Named our group aa CAPTAIN PLANET TEAM, Rationale: why Captain Planet Team? The mission of our team is to support hands-on environment projects for youth. Our main objective is to encourage innovative activities that empower young people in Brunei Darusalam to work individually and collectively as environmental stewards. Through ongoing education, we beliece the young people can play a vital role in preserving our precious natural resources for future generation.We focused our researches' locations at the SOAS Mosque's compound, Kg. Sg. Kedayan A, Kg Sumbiling and baclyard of Jubile Hotel.
Our objectives to find out and share our own comment on the issue with regard to the decline in water quality conditions in the vicinity of our tourists' attraction place such as SOAS mosque and one of the hotel in the Capital.
Our researches aimed to explain the measures that the government has taken in addressing the situation and furthermore to design youth activities in addressing the environmental issues. And also to explain our difficulties in conducting the youth activities pertaining to the environmental issues.
We applied the primary and secondary data collection through observations, field trips, interviews, visit to relevant government agencies. Besides applying our research methodology as i mentioned above, we referred to Brunei Darussalam in Agenda 21, browse the JASTRe's website and we also referred to National Youth Policy.
Based on our observations, result of studies and ongoing monitoring activities the following we have been identified as the main sources of environmental issues ,such as:
- effluent and sludge from sewage treatment works within the water catchments
- waste and direct disposal of rubbish from the resident of the Kampong and the surroundings
- run-off from Bandar Seri Begawan central area
- solid waste directly discharged by settlements along the river
On waste collection system, there are several residents subscribe the house to house waste collection service. The government provides the roadside communal bins and the residents to take their waste directly to a designated dumpsite.
For residents in Kg. Saba Tengah to Kg. Burong Pinggai - house to house collection service and clearing of floating rubbish is currently available. However the consultation process with Kampung Ayer residents are not initiated prior to its implementation.
Greater public participation in taking action towards achieving a cleaner Brunei - less ads in newspaper, television and radio as well as campaigns to foster awareness and teach people not to litter have been implemented. In schools children are taught about cleanliness and taught not to throw rubbish into the rivers.
Campaigns on reduction of waste plastic was launched with the purpose to educate the public on the dangers relating to improper disposal of plastic products with the assistance of department stores. This hopefully will have some bearing to the problems found in our rivers where the bulk of the floating rubbish is made up of plastic bags.
The potential environmental and health risk associated with the water-pollution, we identify those that are most likely to cause future problems. Having a significant toxicity on humans, having a significant toxicity on the aquatic environment and having a significant toxicity on the ecosystem.
In formulating our youth environmental projects, we found out the fundamental issues have been taken into consideration such as identifying the stakeholders in the programme's planning, formulation and implementation. The vested interests of the stakeholders and appropriate strategies to deal with changes. We also has to consider the link between and within the education system to implement strategies.
Examples of youth environmental projects are to mobilies youth nationwide to plant trees and hopes it can be achieved in every district in Brunei Darussalam. Envisions that the rehabilitation of the degraded mangrove area through planting and increased protection will improve the surrounding mangrove habitat.
Clean-up the river Campaign
- the adoption aims to inculcate in our youth the importance of valuing water by keeping our waterways and water catchments clean. They will be involved in the following activities; Riverbank Clean up, Waterway Cleanup and House-to-house visits to conduct public education on DIY water-saving kits.
- Sungai Kedayan has been chosen because it lies withing the boundary of the Yayasan Complex and the Mosque. The river is in close proximity to primary schools.
- During the period of adoption, the youth will visit the river regularly for cleanup activities. A roster will be drawn up so that all the youth will be able to participate in the project.
- It is hope the youths will become more aware that it is everybody's responsibility to safeguard this precious resource. If this project succeeds, more youths may take up the challenge to adopt the other rivers or reservoirs.
- the extensive network of young people from the various schools in the vicnity, the adoption will certainly help to further develop the bonding with waters among the young who will eventually learn to cherish the precious water resources.
- it is hope that in the process, they will realise their importance in keeping the water clean and spread the message to their friends and family members.
- financial support
- volunteers - to lead and supervise the project
- experts - to consult and advise
- material and resources
- support from NGO and private sectors
- ability to design more challenging and innovative programmes
We concluded our powerpoint presentation by giving a quote :
There as many small ways that we can change personals habits to have a huge efect on our environment. When everyone participate, the planet wins!
