IT is heartening to know that most Malaysians consider environmental protection to be one of the factors that will influence the way they will vote on May 9.
For too long, sustainability and environmental conservation have been seen as something ideal, but not essential.
In recent years, the east coast floods, 2014 droughts which led to water rationing in Selangor, pollution of water sources in Cameron Highlands, clearing of land and forest for development, recurring haze, wildlife deaths and the economic uncertainty arising from the European Union’s proposed ban on palm oil biodiesel from Malaysia for environmental reasons — all these played a role in raising public awareness about the environment.
Political parties on both sides of the divide have made pledges on protecting the environment.
Among them are on climate mitigation, deforestation, and waste management and plastic pollution.
On climate mitigation, both Barisan Nasional and the opposition have pledged to reduce carbon emissions by having cleaner diesel and petrol, and increasing the development and use of renewable energy.
They should focus on policies to reduce reliance on private vehicle ownership and driving, by establishing reliable and affordable non-fossil fuel powered public transport systems, creating incentives for telecommuting and upgrading road and rail infrastructure.
On deforestation, both have pledged to curtail illegal logging and manage forests and their resources sustainably. They have also pledged to preserve biodiversity and wildlife.
On waste management and plastic pollution, both promised to improve solid waste collection services and ease of recycling. According to a 2015 study published in the Science journal, Malaysia is among the top eight highest-offending ocean plastic polluters in the world. Hence, more should be done in this area.
Malaysia is also one of the 200 signatories to the United Nations resolution on microplastics and marine litter on December, but nothing has been done.
The country needs leaders who are serious about conserving the environment. Voters are becoming better informed and will not stand for environmental tokenism. It cannot just be the job of concerned citizens, non-governmental organisations and volunteers to protect Malaysia’s natural resources.
A responsible government, therefore, needs to create incentives for waste reduction and alternatives to plastics and other harmful materials. The environment cannot wait.
Malaysia stands to gain more economic benefits and ecosystem services if it keeps its forests, mangroves and other environmentally-sensitive areas intact and biologically diverse.
The time to act for the environment is now. Environmental conservation should be a main component of policies and decisions, not an afterthought.
WONG EE LYNN, Malaysian Nature Society