A scientist and an actor reveal what they do to reduce plastic in the environment

With climate change, pollution, and sustainability becoming increasingly pertinent concerns, it's a no-brainer that efforts need to be stepped up by all parties if Earth is to remain a hospitable place for all living things.

To increase the volume behind the conversations regarding climate change, National Geographic Asia has organized its very first Planet Possible Day – an upcoming virtual event happening on October 24, 2021 that aims to bring together personalities as well as active members of National Geographic Explorer to talk about how all of us can live more lightly on the planet.

"We are at a defining moment in time where we can choose the world we want to live in," said Planet Possible host Melati Wijsen. "The potential and opportunities are there to create a planet that is more sustainable and resilient for future generations."

In the lead up to the upcoming event, we sat down with two individuals from near-opposite fields to talk about the impact of our daily habits – ranging from online shopping to everyday food consumption, and see how they add up.

On one hand, we asked climatologist Intan Suci Nurhati about the observations she's made as an active oceanographer under the prestigious National Geographic Explorer Banner, and what to expect from our current habits within the next decade.

And on the other, we quizzed Singapore-based media personality Paul Foster – an actor with numerous credits to his name (Singapore Social, Mata Mata) who's also a passionate climate change campaigner – about his experience educating the masses on the subject.

On what the science has told us…

Intan: We definitely need to keep listening to science. What we’ve been projecting for years has been confirmed again and again. Back when I was in school, we heard about the oceans warming up along with the climate, and then we heard about the oceans becoming more acidic, and perhaps even lowering in oxygen levels. Then we saw the data confirm all of that.

Most people only seem to think that it’s only a plastic issue, when in fact, it’s about a lot more than that. I think we need to start talking more among each other about what we’re witnessing right now, and perhaps even admit to the fact that we’re responsible for these changes.

Paul: I fully agree. The numbers don’t lie, and what we’ve been doing to this planet is really tangible. If we’ve gotten ourselves to this point, it’s on us to make the right changes and try to reverse the effects so that our planet can be a better place than it is right now.

On just how much our current habits actually impact the environment today…

Intan: The issues surrounding plastic use has been known to us for a long time. There were issues before the pandemic, and there are even more problems right now.

Now the problem is that we’re stuck at home, and we’ve been forced to buy things online. For example, even before COVID-19 started, it was estimated that 59 percent of incoming shipments into Jakarta Bay consisted of plastic.

And then the pandemic comes, and you start seeing pictures of things like masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) just laying around. All this is in addition to our changed shopping habits, where people have been making more essential purchases through e-commerce – groceries, electronics, medicine.

Our corresponding data shows that 96 percent of e-commerce packages contain plastic, and it’s things like bubble wrap, cling film, and cable ties.

On changing mindsets and relying on tech to save us..

Paul: We need everyone to play their part. Sure, we have tech – like automated ocean garbage trawlers – that allows us to more efficiently clean up the oceans and the rest of the environment. But that’s not the point.

Yes, we can rely on such things, but the main idea is that we ourselves should stop contributing to the waste and pollution that’s harming our planet. We don’t want to keep adding to the endpoint. We should instead go back to the start by backtracking and looking inland – where our garbage starts collecting and ends up moving to the rivers and oceans.

It’s all caused by things such as consumerism, lack of efficient waste management, and industry. It’s a collective effort, and we need to start more dialogues where we can share and learn from each other on how to be better, and steps we can take to actually make a difference.

I don’t think being 100 percent sustainable is realistic in this day and age, but there are many things we can be better at in our individual lives.

On the best ways to educate and get the message through...

Paul: We need to lead by example. Not just talking the talk, but also walking it. We need to actually go out there and do things to show others that actionable change is possible. We need to show them that “I’m trying, and if I can, so can you.”

People can make change at different levels and paces. Even I’m learning and still trying new things. None of us can claim to be perfect examples of sustainable people, but it’s all about what we can offset with positive actions and reduce daily that ends up becoming significant.

Trying to go out there and educate is one thing, but doing it and showing it’s possible is also extremely important.

On how both of them do their part…

Intan: I’ve been personally focusing on my daily routine to see where I can lower my footprint, and not so much trying to follow “sexy” trends. In my example, my daily beverage consumption was a problem. When I was in Singapore, I was drinking lots of bubble tea, and it was really bad because of all the plastic used.

So I eventually switched to coffee to become a bit more sustainable. But then I also figured I wanted to do more, and started planting my own coffee. I learned on YouTube on how to plant, grind, and prepare my own coffee, and it’s now part of what I do to reduce my plastic use everyday.

Also being a woman, I’ve moved on to using more environmentally-friendly feminine products every month. There are many options that don’t involve plastics. There are menstrual cups and even pads that don’t contain plastic, which you can use.

Paul: I personally plant trees to offset carbon emissions from my car, I actively recycle and compost at home. I also do my best to limit my plastic use, and I’m also super conscious about where I shop from

Also, go with reusable cups! It’s a simple move, but you end up preventing so much plastic from being used and wasted!

Intan: My advice to people moving forward is to be more aware of the purchases you make, and to choose plastics that are considered recyclable at the very least.

Also, another way to go about things is to support vendors that actively do their best to reduce plastic waste. If they aren’t doing that, ask them why not? It’s good to get people thinking about such initiatives.

You could also buy things in bulk, and buy locally, or at least closer to where we live. Doing these things are small steps, but could potentially add up to have a huge impact.

At the end of the day, it all goes back to everyone’s choices.

Paul: I agree with Intan. Do whatever can work realistically in your lifestyle!

Get clued in even more.

National Geographic's Planet Possible Day will take place virtually on October 24, 2021, and will feature Intan and Paul alongside other other prominent personalities from around the Southeast Asia region to talk about topics ranging from food (Jon Cybulski and Gaggan Anand), to arts and fashion (Hannah Reyes Morales and Chitra Subyakto), and of course, the absolute frontlines of climate change activism (Gab Mejia and Antoinette Taus).

On the day, viewers can tune in to National Geographic Asia's official Facebook page at 6 p.m. (SGT) / 5 p.m. (BKK/JKT) to catch all talks from the above, as well as witness special performances by singer-songwriters Inch Chua (Singapore), Moira Dela Torre (Philippines), and Ben & Ben (Philippines).

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Cover image sourced from LIPI, #TOGETHERBAND, and National Geographic Asia.