Food Waste

                                                

    Approximately one-third of all food produced globally is thrown away, adding to our society's considerable waste problem. This waste occurs for a variety of reasons, including deterioration during distribution, individuals abandoning food they are unable to consume, and organizations such as hotels, grocery shops, and restaurants throwing away extra food. Food waste has far-reaching implications, including environmental impacts from methane gas emissions from landfills, economic costs, and worsening food shortages. Reducing food waste is a difficult task that requires overcoming cultural attitudes and habits, supply chain difficulties, and a lack of awareness.

    

                         

    Malaysia, like many other nations, has the issue of food waste, making it a significant subject that must be addressed. This problem gets worse during the month of Ramadan, when food waste increases. It is critical to examine this issue and develop methods to reduce food waste in our society. Furthermore, this issue contradicts Sustainable Development Goal 2, which strives to eliminate hunger.

    One thing I have seen about this developing problem is that individuals frequently prioritize buying meals based on their preferences rather than their real necessities. I think it's essential to support local food systems and use monitoring when buying food in order to combat this. Locally sourced items are often fresher and less prone to spoiling when kept for an extended period of time. Fruits and vegetables should be consumed right away to prevent waste because they have a shorter shelf life than other foods. Helping farmers manage their inventories can also help reduce food waste. Farmers' inventory may be difficult to completely remove since they require a backup supply, but attempts to minimize it are still crucial.

    When it comes to personal food consumption, I have noticed that some of my friends waste a lot of food. In order to solve this, I actively engage them by asking if they will be able to complete their meals. We can mutually minimize food waste by promoting deliberate contemplation before purchase. Even if we believe we can finish the food, circumstances may prohibit us from doing so. A charitable option in such instances would be to distribute the extra food to those in need. This not only reduces food waste but also relieves others of the burden.

    However, it is crucial to note that some restaurants may trash leftover food because they believe that providing it to the less fortunate is unjust to paying customers. Even though it might be difficult to entirely alter their perspective, raising awareness and encouraging a sense of responsibility can help us move forward. Limiting output during closing periods can help food businesses play a critical role in preventing waste by ensuring there is never an excess.

    It is important to emphasize that the success of food waste reduction programs and initiatives is dependent on persistent and sustained efforts from all stakeholders. The government should prioritize these issues, much as they have done with plastic bag restrictions. Although the law can be a useful tool in resolving some problems, its efficacy depends on individuals taking it seriously and putting it into practice.

    To summarize, while it may be difficult to totally eliminate food waste, substantial progress may be made towards reducing it. Even if it takes time, Malaysia must continue in its efforts to eliminate food waste and achieve SDG 2. It is important to note that, while food waste is a worldwide issue, many Malaysians in rural regions struggle to get their daily meals. We have to practice mindfulness and engage as a community to reduce food waste.

Fast Fashion Culture

                                         

    Fast fashion culture is a new commercial phenomenon with a huge environmental impact. It has the potential to harm animals, harm the environment, and exploit workers. The potential consequences of this might include environmental harm, human rights violations, and the production of textile waste. The fashion industry is frequently connected with exploitative labor practices, in which workers are pushed to work longer than normal hours and are given minimum pay. This culture may emerge as a result of the fashion industry's continued growth, which forces society to adopt current trends. Consumers with boundless demands might also play a role. As a result, I attempt to take better care of existing clothing and decrease my urge to purchase new items, and optimizing the capacity of my closet.

    Nowadays, everyone engages in common activities such as internet shopping. Anyone may buy garments at any time and from any location. Due to the fact that some people consider internet shopping to be a hobby, this might potentially result in more clothing waste. I didn't realize that online shopping might be an issue at first because it had so many advantages. However, after helping the flood victims by volunteering, I noticed that many garments had been given to them. But since most donated clothing is fashion-related, they cannot wear the bulk of it since it is not appropriate for them.

    From there, I realized that most individuals only use their items a few times before tossing them away or donating them to charity. There is nothing wrong with giving your own clothes, but we need to know what's going on in this situation. They need clothes to protect their bodies, not for fashion. I also realized that if these clothes were just stored in the wardrobe, they would deteriorate. Sometimes our acts are regarded as positive, yet they may sometimes bring issues. In this circumstance, we are forced to discard some of the garments and recycle others.

    I decided to divide the garments into two categories: those that were damaged and those that could still be worn. My team and I made this decision since the collection of all the garments in one location created a mess and an unpleasant odor. I also advised my colleagues to consider carefully any purchases we make. Do we actually need it, or are we just following the crowd? We give the clothing to the recycling center after categorizing it so it may be reused rather than contributing to the quantity of waste in the landfill.

Overall, I am more careful about not purchasing unneeded clothing. In comparison to earlier, I now spend money on 4 or 5 new pieces of clothing on average. I understand that not everyone is capable of taking such action because everyone has their own wants, but that does not mean we cannot strive to lessen them. Although this is a minor effort, it has the potential to have a significant influence on my life. As previously said, one of the obstacles to establishing this knowledge is excessive usage. It is critical that we take responsibility for the cleanliness and preservation of our planet.

Electricity Wastage

    Overuse of energy in society has a significant negative influence on the environment, notably in the form of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy misuse is frequent in public venues such as workplaces, schools, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions. The cause might be a lack of understanding or a shift in behaviour. This has to be in contradiction with SDG 17, which is to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As a result, in order to contribute to this issue, I intend to find best practices in efficient energy consumption and educate myself in order to raise awareness among others. Purchasing electrical devices with excellent energy efficiency is another way the community can help this cause.

    We can help reduce energy usage without sacrificing accessibility by boosting initiatives that promote improvements in efficient energy use. However, for those struggling to make ends meet, the scenario may be different, as not everyone can afford new technological equipment. For those with low salaries in particular, financial issues might be a barrier. This is because appliances that use less energy might occasionally cost more than standard models. However, if we start with a tiny portion of the population, we can steadily minimise electricity waste.

    Education on this topic will become increasingly crucial as the population grows. It is possible to educate everyone about energy waste reduction. There are several strategies to raise awareness of this issue, including social media commercials, awareness weeks in schools, and setting a good example by turning off electronic devices when not in use. People around us will gradually follow our lead. Although I feel that not everyone will fully embrace this topic, I believe that the modest improvements we make may have a significant influence on the environment.

                      

    Finally, I would like to say that I have no doubt that Malaysia will be able to resolve this problem. Thanks to the government's initiatives to lower energy use here. The government's installation of solar panels is one example of a proactive approach to dealing with this issue. I am aware that Malaysia has made a wise decision, which is a great step towards sustainability. I hope that our planet will thrive and that future generations can benefit from the advantages of the steps we are taking today to change our lifestyles.