KUCHING: One of the major challenges when it comes to climate change is that it is a global phenomenon that requires local solutions.
“That is why we must examine how political, economic, cultural, and religious factors interact with climate change issues, and why everyone must participate in the fight,” said Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Associate Professor Dr Shanti Faridah Salleh.
“Being an active participant in our community climate movement, supporting local businesses that prioritise sustainability, and volunteering at events or organisations that support environmental goals are just a few of the actions you can take as part of this effort.
“Aside from buying local food instead of imported food, it saves energy by turning off lights when leaving the room and unplugging electronic plugs when not in use, and saves water by taking a shorter shower,” she explained in a statement yesterday.
In this context Dr Shanti who is director at the university’s Institute of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (ISuRE) pointed out that if one can personalise the issue of climate change, one can make changes.
Personalising the issue of climate change has proven to be a successful formula in the Nordic countries, she revealed.
“This sustainability and climate change agenda has been a huge success for them. Stopping climate change is not solely the responsibility of the government or corporations, everyone has a role to play.
“The general public needs to be involved in the process of reducing carbon emissions,” she added.
“This can be done through a variety of channels, such as education programmes, awareness campaigns, and, to some extent, legislation.”
Citizens will, without a doubt, put their concerns into action by changing their own behaviour or influencing the behaviour of others.
“For example, people are more likely to recycle if they see others doing so or if they understand that recycling is beneficial because it reduces waste and aids in environmental cleanup,” she said.
“If people know that recycling is simple, convenient, and beneficial, they are more likely to recycle.
“The climate crisis has been framed as a conflict between humans and nature, between us and the planet, but it is not a conflict, it is a choice.
“Do we want to live in a world where we have to constantly fight for our survival? Or do we want to create a future where people can thrive?
Illustrating her argument, she said extreme weather conditions such as droughts, heatwaves and forest fires have become more common in recent years.
Even more concerning are disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, which wreaked havoc on communities across Texas and Puerto Rico, as well as forest fires that raged for months in California and Australia, floods in South Asia, and droughts that affected African farmers, all of which occurred at the same time.
“Imagine what will happen if a one degree Celsius (° C) change has that effect; we are now on track for a 3 ° C increase by 2100.
“Some scientists believe we have made a 2° C warming due to emissions that are still being released into the atmosphere, and it is an incredible amount of damage that is being done right now on this planet,” she said.
