LETTER | Extreme temperatures and waning will to green our spaces

LETTER | Our weather is already creeping up beyond 35 degrees Celsius. The nights are not spared either. Our crops and livestock too will be victims undoubtedly.

What has been and is our national agenda knowing full well these past years that climate change will not spare Malaysia either?

At the rate we are seizing every available space in cities and townships to raise mortar and glass to cash in on “returns on investments” (ROI), it is no surprise if our landscape rape in the name of progress and more money will bleed the nation, eventually.

Despite many people and environmentalists sharing ideas and pleading these past decades to green our environment, today we are already buckling under as little as three days of temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius.

What is so difficult to green our cities and townships?

Instead, we are fed with the repeated storyline each time we spot trees being cut down indiscriminately as being a "danger to people and property".

There are numerous vegetation types that can cool down our streets, dwellings and business premises without becoming a threat. Why are these not being considered with convincing determination to make our environment more liveable?

Even housing areas spread all over the country are becoming “bake houses” given the rising temperatures and the absence of tree-lined frontages and kerbsides.

To make things worse, we are turning to air-conditioned dwellings, now considered a necessity even for low-cost houses.

Poor management

Our flood mitigation stories are a pain in the back, having failed despite decades of public funds being spent.

As the region is fast experiencing the onslaught of climate change, Malaysia is yet again set to steal the crown for having the most badly managed environment.

Why can our leaders not see the urgency to pass a bill that will compel all businesses and homeowners to green their spaces according to set guidelines?

Why are we pushing this urgent agenda of rising temperatures under the carpet?

We talk of patriotism but where are our policies to green our spaces?

Perhaps, our culture of putting the blame on God is rooted far too deep and wide.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.