Preventing global warming is a global responsibility.

To what extent do
you agree and disagree? Support with appropriate reference in 1000
words.

https://books.google.com.my/books?id=VLT7E5FtWS8C&pg=PA120&dq
=preventing+global+warming+is+a+global+responsibility+%3F&hl=en&s
a=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=preventing%20global%20warming%20i
s%20a%20global%20responsibility%20%3F&f=false

Kuper, A. Global Responsibilities: Who Must Deliver on Human Rights (p 120)

Consider the case of global climate change. This is best described as a case
of uncoordinated collective harm. Individuals do not cause the harm of global
warming; the most they can be responsible for having caused is a small fraction of
the harm. (AGREE) The contributions of each of us makes to climate change are
negligible that they do not amount to harming anyone. Attribution of responsibility for
climate change to individuals thus fails the first condition of a complete attribution of
responsibility as they do not connect behaviour with harm. Of course, groups, like all
the people in the United States, do cause substantial climate change and thus,
assuming the climate change is harmful, they harm others. Nothing can be required
of an unorganised group of people since such groups cannot make decisions and
take actions. In sum, climate change is clearly a morally significant issue, but it is
difficult to see how one could make a complete attribution of responsibility for its
regulation.

Page 128

Both individuals and institutional agents bear responsibilities. They are

responsible for avoiding causing certain harms and sometimes for preventing or
ameliorating harms even if they did not cause them. There is rationale for restricting
individual responsibility roughly along some familiar lines from common sense
morality. The rationale does not apply to the institutional agents. Therefore, the
responsibilities of institutional agents are not necessarily limited I the same way as
individual responsibilities are. Ideally, we would like to reach a stronger conclusion,
namely Institutional agents are responsible for global problems. A more modest
conclusion one might draw is that the responsibilities of institutional agents are
always broader than those of individuals. This seems to follow from the fact that the
responsibilities of institutional agents are not limited in the same way that individual
responsibilities are.

https://books.google.com.my/books?id=E6Ubfp4bQpwC&pg=PA14&dq=preventing+
global+warming+is+a+global+responsibility+%3F&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onep
age&q=preventing%20global%20warming%20is%20a%20global%20responsibility%
20%3F&f=false

Bendell, J. (Ed.). The Global Step Change (P 14)

Still others displace the issue by claiming that global status requires global
action, therefore implying that to change their own activities would be inadequate and
thus pointless. (INTRODUCTION) This position is displayed both by some
industrialised countries, who argue against changing their ways unless the emerging
world joins in, and developing countries, who denies responsibility for the current
state of the atmosphere and refuse to incur costs for a situation they have had no
historical influence on. (DISAGREE) These responses effectively render someones
acknowledgement of climate change to be inconsequential.

Leading corporate citizens should avoid these standpoints and be clear about
their inadequacy. We cannot ignore or downplay climate change because it affects all
of society, while energy consumption is involved in the pursuit of nearly any
profession or endeavour. We cannot displace responsibility for action as the global
nature of the challenge means that it is everyones responsibility to act, and, if we
need other people to act to be able to sustain our own actions, then this implies an
additional arena of action focusing on engagement. (AGREE)

https://books.google.com.my/books?id=iTDfdM0jpfUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=prev
enting+global+warming+is+a+global+responsibility+%3F&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#
v=onepage&q=preventing%20global%20warming%20is%20a%20global%20responsi
bility%20%3F&f=false

Verheyen, R. Climate change Damage and International Law: (p1)

Climate change is a relatively well-researched issue, both scientifically and

legally. However, climate change law, as it might be defined, has primarily dealt
with defining and specifying obligations on the international and national level.
 Climate change is no longer an abstract problem but one that will heavily
affect human and natural systems as well as inter-state relations.
(INTRODUCTION/ENDING)

