Press Release: Join the National Geographic Earth Day Run in Malaysia in April 2019
National Geographic continues its campaign to reduce the usage of single-use plastics, and Gamuda Land returns as the official partner for the second year
KUALA LUMPUR, MARCH 11, 2019 – In April 2019, National Geographic will push forward its commitment to the environment by celebrating Earth Day with its yearly Earth Day Run. With the theme Planet or Plastic? — a multiyear initiative from National Geographic, aimed at raising awareness of plastic pollution and reducing the amount of single-use plastic that enters in the world’s oceans, this year’s run will take place on 28 April 2019 at Gamuda Walk, Kota Kemuning.
The Earth Day Run in Malaysia is made possible thanks to local partnerships. Collaborating organizations in 2019 include Gamuda Land — returning as the official partner for the second year, and other supporting partners include Fox Sports, Stadium Astro, Nivea Men, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, Fitness First and Zero Waste Malaysia. For the first time ever, this year's Earth Day Run in Malaysia will introduce an exciting 2-km running category exclusively for Gamuda Parks Junior Rangers aged 6 - 13 years old.
Vineet Puri, Senior Vice President and Territory Head, FOX Networks Group Malaysia and Singapore, said, “In support of Planet or Plastic? and in celebration of Earth Day, we’re asking runners in Asia to choose the planet. As a global movement dedicated to raising awareness of pollution, Earth Day is the perfect moment to bring environmental issues around climate change, plastic pollution and the health of marine life into the spotlight. Raising awareness of these critical issues through events such as the National Geographic Earth Day Run is key to kick-starting lasting change across the region.”
Returning as the official partner, Gamuda Land respects nature and the environment and is known as a developer that builds sustainable townships. Gamuda Land has always been passionate about incorporating lush greeneries, laying out parks, and crafting lakes in its townships since 1995. This is a good way to generate biodiversity in the townships and when that happens, the ecosystem naturally becomes healthier for its inhabitants which include flora, fauna and mankind.
Through the Gamuda Parks initiative, Gamuda Land initiated biodiversity audits in its new townships – Gamuda Cove and Gamuda Gardens – as a scientific measurement of liveability and habitability in its new townships in order to create a more conducive living experience for its community. Efforts will be made to preserve the endangered species of flora and fauna found on its sites.
“We highly commend National Geographic on its ongoing efforts to make our planet a better place for generations to come. This is in line with one of Gamuda Land’s brand values, which is to build our towns with respect to nature and the environment. It is about listening to what the land has to tell us, enabling us to mindfully masterplan our towns with respect to its natural attributes and contributing to a sustainable environment where our community thrives. This strategic partnership with National Geographic is one that Gamuda Land fully supports through our joint efforts in educating our communities — especially the children — on ways to live sustainably,” said Ngan Chee Meng, CEO of Gamuda Land.
National Geographic’s Earth Day Run 2019 will be a powerful platform to share the Planet or Plastic? initiative with even more people. Runners and event-goers at this year’s Earth Day activities in Malaysia will be encouraged to take the official Planet or Plastic? pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastic. No single-use plastics will be allowed at the event, as all runners are encouraged to use reusable water bottles.
Each year 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, and Asia is responsible for more plastic waste leakage than the rest of the world combined. Some estimates suggest this plastic could remain in marine environments for 450 years or longer, and the problem is only getting worse. Addressing a challenge of this magnitude requires an unprecedented approach – leading National Geographic to launch its Planet or Plastic? global commitment to tackle this pressing problem.
The ultimate goal of the Planet or Plastic? initiative is to prevent 1 billion plastic items from reaching the ocean. Doing so will not only benefit the thousands to potentially millions of marine animals that become entangled in, suffocated by, or ingest plastic each year, but will also contribute to the overall health of the planet’s marine ecosystems and all who rely upon them.
People in Malaysia can get involved by joining the Earth Day Run in April 2019 and taking the Planet or Plastic? pledge – a commitment to reduce your use of single-use plastic. By taking the pledge, individuals will become part of a global community working together to stem the tide of single-use plastic polluting the ocean and will continue to receive information and tips to help them in their efforts. The pledge is particularly important in Asia, where just five countries are the source of 55-60% of the plastic that ends up in the world’s oceans, according to Ocean Conservancy.
Apart from the Earth Day Run and the pledge, the Planet or Plastic? initiative comprises a number of actions leveraging the power of National Geographic’s media portfolio and expansive network. The organization-wide effort – being executed across multiple platforms in the months and years to come – will include major research and scientific initiatives; consumer education and engagement; updated internal corporate sustainability commitments; and innovative partnerships with like-minded corporations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all over the world.
Everyone in Malaysia can get involved in National Geographic’s Earth Day run by visiting www.natgeoearthdayrun.com for more information and to sign up. You can also head to natgeo.com/plasticpledge to learn more about the Planet or Plastic? initiative and take your pledge to choose the planet.
