KUCHING: Members of the public should be aware of the current climate change in the world and know what needs to be done to protect the environment.
Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Sarawak State chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam made this comment during the first Tree Planting Day Ceremony at SMK Kuching High yesterday.
He said, “The climate change is very serious as the temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850. It is estimated that by 2100, the temperature will have increased by 4 degrees Celsius.
“Imagine if Kuching’s current temperature is 32 degrees Celsius, the temperature in the future will be 36 degrees Celsius every day. It will be very hot for the Kuchingites.”
Chan added if the climate change issue was not taken seriously, then the world in next 100 years would not be a nice place to live in.
He said the climate change would be unstoppable if the people continued to pollute the Earth.
“Apart from that, the sea level has already risen by 3 inches since 1930 and if we do not play our part, the level will continue to rise yearly.
“On the other hand, trees play a vital role in our lives by providing oxygen to us.”
He hoped other schools in the state and country would hold similar tree planting ceremonies.
The tree planting ceremony, organised by MRC Sarawak, aimed to create awareness and inculcate the spirit of tree planting to help stop climate change and reduce global warming.
It is held annually in the state on the third Saturday of October.
Also present yesterday were MRC Sarawak deputy chairman Dr Chen Sung San, MRC Sarawak State first vice chairman Penghulu Chua Hong Kee, MRC Sarawak second vice chairman John Lam, MRC Sarawak director Chai King Sing, Kuching Teochew Association secretary general Koh Jee Li, SMK Kuching High Board of Management vice president Tan Ah Hock, SMK Kuching High principal Tan Kiang Tuang and organising chairwoman Ng Pei Sze.
