Malaysia and global warming

When Global Warming Comes Calling
Melati Mohd Ariff Bernama 16 Jun 10;

This six-part articles dwells on several environmental issues namely global warming, water vitality, ecosystems, biodiversity and Green Economy. This is the first of the six-part series.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (BERNAMA) -- The global warming is one of the most critical environmental threats of the 21st century.

However, climate change is here to stay and the earth will naturally adapt to the change.

S. Piarapakaran, a vocal environmental activist explained, the Earth in fact has been exposed to climate change all this while but it was in a slow pace that allowed the earth's inhabitants to adapt to the changes.

The current fast rate of change however does not give ample time to both humans and other beings to adapt to the new climatic pattern.

The current problem was somewhat hastened when the Industrial Revolution that took the world by storm in the early 19th century with major transformations in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and transport.

The accelerated growth of human activities ever since has significantly contributed to the greenhouse gases that trapped heat within the atmosphere.

MALAYSIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change in Malaysia reportedly would manifest in several ways, namely extreme drought, extreme flooding, rise in sea level and erosion in coastal areas.

Already in terms of temperature increase, the analysis made on Malaysia's temperature has been consistent with the global warming trend.

On average, the country's temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius over the last 50 years.

Piarapakaran, who is also the Senior Manager of Environment, Energy & Water of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca), added that the country's climate change would contribute to freak weather conditions like typhoon and high-speed wind.

This is already being observed here in small scale or as isolated incidents.

MORE FLOODS

Meanwhile, Anthony Tan, the Executive Director of Centre for Environment, Technology and Development (Cetdem) recalled the 2007 massive floods that hit Johor, Penang and Melaka.

"The last major flood in Melaka was in 1971, I was in standard one then. In the 2007 flood, one of the inundated areas was Melaka Sentral, which used to be a paddy field.

"Was the flood due to global warming or one of those freak events? Some blame it on the changing of the monsoons or inter-monsoon period," he said.

Tan also pointed out that there is no clear-cut rain and dry period in Malaysia these days.

As far as he is concerned, all these are an indication of climate change.

POLICIES TO NEGATE CLIMATE CHANGE

Tan who regards himself as a practical environmentalist took note of the Malaysian government's concern over the climate change issues.

"The prime minister has made a pledge at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen last year to reduce our carbon emission by 40 per cent.

"Now how do we translate this into a government policy, how the industry and business are going to react and how a person on the street will also want to participate in that?" he asked.

What is deemed important now is for the government to work hand in hand with non-governmental organisations such as Cetdem in establishing more concrete programmes.

"It is not just about bringing awareness but also showing people what are the practical actions they can take to stop climate change," he said.

Tan said he learnt that the Government is coming up with a policy on climate change.

"This policy is a good start. It should be comprehensive. It should not be one ministry taking the lead but should be across all ministries," said Tan.

CHANGING VIEWS

Even the Malaysian public's perception on climate change has improved compared with the early part of the millennium.

Tan said in those days it was quite difficult to get even 50 people to attend talks on climate change but the general public are now starting to appreciate this whole issue of climate change.

"Each time I give a public talk I can see the surprise in the faces of the participants. Only then they realise that what they have been doing actually contributed to climate change.

"One of the things that I pointed out to them is that for every one kilowatt hour of electricity that they use, the power station has released carbon dioxide that is equivalent to one kilogram.

"Every one liter of diesel or fuel that you use, you release two and a half kilogram of carbon dioxide. So lets say you pump in 200 liters per month, you are actually contributing to 500 kilograms of carbon dioxide," said Tan.

"If fuel is the highest contributor of green house gas, then shouldn't we be looking at reducing our private car use and switch to public transport?" asked Tan.

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

As for Piarapakaran, who is also the Secretary General of the Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (WECAM), sustainable consumption and production (SCP) should be considered as part of the solution to adapt to the climate change.

According to him, most of the manufacturing processes in Malaysia involved the linear process - extract, process, manufacture, consume and dispose.

"This is not a sustainable way of utilising any resources. It also means we will consume and finish all resources without preserving it or even replenishing it.

"A sustainable process involves a cycle and it involves material reduction, optimisation, reusing and recycling and finally recovery of waste.

"These simple initiatives can help reduce dependency on raw material straight from the environment," he stressed.

As global warming descends upon the earth, Malaysians indeed have to learn to be climate friendly.

We need not go far, we just have to learn from our ancestors. They have lived their life in moderation and in sustainable manner. They have also learnt to live with the nature.

"We are not asking Malaysians to opt for tree houses or even live in caves. We are talking about simple change in behaviour. We are talking about caring more for the environment we live in by doing simple things like reducing energy usage by being energy efficient as one of them.

"Practicing the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles in waste management, buying only what we need, using more public transport or car pooling, rainwater harvesting and many more simple things.

"By doing simple things, 28 million Malaysians definitely can make a difference. I believe in them. I believe Malaysia Boleh!" said Piarapakaran.

-- BERNAMA