The global climate ties together the atmosphere, oceans, land surface as well
as animal and plant ecosystems. It is mainly driven by the energy provided by the
sun (radiation). The solar energy that does not reflect off clouds and snow is
absorbed by the atmosphere and the Earths surface. As the surface warms, it sends
infrared radiation, or heat, back towards space. About one third of this energy is
absorbed by the atmosphere, oceans, land and biosphere, the rest is reflected back
into space. The natural greenhouse effect is caused by atmospheric greenhouse
gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrous oxide (N2O), methane
(CH4), ozone (O3) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which effectively act as a blanket
that traps radiation (heat) and prevents most of the thermal radiation from entering
outer space- like greenhouse. Increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere lead to less radiation entering outer space, which gradually
increases the temperature of the lower atmosphere and the Earths surface (global
warming) (INTRODUCTION)

At the beginning of 21st century, there is little doubt that human activities alter
the climate system and that emissions of greenhouse gases amplify the natural
greenhouse effect. The Earth is today 0.6 C warmer than it was 1900, and indeed,
2002, 2001 and 1998 were the top three warmest years on record since recorded
measurement began in 1860.

In aggregate terms, the impacts of climate change can have potentially

disastrous effects on individual and regional economies.

P 32

Support green business that use recycled products or paper (dry cleaners,
banks, et cetera; use low-flow showerheads, sinks, or toilets; use alternative fuel
vehicles; use renewable energy. Ask business owner if they use these things If they
do, make sure they know that you are supporting them for that reason and ask them
to advertise their actions so others will know too.

By demanding your state and national government

We have to keep ourselves informed about what is going on with global

warming policy.
 In terms of global warming, some of the biggest national policy issues right
now are signing on to the international treaty to reduce global warming emission,
called the Kyoto Protocol (AGREE) (see appendix B), not drilling for oil in Alaskas
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, raising fuel-efficiency standards for airplanes and
passenger vehicles and giving more funding to the renewable power, alternative fuel
and high-speed train industries.

https://www.google.com/search?q=preventing+global+warming+is+a+global+respons
ibility%3F&oq=preventing&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j69i59l3j69i60l2.10153j0j7&sourceid=
chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=is+preventing+global+warming+a+global+responsibility+pdf

Langholz, J. & Turner, K. You Can Prevent Global Warming (P 341)

Since the Industrial Revolution of the late 1700s, humans have been burning
increasing amounts of coal, oil, gasoline, and other fossil fuels to heat our homes,
produce electricity and power our vehicles.

P 342

Along with this rise in global temperature, the IPCC reports a dramatic
increase in greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide over the past 250 years.
The panel believes that this increase in greenhouse gases, with their ability to trap
heat, is leading to global warming. The levels of other greenhouse gases (methane,
nitrous oxides, chlorofluorocarbon, et cetera) have also increased since the
beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However, there is currently more carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere than all the other greenhouse gases combined. Another
troubling fact about carbon dioxide and the rest of greenhouse gases is that they
have extremely long lives, In other words, once carbon dioxide is emitted in the
atmosphere, it continues to trap the suns heat for over 100 years. (INTRODUCTION)

Time Global Warming ()

P14

Never mind what you have heard about the global warming as slow emergency that
would take decades to play out. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the crisis is upon us.
(INTRODUCTION)

From heat waves to storms to floods to fires to massive glacial melts, the global
climate seems to be crashing around us. Scientists have been calling this shot for
decades. This is precisely what they have been warning would happen if human
being continued pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping the heat
that flows from the sun and raising global temperatures. (INTRODUCTION)

The U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report on

the state of planetary warming in February 2007 that was surprising only in its utter
lack of hedging. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, the report stated.
Since 1750, human activities have played a significant role by overloading the
atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO2), hence retaining solar heat that would
otherwise radiate away. The report concluded that while the long-term solution is to
reduce the level of CO2 I in the atmosphere, for now we are going to have to dig in
and prepare, building better levees, moving to higher ground and abandoning
vulnerable floodplains altogether.

Global warming, even more skeptics have concluded, is the real deal, and
human activity has been causing it. If there had been any consolation, it was that
glacial pace of nature would give us decades or even centuries to sort out the
problem.

