LETTER | Include 'climate change' in the new name of ministry

LETTER | On April 3, Malaysiakini published an article stating that the Environment and Water Ministry (Mewa) is still undergoing a rebranding process. The Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD) presents this statement to appeal to the ministry to add the term "climate change" in addition to the term "environment" in the ministry's new name.

The term "environment" encompasses issues within the spectrum of the natural world which includes land, water, forestry, waste management, air quality, pollution and others. 

Departing from that, however, the term "climate change" distinctively signifies the dangerous and accelerated rise in global temperature caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. This term has since gained its own magnitude and preference among the international climate change advocacy network since the founding of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. In short, the terms "climate change" and "environment" are no longer simply interchangeable in today’s state of affairs.

Climate change affects many sectors worldwide including agriculture, fisheries, livestock, forestry, tourism, food, energy and health. The effects of climate change also threaten the collapse of ecosystems, extinction of animal species and the natural world. 

In relation to this, a Merdeka Centre survey in 2016 stated that a significant number of Malaysians (81 percent) are concerned about climate change and dissatisfied with the government’s efforts in managing it. 

In brief, we believe in the significance of including the term "climate change" in the name of the ministry for the following reasons:

1. Having the term "climate change" in the ministry’s nomenclature would signify its mandate to address climate change, in line with Malaysia’s commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a signatory since 1993. It would additionally serve as a guiding principle which influences the ministry’s agenda-setting to be laser-focused on this state of emergency.
2. Adding the term "climate change" in its name, the ministry will demonstrate that it recognises climate change as a highly precipitous phenomenon that threatens the very existence of human societies.
3. It would serve as an opportunity for Malaysia to lead by example, especially in the Asean region, in showcasing its steadfast commitment to a global movement that impacts humanity across generations. This gives the government credibility and leverage in international negotiations on the issue of climate change.
4. It will allow for collaboration with other countries for the common cause of tackling climate change (for example Malaysia and UK climate change and low carbon initiative). This will foster strong connections with allies with the hopes of learning from their success stories and increasing technological exchange.
5. As climate change is now a global concern, including the term will increase the strength and presence of climate change initiatives in Malaysia. This may cultivate the interest of investors and create better investment opportunities in green technology.
6. The addition of "climate change" will also emphasise the ministry's position as the go-to in coordinating this matter across federal, state and local authorities to avoid duplication of efforts. This position also provides a direct avenue for climate advocacy NGOs, environmentalists, private sectors and the general public to coalesce with one another, engage with the ministry and derive solutions on climate action.
7. The ministry’s emphasis on climate change will increase support for climate change causes among the youth. It will allow for a chain effect to occur when the youth start taking initiatives and influence the people around them to partake in the government’s initiatives regarding climate change. Additionally, youth climate change advocacy groups will be able to sense the Ministry’s inclusivity.

With all this considered, MYD again urges the ministry to consider adding the term "climate change" into the ministry’s new name. 

By doing so, the ministry shows that it recognises climate change as a national agenda and chooses to lead climate action by example.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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