Tag: Environmental awareness

Auckland, New Zealand – In an attempt to drive the message across the growing issue of plastic pollution across our oceans and seas, the New Zealand arm of non-profit organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released a new campaign alongside creative agency Colenso BBDO to visualize the issue of microplastic pollution.

WWF New Zealand has released new perspective pictures of said issue through underwater photography. At first glance, the resulting images appear to be star systems, but on closer inspection, it’s revealed that the ‘stars’ are actually microplastics suspended in water.

The campaign is released as new studies have suggested that eight million tons of plastic pollution end up in the ocean each year, breaking down into tiny bits to become microplastics. This then ends up in our food systems, where it is estimated that people are ingesting around 5 grams of plastic a week.

“There’s a general awareness of microplastics in the ocean, but what we wanted to do was help people grasp the unbelievable scale of the pollution. It’s only when Kiwis really see the size of the damage being done that we’re motivated to act,” said Simon Vicars, executive creative director at Colenso BBDO.

Meanwhile, Livia Esterhazy, CEO at WWF New Zealand commented, “These images are hauntingly beautiful, and yet, it is when we look up close we discover the horror we have created. From the Mariana Trench to Mount Everest, there is not a single place on Earth untouched by plastic pollution. 

She added, “Most of this plastic was designed to be used only once, but will remain for generations. We hope, by seeing the sheer scale of the problem, people will be inspired to take action and help us ‘Stop Plastic Pollution’.”

WWF New Zealand’s nationwide ‘Stop Plastic Pollution’ campaign is asking New Zealanders to help call on their government to introduce a global, legally binding, agreement to stop plastics polluting their oceans.

Hong Kong – Global hospitality brand Marriott International has recently unveiled its new travel program ‘Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy’, a campaign befitting the purpose of meaningful travel in the APAC region.

Marriott’s new travel campaign aims at travelers looking to create a meaningful impact on the places they visit by providing an opportunity for them to forge first-hand connections with local communities and the environment during their stay, promoting both cultural understanding and positive change between the tourists and the locals.

The ‘Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy’ will be offering curated purpose-driven experiences that focus on three distinct pillars, namely ‘Environmental Protection’ which aims to support the resiliency of the natural environment due to environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change; ‘Community Engagement’ which aims to create a positive impact in the communities where Marriott International properties operate through cultural education or volunteerism, and ‘Marine Conservation’ which aims to restore and preserve marine ecosystems and species.

Marriott-International-Impactful-Travel

Tourists can enjoy tourist visits that range from mangrove conservation in Fiji, coral transplantation and restoration in Okinawa and Maldives, beach cleanups in Sanya and Busan, to food redistribution in Bali.

“One of the growing trends we’re observing is how conscious guests are of their personal impact on the destinations they visit. The launch of Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy aspires to shift the way vacations are perceived – from pure leisure to value-adding opportunities to learn more about the natural environment and forge new connections with the local community,” said Bart Buiring, chief sales and marketing officer of Marriott International Asia Pacific. 

He added, “Our ambition is to expand the program to most of our Asia Pacific leisure destinations over time, and be ready to welcome guests with meaningful travel experiences once travel returns.”

The program pilots at 15 Marriott International hotels across Asia Pacific.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has launched a new digital banking initiative that encourages children to be conscious about the environment, while practicing money saving tips.

The initiative, aptly called ‘Earth Hero’, teaches children how their choices can have an impact on the planet. With tasks completed, children earn opportunities to plant virtual trees. For every 20 virtual trees achieved, HLB will plant one real tree. The child will receive a certificate with GPS coordinates of the real tree planted in their name. 

Furthermore, the newest initiative falls under the umbrella of mobile banking platform HLB Pocket Connect, a child-friendly mobile banking app which was launched last August. The new initiative is also linked to an eco-friendly reforestation mission targeting to plant 2,500 trees in Borneo in partnership with social enterprise APE Malaysia.

“We are cognizant of our role as a financial institution in creating and sustaining a vibrant ecosystem of communities and the environment. We are very proud to be the first bank in Malaysia and the region to steer the younger generation towards being financially savvy and environmentally conscious through HLB Pocket Connect. There is good traction in this app’s uptake and view it as a good opportunity to gamify financial education with tangible rewards that benefits the environment, with parental guidance and in partnership with an eco-social enterprise,” said Domenic Fuda, group managing director and CEO of HLB.

On the other hand, Galvin Yeo, HLB’s general manager for personal financial services for deposits and digital said, “Children are true native digital and technology users, and are interested to learn through an interactive mobile platform that gamifies engaging activities and tasks. Through HLB Pocket Connect, we are able to seamlessly incorporate an environmental literacy element, teaching children to cultivate the understanding and responsibility in taking care of the environment and the value of money, with parents’ help. More importantly, we are proud to think outside the financial institution box in delivering a truly innovative, fun and relevant digital banking platform for their lifestyle.”