Public knowledge of climate change: Malaysia’s perspective

Abstract

Increasing public awareness and educating the public about climate change is necessary in lieu of its effects on the health, wealth and well-being of all individuals concerned. Climate change is happening, extreme events related to it are on the rise globally and Malaysia is no exception. Recent events of the tsunami in 2004, extraordinarily large floods of 2006 and 2014 are evidences of this. Similarly longer hot spells resulting in droughts and water shortage substantiate the results of studies done both locally and globally. Therefore there is a need for the general public to be aware of and to understand climate change. The public has a critical role to play in responding to climate change. The dissemination of knowledge and awareness to the general public is now the concern being raised by many, especially those directly involved in scientific studies of climate change. This paper discusses studies and initiatives done in various parts of the world and some concerns raised on the matter. A proposed initiative for Malaysia will also be discussed. Climate change is intertwined with human behaviour, how we handle the world, how we sustain our natural resources will have an impact on our future climate. It is imperative that people are made aware of these issues and they play a bigger role in handling these issues as a means of increasing its saliency.