It is not just scientists who are taking notice. In a 2006 TIME/ABC News/
Stanford University poll, 85% of respondents agreed that global warming probably is
happening. Moreover, most respondents said they wanted some action taken. Of
those polled, 87% believed the government should either encourage or require
lowering of power plants emissions and 85% thought something should be done to
get cars to use less gasoline. (AGREE)

The symptoms of global warming are complex, afflicting with flood and others
with drought. At left, rising sea levels due to polar melting threaten residents of
Tuvalu in the South Pacific in 2005. Scientists fear the tiny island nation may vanish
beneath the waves. Above, farmer John Magill inspects failing crops in Parkes,
Australia, in 2006, where a years-long drought is the worst in the nations history.

Carbon dioxide and the Poles

As a tiny component of atmosphere, carbon dioxide helps to warm the Earth

to comfort the levels we are all used too but too much of it does an awful lot of
damage. They allow sunlight to stream in but prevent much of the heat from radiating
back out.
Effect (INTRODUCTION/ENDING)

Ecosystems are usually able to maintain themselves. But eventually they get
pushed to the limit of tolerance.

Feedback Loops (p 17)

One of the reasons the loss of the planets ice cover is accelerating is that as
the poles bright white surface shrinks, it changes the relationship of Earth and the
sun. Polar ice is so reflective that 90% of the sunlight that strikes it simply bounces
back into space, taking much of its energy with it. Ocean water does just the opposite,
absorbing 90% of the energy it receives. The more energy it retains, the warmer it
gets, with the result that each cubic mile of ice that melts vanishes faster than the
mile that preceded it.

Drought (p 18)

As fast as global warming is transforming the oceans and the ice cape, it is
having an even more immediate effect on land. Global warming is tipping othe
regions of the world into drought in different ways. Higher temperatures bake
moisture out soil faster, causing dry regions that live at the margins to cross the line
into full-blown crisis

Flora and Fauna

Hot, dry land can murder on plants and animals and both are taking a bad hit.
Wildfires in such regions as Indonesia, the western U.S. and even inland Alaska
have been increasing as timberlands and forest floors grow more parched. The
blazes create a feedback loop of their own, pouring more carbon into the atmosphere
and reducing the number of trees which absorb CO2 and release oxygen.

When Warming Affects Health (p 46)

It is a fair bet that global warming is going to lead to a rise in human sickness
and death. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that even modest
increases in average temperature that have occurred since the 1970s have begun to
take a toll. Climate change is responsible for at least 150,000 extra deaths a year a
figure that will double by 2030, according to WHOs conservative estimate.
Health Risks (p 47)

Physicians probably would not be listing global warming as a cause of death

anytime soon. But the burgeoning signs of climate change- swelling populations of
pollen-producing plants and disease-bearing insects, warmer oceans, water-supply
pollution- all add up to a deadly cocktail that challenge health experts in the future.

The Burden of Asias Giants (DISAGREE)

As China and India power up, they face a choice: become the worlds worst
polluters or pay the price of greener growth.

On a per capita basis, both China and India emit far less greenhouses gas
than energy efficient Japan, environmentally scrupulous Sweden and especially the
gas-guzzling U.S. (The average American is responsible for 20 times as much CO2
emission annually the average of Indian.) Theres only one problem: 2.4 billion
people live in China and India, a great many of whom aspire to an American-style
energy-intensive life.

The statistics are mammoth and frightening. The International Energy Agency
(IEA) forecasts that the increase in green-house-gas emissions from 2000 to 2030
from China alone will nearly equal the growth from the rest of the industrialized world.
India, whose rate is growing more slowly than that of its Asian rival, could see
greenhouse-gas emissions rise 70% by 2025, according to the World Resources
Institute, but nearly double-digit growth rates that are responsible for those nightmare
projections also present an environmental opportunity.

China and India have to demonstrate to other countries that it is possible to

develop in a sustainable way, says Yang Fuqiang, vice president of the Energy
Foundation in Beijing.