The Earth Day Run in Malaysia is made possible thanks to local partnerships. Collaborating organizations in 2019 include Gamuda Land — returning as the official partner for the second year, and other supporting partners include Fox Sports, Stadium Astro, Nivea Men, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, Fitness First and Zero Waste Malaysia. For the first time ever, this year's Earth Day Run in Malaysia will introduce an exciting 2-km running category exclusively for Gamuda Parks Junior Rangers aged 6 - 13 years old.
Vineet Puri, Senior Vice President and Territory Head, FOX Networks Group Malaysia and Singapore, said, “In support of Planet or Plastic? and in celebration of Earth Day, we’re asking runners in Asia to choose the planet. As a global movement dedicated to raising awareness of pollution, Earth Day is the perfect moment to bring environmental issues around climate change, plastic pollution and the health of marine life into the spotlight. Raising awareness of these critical issues through events such as the National Geographic Earth Day Run is key to kick-starting lasting change across the region.”
Returning as the official partner, Gamuda Land respects nature and the environment and is known as a developer that builds sustainable townships. Gamuda Land has always been passionate about incorporating lush greeneries, laying out parks, and crafting lakes in its townships since 1995. This is a good way to generate biodiversity in the townships and when that happens, the ecosystem naturally becomes healthier for its inhabitants which include flora, fauna and mankind.
Through the Gamuda Parks initiative, Gamuda Land initiated biodiversity audits in its new townships – Gamuda Cove and Gamuda Gardens – as a scientific measurement of liveability and habitability in its new townships in order to create a more conducive living experience for its community. Efforts will be made to preserve the endangered species of flora and fauna found on its sites.
“We highly commend National Geographic on its ongoing efforts to make our planet a better place for generations to come. This is in line with one of Gamuda Land’s brand values, which is to build our towns with respect to nature and the environment. It is about listening to what the land has to tell us, enabling us to mindfully masterplan our towns with respect to its natural attributes and contributing to a sustainable environment where our community thrives. This strategic partnership with National Geographic is one that Gamuda Land fully supports through our joint efforts in educating our communities — especially the children — on ways to live sustainably,” said Ngan Chee Meng, CEO of Gamuda Land.
National Geographic’s Earth Day Run 2019 will be a powerful platform to share the Planet or Plastic? initiative with even more people. Runners and event-goers at this year’s Earth Day activities in Malaysia will be encouraged to take the official Planet or Plastic? pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastic. No single-use plastics will be allowed at the event, as all runners are encouraged to use reusable water bottles.
Each year 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, and Asia is responsible for more plastic waste leakage than the rest of the world combined. Some estimates suggest this plastic could remain in marine environments for 450 years or longer, and the problem is only getting worse. Addressing a challenge of this magnitude requires an unprecedented approach – leading National Geographic to launch its Planet or Plastic? global commitment to tackle this pressing problem.
The ultimate goal of the Planet or Plastic? initiative is to prevent 1 billion plastic items from reaching the ocean. Doing so will not only benefit the thousands to potentially millions of marine animals that become entangled in, suffocated by, or ingest plastic each year, but will also contribute to the overall health of the planet’s marine ecosystems and all who rely upon them.
People in Malaysia can get involved by joining the Earth Day Run in April 2019 and taking the Planet or Plastic? pledge – a commitment to reduce your use of single-use plastic. By taking the pledge, individuals will become part of a global community working together to stem the tide of single-use plastic polluting the ocean and will continue to receive information and tips to help them in their efforts. The pledge is particularly important in Asia, where just five countries are the source of 55-60% of the plastic that ends up in the world’s oceans, according to Ocean Conservancy.
Apart from the Earth Day Run and the pledge, the Planet or Plastic? initiative comprises a number of actions leveraging the power of National Geographic’s media portfolio and expansive network. The organization-wide effort – being executed across multiple platforms in the months and years to come – will include major research and scientific initiatives; consumer education and engagement; updated internal corporate sustainability commitments; and innovative partnerships with like-minded corporations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all over the world.
Everyone in Malaysia can get involved in National Geographic’s Earth Day run by visiting www.natgeoearthdayrun.com for more information and to sign up. You can also head to natgeo.com/plasticpledge to learn more about the Planet or Plastic? initiative and take your pledge to choose the planet.
Good cause. Are you joining this?
ReplyDeleteYes 😀
DeleteI wonder what is the stand on single use plastics like plastic syringes for medical purposes.
ReplyDeletewhat are the alternatives?
DeleteGlass syringes that need to be properly sterilised after each use before being reused. And there are stainless steel syringes but are much more expensive. So lots of pros and cons to consider when it is about syringes in the medical industry. Guess it is easier to concentrate on the simple ones like single use straws and single use plastic bags and also the single use plastic gloves that are popularly used to eat durians and fried chicken. So to those who wear plastic gloves to eat durians, please lick your fingers and don't wear plastic gloves when eating durians!
DeleteAnd I agree, it's so much easier, to focus on mass consumption rather than critical medical items.
DeleteAnd actually, what we're using are non-critical and can be easily eliminated without the need to find alternatives.
Why la must we wear gloves when eating after all? Hahaha