The Planet in Trouble

This morning I had the pleasure of attending a BEDB Forum entitled ‘The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia’. I must admit, when I received the invitation I thought ‘oh dear, I will sleep..’. On the contrary, it was quite interesting and had me thinking that I should blog about this.

There was a presentation by the Asian Development bank (ADB) about how the climate has changed and caused the natural disasters. And that if the world continues its business as is, in about 50 years from now, the planet earth may no longer be a healthy planet to live in.

There was also a panel discussion on ‘Towards a Strategy on Climate Change: How Can Brunei Darussalam Contribute?’ Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay until the end of the discussion due to an office appointment. So, I didn’t actually get to hear from the experts what Brunei could and should do to help our planet which appears to be in great trouble.

Earlier on however, while listening to the remarks made by Dato T, which was as captivating as any of his previous ones, I began to list down what Brunei could do immediately without having to incur millions of dollars in cost. I would like to share this with you.

1. Public Education: Call it ‘Awareness’ or ‘Changing the Mindset’. This has to be done Pronto. This alone however will not have a big effect unless back by some policies because let’s face the fact, this does not appeal to our culture of ‘it’s –my-money-I-can-do-what-I-want-to’. So, by having some advertisement or one-off ‘awareness day’ (only) on the cost to the environment of diesel car or excessive electricity or excessive recyclable rubbish, my bet, will not change anyone’s mind let alone, centuries-old habits.

2. Policies: Now, before we talk about investing in solar power or wind power and what not, I think there are a number of policies that can actually make a difference.
First and foremost, look at the way we use the air-conditioner in the government offices! I tell you, in some departments frozen chicken can actually stay frozen for days if left in the rooms…well, ok I’m exaggerating, but some offices ARE cold. Now, can’t we have some sort of regulation to ‘cap’ the temperature? They do this in Japan, I was told.

What about the use of energy-saving light bulbs? Are these being used in all departments?
Before we ask the public to recycle, please can we practice what we preach? I do not recall ever seeing a recycling bin or box in any of the government building (at least in those I’ve been to). Well, they don’t have to be expensive or special bins, the normal ones with some pictured labels should be enough I think. I mean, if my children’s school can do it, I’m sure government departments can do it too, no?

Other ideas in my head (which may not easily implementable) include the encouragement for supermarkets to charge their plastic bags. Those plastic bags are not free in the first place. So let the consumers know how much they really cost.
Limit the number of parking spaces in government buildings, so people can be encouraged to come in twos.

And I can go on..

But the point of me writing this is that yes..we can contribute..We can start at home. (We do). You may say, ‘I alone won’t make a difference’ but if everyone contributes in his or her own little way, I’m sure it will.

Salaam.