WITH prospects of an imminent global environmental cataclysm stemming from uncontrolled carbon emissions, Malaysia has taken a big stride towards enlightening its young on the value of clean energy.
In simpler terms, annual extraction and mass commercialisation of 55 tonnes of fossil energy, like oil and coal, minerals, metals and biomass, have damaged and are damaging the global environment.
At the accelerating rate of deforestation, five to 10 per cent of the world's tropical forest species, including a worrying rate in Malaysia, becomes extinct every decade.
A startling fact: 1,692 acres of productive dry land turns into a desert every hour, a rate that's shrivelling the planet. Pollution, climate crisis, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer and natural resources depletion, overpopulation, desertification, deforestation, biological diversity loss and transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and chemicals will affect Earthlings, no matter where they are.
The world may be helpless in curbing the West's ravenous consumption of energy, so we do what we must. For future's sake, the government has introduced new vocational courses in electric vehicles and solar energy under technical and vocational education and training.
A total of RM6.8 billion will be spent, a major allocation demonstrating our commitment to conserve the Earth's sustainability, at least on Malaysian soil and air. It is baby steps, but a crucial one designed to reach our ambitious target of future renewable energy, providing 31 per cent (13 gigawatts) of the nation's energy needs by 2025 and 40 per cent (18 gigawatts) by 2035, all under the Malaysia Renewable Energy Roadmap.
In ensuing months, designated lead institutions will act according to the roadmap to strengthen Malaysia's mission to become the regional clean power hub in the Asean Power Grid initiative.
However, major challenges abound. Wind and solar power involves huge cost, variability of generation and lack of transmission. To solve them, everyone, including opposition states, must be on the same page, meaning accommodating land acquisition — as this technology demands huge tracts of space — as well as easing red tape and manpower to a degree never acquiesced before.
It also means re-education of the masses, that electric vehicles will replace petrol-driven jalopies and that solar energy needs a big rethink in how power is sustainably used. Care must be invested in expanding the use of solar panels as energy sources. Study the successes, failures and disappointments of other nations' solar initiatives implemented decades ago.
And, where possible, apply local technology: no need to import EVs when local manufacturing with homebred technology is available.
We have the full-fledged plan, commitment (at least on paper) and possibly the necessary funds but, in the long run, do we have the political will? Governments tumble and fall in every election cycle. Malaysia is no different.
There are questions that what the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim administration pledges now may not be enthusiastically receptive if seismic political shifts occur in future election cycles. For our survival, we must not allow this to happen.