TODAY, Malaysia celebrates Environment Day – to show our appreciation and advocacy towards the environment.

Not many know, climate change, water security, health and air pollution are a small chunk of the environment.

Other than promoting a sustainable life, such as using public transport, less meat intake, controlling our carbon footprint and use energy-efficient electrical appliances, we must acknowledge and advocate other issues.

We have water pollution across Malaysia, with the recent case in Selangor, previously Sg Kim Kim, transboundary haze, dengue cases and the Covid-19 pandemic –all of which are related to the environment.

I believe most environmentalists have been advocating these for a long time but regulation reforms are not where they should be. This must change. We cannot afford another environmental disaster to force policymakers to do the right thing. 

It would be too late then. Things must change now.

The amendment to legislations such as the Environment Quality Act and Solid Waste Act, Introduction of Climate Change Act and Transboundary Haze Act are needed to protect our environment at all costs.

I have been constantly bringing up these issues and criticising the government to do so as a committee member of Barisan Nasional Youth Volunteers (BNYV) Malaysia and as a Pulai Umno Youth information chief. We have another 30 years before things get really bad.

In 2050, if our emission keeps rising, we might be doomed. We will see some of our districts sink into the ocean. 

Other than that, we are already facing economic impact, political instability and societal problems due to lack of environment protection and conservation.

In conjunction of #MYEnvironmentDay, I strongly urge every single Malaysian to reduce your carbon footprint and urge our MPs to advocate for environmental issues. These should not be neglected if we want to future-proof our country. 

Happy Environment Day, and let us protect our environment at all costs. – October 21, 2020.

* Muhammad Shaqib Shahrilnizam is Barisan Nasional Youth Volunteers committee member.

* 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.