). As a way to promote the beauty of Penang Hill as a natural site rich in biodiversity, history and culture, and to ensure that it continues to be preserved sustainably, The Habitat Foundation took this opportunity to listen to the voices of the people and to share about the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.
We set up a simple booth for people to vote on how they have been helping the environment and what they wish Penang to be in the near future. Through this interaction, there was a heightened awareness about Penang Hill as a UNESCO site and its importance for the people and the environment.
Within a short period of time, we had received overwhelming responses from the crowd at our booth, ranging from both young and old. Below are the results of the voting at the end of the day:
Action in helping the environment | Votes |
1. Saving energy | 83 |
2. Volunteer with environmental-based organisations | 48 |
3. Carpooling/walk/cycling | 87 |
4. Making own composts | 55 |
5. Recycling | 101 |
6. Reusing waste | 54 |
7. Planting | 53 |
8. Bringing own containers | 100 |
9. Using reusable bags | 117 |
It was a fruitful day getting to know the community of Penang and understanding that hope and concern of the people towards the environment. More of such events will continue to take place around Penang as we commit ourselves to work for a greener environment.