Besides Penang and Selangor which will implement "Free Plastic Day" beginning year 2010, we also have Miri City Council to thank for their effort in this area since 6 September 2009. Hopefully others will follow suit. It will not be easy to immediately change people's habit, however this is not a mission impossible. Keep up your good work and BRAVO TO ALL!
Sources : http://www.moeswk.gov.my/kaska/backoffice/remotefullstory_miri.asp?mode=715
The Miri City Council through its Miri Local Agenda 21 is glad to announce that the “Sunday Is No Plastic Bag Day” campaign will kick-off this Sunday, 6 September 2009.
The Objectives of Campaign:
* To create awareness among the public on the dangers of expansive use of plastic
* To reduce or minimize the plastic usage starting from shopping complexes by using recyclable shopping bags
* To encourage public from various levels to participate in environmental programme
It was noticed that during last Sunday launching day (30/08/2009) some Supermarkets have taken the initiative to start the campaign on the same day and had received favourable and positive responses.
Shoppers are reminded to “bring their own shopping bags” because participating Hypermarket and Supermarket / Departmental Stores will not be issuing plastic bag for free on Sunday. However, should the shoppers still require a plastic bag, they can purchase one for RM0.20 and all these charges collected will be donated to charitable organizations or NGOs by the individual outlets. As an alternative, some Hypermarket / Supermarket will also be selling “Ecobags” at a discount price provided the “Ecobags” was filled with purchased items on Sunday.
It was indeed a welcoming move by the participating outlets, and to date, the following stores / Supermarkets have agreed and confirmed participation.
* Boulevard Hypermarket & Departmental Store
* Giant Supermarket
* E-mart Supermarket
* Servay Supermarket
* Sin Liang Supermarket
* Nam Leong Departmental Store
* Pasar Edar Ekonomi
* Super Save Departmental Store
* Ng Sian Hap Trading
* G.K Supermarket
The Council on its parts will continue to intensify its publicity campaign through RTM, local media, banner and intended to print publicity posters to be distributed to all Local Agenda 21 Stakeholders, like government depts., schools, private sectors, NGOs, residents committee and kampong.
The Council has also decided to look into action plan to extend the campaign to other business outlets including hawkers stalls and markets.
Friday, December 18, 2009
听嘞，环保军们！有好消息 ～ 檳“無塑袋日”增至3天 ！
这可是一个盼了多久的好消息， 许多国家都已在实行了，我国却还在观望，终於盼到有州政府愿意付诸于行动了。纵然是知易行难，但有意愿就是一个好的开始。恭喜槟州政府和州民，希望大家珍惜这个因缘，协力助展这个愿力，逐步逐步建设一个绿色天堂给各位的下一代。先在此恭喜各位的下一代吧！
还有那一个州属呀？ 再找找看，回头向大家报告 ！
资料来源 ：
http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/140155?tid=1
（檳城）檳州從明年1月1日開始增加“無塑膠袋日”的天數，從現有的每週一，增加至3天。 
星洲日報‧2009.11.27
还有那一个州属呀？ 再找找看，回头向大家报告 ！
资料来源 ：
http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/140155?tid=1
明年開始‧週一至三‧檳“無塑袋日”增至3天
2009-11-27 18:30
（檳城）檳州從明年1月1日開始增加“無塑膠袋日”的天數，從現有的每週一，增加至3天。
這意味所有霸級市場、超級市場、專業商行、連鎖店，明年開始逢週一至週三（11月25日），不提供塑膠袋給顧客。
此外，霸級、購物廣場內的專柜、商店及迷你市場，也強制性從明年1月1日開始，參與每週一的“無塑膠袋日”運動。
索塑膠袋要付20仙
公眾在“無塑膠袋日”若索取塑膠袋，每日要支付20仙，所有收入充檳州除貧之友基金。至今州政府已經從這項活動，收到了2萬1403令吉。
檳州首席部長林冠英今日（週五，11月27日）發表文告說，州政府將致力把檳州打造成全馬第一個綠州。
檳州是在今年7月率先發動“週一無塑膠袋日”運動。45家超市、霸市及其它參與者提供的數據顯示，至今的4個月檳州人民減少使用100萬個塑膠袋。
其他州屬開始效防
林冠英說，“無塑膠袋日”運動獲得了廣泛的支持。
事實上，一些州屬也開始效仿檳州。
“在這之前，針對是否擴大這項活動以減少更多塑料袋，我們已經與公眾、非政府組織、塑料廠商開會討論。”
他說，經過一番考慮，州政府決定明年開始增加“無塑膠袋日”的天數。
檳州“無塑膠袋日”運動
目前情況：每週一不提供塑膠袋
參與單位：霸級市場、超級市場、專業商行、連鎖店
明年1月1日新措施
1）每週一至週三（11月25日）不提供塑膠袋
參與單位：霸級市場、超級市場、專業商行、連鎖店
2）每週一不提供塑膠袋
參與單位：迷你市場、購物廣場內的商店、專柜
再来一个好消息 ～ 雪州2010年开始每逢週六無塑袋日
感谢雪州政府，亦付诸于行动，开始替我们的下一代减少破坏性的垃圾 ！受惠者将包括从事塑胶业的下一代哦！愿大家为了改善和我们息息相关的大环境，眼光放远放宽， 并帮助州政府来帮助我们自身。
恭喜雪州政府和州民，还有各位的子子孙孙。可不要小看了这小小的塑胶袋，一切有益的建设由小事做起；一切破坏性的大事亦由小事开始。雪州政府就这件事开始拉刹车，是好事，可喜可贺！
http://www.guangming.com.my/node/63822?tid=3
光明日報‧2009.12.17
恭喜雪州政府和州民，还有各位的子子孙孙。可不要小看了这小小的塑胶袋，一切有益的建设由小事做起；一切破坏性的大事亦由小事开始。雪州政府就这件事开始拉刹车，是好事，可喜可贺！
http://www.guangming.com.my/node/63822?tid=3
雪州2010年开始每逢週六無塑袋日
2009-12-17 19:34
（雪蘭莪‧沙亞南）為了減少環境污染的問題，雪州行政議會12月9日一致通過，從明年1月1日開始，每逢週六展開“無塑膠袋日”，公眾受促外出消費時需自行攜帶環保袋。
雪州政府新聞秘書處今日（週四，12月17日）發表文告指出，這項活動一旦於明年開始實行，消費者受促自行攜帶環保袋外出購物，因為州內所有廣場和商店不會再主動提供塑膠袋；凡要求塑膠袋的消費者，必須另外繳費。
文告表示，這項措施是必要的，因為雪州是全馬擁有最多購物商場的州屬，每年也消耗大量的塑膠袋，以致環境污染問題日益嚴重。
“無塑膠袋日”的推行也獲得雪州大部份商場和雜貨店的積極回應。
同時，雪州行政議員黃潔冰也會於12月20日上午11時，在雙威廣場為有關活動進行推介禮。
“無塑膠袋日”首階段將會進行為期6個月，而雪州政府過後會進行效果評估，以考慮是否需要延長活動的期限。
Monday, December 14, 2009
IMPACTS of Climate Change on MALAYSIA...
Source: The Star dated 14th December, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/14/nation/5299275&sec=nation
Title : Presence at Copenhagen climate summit not merely diplomatic
Malaysia’s participation at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit is not merely a diplomatic commitment but a mission to determine the survival of the world in the next century.
Although the country is not in danger of sinking as a result of rising sea level due to global warming, like the Maldives, it will still feel the repercussions from greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a report from the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the country’s coastal line has narrowed by about 40m due to erosion at 33 locations.
There were also drastic climate changes like unpredictable rain and thunderstorms in the capital, as well as drought in some states.
Also, the Fourth Assessment Report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that 1,200 sq km of the country’s coastline would be under water due to sea-level rise if no measures were taken to tackle global warming.
It was also reported that major towns in the region had been affected by global warming and that this had caused drought episodes in parts of Malaysia.
The IPCC study noted that Malaysia would experience a temperature rise of between 0.6°C and 4.5°C by 2060, which explained the need for Malaysia to be at the summit.
According to Associate Prof Dr Kamarulnizam Abdullah of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia’s presence is not merely diplomatic.
We are here to send a bigger message, that developing countries (and poor countries) will be affected if the issue on global warming continues,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will join more than 100 world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, in the final stages of the summit to thrash out a global deal, including how much industrialised countries are willing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The leaders will discuss the creation of an international green fund to provide developing countries with financial and technical resources to create a carbon-free economy.
The fund is crucial, particularly for poor nations forced to use cheap technology to develop their countries,” Dr Kamarulnizam said.
What is certain, is that the Copenhagen summit is expected to tackle the “weaknesses” of the Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997, due to an absence of a regulatory body to ensure the agreement signed by 184 countries, is implemented.
As a result, the objective of the protocol was not met. The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol.
Prof Dr Suhaimi Abdul Talib, from Universiti Teknologi Mara, said global warming was a serious issue because of its effects on developing countries, like Malaysia.
“The well-being of our environment will assure the well-being of our economy,” said Prof Suhaimi, adding that the Copenhagen summit would be a venue for the world community to unite and collectively tackle problems of global warming.
In that context, he said Malaysia’s role would include voicing the hope of poor countries. — Bernama
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/14/nation/5299275&sec=nation
Title : Presence at Copenhagen climate summit not merely diplomatic
Malaysia’s participation at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit is not merely a diplomatic commitment but a mission to determine the survival of the world in the next century.
Although the country is not in danger of sinking as a result of rising sea level due to global warming, like the Maldives, it will still feel the repercussions from greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a report from the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the country’s coastal line has narrowed by about 40m due to erosion at 33 locations.
There were also drastic climate changes like unpredictable rain and thunderstorms in the capital, as well as drought in some states.
Also, the Fourth Assessment Report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that 1,200 sq km of the country’s coastline would be under water due to sea-level rise if no measures were taken to tackle global warming.
It was also reported that major towns in the region had been affected by global warming and that this had caused drought episodes in parts of Malaysia.
The IPCC study noted that Malaysia would experience a temperature rise of between 0.6°C and 4.5°C by 2060, which explained the need for Malaysia to be at the summit.
According to Associate Prof Dr Kamarulnizam Abdullah of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia’s presence is not merely diplomatic.
We are here to send a bigger message, that developing countries (and poor countries) will be affected if the issue on global warming continues,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will join more than 100 world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, in the final stages of the summit to thrash out a global deal, including how much industrialised countries are willing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The leaders will discuss the creation of an international green fund to provide developing countries with financial and technical resources to create a carbon-free economy.
The fund is crucial, particularly for poor nations forced to use cheap technology to develop their countries,” Dr Kamarulnizam said.
What is certain, is that the Copenhagen summit is expected to tackle the “weaknesses” of the Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997, due to an absence of a regulatory body to ensure the agreement signed by 184 countries, is implemented.
As a result, the objective of the protocol was not met. The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol.
Prof Dr Suhaimi Abdul Talib, from Universiti Teknologi Mara, said global warming was a serious issue because of its effects on developing countries, like Malaysia.
“The well-being of our environment will assure the well-being of our economy,” said Prof Suhaimi, adding that the Copenhagen summit would be a venue for the world community to unite and collectively tackle problems of global warming.
In that context, he said Malaysia’s role would include voicing the hope of poor countries. — Bernama
MALAYSIA pledges for CO2 reductions
Today's STAR Papers featured our PM's commitment to reduce Cos emissions at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.
(Source :http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/14/nation/5299180&sec=nation)
M’sia to offer C02 reductions
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will offer “credible” cuts in its emissions of carbon dioxide at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in an effort to halt global warming, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Prime Minister will be among more than 110 world leaders who will meet in Copenhagen next week to try and clinch a deal on deeper emissions cuts by rich nations, steps by developing nations to cut their carbon pollution and finance to help the poor adapt to climate change.
“We are willing to offer our commitment. I am not just going to call on the developed world. I am going to commit Malaysia to very credible cuts which means we have to spend, which we will do,” Najib said yesterday, adding that the cuts were still being worked on.
The United Nations has said a full, legal treaty to expand or replace the existing Kyoto Protocol is out of reach at the talks, after two years of troubled negotiations, and is likely to be agreed some time in 2010.
UN data shows Malaysia’s carbon emissions in 2006 stood at 187 million tones or 7.2 tonnes from each Malaysian. Although that figure is far less than neighbouring Indonesia, which is the world’s third largest emitter with 2.3 billion tonnes or 10 tonnes per capita, according to Indonesian government data, Najib said all nations must contribute.
“It has to be predicated on the fundamental principles of the Kyoto protocol and the UN Framework on Climate Convention,“ he said.
“Amongst which the most important being the common but differentiated responsibilities that the developed world must deliver against larger cuts in terms of carbon emissions and that the developing world should be assisted particularly in terms of financial assistance, capacity building and technology.”
Najib said that despite the current economic turmoil, which has seen the United States and Europe plunge into huge budget deficits, the fight against climate change had to take priority.
In the longer term, the United Nations estimates the fight against global warming is likely to cost US$300bil a year from 2020, largely to help developing nations adapt to impacts such as droughts, floods and heat waves.
“If we really talking about it, we must walk the talk (on funding). Otherwise we are just going to face a very uncertain future and the effects will be quite catastrophic,” Najib said. — Reuters
(Source :http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/14/nation/5299180&sec=nation)
M’sia to offer C02 reductions
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will offer “credible” cuts in its emissions of carbon dioxide at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in an effort to halt global warming, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Prime Minister will be among more than 110 world leaders who will meet in Copenhagen next week to try and clinch a deal on deeper emissions cuts by rich nations, steps by developing nations to cut their carbon pollution and finance to help the poor adapt to climate change.
“We are willing to offer our commitment. I am not just going to call on the developed world. I am going to commit Malaysia to very credible cuts which means we have to spend, which we will do,” Najib said yesterday, adding that the cuts were still being worked on.
The United Nations has said a full, legal treaty to expand or replace the existing Kyoto Protocol is out of reach at the talks, after two years of troubled negotiations, and is likely to be agreed some time in 2010.
UN data shows Malaysia’s carbon emissions in 2006 stood at 187 million tones or 7.2 tonnes from each Malaysian. Although that figure is far less than neighbouring Indonesia, which is the world’s third largest emitter with 2.3 billion tonnes or 10 tonnes per capita, according to Indonesian government data, Najib said all nations must contribute.
“It has to be predicated on the fundamental principles of the Kyoto protocol and the UN Framework on Climate Convention,“ he said.
“Amongst which the most important being the common but differentiated responsibilities that the developed world must deliver against larger cuts in terms of carbon emissions and that the developing world should be assisted particularly in terms of financial assistance, capacity building and technology.”
Najib said that despite the current economic turmoil, which has seen the United States and Europe plunge into huge budget deficits, the fight against climate change had to take priority.
In the longer term, the United Nations estimates the fight against global warming is likely to cost US$300bil a year from 2020, largely to help developing nations adapt to impacts such as droughts, floods and heat waves.
“If we really talking about it, we must walk the talk (on funding). Otherwise we are just going to face a very uncertain future and the effects will be quite catastrophic,” Najib said. — Reuters
Sunday, December 6, 2009
尼泊爾‧暖化加劇‧喜馬拉雅冰河融解‧亞洲13億人將失水源
其实这段已经不是新闻，无上师电视台之前曾报道过，但是在本地报章再重读此报导，内心还是很沉重。只希望大家提醒大家，多了解和关心解决的方案，并尽自己的一份力量，替您的下一代保留一个天堂，不要让自己将来后悔或遗憾，因为届时将无事于补。与大家共勉之！
最简单的，每个人都可以做到的，就是停止或减少吃肉。更多详情：
http://www.suprememastertv.com/SOS/
资料来源： 星洲日報
http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/141266?tid=1
尼泊爾‧暖化加劇‧喜馬拉雅冰河融解‧亞洲13億人將失水源
* 頭條新聞
* 國際
2009-12-06 14:23
*
聯合國一個跨政府的氣候變遷小組也警告，喜馬拉雅山冰河可能在“2035年以前全部消失”，而專家表示，當地民眾已能感受到地球暖化的影響。（圖：法新社）
*
國際山區綜合開發中心於今年8月發佈的衛星組圖顯示，受到全球暖化影響，因喜瑪拉雅山冰川融化而開始形成的Imja Tsho湖，在過去50年來面積不斷擴大，至今被地質科學家指為世界上最具威脅性的冰湖之一。（圖：法新社）
有科學家深入冰河的冰穴中發現，冰河內部到處都是冰層融解的痕跡，甚至還有冰層崩塌。
冰層融化後出現水坑
雄偉高聳的珠穆郎瑪峰常年處在酷寒的氣候中，但在氣候暖化之下，山脊上厚厚的冰層也開始融化。至今，山峰上的冰河地表坑坑巴巴，甚至還有冰層融化後出現的水坑。過去30年間，此地區的氣溫每10年都增加了攝氏0.15度到0.6度，已加速了冰河融解的速度。
環保份子警告，一些喜馬拉雅山的冰河可能在未來數十年內消失。
大部份冰河40年內消失
世界自然基金會（WWF）生命運動的負責人辛格說：“受氣候變暖影響，科學家預測，（喜馬拉雅山）大部份的冰河將在40年內消失。”
他說：“在哥本哈根達致的新協定，將對生活在喜馬拉雅山排水系統區內的數億萬人的生活產生難以預料的後果，這些人目前已飽受生活貧困之苦了。”
聯合國一個跨政府的氣候變遷小組也警告，喜馬拉雅山冰河可能在“2035年以前全部消失”，而專家表示，當地民眾已能感受到地球暖化的影響。
冰河加速融解更多洪災
在中國，官方新華社也報導，研究顯示，冰河加速融解，將在短期內引發更多的洪災。
在尼泊爾及不丹，冰河消融已經形成了大湖，隨時都會暴漲，已對下游的村莊構成威脅。
氣候暖化的痕跡除了在喜馬拉雅山，在南極地區也是清楚可見，由於南極西部大陸冰層融解快速，專家估計，在2100年海平面將上升1.4公尺，各國如果再不正視氣候暖化的問題，南極的冰層將會永遠消失。
星洲日報／國際‧2009.12.06
最简单的，每个人都可以做到的，就是停止或减少吃肉。更多详情：
http://www.suprememastertv.com/SOS/
资料来源： 星洲日報
http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/141266?tid=1
尼泊爾‧暖化加劇‧喜馬拉雅冰河融解‧亞洲13億人將失水源
* 頭條新聞
* 國際
2009-12-06 14:23
*
聯合國一個跨政府的氣候變遷小組也警告，喜馬拉雅山冰河可能在“2035年以前全部消失”，而專家表示，當地民眾已能感受到地球暖化的影響。（圖：法新社）
*
國際山區綜合開發中心於今年8月發佈的衛星組圖顯示，受到全球暖化影響，因喜瑪拉雅山冰川融化而開始形成的Imja Tsho湖，在過去50年來面積不斷擴大，至今被地質科學家指為世界上最具威脅性的冰湖之一。（圖：法新社）
有科學家深入冰河的冰穴中發現，冰河內部到處都是冰層融解的痕跡，甚至還有冰層崩塌。
冰層融化後出現水坑
雄偉高聳的珠穆郎瑪峰常年處在酷寒的氣候中，但在氣候暖化之下，山脊上厚厚的冰層也開始融化。至今，山峰上的冰河地表坑坑巴巴，甚至還有冰層融化後出現的水坑。過去30年間，此地區的氣溫每10年都增加了攝氏0.15度到0.6度，已加速了冰河融解的速度。
環保份子警告，一些喜馬拉雅山的冰河可能在未來數十年內消失。
大部份冰河40年內消失
世界自然基金會（WWF）生命運動的負責人辛格說：“受氣候變暖影響，科學家預測，（喜馬拉雅山）大部份的冰河將在40年內消失。”
他說：“在哥本哈根達致的新協定，將對生活在喜馬拉雅山排水系統區內的數億萬人的生活產生難以預料的後果，這些人目前已飽受生活貧困之苦了。”
聯合國一個跨政府的氣候變遷小組也警告，喜馬拉雅山冰河可能在“2035年以前全部消失”，而專家表示，當地民眾已能感受到地球暖化的影響。
冰河加速融解更多洪災
在中國，官方新華社也報導，研究顯示，冰河加速融解，將在短期內引發更多的洪災。
在尼泊爾及不丹，冰河消融已經形成了大湖，隨時都會暴漲，已對下游的村莊構成威脅。
氣候暖化的痕跡除了在喜馬拉雅山，在南極地區也是清楚可見，由於南極西部大陸冰層融解快速，專家估計，在2100年海平面將上升1.4公尺，各國如果再不正視氣候暖化的問題，南極的冰層將會永遠消失。
星洲日報／國際‧2009.12.06
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Malaysian Youths are speaking up for the Planet
A big KUDOS to our very own brand of young warriors in green armour.... way to go guys! May your efforts be rewarded soon and we can all live in a cleaner and safer environment!!
Source of article: The Sunday Star dated 30th November, 2009.
Link : http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/12/1/lifefocus/4244459&sec=lifefocus
Malaysian youth is fighting for justice – justice for the climate, that is.
