The “Greenest Person on the Planet” joined the Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR College) Earth Rangers Team in an environmental conservation event themed S.O.S EARTH held at theCollege Kuala Lumpur Main Campus on 11 and 12 August this year.

The event, which was organized by the TAR College Advanced Diploma in Mass Communication (Public Relations) Year 1 and Advertising Year 2 students aimed to create awareness and a sense of urgency among young Malaysians about protecting the earth, its life and natural environment.

It kicked off with a bang when “Greenest Person on the Planet” Mr Matthias Gelber (he was awarded the title by Canadian green organization 3rdwhale in 2008) led the Earth Rangers in an “S.O.S EARTH!” battle-cry while carrying a potted plant symbolizing hope and action into the hall.

TAR College Principal Dr Tan Chik Heok and Head of School of Social Science and Humanities (SSH) Mr Lee Hwee Chuin then launched the ceremony by placing the plant into a mock globe, to mirror a more hopeful and greener future.

“Education inculcates morality and responsibility; I’m very glad to witness here educators who are cultivating these good values among their students, through these kind of socially and environmentally benefiting events,” said Dr Tan.

S.O.S EARTH featured five public-information and demonstration booths with an abbreviated tagline – FLORA – featuring Forest, Land and natural resource, Ocean, River, and Air.

Visitors obtained insightful knowledge about conserving the environment through public talks on environmental-friendly garbage enzyme by Justlife, on benefits gained through going green by NGO Global Environment Centre (GEC), and another on DiGi’s Deep Green programme.

“We aim to educate students to care for their Mother Earth even when they’ve made a name for themselves in the PR, Advertising and media line in the future,” said Ms Lim Siz Siz, who is the Event Advisor and also the PR Programme Supervisor.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia’s “Egg=Life” turtle conservation petition collected over 700 signatures among visitors to the two-day event.

“Malaysians, young and old, should get into action now to protect and conserve our planet, or else we cannot fathom what will befall us all when Earth’s environment deteriorates further,” said Mr Lee.

The launching ceremony was attended by Dato’ Eadon Ching, founder of Persatuan Amal Seri Sinar (PASS); Ms Callie Tai, CEO of Justlife; Mr C.P. Chong, CEO of Melsom; Mr Ferdinand and Mr Tan Kah Chuan, both from WWF.

This event also received support from Reef Check Malaysia, TRAFFIC, the Department of Environment (DOE), and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).

Popular artist Aric Ho, an environment lover, performed on the second day, shared tips for conserving Earth and its environment. Also, the OneFM cruiser crew were also at hand to entertain visitors.

Join the Earth Rangers at http://sosearth2009.blogspot.com or Facebook sosearth2009@gmail.com.