The 1999 Kyoto accord on climate change did nothing to slow growth in
China and India because as developing countries, they are not required under the
protocol to make cuts in carbon emissions and that is not likely to change after the
agreement expires in 2012. Both countries are desperate for energy to fuel the
economic expansion that is pulling their citizens out of poverty, and despite hold
investments in renewables, much of that energy will have to come from coal, the only
traditional energy source they have in abundance.
Grow First, Clean Up Later? (p 50)

Both China and India increasingly view climate-change policy as a way to

address some of their immediate problems, such as energy shortages and local
environment ills, while getting the international community to help foot the bill. Beijing
agrees that the government aims to reduce energy intensity- the amount of energy
used relative to the size of economy- 20% by 2010.

Making the ambitious pledges is easy that is what five-year plans for- but
finding the will and the funds to make them stick is trickier. One source of funding is
the Clean Development Mechanism, a part of the Kyoto Protocol that allows
developed countries to sponsor greenhouse-gas-cutting projects in developing
countries in exchange for carbon credits that can be used for meeting emissions
targets. Those projects dont require any technological breakthroughs. A 2003 study
by the consulting firm CRA International found that if China and India invested fully in
technology already in use in the U.S., the total carbon savings by 2012 would be
comparable to what could be achieved if every country under the Kyoto Protocol
actually met its targets.

Smoke Signals (p 52)

Through the 1960s and the 70s, scientists became increasingly aware of and
alarmed by the mounting evidence of a trend toward planetary warming. The 1972
U.N. Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm put climate change on its
agenda, and 1979 marked the first World Climate Conference. Even so, the public
and national leaders remained largely unconcerned. By the early 1980s, climate
changed had begun to attract the attention of the environmental community and
mainstream media and in 1988, the U.N. formed the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), Two years later, that group issued its first assessment: man
made emissions of greenhouse gases were likely to cause rapid climate change in
the foreseeable future.

Newspaper

Victoria Brown (October, 2015)

Malaysia is at the end of their tether having to live with the unhealthy air
probably until March next year and are demanding concrete action from both the
Government and Indonesia. Voicing their frustration in cyberspace, many urged the
government to push Indonesia for an end to the forest fires raging in various areas in
the republic.

Many commented that the haze should be tackled at the root cause. There
has been much coverage on the haze, but little on the cause of the forest fires,
commented Facebook user Chey Vun Khen. The haze will not end until its root
cause is solved, he said on The Star Online Facebook Page. The Star on Monday
reported that experts predict an increasing number of hotspots and raging fires of
new areas in Indonesia.

If the cause was not tackled, the haze would keep coming back in years to
come. By the time it ends next year, another forest fire would be created again. The
cycle goes on and on. Many wanted the endless cycle of haze to be stopped once
and for all.

Malaysia should take a class action lawsuit against Indonesia for the yearly
haze problem. The economic consequence is enormous. Readers said that the
closure of schools every other day due to the haze was not practical.

Hariz Mohd. (2015, October 9)

Indonesia has finally opened its door to neighbouring countries to help

battle forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, which have been said to be the
main cause of the haze. (AGREE)

Yesterday, Malaysia and Singapore received requests for the aid to put
out the fires, with both nations agreeing to immediately send help.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the Royal

Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
(MMEA) would deploy assets to Palembang, Sumatra, by yesterday evening
at the latest. The order was given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak,
following a call from Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The focus of the
requested assistance was aircraft capable of putting out fires in large areas.
The government will send a Bombardier CL415MP aircraft, which will be
deployed there for the mission. The amphibious aircraft with the capacity to
deliver 6137 litres of waterin 12 seconds would conduct fire-suppressing
operations in areas identified by Indonesian authorities.
 Yesterday, Bloomberg News agency reported that Singapore would
send aid, ranging from a c-130 for cloud seeding to high resolution satellite
images tracking hotspots. The agency qupted Joko as saying Indonesia
needed aircraft to transport between 12 tonnes and 15 tonnes of water to
battle the fires.

Najib: KL Ready to Help

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has welcomed Indonesias decision to
cooperate with other nations in adressing the haze. Malaysia was more than willing ti
help Indonesia deal with the issue.Indonesias move and other nations to cooperate
with Malaysia was welcomed to adress the forest fires that are causing the haze.
Malaysia is always ready to assist Indonesia in dealing with the haze for the benefit
of all.

