In celebration of Global Earth Day 2025, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted an exciting event on its beautiful tropical campus. Flextronics Port of Tanjung Pelepas (Flex PTP), in strong collaboration with UTM Geotourism and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), organized the Flex Global Program Earth Day Challenge 2025. The event was honored by the presence of UTM’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development), Professor Ts. Dr. Edy Tonnizam Mohamad, and the General Manager of Flex PTP, Lim Lian Chong. Over 200 enthusiastic participants from Flex PTP took part in the Global Earth Challenge.
In his welcoming speech, Professor Ts. Dr. Edy Tonnizam warmly engaged with the participants, highlighting several iconic landmarks that reflect the pride and heritage of UTM, particularly under the UTM Geotourism initiative.
After a brief warm-up session, the Earth Day Challenge officially commenced. A small group of cyclists, led by UTM’s marshal, began their descent from Balai Cerap UTM. Simultaneously, over one hundred participants, accompanied by three marshals from UTM, embarked on a jungle trekking adventure. They made their way down from Balai Cerap UTM, navigating both off-road and on-road routes to Hutan Rekreasi 1 UTM, while taking the time to appreciate the surrounding nature.
The rest of the participants traveled by bus to Tasik Ilmu UTM, the main landmark at the entrance of the Tropical Campus, for a kayaking activity. While paddling around the scenic Tasik Ilmu, which covers an area of 13,700 square meters, participants enjoyed the beautiful views.
After kayaking, the group moved on to the next activity: vegetable planting. This wholesome experience involved the trainer providing participants with kits for both organic and non-organic vegetable planting. The trainer explained the pros and cons of each technique and estimated when the saplings would begin to bear fruit from the participants’ efforts.
Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, serves as a focal point for efforts to save the planet. This year’s theme, “Our Planet, Our Power,” aims to triple renewable energy generation by 2030. The celebration is a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to protect the environment.
India, for instance, has the capacity to produce 452.69 gigawatts of electricity, with 46.3 percent currently coming from renewable sources. Solar power is the largest contributor, with 90.76 GW, while wind power contributes 47.36 GW. The government is actively promoting solar parks and ultra-mega projects, targeting a capacity of 40,000 megawatts.
Moreover, the focus is not only on generating renewable energy but also on sustainability. After about 30 years, solar panels degrade and require replacement. India has introduced rules to ensure proper management and recycling of old panels, aiming to recycle 80 percent of them by 2028-29. Similarly, up to 94 percent of wind turbines can be recycled, including valuable materials such as steel, aluminum, and copper.
As the global shift towards renewable energy accelerates, countries like the United States aim to meet their energy needs through renewables by 2035. The collective movement towards clean energy transcends ideological boundaries and links countries together.
On this Earth Day, various activities are organized worldwide, including tree plantation drives, clean-up campaigns, educational sessions, and climate marches. These initiatives are crucial in raising awareness and promoting sustainable living.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, initiated by Senator Gaylord Nelson and environmental activist Denis Hayes. Over 20 million Americans participated in rallies and protests demanding clean air and water. This monumental event led to significant legislative changes, including the Clean Air Act and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA.
As we approach Earth Day 2025, the importance of individual actions cannot be overstated. Every small step taken towards sustainability contributes to a greater impact on a global scale. The theme “Our Planet, Our Power” encourages everyone to make eco-friendly choices, reduce waste, and plant trees.
In this spirit, Antonique Smith, a renowned American actress and environmentalist, has been named the official ambassador for World Earth Day 2025. She is known not only for her acting career but also for her commitment to environmental causes, having co-founded the organization Climate Revival.
As we reflect on our relationship with the Earth, let us remember the words of Carl Sagan: “Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us.” Each of us has a role to play in preserving our planet for future generations. This Earth Day, let’s commit to being good stewards of the Earth we inherited.
In conclusion, the Earth Day Challenge at UTM exemplifies the spirit of community and collaboration in environmental efforts. As we celebrate Earth Day 2025, let’s embrace the theme “Our Planet, Our Power” and take actionable steps towards a sustainable future.
