PENANG, 6 January 2025 – The Malaysian National News Agency, better known as BERNAMA recently interviewed Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) Director, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai for its BERNAMA World TV (Current Affairs) segment.

Hosted by Elane Noor Abdullah, the interview in the news segment was conducted via Zoom (30 December 2024), where Aileen shared her thoughts and insights on the topic of “The State of Our Planet: Climate and Disasters in 2024.”

Among some of her comments were on lessons learnt from climate change, severe weather patterns and the occurrence of natural disasters.

Aileen began by stating that the general perception is that the weather or temperature levels in some parts of the world have reached the highest, but in reality, each year will see the conditions becoming more serious.

“One effect of the situation would be the flooding which happened in Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah recently,” she said.

Aileen also said, “these observations could then lead to the conclusion reached, concerning greater effects from floods that would most likely occur next year.”

“This is due to the part that global temperatures would continue to rise regardless of the efforts made to mitigate such effects. This could also further intensify climate-related hazards. The outcomes would become more unpredictable, as the world moves closer to irreversible climate tipping point, where there is no turning back,” she explained.

Aileen then said that there will be secondary, downstream effects of extreme weather as well.

“Flash floods and greater rainfall distribution will be some examples that can no longer be predicted. As a result, it would bring more challenges regarding the preparations needed to face those conditions,” she added.

She continued by stating that the 2015-2024 decade has been the warmest on record, with high global mean temperatures. This has resulted in greater ice loss from glaciers and more occurrences of cyclones, droughts and wildfires.

What this means, she said, there is a real need to reduce harmful gas emissions and closer monitoring of the effects of climate change.

“It is no longer about mitigation, but more on ensuring the readiness and adaptation measures to face potential threats in the future,” stressed Aileen.

She further said, Malaysia being a tropical country is also vulnerable to rising temperatures and shifts in seasonal patterns. She also mentioned examples from Japan and India.

“As it is, Asia remains the most disaster-hit region, being exposed to weather, climate and water-related hazards.

“Other related problems, such as heatwaves and storms, would lead to food scarcity and food security issues. These could impact societies and economies as Asia is warming faster than any other global average in other regions,” according to Aileen.  

Aileen later concluded by saying that climate cannot be stopped or entirely slowed down.

“However, with the availability of modern scientific technology, together with the courage and willingness of the leadership, certain transformative actions can be implemented.

“At the same time, the awareness needs to be further disseminated regarding climate adaptation and green solution measures,” she added.  

She summed up by saying, there should be actions taken to slow down the rate of climate change at all levels and to drive the message clearly to all.

Source: BERNAMA World TV/Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin