DR EVELYN LIM AI LIN
Environmental education lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia
REFLECTIONS
In Malaysia, we’re never short of environmental education programmes. It’s very encouraging to know that despite the slowdown of the economy, the government, corporate sectors, nongovernmental organisations and local communities are committed towards implementing various environmental education programmes.
It isn’t surprising that most Malaysians possess some basic knowledge about air and water pollution, deforestation, solid waste, flood, haze, global warming and climate change. But many do not fully understand the implication of our current environmental concerns and are less likely to commit or act on these issues. Studies have shown that Malaysians are selective towards committing to an environment cause, i.e. those issues that “are in my backyard” and/ or if they provide some form of personal gains such as saving money.
Being aware about an environmental issue doesn’t always lead to behavioural change. This is attributed to how we talk about such issues. We’re guilty of using technical terms and jargons to explain complex natural phenomenon and issues that in turn, become incomprehensible, irrelevant and unimportant to the layman. We alienate man from his environment instead of linking man with nature — the connections and relationship we establish with our natural environment in our everyday lives. We fail to make people understand that we’re part of the environment system and that nature belongs to everyone. Failing to understand the basic relationship, coupled with the complexity of green issues have resulted in many shying away from being part of the solution.
HOPES
Environmental education is an organised effort to teach about the processes and functions of the natural environment, how human beings can manage their behaviour and ecosystems to live sustainably. I hope initiatives can be taken to coordinate, strategise and synergise the various environmental education initiatives in the country so that the development and implementation of environmental education is clear and well directed.
As environmental educators and conservationists, we have an important voice and are story tellers of our natural environment. Let’s not drown important messages with technical terms and jargons that end up making environmental issues beyond people’s comprehension. We need to work closer to make environmental issues relevant and important to all. Conservation does not happen with just technology. Conservation begins with people.