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The changing climate of the Earth has become a
constant worry to scientists and many
individuals around the world. Numerous studies
have been carried out and are still being
carried out to assess the changes that have
taken place in our environment and forecast what
we could be facing in the future. Unpredictable
incidences of natural disasters provide us with
the warning signs that the worst is yet to come.
Some devastating effects resulting from climate
change are expected to take place around the
world, including our country, Malaysia. Places
that have never been affected by serious
flooding are now becoming flood-prone areas. In
Malaysia for instance, with the arrival of the
north-east monsoon, states in the north-east of
the peninsular such as Kelantan and Terengganu
are most badly affected by heavy rainfall.
However, this is no longer the case now. Other
states such as Perlis and Kedah, on the west
coast, have also been listed as flood prone
areas. There is a general expectation that with
an increase in our annual rainfall, the
situation would worsen as more areas in Malaysia
would become subject to floods. Flash floods
will occur more frequently and this in turn
would bring about an increased destruction of
property, infrastructure and livelihood.
Despite the projected heavier rainfall, our
country is also at risk of reduced rainfall and
prolonged droughts due to an expected increase
in temperature and changes in precipitation. The
rise of about 1 to 1.5 °C is expected for all
regions in the peninsular. The higher demand for
water supply by many sectors will also
contribute to water shortage. This rise in
temperature will have a negative impact on the
agricultural sector. Crop yields will drop and
other agricultural activities, such as rubber
and oil palm growing, and rice cultivation, will
also be negatively affected.
These changes
can jeopardise our nation's food security and
earnings.
Climate change would also affect our coastal
areas. As sea levels rise at the rate of 0.9 cm
per year, coastal areas are expected to
submerge, causing the loss of mangrove trees.
This rise will impede drainage and cause
more frequent flooding of coastal areas. Another
effect of climate change is shoreline erosion.
Increased wave action will contribute to this
damage too. Other impacts of climate
change will include the submergence of corals,
coral bleaching and loss of fisheries resources.
More detrimental effects will become apparent
over the next two or three decades and these are
going to affect both humans and animals alike.
Many countries around the world are taking
measures to reduce pollution by changing the way
they do things. Still, there are some that are
too arrogant and selfish and refuse to do so.
Even so, as individuals, we can do our part to
protect our Earth for future generations. |
