Malaysia has experienced a significant increase in its average surface temperature, rising by 0.6°C to 1.2°C over the past 40 years (1969-2009). The nation is now confronting a full-blown climate crisis, marked by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns—a direct consequence of global warming.
Scorching heatwaves, sudden torrential downpours, recurrent flash floods, and severe thunderstorms are no longer isolated occurrences but are becoming a consistent reality, regardless of the season. Projections indicate that without robust mitigation efforts, this temperature increase could reach 1.5°C to 2.0°C by 2050.
Ricky Anak Kemarau, a senior lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)’s Institute of Climate Change, attributes the primary cause of global warming to greenhouse gases (GHG). These gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), are the main culprits as they trap heat in the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect.
“Carbon dioxide, for example, can persist in the atmosphere for 100 to 1,000 years, depending on its cycle,” Ricky explained. “Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 10- to 12-year period, while chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) last over 100 years and also inflict damage on the ozone layer.” He added that these gases absorb solar radiation, effectively trapping it within Earth’s atmosphere and gradually escalating global temperatures.
Human Activity Drives Escalating GHG Levels and Extreme Weather
“The sharp increase in GHG levels is primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels for energy generation (with coal alone accounting for 30–40 percent of global CO₂ emissions),” Ricky told Harian Metro. “It is also fueled by industrial and transport activities, as well as deforestation, which not only releases stored carbon but also obliterates natural carbon sinks.” He highlighted that current carbon dioxide levels have surpassed 420 parts per million (ppm)—the highest in human history and significantly above the stable pre-Industrial Revolution level of 280 ppm.
“Our responsibility extends beyond merely reducing emissions. We must also fortify the nation’s defenses against future climate risks,” he stressed. “If the world succeeded in safeguarding the ozone layer through the Montreal Protocol, we can likewise mitigate the climate crisis—but only if all parties act collectively.”
Ricky observed that this escalating phenomenon is not confined to Malaysia. Other Asian countries are also experiencing a surge in natural disasters due to fluctuating global temperatures. He reiterated that the pivotal factor remains greenhouse gases, largely the direct result of human activities. This is no longer theoretical; scientific advancements now allow for the “detection of the human fingerprint” in nearly every extreme weather event across the globe, including those in Malaysia.
Direct Link Between Human Activity and Extreme Weather Confirmed
Recent studies, particularly those published in reputable journals like Nature Climate Change and global reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), indicate that over 80 percent of extreme weather events in the past two decades are directly attributable to human activity.
“We are witnessing the profound consequences of seemingly ordinary actions—the burning of fossil fuels, the clearing of forests, and uncontrolled land use changes stemming from development,” he stated. “The cumulative effect of these actions is heating up the planet, and this warming, in turn, is fueling extreme weather.”
One of the most conspicuous impacts is the escalating frequency and intensity of heatwaves, particularly in urban areas. “It’s not just the global climate, but also how humans construct cities without adequate green spaces for natural cooling,” he explained. “This contributes to the urban heat island effect, which intensifies heat to levels capable of causing fatalities from heat stroke, heart failure, and significant damage to infrastructure.”
He further elucidated that a warmer atmosphere retains more water vapor, which, upon release, results in heavier-than-usual rainfall. “This accounts for the rising trend in rainfall. Regrettably, urban infrastructure is often ill-equipped to handle such immense volumes of water, leading to recurring flash floods,” he concluded.
