By now the routine should have started settling in. Students are finding it harder to wake up in the morning. Teachers are madly rushing about trying to make sure that their lesson plans are set and ready to engage in education. Administrators are roaming the halls ensuring a high quality education is being offered. Parents are busy making sure their little ones are up and running for another academic year of vigor and rigor.
The search is on, as I write this, for a new Green Team Coordinator who will engage our community in introspection, reflection and action of the "green" sort. In the process, things are happening...
A growing number of teachers and administrators are taking on a new environmental task this year: Home composting. Working in conjunction with "City of Hope" (Bandar Harapan) based in Subang, these people have promised to store their vegetable and fruit left-overs in blue 35 lt bins (provided for a deposit of RM 40) which, once filled, will be exchanged for a new empty bin, and the process will continue. City of Hope, in turn, takes all the left over flora and adds it to their compost heap with which they provide much-needed nutrients to their organic garden, run by a small force of volunteers. At ISKL Mr. James Housego (MS Music) has taken on the task of being coordinator of this program. Any families want to join in? Just talk to James.
And so, as the search continues for the new Green Team coordinator (we will keep you posted on that one) we hope that your travels were good and that you are looking forward to a happy new "green" academic year!
This Annual Report is generated by the ISKL Green Team as a reflection on the year as it pertains to environmental education and literacy. It is presented to the Director of the School and Administrative Council as a component of the on-going evaluation of environmental and sustainable practices.
The format follows that of the document “Bold Thoughts: Toward an Environmental Ethos at ISKL”, presented in May, 2008 to the Administrative Council as a blueprint for future direction.
Written Documentation
·Green Team recommendation to take part in the Green Schools Alliance Climate Commitment as a “Climate Steward” (committing to a reduction in carbon emissions over the next five years). (www.greenschoolsalliance.org)
·Director’s explicit statements regarding environmental practices in school-wide communication.
·Student-based projects have taken place this year involving:
oReduction in water bottle usage
oReuse of plastic containers at Connie’s
oThermostats set to 22 degrees Celsius
oComposting pilot program
·Global Issues club and classes participated in Earth Week Eco Expo and Orangutan Rock.
·Earth Week 2009 included 12 outside organizations visiting ISKL, two visitng speakers, community events and Orangutan Rock events that generated funding of over RM 25,000 for Orangutan Appeal UK.
·Introduction of Global Issues Courses at the MS level.
·Plans to establish a Global Issues course requirement for students starting in 2009-2010.
·Proposal (pending) to introduce a Sustainable Future course at the HS, proposed to begin in 2010-2011.
·Introduction of HS Geography course which includes issues of environmental sustainability.
·Increase in experiential learning opportunities for 7th grade science curriculum.
oForest Research Institute of Malaysia
·Grade 1 initiated two new units:
o“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” with culminating Earth Week assembly.
o“Field to table” focusing on environmental impact of food choices.
·Tree-Planting stewardship program initiated with Global Environment Centre with an optional participation of ISKL students in two tree-planting expeditions, totalling over 100 trees.
·Introduction of environmental components to the newly established Global Action Program at the HS.Environmentally-oriented trip options include:
oBali: Adventure and Art on the Island of the Gods
oLaos: Jewels of the Mekong
oThailand: Reefs to Rainforests
oThailand Eco-village Sustainable Living Adventure
oMESCOT reforestation program in Borneo.
ISKL as a “living, carbon-neutral campus”
·Using The Carbon Neutral Company website (www.carbonneutral.com) a baseline carbon assessment of ISKL was made. Results indicate that operations at ISKL have resulted in the following carbon emissions:
oPremises Total: 1,788.48 tCO2
oCompany vehicles total: 30.19 tCO2
oBusiness Travel total: 46.33 tCO2
oTOTAL: 2,063.47 tCO2
·ISKL has hired a new gardening/landscaping contractor
·ISKL has hired a new cleaning company, using more non-toxic, environmentally appropriate cleaning products.
·Development of monthly reports and displays relating to energy usage and photocopying.
·Energy audit by outside consultant to determine ways to reduce energy use.
·Set up of in-class thermostats is all classrooms.
·Technology Department plans to re-use computers that will be replaced across the school. Recipients have not yet been identified.
·Using the Energy Star website (www.energystar.gov) we developed a baseline assessment of energy use at ISKL Ampang campus. Results indicate that ISKL Ampang campus has reduced annual energy use by 1.1 % in the period going back 12 months from April 2009 in comparison to the previous 12 months.
·Discussions regarding ensuring the use of environmental best-practices in determining what/where/how to build a new campus.
Financial Support
·The Green Team has generated funding from PTA Grants for the development of a composting system at ISKL
oRM 5400 has been established for the purchase of chippers and composting bins.
·The Green team Grant Program provides funding (up to RM 1,000) to school groups who need funding for on-going, self-sustaining, environmentally-appropriate programs or activities.
·Conversations have been broad for the development of a full-time Environmental Coordinator at ISKL.
·Environmental Coordinator Position job description has been created (currently in draft form) and presented to the Administrative Council and SILC Board Committee.
·Funding has been ear-marked for an environmental coordinator to begin in 2010-2011
Behaviors & Practices
·Online survey completed by staff members regarding their perceptions of environmental needs at ISKL.
·Draft of “Looking Forward” plan developed for consideration in 2009-2010.
·Administrative decisions include the elimination of commercial water bottles and the provision of healthier food service options.
·Positive steps forward have been made in terms of economic benefits of environmentally-appropriate practices.
·Established environmental component to be part of ISKL’s overall annual report to the community.
·Further measures need to be established.
·Establishment of water stations in both Ampang and Melawati campuses in lieu of commercial water bottle use.
·Posting of energy usage advertised around school.
·Establishment of the Green Team Environmental Ethos Award, given annually (only if appropriate) to deserving students in the MS and HS.
·Discussions regarding financial incentives to participate in environmentally-appropriate behaviors.
The now traditional Rockin' for the Environment took place on Saturday, this time in support of Urangutan Appeal UK, an organization that provides funding and support for the Sepilok Urangutan Sanctuary in Sabah, Borneo. For those who have had the chance to visit, this sanctuary provides an opportunity for our Malaysian apes to be rehabilitated and - hopefully - returned to a wild that is becoming smaller by the day. Urangutan Rock, organized by Lois Powell, Steve Northcott and Kenny Peavy, and supported by hundreds of adults and students alike, was another big success. Apart from generating necessary funds (RM 20,922 and counting) the event was able to bring together many stduent groups and visiting organizations and fun opportunities for our younger members of the community as well. This, of course, was in addition to the many musical groups (student, visitors and adults) who were the highlight of the event!
For the record, each year a specific organization is chosen to be the recipient of the Rockin' for the Environment fundraising. Starting small two years ago, the first Rockin' for the Environment, then named Turtle Rock, generated funds for SEATRU, a turtle research and conservation program based in Terengannu. Last year's recipient was MYCAT, a consortium of several NGOs dealing with the conservation of the Malayan tiger. Next year, who knows?
Eco Expo 2009 was a smashing success! All told ten student groups, companies and non-government organizations were represented, bringing a wealth of knowledge and resources to ISKL's Ampang campus. Whether visitors were browsing reusable shopping bags, sustainable diapers, the large variety of orang asli wares, adopting trees or turtles, purchasing photos of Borneo or discussing home composting and water assessment options, the event allowed our community a chance to take a closer look at sustainable initiatives and lifestyle choices. Thank you to all the groups and organizations who participated!
The MS Global Issues Club invested much time in promoting reusable water bottles on campus and generating a signature drive regarding water bottle use on campus.
Bandar Harapan Organic Farm offers composting solutions for homes and (maybe) ISKL! Home-based composting bins are available for a small deposit.
Tetra Pak has been a regular participant at Eco Expo for three years now. Creating a playful display that allows students to participate and win recycled Tetra Pak prizes, this company has a highly recognized environmental ethic.
Gerai Orang Asli sells traditional crafts made by Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Each item sold is identified by its creator and 100% of the proceeds go directly back to the artist.
Wild Asia promotes environmental education and the re-establishment of natural corridors where palm plantations have made a negative impact on local ecology. They also provide adoption of trees.
The WWF is widely known around the world. At ISKL's Eco Expo they were promoting their turtle initiative in Malaysia.
Noah of Jungle Voices has a wide array of high-quality photos of Borneo. Proceeds from the purchase of the photos go towards sustainable practices in East Malaysia.
Global Environment Centre promotes sustainable use of water, conducts water assessments for businesses. The Green Team hopes to establish a partnership with them allowing ISKL's carbon emissions to be partly offset by their tree-planting programs!
From cloth diapers to reusable bags and pencils made of recycled newspaper, Tiny Tapir is a small but veritable sustainable shopping paradise in KL!
TrEES has been integral in the creation of the Selangor State Park and also is ISKL's long-time recycling partner.
This past Sunday, April 19th, Charlye Woolman, Cecile Woolman and Lisa Nazim marched a group of ISKL community members up the back end of Zoo Negara toward a waterfall. The group of 43 people, largely comprised of Melawati students and their parents, was able to hike into the woods, cool off at the waterfall itself, and hike back out. All in all the hike was a huge success! A special thank you to those organizing, of course, but also to everyone who participated in this fun and nature-based activity!
Research has shown that such forays into nature are crucial in developing an appreciation for and an understanding of nature in youth. Evidence suggests that the earlier the chance to partake in nature-based activities the better one's sense of connection to the natural world as an adult. It is wonderful to see so many people hiking with Charlye, Cecile and Lisa (and her husband Jimmy!).
For pictures of the hike, please copy and paste the link below to your web browser:
Earth Week began with the customary Community Recycling Drop Off. This week's recyclables included the following:
Newspaper: 167 kg
Mixed Paper: 188 kg
Cardboard: 185 kg
Aluminum Cans: 36 kg
Steel/Tin Cans: 38 kg
Tetra Pak: 43 kg
Plastic: 112 kg
TOTAL: 769 kg
A big thank you to all those volunteering and organizing, including: Ronnie Wynne, Jill Maloney & Richard Laurence (who shared as leads), Lisa Nazim, Betsy & Paul Chmelik, Lois & Rachel Powell, as well as the Girl Scout and Daisy Scout troops. They really had a recycling workout!
Of course, a big thank you also to all those who donated their recyclable materials from home!
Another fun and exciting Eco Expo promises to grace our Ampang campus this coming Friday, April 24th from 10 am to 1:30 pm. As part of the Earth Week festivities we are happy to announce that we have a number of visiting organizations ranging from composting to tree-planting to sustainable children's wear. It promises to be a great opportunity for parents, students, staff and faculty alike. Come support WWF or the Orang Asli artisans, ask questions about organic farming, check out the exhibits on energy use at ISKL or non-toxic cleaning agents. It's worth a visit even if you decide to leave with nothing but information.
But it gets better than that! Orangutan Rock is on Saturday, April 25th. This must-see event has been hugely successful in the past and this year promises to bring many of our community - young and old - to the Ampang campus in support of Orangutan Appeal UK. If, for some reason, you are unable to get to the Eco Expo on Friday, many of the booths will remain up on Saturday as well, so come on over! Better yet, come to both!!
