What do you think are the biggest challenges for young people today when it comes to climate change?
I think there's a strong sense of urgency as the youth today will bear the long-term consequences of climate change, so the pressure to make a difference can be quite daunting. This is especially true as a lot of young people’s minds are set that their individual actions will not make a difference. This sense of powerlessness is a big issue. In general, there should be more education and awareness about climate change as this awareness may help the youth grasp the severity of the problem and inspire real change. Another big challenge for the youth and students is seeing resistance or lack of understanding from older generations or political leaders. Overcoming this resistance and having our voices heard may be a struggle, but it is essential for driving real change.
Tell us about your work with Enactus Society?
Enactus, of which I am president, is essentially a global non-profit organisation that connects students and business leaders to work on entrepreneurial projects that create positive social and environmental impact. It empowers students to use their business skills and innovative ideas to address pressing societal challenges and make a difference in their communities. It involves different projects aiming to create sustainable, lasting change through entrepreneurial action and business innovation that creates social impact to achieve the UN Global Goals. Leading a society with such passion for positive change has been so meaningful.
Has sustainability and climate action always been something you’ve been passionate about?
While my involvement with Enactus began recently, my interest in these areas has been a long-standing commitment. I've always been passionate about positively impacting the environment and society. This drive was sparked by various experiences, including leading the Sustainability Club in high school, founding the P+Equality Foundation to address food poverty in multiple Southeast Asian countries, and being Vice President of the Action Against Homelessness Society at UCL last year. These experiences, along with my other roles in student organisations, have shaped my dedication to creating meaningful change and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.
What have you learnt about yourself through being a part of Enactus?
I've discovered that I have a deep passion for social and environmental impact and am committed to making a positive difference in the world.
Being part of Enactus has also helped me develop my leadership and teamwork skills, as I've had the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share my values and vision for positive change.
It’s reinforced my belief in the power of entrepreneurship and innovation as tools for addressing pressing societal challenges.
Why is it important for you to inspire other students to be interested and involved in climate action?
Because we're the ones who will have to deal with the consequences of today's environmental challenges. It's not just a responsibility, but a genuine concern I have for our future. The decisions we make and the actions we take now will shape the world we live in and affect the wellbeing of generations to come. I want to be part of a larger movement working towards positive change and ensuring a sustainable future for all of us.
By motivating and mobilising students, we can make a bigger impact and create the sense of urgency required to effectively address climate issues.
I hope Enactus can inspire other students to do this.
Do you see yourself as a leader in this field?
I see myself as someone who is passionate about climate action and change, and I aspire to be a leader in this field. While I believe the work I have done in the past and the work I am currently doing is making a positive impact and inspiring others to take action on climate issues, I believe I can always be doing more.
Who inspires you?
In the field of climate action and change, two individuals really inspire me: Jane Fonda and Kate Raworth. Jane Fonda's unwavering passion for environmental causes and her willingness to stand up for what she believes in through initiatives like Fire Drill Fridays are incredibly motivating. She's used her celebrity status to shine a spotlight on the pressing need for climate action, and her activism has made a real impact by raising awareness and rallying support for addressing the climate crisis. Kate Raworth, on the other hand, is an economist who has developed the innovative Doughnut Economics framework. This approach fuses social and environmental concerns to create a more sustainable and equitable economic model. Her work challenges conventional economic thinking and pushes for a transition to a more regenerative and fair economy that respects our planet's limits. Both Jane Fonda and Kate Raworth are powerful examples of how individual commitment and creative ideas can make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change.
Finally, could you tell us about any campaigns or projects you’ve been involved in so far with Enactus? Do you feel you have made an impact?
We have four main projects as part of Enactus UCL:
Project 1: Aquanamos. Aquanamos aims to improve emergency response for flooding victims by developing an Autonomous Amphibious Rescue Vehicle (AARV). The vehicle is designed to provide rapid assistance to vulnerable communities during natural disasters, minimizing the loss of life and economic damage. The project is currently in the process of designing a working model and aims to have a functional scaled-down AARV by 2024. The goal is to enter the 2024 James Dyson Award and establish connections with charities and local governments in target regions.
Project 2: Luna. The Luna project focuses on creating a website that offers information about safe menstrual practices and provides advice from reputable health services. This initiative also addresses period poverty and sustainable period practices, targeting young women with a lack of education in this area. The project involves regular social media posting of infographics on the topic, educational workshops for organizations, and fundraising for period poverty charities. The team has finalised its main objectives for the year, begun marketing efforts, and plans to develop a personalised website and sustainable pad prototype.
Project 3: TravelEco. TravelEco is an app that encourages sustainable traveling and spending. It rewards users who reduce their carbon footprint while traveling, and the earned rewards can be spent at discounts on green products. The project has been in development for approximately 1.5 to 2 years and is near completion. The current progress involves approaching businesses to use the app and drafting contracts with corporate partners and greenery reward providers. The plan for this academic year includes launching the app with a 3-month trial for corporate partners and gathering statistics on carbon reduction and sustainability activity.
Project 4: TutorMe. TutorMe is a student-led volunteering project supported by Enactus UK. It connects UCL students with GCSE and A-Level pupils from UK schools and charities for online tutoring. The project aims to bridge the educational attainment gap for disadvantaged groups. TutorMe has secured $5000 from the Ford Pitch competition and plans to implement a tutor reward scheme, set up an online tutoring platform via a website and app, and have 20 tutors teaching pupils in subjects like GCSE maths, English, or science.
Some of these projects have been ongoing and some are new and have made notable progress, such as securing funding, and preparing for business partnerships. The initiatives reflect a strong commitment to addressing various societal challenges, from emergency response to education and sustainability, and aim to make a meaningful impact in their respective domains.