TO draw public attention to “350 parts per million (ppm)”, the number scientists claim is the safe upper limit for the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, international grassroots campaign 350.org has been working hard for the past two years to raise awareness. The current amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stands at […]
environment
The story of the Seaweed Lady
By Datuk Abu Bakar JaafarTHE problems of ocean space and the environment are so closely interrelated that there is a need for such problems to be considered as a whole. A solution to the problems could be perhaps drawn from a case study: the story of the “seaweed lady”, Dr Kathleen Drew-Baker (1901-1957), who was a marine botanist at […]
The economics of waste
By Datuk Abu Bakar JaafarWaste can be valuable as recyclables (© Zsuzsanna Kilián / sxc.hu) WHAT is the difference between “waste” and “resource”? There is hardly any, except in socio-economic value. Both can be treated as commodities, though waste is usually priced less than resource. Despite the price differential, waste is nevertheless sorted out into a number of streams […]
Penang bans polystyrene at official events
PENANG, 15 June 2009: Penang has banned the use of polystyrene boxes and plates in all of its official functions. State executive councillor for health, welfare, caring society and environment, Phee Boon Poh, said the use of polystyrene boxes as food containers raised health as well as environmental concerns. Polystyrene boxes and plates could retain […]
Penang declares Mondays “No plastic day”
PENANG, 5 June 2009: The Penang government has declared every Monday as “No plastic day” for the state beginning 1 July. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today the government’s ban on using plastic bags marked its commitment towards becoming a green state. “Following consultation and dialogues with hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini markets, plastic manufacturers and […]
“I don’t feel deculturalised”
By Zedeck SiewGURMIT Singh, 66-year-old environmental activist, says, “There’s never been any stage of my teen or adult life when I wasn’t part of some organisation.” A prominent student leader in the 1960s and 1970s, Gurmit is former secretary-general of the National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam). He got into environmental advocacy in 1974, long before […]
Reinterpreting Christmas
By Sivin KitAdvent is represented by lighting four candles, before a fifth is lit on Christmas day (© Traute Klasser / sxc.hu) CHRISTMAS is celebration. Shopping. Decorations. Parties. Carols. But very few of us are aware that in the Christian calendar there are four Sundays that build up to the climax of Christmas day. These Sundays are […]