Expert to Meet Joko Next Week

A sciencetist siad government cannot stop small farmers from using fire to
clear land, but they can prevent the spread of underground peat fires.

In rural areas of developing nations, no burn means no food. Small farmers

cannot afford heavy machinery to clear land to plant paddy, sweet potato or sweet
corn, said Param Agricultural Soil Surveys (M) Sdn. Bhd. Managing dorector Dr S.
Paramananthan. He said the Sarawak Government allowed controlled burning within
the fire barries of water canals to ensure peat fires did not spread underground.

When asked what he would suggest to Joko, Paramananthan said Indonesia

could map out underground water sources below peat areas. Prior to drought season,
the government can pump up water via tube welss to moisten the soil. This prevents
the spread of fires.

By investing in tube wells drilled into aquifers below peat soil and having
water trenches act as fire barriers, Indonesia could prevent the haze, said
Paramananthan.
Salleh Buang. (2015, October 1)

Unclear Path: Despite promises of punitive action against culprits causing the
haze, Indonesian authorities appear unsure of how to go about it.

This latest catastrophe which had descended on our shores from

neighbouring Indonesia (the chocking haze and its confirmed adverse effects on the
health of our people) reminded me of it.

Plantation fires in Indonesia started in the 90s, thereafter, recurring almost

every year with varying degrees of gravity. The most serious recent outbreak was in
2013 when the air quality deteriorated to the worst level in Malaysia and Singapore.
Water-bombing helicopters have been deployed to fight the fires, and the Indonesian
authorities have dispatched thousands of military and police personnel to the affected
areas to douse the fires and nab the culprits responsible for the outbreak. However
judging from media reports, too few convictions have resulted. Clearly, out of
frustration at the never-ending problem, Singapore passed the Transboundary Haze
Pollution Act in 2014. Under this new law, a substantial fine can be imposed on any
local or foreign company responsible for haze pollution in Singapore. We are
informed that lately Singapore had served notices on several Indonesian firms,
including Asia Pulp and Paper, Rimba Hutani Mas, Sebangun Rumi Andalas Wood
Industries, Bumi Sriwijaya Sentosa and Wachyuni Mandalra.

According to Prof Alan Tan Khee Jin of the National University of Singapore
(NUS), although the Singapore legislation may appear to be the opposite of
multilateral cooperation within ASEAN, he believes both types of efforts must go
hand in hand. Dr Syarif, senior advisor of an Indonesian non-governmental
organisation, Partnership for Governance, stated that for its new law to succeed,
Singapore must get the cooperation of the Indonesian authorities.

Turning our attention to ASEAN front, the ASEAN Agreement on

Transboundary Haze Pollution was formulated in 2002 and came into force in 2003.
Indonesia signed early but took long time to ratify the agreement; it did so on Sept 16,
last year, becoming the last ASEAN nation to do so. Malaysia ratified it as early as
Feb 18, 2003, indicating its serious commitment infighting the haze pollution. The
treaty calls for haze mitigation through concerted nation efforts and intensified
regional and international cooperation, via monitoring and prevention activities. It
failed to do so, because the haze returned between 2004 and 2010, and again in
2013, 2014 and 2015.
 At the international level, state responsibility for transboundary pollution has
been long established in International customary law. In the 1941 Trail Smelter case,
smoke from a smelter in Canada spread across the border, resulting in air pollution in
United States territory. An international tribunal held that Canada was responsible for
environmental damage caused by transboundary pollution. This important case led to
the development of the polluter pays principle in international environmental law.
(AGREE)

Under Indonesian plantation law, a company found guilty of clearing land by

burning can be fined up to 10 billion rupiah (RM 3 million), while its management can
face a jail sentence of up to 10 years. Companies which fail to control fires started
elsewhere but which spread into their concession land also face punishment. The law
requires them to have adequate equipment and personnel to control fires within their
land.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported (on Sept 17) that Indonesian police
have detained 7 people in Sumatra whose companies are allegedly connected with
illegal fires that have cloaked Southeast Asia in haze. They could face up to 15 years
in jail and heavy fines if found guilty of breaking Indonesian laws that ban starting
forest fires. Indonesia launched it One Map Policy in December 2014 to bring about
better coordination amongst its various agencies in responding to forest fires and the
resulting haze.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo reiterates his governments commitment

to catch the culprits responsible for these fires and to make them accountable.
However, there are difficulties in prosecuting the perpetrators despite knowing who
they are due to the countrys judicial proses.

