Empowering Sustainability: By Throwing Better Parties!!!

The Future is a Party: Let's Make it Sustainable

I still recall my brief encounter as a mentor at ACILYS (Asian China India Youth Leadership Summit 2023) with Dr. Eng Han, which sparked my passion for youth leadership in sustainability mentoring. It felt like I'd switched places - from participant to mentor, sharing what I'd learned, and living my ethos of learn-do-share.

My journey into sustainability was unexpected, but I was captivated by its potential. I wanted to change the conversation from activism to action, focusing on tiny habits and sharing what I'd learned. I believed in the power of incremental change, sharing what I'd learned and believed, and repeating the learn-do-share framework. I wanted to come from a place of authenticity, not just following trends. I wanted to take responsibility for our planet and our island, not just clean up the past. This passion has been burning within me for three years now, since the Wide to Tall film Festival (WTF2), where I experimented with concepts and projects, collaborating with partners and academics. But then I realised my true focus: grooming sustainability leaders and change-makers. That's where the ripple effects begin. I wanted to help people share their stories of helping others and why they do it. And that's when I discovered my new passion for storytelling, drawn to narrating tales for non-profits and charities, projecting them onto Singapore's largest digital billboard, Ten Square. As a longtime educator in communication, I found my voice in storytelling.

But this journey required a mindset shift - from guest to ownership. Let me illustrate: if I were a guest in a mall and saw a spill in aisle 7, I'd report it to the staff and ask them to clean it up. But as an owner, I'd take responsibility and grab a mop to clean it up myself, not worrying about who made the mess, but with the intention of keeping my home clean and safe. That's the mindset change we need - taking ownership of our actions and their impact on the planet.

As a young diver, I was mesmerised by the ocean's beauty. Fast forward to parenthood, and I knew we had to preserve this world for our children. Professor Jem Bendell's journal, "Deep Adaptation," shook me to my core. I asked myself, "What could one individual from Singapore possibly do?"

I found solace in my background as a filmmaker and educator, realising the disconnect between institutions and youth. The Wide to Tall Film Festival was born, giving youths a voice and a platform to share stories aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The pandemic was a game-changer for us. It made us realise that we need to put humanity first, before trying to save the planet. I mean, think about it - it's like those safety announcements on planes, right? 'Put your mask on before helping your child.' We need to take care of ourselves and each other before we can make a difference. We can't pour from an empty cup, right? So, our focus shifted. We started prioritising kindness and compassion, while still striving for systemic change. It's not either-or; it's both-and. We need to make the world a kinder place while fighting for a better future. And that required a mindset shift - from guest to ownership. Let me illustrate: if I were a guest in a mall and saw a spill in aisle 7, I'd report it to the staff and ask them to clean it up. But as an owner, I'd take responsibility and grab a mop to clean it up myself, not worrying about who made the mess, but with the intention of keeping my home clean and safe. That's the mindset change we need - taking ownership of our actions and their impact on the planet... while taking care of the people in it, too.

Sustainability isn't just individual efforts; it's about scaling impact. The youth, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, hold the mantle of entrepreneurship in climate action. Over 60% aspire to be change-makers!

Communication is key - weaving a community-led narrative that resonates. We need to avoid the preachy tone and amplify voices.

Let's face it, climate anxiety is real, and it's overwhelming. We've managed to distract ourselves with the daily grind, but we can't ignore the pressure of climate change happening all around us. We're not powerless, though - we have the power to channel that negative energy into positive change, starting with me.

It's time to move from just talking about it to actually doing something about it. We need to switch from being spectators to players, from just voicing our concerns to actively making a difference. So, are you just talking about climate change or are you actually doing something about it? Are you using your actions, purchases, and behaviours to create a movement of change?

This isn't a solo mission; it's about gathering the brightest minds, breaking down cultural barriers, and working together as one human race, one buying force. We need to invite the greatest minds to the table, share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives, and connect with each other on a deeper level. Education is key, but so is emotional influence and understanding.

We can't just spectate from the sidelines; we need to get in the game and start playing. It's time to turn our anxiety into action and create a ripple effect that inspires corporations to change their sustainability game. We need to dig deeper, understand each other's perspectives, and work together to create a better future. It's not just about buying a metal straw; it's about creating a movement of change that starts with us.

This is when I found the UN's Inner Development Goals (IDG) initiative and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where it give us a roadmap for creating a sustainable global society. It's not just about achieving some lofty goals; it's about creating a better world for ourselves and future generations.

So, to wrap it up, sustainability isn't some distant dream we can't reach. It's a collective responsibility that's woven into our daily lives, our personal experiences, industry shifts, educational opportunities, and our relentless pursuit of a better world. We're not just striving for sustainability; we're crafting a narrative, a blueprint for a future that's achievable, not just aspirational.

But here's the thing: we can't get there using old methods. We can't rely on fear or being "voluntold" to make a change. Compassion fatigue is real, and we don't want to add to the overwhelm. Instead, let's get creative! Let's learn from the successes of advertising and marketing over the years. Let's make sustainability the coolest, most sought-after thing to do. We got this, and together, we can create a future that's not just sustainable, but thriving.

Let's make sustainability fun, engaging, and desirable. Let's take on the challenge to create a real yearning for ownership of our planet, the way we enjoy throwing better parties to bring on better energy to thrive!