OCT 1 — Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract phenomenon relegated to the icy extremities of the Arctic, nor a cause célèbre championed by a select few. Its impacts are now felt in the streets of Kuala Lumpur and in the homes of everyday Malaysians. With a recent Unicef analysis highlighting a fourfold increase in heatwaves and the devastating floods of 2021 and 2022 still fresh in memory, it is clear that Malaysia is at a critical juncture.
The public is eager to confront this existential crisis, but a significant question remains: Can we afford it? This question goes beyond financial concerns and touches on the structural barriers that hinder our collective action. The obstacles to sustainable living — whether financial, infrastructural, or attitudinal — risk undermining the will of the Rakyat (the people) to take meaningful steps forward. A recent study focusing on climate literacy in Central Malaysia paints a revealing portrait of this struggle.
The survey, whose respondents majorly consisted of youths aged 15 to 24, found that 68 per cent reported strong engagement in energy conservation practices, while 51 per cent demonstrated often recycling habits, reflecting a promising commitment to environmentally friendly habits. However, this willingness often collides with systemic barriers, making it difficult for these efforts to translate into large-scale change. At the heart of the issue is the ongoing tug-of-war between convenience and climate action.
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