Lee Lam Thye. (2015, October 6)

ASEAN Must work Together to Tackle Issue(AGREE)

The annual haze has caused much misery to Malaysia. Schools in many
states have had to be closed, universities have postponed classes due to the
thickening haze which has reached unhealthy levels, while the tourism and service
industry are also affected.

Outdoor events have been cancelled or postponed due to the poor air quality,
while some people have missed important meetings and events as their flights were
cancelled or delayed. This issue has reached a critical level as tourism is one of our
main income-earners, and the transboundary haze comes at a time when the
economy is also tested with the weakening ringgit, unaffordable housing and
increasing cost of living.

This issue has reached a critical level as tourism is one of our main income-
earners, and the transboundary haze comes at a time when the economy is also
tested with the weakening ringgit, unaffordable housing and increasing cost of living.
There are also the cost of medical care for haze-related illness, fall in productivity
and production as employees are absent due to sickness, lost hours of learning and
inconvenience for teachers, students and parents when school exams are postponed.

Imagine how all these would affect Malaysia this year, as 18 years ago in
1997, the widespread haze crisis cost Southeast Asia an estimated US$9 billion (RM
39.35 billion) from disruption to air travel, healthcare expenses and other haze-
related damages.

It is heartening to take note that Indonesia is taking action against the

companies involved in open burning, which include legal action and freezing of
assets of plantation companies.

Meantime, Malaysia has to continue the ongoing bilateral dialogue with

Indonesia to find a solution to the long-standing issue. There should not be any more
delay in the signing of a memorandum of understanding on haze issues between
Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. As all member countries have ratified the ASEAN
Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, it is time to work together to implement
measures to prevent, monitor and mitigate it.

As large plantation companies from Malaysia are said to be among those

responsible for the massive forest and peat fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, our
government should consider the proposal by local environmental groups to introduce
a new law similar to the one enacted by Singapore, namely the Transboundary Haze
Pollution Act 2014.

The law, which came into effect in September last year, allow regulators to
prosecute companies and individuals who cause severe air pollution in Singapore by
illegally burning forests and peat lands in neighbouring countries. The problem must
be tackled at source as the haze is affecting ASEAN countries and some of the
parties responsible for the slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia are from Malaysia
and Singapore, a concerted effort under the ASEAN spirit must be implemented to
combat illegal forest and peat fires.

Time is not on our side as the region has been suffering from haze-related
losses for nearly two decades.

Act against Culprits Now!

Wee Beng Gee. (2015, October 6)

A healthy environment is a human right, so says the United Nations, and

environmental human rights include the guarantee of breathable air, safe from toxic
exposure. We, together with other neighbouring countries are chocking everyday.
The haze is impeding our day-today lives, not to mention imposing a health hazard
on us.

Is the country responsible doing enough to stop this? (DISAGREE) It has

been an annual affair and it looks like there is no end to this. There is an urgent
need for immediate action. There have been a lot of meetings but, sad to say,
nothing concrete has been implemented. A few years ago, our country did send a
contigent of firefighters to douse the flames, but it was only a reactive process. Thise
responsible must be brought in to face the consequences. There should be more
concerted effort from all to resolve this once and for all.

The wellbeing of the people is of utmost importance. No more protective

masks and no more staying indoors. Prevention is better than cure!

Push for Plans to Prevent Problem

C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu (2015, October 6)

Ordinary Malaysians, Singaporeans and Indonesians have lost their patience

with the thick haze caused by the annual burning of land for the production of pulp,
paper and palm oil in Sumatra and Borneo. This has been going on for over two
decades with no solution in sight by the ASEAN leadership so far.

