Conversations about the environment are undoubtedly more prevalent thanks to social media. However, Malaysians still need more depth and solidity regarding our knowledge of the environment and our relationship with it. While we likely already have a decent foundation in this area, our cursory knowledge can only go so far.
As such, we will share some crucial information with you in this article with the hopes to widen and deepen your awareness of some environmental happenings in Malaysia.
Food Security Lowers As Temperatures Rise
If you have noticed the temperature being extra hot lately, you’re not just imagining things. October 2019 is said to have been the hottest month between 1960 and 2022, with a record temperature of 39 degrees Celcius.
Temperatures rising in these alarming ways can have detrimental effects on our food supplies. This is because the heat waves we experience become droughts which not only endanger our water supply but also put the livelihood of farmers at risk.
Click here to read our article on what food security is and why it matters.
Malaysia’s Rich Biodiversity Is Fading
When loss of habitat occurs, so does the loss of biodiversity. This is a slippery slope, as it can lead to losses in other areas such as ecotourism and food security.
Shockingly, our national animal, the Malayan tiger, is currently looking extinction in the eye, with only 150 of them remaining in the wild. This is a heartbreaking decline compared to the 5,000 of them seen in forests in the 1950s.
Donate to WWF to save our Malayan Tigers here.
Too Much Waste, Too Little Space
Every Malaysian creates at least 1.17kg of waste. This amount adds up to a collective 38 thousand tonnes of solid waste every day. When you think of the 141 solid waste landfills in Malaysia, you may quickly realize that we’re producing more waste than we can keep up with.
Our improper waste management has resulted in the rise of illegal landfills and unethical dumping practices. This affects us personally, as it causes an increase in health issues as a result of water-borne diseases. It also becomes the breeding ground for dengue mosquitos.
Coastal Dwellers In Danger
As we mentioned earlier in this article, our temperatures have been rising to alarming levels. Along with this, sea levels have been rising as a result of melting ice caps and seawater expansion. Unfortunately, the brunt of this is felt most strongly by marginalized communities in Malaysia who heavily rely on the sea for their livelihood.
The Bajau Laut (otherwise known as the sea gipsies) have been watching their villages face risks of disappearing. This realization was made as they noticed their homes appearing closer to the water. Some of them have seen their home become completely submerged. Despite their ability to adapt well, rising sea levels should not be ignored or taken lightly.
Over 15% of Malaysian beaches have already been lost, making this an extremely important threat for us to overcome.
It’s important to recognize that our small everyday habits have large consequences. Food waste, for example, also contributes to global warming, lack of landfills, and other climate issues. Start doing your part today - join us in our fight against food waste. Compost with Reencle to reduce up to 90% of household food waste.
Save RM600 on your Reencle pre-order today when you sign up for our newsletter at www.reencle.my. Don’t forget to check your email for an exclusive discount code and apply this code at checkout to redeem your RM600 discount.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram or Facebook and we’d be happy to help.