ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN

PAGE 1 ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN EXPLORATION

SDG 13: Climate Change and
Pollution has reached a

Tipping Point for Mankind

WRITTEN BY MUHAMAD FARIS AMZAR BIN MOHD FADZLI
AND NUR SYAHIDAH BINTI HASHIM
5 MAJU SMKBBS

Climate change is a transformation in climate Excessive human intervention aggravates the
patterns that may take decades or centuries. The two situation and directly effects people, their places
main causes of climate changes are natural causes and their livelihood. Thus, adaptation to disaster
and human activities. Volcanic eruptions, ocean risk reduction and climate change must
current, the earth’s orbital changes and solar immediately be given priority as a major agenda in
variation are part of natural causes. development planning.

The volcanoes, for example, when they erupt, Meanwhile, many critical chemical pollutions
extreme amounts of sulphur dioxide (SO2), water were reported in the media globally, for instance,
vapour, dust, and ash are spewed into the the release of dioxin in a manufacturing plant in
atmosphere, causing a cooling effect on the earth. Seveso, Italy in 1976 where about a thousand
Unfortunately, the mass extinction of plants and people were affected (Wikipedia).
animal species like dinosaurs was because of a
large-scale natural disaster. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
in Japan was the most alarming nuclear accident
Natural resources are massively used for since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Some
consumption, industries, construction and 154,000 residents were evacuated due to the
transport. Sadly, these have contributed greatly to radioactive contamination. The plant will take 30
the increase of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as to 40 years more on intensive clean-up programs
methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere that (Wikipedia).
impacts the climate eventually.
Similarly, in Malaysia, one of the largest
Malaysia equally experienced several extreme chemical pollutions took place in Pasir Gudang,
weather and climate events ranging from where 250 chemical-based industries are located.
thunderstorms to monsoonal floods, in the past Two chemical pollution incidents were reported in
years. sequence.

PAGE 2 ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN EXPLORATION

The main objections came from economic,
political, environmental and welfare backgrounds
as they believe the projects will cause destruction
to the environment disrupt the fisheries sector and
the livelihood of people.

The authorities once again have failed to control
greedy real estate companies that harvest short-
term profits while causing a detrimental effect on
B40 fishermen folks.

Number of school children affected by Sungai Kim Kim Sketch of man-made island expectations design in South
incident in March 2019. (These statistics refer to case studies Penang. Graphics via The Star Graphics.
conducted by an environmental epidemiology team [*1].)
Malaysia is known as the fourth largest emitter
The first incident occurred in March 2019 when of GHGs in ASEAN. For that reason, Malaysia
chemical waste was illegally dumped into Sungai has introduced measures to develop new cities into
Kim Kim. Meanwhile, the second incident was carbon-neutral cities and acquire more
reported in June 2019 at Pasir Gudang Industrial environmentally-friendly government assets. In
Park. general, Malaysia has adopted precautionary
principles along with actions to mitigate climate
Two sea reclamation projects have received change.
public outcry. The first project is the South Penang
Sea Reclamation Project which is said to be a The Regent of Pahang has urged the State
catalyst to foreign investment and to create high- Government to increase its efforts on the
level employment opportunities. environmental issues in the Permanent Forest
Reserve area, so as, Pahang remains significant as
The second, Kuala Nerus coastal development a "green lung" to the State Green Border initiative
project, Sunrise City was approved by the State covering an area of 54,350 hectares that are
Exco Meeting which according to the developer gazetted from any illegal hunting activities.
aims to boost the economy and reduce congestion
in Kuala Terengganu.

The Kuala Nerus Member of Parliament stated
that the project required a very thorough study of
the socio-economic impact and the State
Government did not agree to proceed with the
project (Khairuddin via Facebook, 2021).

PAGE 3 ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN EXPLORATION

The state government was ordered to intensify In 2020, the new Federal Government renamed
efforts to increase areas of healthy forests, the environment ministry portfolio as the Ministry
maintain forests as a carbon sink, rehabilitate, of Environment and Water (KASA) without a
preserve and conserve all its natural environments. climate change portfolio.

