IT is not our birthright to destroy what is left of this planet. We may have, in the past, found difficulty empathising with the concept of environmentalism. But we really don't have much time left to remain ignorant.
Most middle-class homes in the suburbs around Kuala Lumpur have two or even three cars in the driveway. Closer inspection will reveal the blades of air-conditioner compressors whirring and lights turned on even during the day. One wonders whether these homeowners have even heard of the term "carbon emissions".
Carbon emissions are a measure of the amount of carbon as well as GHG (greenhouse gases) that are released into the atmosphere from our daily activities. Carbon and GHG corrode the ozone layer, a coating around the Earth that protects us from harmful radiation from the sun and keeps global temperatures and weather patterns in balance.
A large portion of carbon and GHG comes from the burning of oil for all sorts of purposes, from power generation to driving our vehicles.
Malaysia has consistently ranked poorly in the global ranking of carbon emitters (157th out of 224 countries).
According to several reports and studies done by the US-based International Energy Agency, Malaysia's carbon emissions increased from 3.1 tonnes per capita to 7.2 tonnes per capita over a 16-year period from 1990-2006. This year, this figure is expected to touch eight tonnes per capita, putting Malaysia third behind Vietnam and China in terms of the growth rate of carbon emissions.
Realising this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the Green Technology Policy under the newly renamed Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water last July. At the launch, Najib said the time had come for Malaysia to go green, citing global concerns to adopt and embrace sustainable and renewable best practices.
Earth Hour was an internationally acclaimed affair, for the noble cause of the globe, which was conveniently forgotten the next morning.
We have been spoilt with low energy costs, so there is less incentive for us to become energy-efficient or look to alternative energy sources.
To awaken environmental consciousness, a swift kick is needed where it hurts most -- not the minds and hearts of the people, but their wallets.
If it costs less to buy and use locally made solar panels that can trap unlimited solar energy 365 days a year compared with fossil fuel-produced electricity that is derived from depleting gas reserves, we will go green.
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