Letters

Tackle climate change for a better environment

LETTERS: The temperature of the Earth is averaging at 15°Celcius but throughout the years there have been fluctuations on the temperature. However, scientists are alarmed because the temperature seems to be rising rapidly in recent years.

According to the climate report by World Meteorological Organization, 2019 was the second warmest year, warmer by 1.1°Celcius, compared to the level in 1850-1900.

Climate change happens when Earth temperature rises followed by the melting of ice glacier that lead to the rise of sea levels. Scientists believe, with the constant development of industrial and agricultural industries, natural greenhouse gases added with gases from the related industries have significantly caused the rising of the temperature.

One of the gases, carbon dioxide, has been increasing for more than 30 per cent since Industrial Revolution began in 1750. If this is not curbed then the temperature spike will remain from 3-5°Celcius by end of the century.

Human activities are undoubtedly contributing to the increasing of Earth temperature especially deforestation, burning of fossil fuels and open burning. Deforestation is a perpetual elimination of green areas and replacing them with something besides forestry like buildings.

The University of Maryland shows that the United States had lost 61,000 square miles of forest in 2017. Burning of fossil fuels further produce huge volume of carbon dioxide. The gas will trap heat in the atmosphere and eventually leads to climate change. Fossil fuels are burned in great amount predominantly for power and from transportation sectors.

Lastly, open burning. It is a ruthless practice done by irresponsible people that will likely contribute to climate change which is the rising of Earth temperature. In Malaysia, it was reported that a total of 1,500 cases of open burning and forest fires in 2019.

The sea level has been increasing for the last century, now at about eight inches. Sea level is still estimated to increase another 1 to 8 inches by 2100. This is the result of melting land ice and enlargement of saltwater as the earth continuously warms. If this continues, more floods will happen.

In conclusion, every citizen and government should be responsible in acknowledging the importance of preventing or minimising factors that lead to climate change. I believe, when we start taking serious action that result in a better environment, future generations will be thankful to us.

Nur Aleeya Sabrina Norman

International Islamic University Malaysia


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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