Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this

Climate change is already happening and it is going to be worse in the coming years. The increasing amount of greenhouse gases and the carbon dioxide that is released freely in the atmosphere is definitely the main culprit.

We need to take serious measures toward mitigation of climate change. The IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES, 2000) projects an increase of global GHG emissions by 25% to 90% between the year 2000 and 2030.

In Asia alone, by the year 2050, it is expected that the freshwater availability particularly in large rivers will decrease. Climate change can affect many aspects of a consumer's life.

Recently local newspaper reported that there has been a shortage of sugar. This is due to the decreased crop production and the crops in India and Brazil being damaged due to freak weather.

The raw sugar traded in the New York futures market has risen 86%. Due to global shortage, consumers everywhere are faced with shortage of sugar, more so in Malaysia with many festive seasons around the corner.

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) stated that farmers in many developing countries would face unemployment due to damage to fuelling food security problems.

The food shortage in Lusong Laku, Kapit Division has worsened and they had a shortage of rice and water caused by prolonged drought.

This situation can happen to anyone of us if climate change is not addressed immediately. At the moment, we should aim to stabilise the greenhouse gases (GHG) as it is the main culprit.

The major contributor of GHGs is unsustainable use of energy source namely fossil fuels like petroleum, coal and natural gas. Fossil fuels are used for transport and to generate electricity. One of the immediate actions at our disposal is embrace energy efficiency efforts at home, work and everywhere else.

According to the Secretary of Energy of the United States, Steven Chu, energy efficiency is one of the best way forward in reducing climate change. It is also important for the consumers to know their responsibility in reducing effects of climate change.

Consumers can choose not to support businesses that offer products and services that are produced in an unsustainable manner or results in consumers contributing to environmental degradation through the use of a product or services.

Industries can help consumers in choosing energy efficiency products via energy efficiency labelling schemes. Eco-labelling aims to promote products with a reduced environmental impact compared with other products in the same product group.

Approved labelling schemes protect consumers and consumers are able to exercise their responsibility. Under the ISO 14020 there are three types of environmental labels i.e. Type 1, Type II, and Type III. The Department of Standards Malaysia has adopted the ISO 14020 as a Malaysian standard.

The small and medium industry, which makes up more than 95% of the business premises, must be guided to comply with relevant types of standards. Climate change is everyone's responsibility - not just individuals, not just corporations.

ADS