Caecilia Ega Sanjaya, a student from the International Relations program at the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), secured a top position in an international competition organized by the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) at Osaka University on Sep. 14, 2024.
The competition, themed “Technical Ideas on Climate Change and Sustainability,” focused on various topics such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, access to clean water, health, and emission-free supply chains.
From 20 ideas submitted by participants from different countries, Caecilia made it into the top 10 finalists, who presented their ideas before an international panel of judges.
Her innovation, “2-12-2 Movement: Way to Save the Water,” which offers practical solutions for saving water during showers, especially in communities with limited access to clean water, caught the judges’ attention.
Caecilia explained that the inspiration for her idea came from her elementary school days.
“I once discussed excessive water use with my mentor while showering with a dipper. We thought about ways to reduce water consumption while maintaining cleanliness. The idea of the 2-12-2 structure emerged from that discussion, which organizes water usage efficiently,” explained Caecilia on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
The “2-12-2 Movement” focuses on a water-saving method for bathing. In this method, water is used in a measured way to reduce consumption by up to 21 liters per shower session, which is below the average.
“This movement can be widely applied, especially in areas with limited access to clean water,” she explained.
During her presentation, Caecilia emphasized that besides having a positive environmental impact, the “2-12-2 Movement” could also reduce household water costs, providing a simple yet effective solution for maintaining personal hygiene.
“This innovation is eco-friendly and economically beneficial for families by significantly reducing water costs. The community can easily adopt the movement through education and active participation,” Caecilia highlighted in her presentation.
Before the main competition, participants attended the Hamadohri School and Climate Change Initiative Workshop 2024 from Sep. 9 to 13 in Fukushima, Japan.
This workshop provided around 150 participants with insights into the environmental and social impacts of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Japan and the importance of sustainable innovations in addressing climate change.
Caecilia hopes the “2-12-2 Movement” can be implemented more broadly through collaboration with local leaders, schools, and community organizations.
She also plans to expand the movement by raising awareness about the importance of water conservation, especially in regions vulnerable to water shortages.
Her victory in this competition reflects Caecilia’s academic achievement and commitment to sustainability and practical innovations that can be applied in everyday life.
The competition served as a vital platform for participants to collaborate, share innovative ideas, and offer real solutions to global challenges like climate change.
The “2-12-2 Movement” is a prime example of how simple solutions can significantly impact the environment and people’s quality of life.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson