Malaysian Government Should Instil Public Awareness Of Global Warming

Bernama 26 Mar 09;

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- The government should create greater public awareness of environmental issues and to provide better public transport to address the threat of global warming.

Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (CETDEM) chairman Gurmit Singh said the public could help protect the environment by using public transport and this would definitely reduce carbon emissions compared with driving their personal cars.

"The government can promote the use of public transport using the same concept in its campaign to use electricity economically so as to avoid energy wastage," he said at the Climate Change Forum, here, Thursday.

The forum was organised by the British High Commission in collaboration with the Chevening Alumni of Malaysia.

Gurmit said high carbon gas emissions were not due to electricity usage but fuel consumption.

"Our studies have shown that if consumers use public transport instead of personal transport, it will cut down carbon emissions by about one quarter," he said.

Apart from that, he said, the public and private sectors should show continuous commitment to preserving and protecting the environment by conducting more research and development on climate change.

"Currently, there is not enough support in creating environmental awareness from the two sectors to ensure Malaysia does not contribute to high carbon gas emissions," he added.

-- BERNAMA