ON Oct 24, more than 100 Malaysian youths appeared seemingly out of nowhere at the Suria KLCC and Pavilion shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur and started dancing and chanting: “Oh, it’s hot in here. There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere!”, to the amusement of thousands of tourists and shoppers. They did this for about a minute, then quickly dispersed just as suddenly as they had arrived.
What was that all about? It was the MyCJN-350 Dance for the Planet event, held to mark International Day of Climate Action. The youths are members of the Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network (MyCJN), a group that is determined to have its say on the well-being of the planet that they will inherit.
MyCJN was formed in June by five young people: Tam Kar Lye Tam, Lalitha Muthusamy, Khairun Nisa Mohamed Zabidi, Emily Chan Li Yu, and Adrian Yeo. Rather than an actual organisation, MyCJN is a network of environmentally concerned youths. While some of the founders remain actively involved in MyCJN activities, they are neither the movement’s “committee” nor leaders (in fact, only two of them are in Malaysia at this present time).
The group thrives on being a decentralised network of people who come together during projects, and relies heavily on the Internet to spread their message and get members. A good measure of how large a “membership” they currently have is their Facebook page – they currently have more than 1,100 members, and the number is growing each day.
MyCJN is not an organisation per se where one applies to be a member. It is more a network of like-minded people, and is meant to be a platform for young people to engage each other,” said Gan Pei Ling, 22, a student of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Environmental management graduate Leong Shen Nyan, 24, concurred. “It is a very interest-based network of people who are just interested in doing their part for the environment. If you want to run an environment project, all you have to do is announce it on the network to ask for help in getting manpower and resources.”
These projects can be anything, ranging from Gan’s October initiative of writing letters to Cabinet members urging them to act on climate change proposal, to the Dance for the Planet event and in the case of Chironjit Das (better known as Ron), flying to Bangkok to attend a United Nations conference on climate change.
“The purpose of the Bangkok trip was to connect with other like-minded youth from around the world, as well as the Malaysian delegation. We also wanted to find out what Malaysia’s role and stand on climate change is,” said Ron, 22.
MyCJN also helped organise a series of Conversations on Climate in August to provoke thoughts on the issue, and the Environmental Sustainability Leadership Symposium 2009 that guided 39 youths on green leadership.
YOUTH AT UN MEET
MyCJN is part of the Global Youth Climate Justice movement, which has a six-month action plan leading up to the UN climate meeting in Copenhagen next week. One of the MyCJN founding member, Adrian Yeo, is already in Copenhagen to aid youth initiatives and plan a conference for youth.
Gan and nine others will also be heading for Copenhagen as part of the Global Youth Climate Justice Network, through funding from the US Embassy and WWF.
Yeo is convinced that the youth can make a difference in efforts to heal the climate. “Our presence at the conference is of utmost importance. We need to show that we know the science, and that we are directly affected by the deal that world leaders are signing on to. They need to be reminded that all of us are someone’s son or daughter, and keep in mind the sustainability of our future,” he said via e-mail.
But will the elders in charge of the country and the world listen to a bunch of kids dancing and chanting in the streets? Well, considering the fact that MyCJN is only about six months old, it has got its voice heard.
“The Selangor Government recently invited us to attend the draft meeting for the Selangor Environmental Draft,” said Ron.
They were not taken seriously at the beginning, said Ron. “When we met the Malaysian delegation, they were very dismissive of us initially. You could see it in their faces. But in the end, many of them were impressed with us, as we knew our facts and were serious about what we were doing.”
While tangible change is still elusive at this stage, the progress that MyCJN has had so far bodes well for the organisation.
“We are building the foundation and getting the word out that we are a group of young people who wants to be heard,” said Leong.
“The whole idea of MyCJN is to empower Malaysian youths to take action. Our focus is to ensure the youth has a voice because if we don’t do something now, we will be the ones suffering the consequences in future,” Ron added.
Well, if the flash dance mob on Oct 24 is anything to go by, they certainly have gained attention. Sure, it’s just a lot of noise right now but give these young people some time. The future is theirs after all.
> For more on MyCJN: info@mycjn. org, www.mycjn.org, twitter.com/ mycjn, youtube.com/MYCJN and (facebook) MYCJN – Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network.
Source of article: The Sunday Star dated 30th November, 2009.
