THE order to close picnic and camping sites nationwide following the landslide tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm is Batang Kali is as though crying over spilled milk.

More surprising is that the campsites involved were identified as unlicensed and had been operating illegally since 2020.

Has it been for these two years that no authority has carried out inspections and monitoring to ensure that the owners of the premises comply with the rules and guidelines set?

This incident is also reported to be the 23rd major landslide this year alone and the worst so far.

Natural disasters not only affect the quality of life of people who do not directly contribute to the occurrence of these destructive events, especially marginalised communities such as the poor, children and youth, people with disabilities and Orang Asli communities but also have a direct impact on the growth of the economy of this country.

Economic recovery after a disaster is burdensome for the country, including constructing and replacing destroyed assets and rebuilding the financial sector in the affected area.

It cannot be denied that natural disasters also occur due to factors such as floods that are currently hitting several states caused by monsoon rains, the La Nina phenomenon and changes in the climate system.

However, various studies show that human activities such as unplanned and unsustainable development, land encroachment and pollution cause climate change and lead to natural disasters.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report also anticipates more forceful impacts of climate change in the next 20 years such as more frequent and extreme natural disasters, scarcity of water resources due to sudden temperature increases, double destruction due to floods and increased rates of the extinction of animal and plant species that have a direct impact on the socio-economics of the community if efficient action is not taken immediately.

Measures to mitigate climate change can no longer be delayed to ensure the continued well-being of people, natural ecosystems, food supplies and water resources.

We must immediately evaluate and review the effectiveness of existing efforts and the implementation of more effective risk management policies and methods, further encouraging active participation from the community, especially industry players and stakeholders at the grassroots level, especially the youth.

In addition, efforts to increase community awareness should be intensified to know the effects and consequences of climate change and the role and actions they can take as individuals.

This process should start through formal education to nurture awareness from school days.

Next, I hope the government can consider the declaration of a “climate emergency” as a sign of its high commitment to efforts to deal with the issue of climate change.

This step will help plan and give priority, especially in implementing a more structured, comprehensive and efficient climate action plan, significantly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curbing anthropogenic global warming and greening the economic sector.

A study by Unicef Malaysia in 2020 reported a grave risk to young people in the country, especially in terms of well-being, education and income generation.

It also recommends that young people be given space to contribute to the decision-making process and policy-making on climate change and the environment.

Therefore, the government should develop a more inclusive strategy and enable the involvement of various parties, including the youth, in climate change governance.

I suggest forming a National Youth Climate Change Advisory Committee that can function as a think tank and an official platform to unite youth activists and organisations that the government officially recognises to contribute to the governance of climate change and the environment.

In conclusion, I call on the newly elected lawmakers to set aside all political and ideological differences and unite in dealing with this increasingly critical issue of climate change.

The decision taken today has only two outcomes – either a chance to find a way to survive or count the last days of the existence of the earth and its caliphate.

Together we can make a difference! – December 19, 2022.

* Mogesh Sababathy reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.