Southeast Asia is a land of wondrous nature. Each living creature on land and sea carries out its function, forming an interconnected and interdependent ecosystem. Unfortunately, much of our environment is oppressed to fulfill human desires.
For instance, deforestation claims 1.2% of forests annually in Southeast Asia, one of the highest rates in the world. Southeast Asia itself is home to nearly 15% of the world's tropical forests.
This issue leads to another crisis such as a decline the wildlife populations, driven by threats such as illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss due to urbanization, rising pollution, and climate change. Not stopping there, plastic waste also became another crisis we have to face.
Luckily, these women in Southeast Asia have chosen to take action to save our environment. Their work may start with small efforts, but their fighting spirit rises and even inspires others to help make the environment better for future generations.
Just like a tree that grows its roots to build a strong foundation, some of these women establish foundations or organizations to make a greater impact to preserve the environment. Who are these women? Have their actions truly made a positive impact on our environment?
Read also: Meet This Southeast Asian Minister Who Matters Most to the Environment
Swietenia Puspa Lestari, Indonesia
Source: TEDx Talks Youtube Channel
Swietenia Puspa Lestari, also known as Tenia, is the founder of Divers Clean Action (DCA). Her journey began when she accompanied her father to work on one of the Thousand Islands, Pramuka Island. Initially persuaded by her father, the 29-year-old Tenia soon made diving a part of her life.
One day, while diving, she discovered the sea full of trash. This motivated her to routinely pick up trash from the ocean, especially plastic waste. Over time, DCA gradually grew, and now more than 1,000 volunteers across Indonesia help clean up trash from the sea, at depths ranging from 5 to 16 meters.
In addition to this, she also educates coastal residents on sorting plastic waste, initiated an anti-plastic drinking straw campaign in Indonesia, and convinced around 700 restaurants to reduce the use of single-use straws. She also collaborates with universities, governments, and industries on various research projects. Her remarkable efforts gained global recognition, earning a spot on the BBC’s 100 Women list of inspiring and influential figures in 2019 and Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020 as a social entrepreneur.
Read also: The 12 Most Incredible Underwater Environments On Earth
Trang Nguyen, Vietnam
Working to end illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam and Internationally, Trang Nguyen began her ambition to monitor the international wildlife trade. Her ambition started at a young age after witnessing the extraction of bile from a live bear for Traditional Asian Medicine.
In 2012, she founded Wildlife Action Center (WildAct Vietnam or WildAct), a nonprofit aimed at engaging young Vietnamese in wildlife conservation. While researching and monitoring markets for illegal wildlife products, Trang is also a writer, recognized for her book Trở Về Nơi Hoang Dã (Back to the Wilderness) and the graphic novel Hoang Dã–Gấu (Chang is Wild about Bears).
One of her interesting achievements was being featured as a character in an online game to raise awareness about rhino conservation in 2013. Remarkably, within two weeks of its launch, the game attracted over 3 million players.
In 2018, Trang and her WildAct team organized the first master's course on Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade in collaboration with the University of Vinh. This course was designed for Vietnamese students and early-career conservationists, also the organization provide scholarships to exceptional students to support their research.
That same year, Trang received the Future for Nature Award, becoming the first Vietnamese woman to win the honor. She was also named among the world's most influential women by the BBC in 2019 and recognized in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2020
Ann Dumaliang, Philippine
Source: Facebook/@masungigeoreserve
The mountains of the Philippines serve as Dumaliang’s natural office, specifically the Masungi Georeserve, a conservation area and ecotourism destination located in the province of Rizal, Philippines.
Ann Adeline Dumaliang’s role as a conservationist and geotourism advocate with the Masungi Foundation involves managing the preservation of the 60-million-year-old limestone formations of the Masungi Georeserve and its larger watershed, which serves as the last protective shield for Metro Manila against flash floods, typhoons, and climate change.
To protect the Masungi Dumaliang has stopped illegal logging, quarrying, and other activities that are considered as a threat to the area. Her remarkable in creating Masungi Georeservevre into an ecotourism destination has had a significant impact to educating visitors about the importance of conservation and raising awareness about protecting the environment. In addition, local communities are actively involved as stakeholders in the ecotourism initiative
Dumaliang's work has demonstrated that sustainable practices can have a positive and lasting impact on the local community and even the world. She has been invited as an international speaker at various forums, including the World Economic Forum, COP Climate Change Conferences, and the Skoll World Forum. In 2021, her efforts were recognized with the Vanity Fair “Changing Your Mind Travel Awards”.