The initiative was proposed after the issue of KASA has launched the National River Trail
mining in Tasik Chini, a UNESCO Biosphere Program to control river pollution, introduced an
reserve site and a gazetted state park area went Environmental Sustainability Plan, set up a special
viral among the public that the mining concession company, Central Water Reclamation Sdn Bhd to
was managed by the royal family. restore water use, and launched a Low Carbon
Urban Catalyst Grant to strengthen low carbon
In 2019, the portfolio of the ministry of urban initiatives.
environment was renamed the Ministry of Energy,
Science, Technology, Environment and Climate As a non-governmental organization, YTL
Change (MESTECC). Cement BUILDS is implementing the Langkawi
Biodiversity Conservation Initiative. Their main
This Ministry has introduced three new national pillar is to preserve the caves there and their
policies against open burning, haze, and single-use surroundings as part of their commitment to
plastics. MESTECC has offered assistance to sustain biodiversity and to work with biological
Indonesia to put out open burning. science teams to create an inventory of the flora
and fauna there.
The Ministry is strongly committed to reducing
the intensity of GHGs emissions from the gross Malaysian education ministry has made
domestic product (GDP) to 45% by 2030 as well as Environment as one of the themes in the school
to implement effective measures to improve the syllabus for educating students. The Consumer
quality of the environment in Pasir Gudang. and Nature Lover Club in my school are set up to
educate and carry out activities.
Malaysia got a roadmap against single-use plastic while
Thailand introduced a roadmap on plastic waste management in Miss Roslin Daud, the club’s Teacher Advisor
the same year. Graphics via Bangkok Tribune. in SMK Bandar Baru Sentul stated that the club is
very committed in cultivating and exposing
students to environment. The members design
awareness posters, participate in competitions and
carry out recycling activities.

All in all, Malaysia should take drastic actions
like other countries for a better well-living.
Particularly, the EU has a European Green Deal
while South Korea has a New Green Deal.

The national policy set by Malaysia on climate
change sets high-level guidelines and strategies;
yet, more has to be done for national efforts to
address this problem that will benefit both the
environment and the economy.

PAGE 4 ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN EXPLORATION

Climate change will have a detrimental influence on future generations, making today's adolescents the most
susceptible members of society. Although many environmental concerns have impacted their lives, they remain
underrepresented in environmental policy discussions, whether at the federal, state, local, or non-governmental
levels.

In Malaysia, youth comprises 43% of the country's population which makes them an important stakeholder. This
issue is our concern yet few people are aware of our perspectives.

REFERENCES

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Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/living/2021/08/18/it039s-almost-too-late-to-stop-global-warming---so-
what039s-malaysia-doing-about-it.

Cheng, N. (2016, September 19). Malaysia to ratify climate change accord soon. The Star.
Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/09/19/malaysia-to-ratify-climate-change-accord-soon/.

Haliza, A.R. (2018). Climate Change Scenarios in Malaysia: Engaging the Public. International Journal of Malay-Nusantara Studies,
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Haliza, A.R. (2021, February 5). Isu perubahan iklim, risiko bencana perlu diberi perhatian. Berita Harian.
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Hartman, W. The Impact That Wiped Out the Dinosaurs. Planetary Science Institute.
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Ismail, N., Emilia, Z.A. & Rasdi, I. (2020). A Case Study of Pasir Gudang Chemical Toxic Pollution: A Review on Health Symptoms,
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JAPEN. (2021, June 28). Pencapaian Utama Kementerian Alam Sekitar dan Air. Information Department of Malaysia. Retrieved
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Kamaralzaman, S. & Maniam, R. (2021, Mac 16). Water Recycling Initiative Launched. Bernama infographics. Retrieved from
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[*1] Ibrahim, M.F., Hod, R., Toha, H.R., Mohammed Nawi, A., Idris, I.B., Mohd Yusoff, H., Sahani, M. (2020). The Impacts of Illegal
Toxic Waste Dumping on Children’s Health: A Review and Case Study from Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health 18, 2221.