BY THE GREEN DUDE

A sense of fear and claustrophobia overwhelmed me as I felt trapped in the atmosphere of the haze . When will this go away ?

This annual phenomenon must stop by enacting a legally binding act on the ASEAN nations affected by it . We all acknowledge that the source of the problem is the indiscriminate burning of forests to set up plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia .

The perpetrators are the plantation owners , both local and multinational . Smallholders do it , too , but not on a scale that creates this problem .

Greenpeace Malaysia has called for enacting a domestic transboundary haze law in all the respective ASEAN countries in response to this issue . This legislation ensures that companies are not contributing to the haze locally and abroad .

We have to recognise that there are bad apples in the industry . The Act will provide legal grounds for each country to institutionalise checks and balances to ensure their companies operate responsibly .

In addition to that , Greenpeace Malaysia also called on ASEAN states to develop a regional legal framework to hold corporate entities accountable for domestic forest fires due to peatland clearance and agricultural residue burning .

Furthermore , all companies known to be clearing out forests must be mandated to publicly disclose and publish concession maps to be shared across all ASEAN member states to improve transparency in their supply chains .

They should also agree on a standardised air quality indicator for all member countries to monitor and track air pollution based on a common methodology and act accordingly .

About this , Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the drafting of the Bill faced several constraints , including the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution ( ATHP ). He said the government would look at all options , including continuing the drafting of the Bill or even improving the ATHP to solve the haze problem in line with ASEAN ’ s goal of becoming a haze-free region by 2030 .

Nik Nazmi headed the Ministry of Natural Resources , Environment and Climate Change before it was split into the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities following a Cabinet reshuffle on Dec 12 .

GLOBAL TEMPERATURES | CONTINUE TO RISE

Though Malaysia was the first country to have

ratified the ATHP more than 20 years ago in 2002 , until today , it has yet to enact its own domestic Transboundary Haze Pollution Act . Indonesia only ratified it in 2014 .

Only Singapore has such a Bill , which will be studied further to understand the constraints on taking steps towards that legislation . The study will also cover implementation , diplomatic relations and elements of environmental pollution prevention .

The Minister noted that the haze situation today is not as bad as some years ago , notably due to the rainy weather and the steps taken by the plantation companies in the country , which seemed more sensitive to the haze issue . However , we cannot assume it will not worsen as global temperature rises .

This is also an excellent time to promote awareness , understanding and education on environmental issues and climate change among the public , particularly among students , as they will benefit from good governance of development and the environment .

Towards this goal , a group called Forum Selangor has published a book titled ‘ Malapetaka Iklim ’ ( Climate Calamity ) and a comic book ‘ Ke Mana Hilangnya Katak Hijau ?’ ( Where Did The Green Frogs Disappear To ?) to create awareness of the environmental agenda , climate change and global warming .

‘ Malapetaka Iklim ’ is a collection of articles written by five writers and environmental activists – Hishamudin Rais , Yap Sean Yip , Heng Kia Chun , Adi Satria and Mohala Santharamohana .

The 14 articles in the book dwell on the critical issues written in a way that is easy to understand by the Malay reading public , especially students . It starts with socio-political activist Hishamudin Rais , a . k . a . Isham ( also the book ’ s editor ), narrating his childhood days in a kampung in Jelebu Negeri Sembilan .

He describes how it has been transformed in many ways due to development and how these changes have affected the area ’ s climate , which , in the long run , will also impact the economy of the area and the world . He also writes about the melting of the ice , rising global temperature , and even the effects of cow dung on global warming .

THE URGENT NEED FOR TRANSBOUNDARY HAZE LAWS

Another writer Yip Sean Yi recounts his experience as a volunteer during the massive floods in Selangor and Pahang at the end of 2021 . While assisting the victims , he realised that many had become climate refugees , which led him to produce a short documentary entitled ‘ Selepas ’ ( The Aftermath ). This was his effort in documenting what he saw as the aftermath of climate change on the lowest strata of society .

Heng Kia Chun of Greenpeace Malaysia writes about the impact of transboundary haze , the problems on health and the economy , and the need to enact the transboundary haze Act .

Adi Satria , a marketing communications and media veteran , writes about his worry

The haze over Kuala Lumpur .

Haze free morning with a view of Genting Highlands from my balcony .

about the lacklustre attitude of communities on the issue of climate change , which may lead the world to a climate apocalypse in the next 20 years .

He also feels the importance of empowering the community to unite and engage with the local authorities and NGOs in ensuring development considers its impact on the environment , the traffic and society .

He relates his experience living in Bukit Antarabangsa in Selangor , where the success of Slope Watch , a community group that monitors slope movement , landslides and development plans by private developers and government agencies , has stopped a few risky development projects in the area .

Over In Penang , the legal action by the residents of Sungai Ara also succeeded in taking the local council and the developer to court , which ultimately ruled in favour of the community to stop the development of a condominium in a hillside area near their community .

Animals and nature can live without humans , but humans cannot live without animals and nature . This was illustrated in the article by Mohala Santharamohana , which focused on the importance of maintaining nature ’ s ecosystem by protecting animal species from extinction .

He feels it is important for the 12th Malaysia Plan to include the commitment to tackle the climate change crisis as an increase in the earth ’ s average temperature by more than 1.5 degrees Celcius will spell doom for planet earth .

‘ Malapetaka Iklim ’ is a brief but compelling introduction to climate disaster , which underscores the importance of all of us taking responsibility and accountability to act and stop this impending disaster from happening . This can only happen if we live in harmony with nature and stop any uncontrolled action in the name of development .

Katak Hijau , presented in comic form , is an illustrative introduction to climate change that has led to the loss and possible extinction of green frogs in our country . It is apt for young students and adults alike . – @ green

The Green Dude feels that while the haze is now a wake-up call on the state of the environment and climate change , more publications have to be published to instil this awareness among young students for the sake of their future world .