Muslims across the world celebrated the new Islamic year on 17 December. Ideally Muslims should start this new year with new determination to make more contribution to the advancement of the religion, nation and country. Muslims should also give Islam a new image - to present to the world that Islam is dynamic and harmony, not a religion of terrorism that is fond of war, as demonized by certain media.
Reducing Emission of Carbon Gas
On top of that, recently the world's attention was drawn to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which was participated by 192 countries. The conference aimed at seeking ways to reduce the emission of carbon gas to the atmosphere, which has become the main culprit of the rising temperature on the earth. The concerned world citizens hope to see the best outcome so that the role of each country will be made clear through the multilateral negotiation which has started two years ago.
However, almost all were not ready at that time as the environmental issue was often viewed in an anti-development context. In fact a politician opposed to my initiative by arguing that he did not want to be linked with the struggle of the Penans and anti logging industry.
The reality is that the time keeps changing. The present political scenes are much colored by environment-related issues. The polemic between US President Barack Obama and John McCain for the post of the US President in 2008 is still fresh in recent memories, with debates over climate change, green technology and carbon neutral economy.
Goal of Environmental Sustainability
Likewise, in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, environmental issue has become one of the key national policy that being heatedly debated on the political stage. Along the journey from Bali 2007 to Copenhagen, politicians worldwide have familiarized themselves with environmental terms and concepts such as GHG, Kyoto Protocol, carbon trade and sustainability, which were only comprehensible for professors, experts and environmentalists two decades ago.
The goal of environmental sustainability will not be achieved without support from the politicians. Through the Copenhagen Conference, we hope the political communities of various levels will have a chance to understand the ideal of environmental sustainability not only as political capital, but also a dogma to advance the mind and commitment of the society.
In my opinion, the Malaysian society at present has shown a big change in the mentality with respect to the matter of environmental sustainability. This is evident if we measure the concern over global issues such as climate change and green technology, thanks to the extensive coverage by the media and public awareness program implemented by various quarters, including education institutions.
Determination and Commitment
However, the Malaysian society needs to be make yet another step to have a first class sustainability mind. Indications of living up to the first class sustainability mind are environmental pro-initiative, paying fees for the service of piping and sewage management; no smoking, especially in public places; no river pollution and chopping down trees; to be concerned and would even become an environmentalist and fight to ensure there is no pollution of the country's environment.
Various efforts have been taken by various quarters in several aspects, since a long-time ago with substantial funding. Nevertheless, the effect is not so obvious especially in terms of the environmental quality. For example, many rivers and drains are still dirty (or even dirtier). Similarly, the sewage management has not been handled well.
In this regard, in conjunction with the new Islamic year, let us strengthen the country's determination and commitment to contribute more, including contribution to the sustainability of the country's environment. This is appropriate with the natural talent of human beings as the ruler of the world.
It is also hoped the multilateral negotiation in Copenhagen will prepare for a framework of global carbon neutral economic development, which is to be implemented with full awareness of people's responsibility in achieving environmental sustainability in a concerted effort.
Concerted Approach Needed
A concerted approach is important as the initiative of environmental sustainability starts from a sustainability mind and it is cultural. In addition to that, I am of the view that economic instrument like what is being heatedly debated in Copenhagen will not increase the commitment on environmental sustainability, especially when it is not supported by a viable legal system and the society is still unfamiliar with the philosophy of sustainable living.
So, Muslims should make a good use of this Islamic new year to create a new commitment so that Muslims can live up more to a sustainable lifestyle together with other world citizens. The Copenhagen Conference will surely seal the global commitment.
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