KUALA LUMPUR: She was only 10 years old when she set up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to help reduce global warming and conserve the environment.

Now 15, Indonesian lass Adeline Tiffanie Suwana hopes to spread her green message to motivate youths in Malaysia and all over the world to protect nature.

“With our small hands, we can make a difference. I hope to reach out to youths worldwide so we can contribute our ideas on how to conserve the environment,” she said.

Well done: Chin presenting the Golden Green Award to Adeline at a hotel in Seri Kembangan Sunday.

Her efforts to encourage youths to protect the environment through her “Sahabat Alam” movement earned Adeline, from Jakarta, the coveted grand prize of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Golden Green Award 2011.

She received the award and a cash prize of US$6,000 (RM18,045) at the event organised by MCCC and the Asean Academy of Engineering and Technology at a hotel in Seri Kembangan, near here, yesterday.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin, who presented the award, said he was impressed with the teenager's role in protecting the environment and invited her to speak at the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference next year. She has accepted the invite.

Asked what inspired her to set up Sahabat Alam, Adeline said it was out of being curious about the seasonal floods that occurred in her hometown.

“At first, I was happy because I didn't have to go to school. But I later learnt about global warming and the adverse effects of climate change.

“So, I thought about how I could make things better,” added the second of three sisters.

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