Link : http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/12/1/lifefocus/4244459&sec=lifefocus
Malaysian youth is fighting for justice – justice for the climate, that is.
ON Oct 24, more than 100 Malaysian youths appeared seemingly out of nowhere at the Suria KLCC and Pavilion shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur and started dancing and chanting: “Oh, it’s hot in here. There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere!”, to the amusement of thousands of tourists and shoppers. They did this for about a minute, then quickly dispersed just as suddenly as they had arrived.
What was that all about? It was the MyCJN-350 Dance for the Planet event, held to mark International Day of Climate Action. The youths are members of the Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network (MyCJN), a group that is determined to have its say on the well-being of the planet that they will inherit.
MyCJN was formed in June by five young people: Tam Kar Lye Tam, Lalitha Muthusamy, Khairun Nisa Mohamed Zabidi, Emily Chan Li Yu, and Adrian Yeo. Rather than an actual organisation, MyCJN is a network of environmentally concerned youths. While some of the founders remain actively involved in MyCJN activities, they are neither the movement’s “committee” nor leaders (in fact, only two of them are in Malaysia at this present time).
The group thrives on being a decentralised network of people who come together during projects, and relies heavily on the Internet to spread their message and get members. A good measure of how large a “membership” they currently have is their Facebook page – they currently have more than 1,100 members, and the number is growing each day.
MyCJN is not an organisation per se where one applies to be a member. It is more a network of like-minded people, and is meant to be a platform for young people to engage each other,” said Gan Pei Ling, 22, a student of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Environmental management graduate Leong Shen Nyan, 24, concurred. “It is a very interest-based network of people who are just interested in doing their part for the environment. If you want to run an environment project, all you have to do is announce it on the network to ask for help in getting manpower and resources.”
These projects can be anything, ranging from Gan’s October initiative of writing letters to Cabinet members urging them to act on climate change proposal, to the Dance for the Planet event and in the case of Chironjit Das (better known as Ron), flying to Bangkok to attend a United Nations conference on climate change.
“The purpose of the Bangkok trip was to connect with other like-minded youth from around the world, as well as the Malaysian delegation. We also wanted to find out what Malaysia’s role and stand on climate change is,” said Ron, 22.
MyCJN also helped organise a series of Conversations on Climate in August to provoke thoughts on the issue, and the Environmental Sustainability Leadership Symposium 2009 that guided 39 youths on green leadership.
YOUTH AT UN MEET
MyCJN is part of the Global Youth Climate Justice movement, which has a six-month action plan leading up to the UN climate meeting in Copenhagen next week. One of the MyCJN founding member, Adrian Yeo, is already in Copenhagen to aid youth initiatives and plan a conference for youth.
Gan and nine others will also be heading for Copenhagen as part of the Global Youth Climate Justice Network, through funding from the US Embassy and WWF.
Yeo is convinced that the youth can make a difference in efforts to heal the climate. “Our presence at the conference is of utmost importance. We need to show that we know the science, and that we are directly affected by the deal that world leaders are signing on to. They need to be reminded that all of us are someone’s son or daughter, and keep in mind the sustainability of our future,” he said via e-mail.
But will the elders in charge of the country and the world listen to a bunch of kids dancing and chanting in the streets? Well, considering the fact that MyCJN is only about six months old, it has got its voice heard.
“The Selangor Government recently invited us to attend the draft meeting for the Selangor Environmental Draft,” said Ron.
They were not taken seriously at the beginning, said Ron. “When we met the Malaysian delegation, they were very dismissive of us initially. You could see it in their faces. But in the end, many of them were impressed with us, as we knew our facts and were serious about what we were doing.”
While tangible change is still elusive at this stage, the progress that MyCJN has had so far bodes well for the organisation.
“We are building the foundation and getting the word out that we are a group of young people who wants to be heard,” said Leong.
“The whole idea of MyCJN is to empower Malaysian youths to take action. Our focus is to ensure the youth has a voice because if we don’t do something now, we will be the ones suffering the consequences in future,” Ron added.
Well, if the flash dance mob on Oct 24 is anything to go by, they certainly have gained attention. Sure, it’s just a lot of noise right now but give these young people some time. The future is theirs after all.
> For more on MyCJN: info@mycjn. org, www.mycjn.org, twitter.com/ mycjn, youtube.com/MYCJN and (facebook) MYCJN – Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network.
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