By KEVIN TAN
MANY people talk about how one can be successful by running the extra mile, executing a brilliant plan, or even better, seizing opportunities by killing two birds with one stone.
This very much means stepping out of one’s comfort zone and entering a place where many may find it wearisome if one were to last the long run while being on top. Some individuals are set on seeking success in their lives but there are also those who thrive on achieving more than that; to change their world for the better.
This is what Bernard Eng hopes to do.
Majoring in biochemical engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bernard may seem like an average university student, but what lies in the heart of this young man is the desire to conserve and save our world’s environment.
It all started when Bernard took his first step in htreis journey in saving planet Earth – planting his first tree in Raja Musa, Selangor, four years ago. “As youths, we like to be in our comfort zones. So I thought to myself, why not just go out there and do something that would make a difference? The work required to plant a tree would get you covered in dirt, soil, and sweat. But guess what? I loved it. This was the beginning of all my environmental champions,” said Bernard.
Bernard has since attached himself to United Nations organisations and attended conferences where debates were conducted among youths all over the world to discuss environmental policies. Today, Bernard is one of the selected few Malaysian Youth Ambassadors who will attend the 6th World Youth Congress by United Nations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“As a youth, being environmental is not a bad thing, it’s good. Because of the low awareness of environment conservation in our country, I choose to step out of my comfort zone and take up environmental conservation action.” he said.
Apart from being a Malaysian Youth Ambassador, Bernard was also chosen to represent Malaysia in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is the regional ambassador of South-East Asia for UN.
“What we’re going to do is to come up with a resolution that could possibly lobby or inspire the policy makers of the countries in the UN so that they can empower the movement of the youth for environmental conservation.” he said.
“Being selected to take up these responsibilities and roles was not easy. It took time and there has to be action shown.”
To prove that he is not just “all talk”, Bernard has influenced his family to adopt a green lifestyle by simply encouraging them to carry out a simple acts like recycling.
“It begins with you, then the person next to you,” Bernard shared.
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