June 16, 2009

Go Green with Nadya This June Holiday!

By Madeleine Chong

She's no stranger to MTV, and a familiar face to those of us who have grown up watching her as one of the first VJs on MTV Asia back in the 90s. These days, she's busy juggling charity work, crafting works of art for her sustainable jewelry line and being an ambassador for the World Wildlife Funds Earth Hour in Singapore.

You can't take the VJ out of the eco-activist though, and the gorgeous Nadya Hutagalung is back on our screens this June holiday period for a guest VJ stint, where she'll be dispensing green tips. MTV Asia catches up with Nadya for a quick chat about the green movement.

What do you have in store for viewers during this school holiday period?

I will be bringing them easy tips to make small changes in their every day lives. It is the small things that we do that all add up.

Why should MTV Asia viewers and readers online rally around this cause with a sense of urgency?

I think if the viewers were to learn about the plight of the planet, they will understand that why it's important to actively take part in the war against climate change. Educate yourself and activate friends, family and loved ones... we don't have much time!

In all your years of experience championing the green cause, what are some of the common misconceptions that you've heard?

It's a misconception that being eco-friendly is expensive and that a person's actions alone can not make a difference.

What can be done to combat these misconceptions?

Learn about the small changes that one can make. Small steps lead to BIG change!

7 Easy Tips To A Greener Lifestyle

1. Buy Used or Go Vintage
Check out forums and websites for cool pre-loved items that go for a fraction of the price in stores. Scour garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets for that rare, quirky vintage find which could spice up your outfits or jazz up your room.

2. Invest in a Good Bicycle, or use Public Transport
God gave us legs, not a set of tires. Bicycles are eco-friendly and a good alternative mode of transportation for those short trips. Otherwise, there's always the bus or train. However, if you must drive, try organizing a carpool system with colleagues or parents to minimize the impact on the environment.

3. Squeeze Till The Last Drop
A little goes a long way, so use common household items like toothpaste, shower soap and shampoo sparingly. Both shower soap and shampoo can be diluted to last longer. Such products contain sodium laureth sulphate, a foaming agent; thus a little dilution won't affect its effectiveness.

4. Visit Local Attractions
Some of the best travel destinations are in our backyard. Jet-setting to a faraway destination may be exciting and exotic, but will leave a huge carbon footprint behind. Seek simple joys in exploring the fun factor in beaches, parks, museums and you might just uncover something new!

5. Check yourself before you wreck yourself (your wallet and the environment included)
Stop buying things that you don't need, as it will only contribute to wastage. When you do need to buy something, try to ensure that it is long-lasting and of good quality.

6. Less Plastic is Fantastic
Bring your own reusable bags for grocery shopping, and carry your own refillable bottle for water. Plastic can take years to break down, and they can release harmful cancer-causing toxins into soils, lakes, rivers, and the oceans.

7. Power Showers Are the Way to Go
Take short 2-minute showers and do your bit for the environment. Less water heated means less electricity used, and that also means less wastage.

Adapted from Green Kampong at greenkampong.com