ombating Climate Change Effects Takes More Than Promoting Renewable Energy

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Efforts to minimise the effects of climate change should be extended beyond promoting the renewable energy spectrum and must be shouldered by individuals and government alike. Philanthropist and Sarawak Cheshire Home president, Ang Lai Soon, said promoting renewable energy should be extended to installing renewable energy devices and that the aim to minimise climate change effects must not be confined to cities. "This year, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is challenging cities of the world to do more than turning off their lights for one hour from 8.30pm on Saturday, March 25. "The challenge is a year-long competition among cities to promote renewable energy and prepare for climate change. My immediate question is, why should this be confined to cities?" he said in a statement Friday. According to Ang, the cause should be extended to towns, as well as to any human settlements and to individual dwellings. Earth Hour is an annual worldwide movement for the planet organised by WWF towards the end of March during which individuals, communities, households and businesses are encouraged to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour from 8.30pm, as a symbol for their commitment to the planet. "Malaysia and this region are in a tropical area with an abundance of sunshine to provide the hot water we need from a solar water heater, and the power we need through solar panels. "Each and everyone of us has both a duty and a responsibility to help minimise dramatic climate change," Ang said. He called on Malaysians to support government efforts to protect the environment and hoped that they would look into installing their own solar panels so that the energy requirement in the home is produced in an environmentally friendly way. -- BERNAMA