Hazlinda Hamzah Bernama 11 Aug 10;
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Concern for the environment are growing among Malaysians today and conserving the 'green' appears to be the concern from among the people including those in the government and private sectors.
Matthias Gelber, awarded the world's greenest man on earth in 2008 for his environmental conservation efforts worldwide, has made the challenge to empower people to protect and conserve the environment as a way of life.
Recently, Bernama was fortunate enough 'to catch' Gelber on one of his trips to Malaysia.
His travelling schedules are always tight but very systematically arranged.
According to Gelber, this is to prevent unnecessary and excessive emissions of carbon during the educational routes that he involves himself with.
A 'GREEN' CHILDHOOD IN GERMANY
"I have been green since my childhood days, grew up on a farm in Germany.
We planted our own potatoes, fruits and vegetables," Gelber said proudly.
"(However) We must work harder to reduce carbon emissions throughout the world. Currently, it is 7.0 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted per inhabitant in Malaysia.
"Growth rate is aggressively on the rise and so is the meter reading on carbon emission per capita in Malaysia.
Although Malaysia is still not a fully developed country, the gap is definitely getting smaller now," he said.
He said deforestation is becoming a problem.
The industries coming in are more and more emission intense, some without the necessary standards and in fact, no benefit to mother nature.
THE GREEN LIFESTYLE
The world's greenest man does not possess his own vehicle and he actually uses very little air conditioning and electricity.
"My condominium in Malaysia, is very healthy. I open my windows to let the air flow through my unit. Of course the rain can pose a hazard occasionally, but that doesn't trouble me too much," he said.
Gelber who contributes to various regional initiatives and programmes has some tips for Malaysians intending to change their lifestyle, turning that environmental dial to a greener shade and eventually reducing the CO2 emission scale.
He said the simplest way for the people to conserve a green earth is to be conscious of what they do daily, including the equipment they use and how they can reduce carbon emissions on a regular basis.
"The monetary system which measures the utility bills one pays each month can be likened to the micro carbon emission meter.
Firstly, by creating awareness towards one's electricity consumption both at home and in the office. Next, the discipline towards controlling and the ability to influence the use of less green things in daily living, he said.
GREEN INVESTMENTS
According to Gelber, Malaysia is the world's number two country with plenty of peat swarm land or forests.
"These forests suck up a lot of carbon, up to 10 times more than the normal forests. By investing in efforts to protect these lands with new plants and replanting of trees, the people will positively contribute to the conservation of the environment, ensuring its sustainability," he said.
Gelber said this would prevent extreme exploitation of the natural resources besides generating wealth and values in the society. This is crucial in controlling the emission of CO2 which can certainly bring destruction to Earth and her inhabitants.
"Malaysia can also plan towards this method of planting the forests," Gelber made a suggestion.
He also said talks on green and the importance of environment to the younger generation is certainly an effective method to disseminate the latest information to the young targets.
Gelber believes that the level of enforcement in this country still has room for improvement especially in curbing excessive pollution and exploitation of mother earth.
"Enforcement measures must be stepped up. Pollution traced from source at its early stage and clamping it quick would be less a burden for the people and the country.", he said.
COLLECTIVE EFFORT
Efforts emphasizing on greening the environment should sprout from the ground.
"Awareness springing from the people in this manner would surely get the attention of those higher up including the politicians and motivate them to join in to do their bit.
"Going Green is the in thing and putting it into practise with the right allocation in budgets is a noble thing any government can and should be doing.
These efforts include the implementation of the Green Building Index, the clamping of illegal loggers and all other activities that contribute to the environment", he added.
-- BERNAMA
