Earth Concern

The Malaysian Nature Society has been contributing towards the protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage since 1940. MNS has been the reason behind the protection of many key habitats as well as national and state parks in Malaysia. Dr. Loh Chi Leong, Executive Director, Malaysian Nature Society shares his views about some of the emerging climate change issues in the context of Malaysia. He has a special emphasis on Food security, conservation, livelihoods. Below is the summary of the interview.

What are key climate change related issues and challenges in Malaysia?

Not enough is known about the potential effect but it is likely that some areas will become more water stressed while others may experience more incidences of flooding from heavy rain. Coastal flooding, erosion and salt intrusion of coastal areas are also anticipated. Food production is a major concern. Malaysia is also dependent on cash crops like oil palm whose productivity and quality of product could be affected. There is concern that it may affect biodiversity found on low hills as the temperature rises and may affect certain natural cycles and cause them to be mis-timed. The immediate challenge is to set in place effective research and monitoring to better evaluate what is happening and to project more accurately the possible consequences.
What are the major threats on food security among the poor farmers and fisheries due to climate change issues?

The shifting of rainfall patterns coupled with the possibility of more severe storms can have a major impact on food production. In a worse case scenario, unseasonal dry weather during the planting season or unseasonal heavy rainfall during the harvest season can reduce the production of a staple like rice by as much as 80%. Fisheries are an important source of food and revenue for the country but they are dependent on healthy mangroves and coral reefs; both of which are vulnerable to climate change.
How do you see the future of conservation and habitat under the pressure of climate change?

Potentially, climate change can become the biggest threat to both species and habitats. However, all the more, conservation of forests and wetlands can be part of a solution for climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. What is necessary is to give recognition to the financial value of the ecosystem services provided by these forests and wetlands. No matter what, climate change will be possibly the major focus and issue for conservation.
What are the major governance related issues within climate change context in Malaysia?

Climate change like many cross-cutting issues requires a broad approach from every aspect of government but in Malaysia, many key Government Departments have yet to make climate change an important part of their agenda. For example, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is recognized as being the Government Ministry to address climate change but it has no platform to affect necessary changes such as reducing carbon emission from cars by improving public transport. Public Transport and indeed the number of cars on Malaysian roads are the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport but they do not see climate change as their problem.
As one of the leading agencies focused on conservation, habitat, park how do you see the future of tourism in Malaysia?

Malaysia is a great place for eco-tourism especially but is lacking the development of sufficient trained local guides to provide the dissemination of information which is critical to successful eco-tourism.
How do you see the role of people in protecting the nature and wildlife?

It is important to protect nature and wildlife by making sure that people appreciate and enjoy nature and thereafter empower them to do their part for conservation. This is central to MNS activities and our slogan is "Know, Love, Act". This is especially true for local communities near environmentally sensitive areas or protected areas. The local population can contribute to the degradation of the area or if properly educated and informed, can be the best ally for its conservation.
People, specially indigenous people and park management have problems in many Asian countries, how do you see this context in Malaysia?

Indigenous peoples are very often the best guardians of a forest or protected area. Unfortunately, there are very few examples where they have been given the authority to manage the forest. We support the concept of wise use of forest resources by indigenous peoples and community involvement in conservation. MNS has been involved in a number of projects following that concept.
What are your institutional major initiatives towards climate change and adaption?

MNS focuses on habitat conservation and as such our major initiatives is to have more forests protected and especially to promote conservation and monitoring of marine and coastal habitats and to oppose further mass conversion of forests and especially wetands which are important to addressing climate change. Our big campaign this year will be to protect the Temengor For4est Reserve, stop conversion of forests to other use and initiate marine mammal and coral studies.

Date: April 28th 2010

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