BY ALISA AMINUDIN

As a responsible member of the global community , Malaysia is at a crossroads in its climate path .

Determining the best course of action in the face of global warming provides our country with a crucial opportunity to protect the environment , minimise our carbon footprint , and gain a competitive edge . A growing number of governments have committed to a nett-zero goal .

If we are sluggish to respond , Malaysia will be at risk , slipping behind and losing its value as a centre for foreign capital and multinational corporations .

Dr Henry Chan , WWF-Malaysia Conservation Director , said in a statement in conjunction with the National Environment Day celebration : “ Climate change and climate crisis are no longer buzz words among scientists and environmentalists .”

Chan addressed the urgency of mitigating global warming . He said WWF Malaysia and Boston Consulting Group ( BCG ) were working hand-inhand to undertake an independent study on the potential nett-zero pathways for the country .

Nett-zero pathway

The study ’ s goal is to present an ideal nett-zero pathway for Malaysia by 2050 , assessing socio-economic impact in terms of jobs and economic development and the policy framework and actions required to achieve the goal .

He explained nett-zero meant for

every molecule of greenhouse gas released , there was also a need to take it out to make our nett emission zero . At the very basic , our forest acts to remove these greenhouse gases from the atmosphere .

As such , we must retain as much as possible our forest that serves as our carbon sink .

WWF and BCG are looking to engage with businesses , investors , the government , and the social sector to explore the prospects of a nett-zero energy future for the country .

The conservation of the remaining forest is crucial , and degraded areas must be rehabilitated with native tree species so that they can thrive and fulfil their ecological functions for all living things .

Pointing out when the impacts of the climate crisis hit globally , federal and State governments must not take a step backwards by turning any sort of forest into development instead of increasing forest protection .

“ Nature is our ally in addressing the issues we face in the country and globally . Hence , we need to have more nature-based solutions incorporated in developing and managing climate change .

“ Nature-based solutions are about working with nature , not against nature , for everyone ’ s benefit ,” he added .

Malaysia has the potential to create a long-term economic advantage by acting proactively on climate change . However , it must begin now to ensure a sustainable and cleaner future .

Educational inequalities , inadequacies in remote learning , and the critical role that schools play in student health and wellbeing are highlighted due to the closure of schools during the pandemic .

It has also demonstrated a vivid indication of our shattered relationship with nature .

To conclude , it ’ s a must for the Ministry of Education and other parties

Nature-based solutions are about working with nature , not against nature , for everyone ’ s benefit .”

– Dr Henry Chan

to develop better-learning systems that recognise the importance of the environment . It should include concerns such as climate , nature , and people .

In formulating the country ’ s future environmental education and education for sustainable development strategy , various stakeholders are required to be involved by enhancing solutions to the education sector ’ s financial constraints , teacher training , teaching techniques and approaches for both children and adults , teaching resource materials , governance structure , and enabling circumstances .

This effort should be viewed as supporting Malaysia ’ s environmental policies such as Nationally Determined Contributions , National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025 , National Policy on Environment , and others that are aligned with Malaysia ’ s commitments to Iinternational agreements such as the Paris Agreement , the Convention on Biodiversity , and Education for Sustainable Development : Towards Achieving the SDGs . — @ Forest