Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s future generations will suffer if nothing is done to tackle climate change at present.
Hence, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said an action plan must be developed to address the negative impacts of climate change especially on children.
She said this should also include efforts to promote environmental sustainability and going to the root cause when tackling climate change.
“This plan should include policies and initiatives to reduce poverty, improve healthcare access, and ensure nutritious diets for children.”
She said in her speech when officiating a roundtable table discussion on Climate Change and Children organised by Unicef and the Institute for Development Studies Sabah, here, last Friday.
The Api-Api Assemblywoman said it was also important to focus on support for the most vulnerable communities, with particular attention to the needs of children.
She stressed that to effectively address Sabah’s climate crisis, there is a need to fully understand the existing policies, gaps and issues related to the problem.
“This means looking closely at the impacts of climate change on children and engaging stakeholders to identify the best ways to promote environmental sustainability and protect the future of Sabah’s children.
“Climate change is a reality, and it is happening right now. The rising temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and the rapid loss of biodiversity are all symptoms of a planet in crisis.
“In Sabah, we are already witnessing the effects of climate change. The increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, is causing significant damage to our communities and infrastructure.
“As a matter of fact, just a few weeks ago, flash floods which were described as the worst in 10 years, affected many coastal low-lying areas from Sipitang to Lahad Datu.
“The number of flood evacuees was a staggering 6,313, and a total of 26 relief centres were opened in five districts in the State,” she said.
Christina said this brings up grave concern for the future of children who might end up living in an unconducive environment on earth.
“It is not just the present generation affected by these changes. Our children will bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change in the future.
“They will inherit a planet that is less hospitable, less diverse, and more challenging to live on. They will face the reality of rising sea levels, food and water scarcity, and the loss of their homes and communities,” she said.
To this end, Christina said it was crucial that the present generation take action in salvaging the situation before it gets much worse.
“The future of our planet is in our hands. And it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave a better world for our children.
“We must take action now to combat climate change and protect the future of Sabah and our children,” she stressed.
For the record, a Children’s Climate Change Risk Index report published by Unicef in 2021 indicated that Malaysia was ranked sixty-first on the list of least performing countries where children are most at risk to climate change.
Another Unicef report published in the same year also found that children and young are exposed to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, with negative consequences in terms of health and well-being, education and future opportunities.
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