Bali is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches, lush forests, and unique culture. However, the island is facing several environmental challenges that threaten its natural beauty and cultural heritage. While it may be easy to feel helpless in the face of these complex problems, there is a new hope, and it’s called The Punch Communtiy!
The Punch is a community of like minded businesses brought together to harness the power of the collective response that can make a significant impact in addressing Bali’s environmental issues.
On Wednesday 5th of April, I joined with reclaimed wood specialist “Kaltimber” to meet this amazing group for their 2023 Sustainability Gala and talked about positive change happening in Bali. A change very much needed as the island is struggling to keep up with the changes happening within its society and the massive influx of tourism.
Bali, a paradise under threats
One of the biggest environmental issues in Bali is waste management. The island generates a large amount of waste, much of which ends up in landfills or the ocean. According to the Bali Environmental Agency, the island produces around 3,000 tons of waste per day, and only 60% of this waste is managed properly. The rest of the waste is either burned, dumped in rivers or beaches, or left on the streets.
As Gary Bencheghib, Sungai Watch founder and panel speaker at the event said, “it is a never ending struggle of keeping up with the realisation that we are destroying our planet quicker than we can fix it”.
Another significant environmental issue highlighted during The Punch event was Bali’s water crisis. As Sayan Gulino, CEO of Waterbom Bali, Asia’s most sustainable waterpark talked about, groundwater reserves are being depleted at an alarming rate due to over-extraction, and this is causing a range of problems, including saltwater intrusion and land subsidence.
Additionally, the island’s rivers and beaches are contaminated with sewage and other pollutants, which can harm marine life and make the water unsafe for swimming.
Deforestation is also a major environmental issue in Bali. The island has lost significant areas of forest over the years due to logging, land clearance for agriculture, and development. This has led to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased susceptibility to natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
Finally, Bali is facing the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and coral bleaching. These changes are threatening the island’s coastal communities, economy, and tourism industry.
Punch it! Let’s do it together!
In response to these environmental challenges, The Punch was brought up. Along with the Balinese government, NGOs, and local communities, The Punch’s business community mission is taking action to promote sustainable development and protect the island’s natural resources. Initiatives from members include river cleanups, sustainable construction, recycling programs, sustainable tourism practices and many more! However, much more needs to be done to ensure that Bali’s natural beauty and cultural heritage are preserved for future generations.
One of the most significant benefits of collective action is the ability to pool resources. When individuals work together towards a common goal, they can combine their skills, knowledge, and resources to achieve a greater impact. But as Eco Mantra’s CTO Maitri Fischer mentioned, “sustainability is a term that has been thrown around a lot to the point it’s lost respect”. That’s why by being part of The Punch community, we can ensure that respect to sustainable values is done right.
Together, we can!
Collective action can also create a sense of solidarity and empowerment. When people come together to work towards a common goal, they can feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
This sense of community was fully present at the sustainability gala as we were all inspired by every speaker’s answers to questions to continue taking action, even in the face of challenges.
Another benefit of collective action is the ability to amplify voices. When many people speak out about an issue, their voices become more difficult to ignore. This can be particularly effective in influencing policy decisions.
Finally, collective action can help to create systemic change. While individual actions are important, they can only do so much. To truly address environmental issues, we need systemic change. Collective action can help to create the necessary political and social pressure to bring about this change by starting with ourselves as a business.
In conclusion, the power of collective response like The Punch Community is undeniable when it comes to addressing environmental issues. By working together, individuals can pool their resources, amplify their voices, create systemic change, and ultimately make a difference. While the challenges we face are significant, we must remember that we are not alone in this fight. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.
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