The irony is that Indonesia has turned doen Malaysia and Singapores offers
of help. Singapore has decided to take legal action against companies, in
accordance with its Transboudary Haze Pollution Act 2014, with over 200 firms under
investigation by the Indonesian authorities. Malaysia must follow suit. (DISAGREE)
 The dangerous and unhealthy level of haze have caused 6798 schools in 11
states to beclosed for 2 days, affecting 3.7 million students and more than 300, 00
teachers.

The haze has become a persistent annual problem. Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Razak has called for Indonesia to act against irresponsible firms that continue
to employ the slash-and-burn methpd to clear large tracts of land. These have
caused disruptions to human lives, cost the governments of Indonesia, Singapore
and Malaysia billion of dollars and leaves a million at risk of respiratory and other
diseases, which the El Ni-no phenomenon has exacerbated. More than 3 million
people die prematurelyeach year from prolongue exposure to air pollution, according
to a new study from the World Health Organisation.

Hopefully, something concrete will come out of the ongoing ASEAN ministers
meeting in Singapore to delibertae a regional action plan that would set out policies
and measures to prevent the recurrence of haze, and that it will not take three years
to resolve, as announced by Indonesian President. Malaysia must apply pressure on
this matter for we have been pushed to the wall and we are chocking.

Caring For The Climate (2015, October 21)

Preventing climate change and reducing its effects are the main targets in the
fourth strategic thrust of the 11th Malaysia Plan. (ENDING)

Selected endangered species of flora and fauna in Malaysia

All of these species are endangered as their population is decreasing due to

habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and poaching. As a key umbrella species in
Malaysia, protecting them means protecting other species as well.

Malayan Elephant (Elephas maximus) Estimated number =1220-1680.

Indonesia Wants to Fight Haze On Its Own First (2015, October 8) (DISAGREE-
INDIVIDUAL??)

Indonesia will consider accepting help from neighbouring countries if the haze
from the fires in the republic prevails over the next three weeks. Indonesias
Ambassador to Malaysia Herman Prayitno said his country felt that it had the
capacity to handle the problem on its own, and if it needed assistance from
neighbouring countries, it would be coordinated through the ASEAN secretariat.
 Herman said the Indonesian embassy provided daily reports to Jakarta on the
Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Malaysia as the Indonesian leaders were
concerned about the haze condition here. Indonesian President do had said that the
republic needed three years for results to be seen from effort to end the forest fires
that were causing the haze. To date, 30 plantation companies suspected of being
involved in forest burning in Kalimantan were being investigated and their licenses
would be suspended upon conviction.

Act Against Irresponsible Firms, PM Urges Jakarta (2015, October 5)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has urged Indonesia to take
action against companies that contribute to the haze in Malaysia and
Singapore.

In voicing his concern about the situation in Malaysia, he said it was

regrettable that irresponsible parties continued to ise the slash-and-burn
method to clear the large tracts of land in Indonesia annually. He said
Indonesia sholu act against the companies involved, as their actions affected
the air quality, public health and economies.

Malaysia, have an agreement with Indonesia and Singapore, but

effective action has yet to be implemented. If there is no cooperation, the
situation will be annual problem.

In Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi urge Indonesia to ramp up anti-haze efforts, saying plans to tackle the
issue within three years may prove too long to be effective. Zahid said steps
were being takennnnnnn by both countries to fight the haze, icluding legal
action against companies carrying out practices that contributed to fires.
There ara effort being taken, but they are not enough and we are spending
too much on medical expenses, especially for those with problems such as
asthma. Malaysia hoped that the commitment shown by Indonesia and its
leader will not be the only on paper on in words pleasant to ears, but will
translate into long-term action that can end the problem once and for all.

What It Takes to Tackle Haze Crisis

Raman Letchumanan (2015, October 21)

 Indonesia, where most of the fires and haze originate, is trying its best to put
out the fires. Tens of thousand of firefighters have been deployed, suppoerted by
ariel water bombing. However, Indonesia has warned that unless heavy rain falls, the
situation is expected to last until next month.

In a commentary in December last year, I discussed the complexity of

managing peatland, where most fires and haze originate. It has been pointed out that
during the dry season, the water level drops significantly and there would not be
enough water to fill the canals, let balone put out fires on peatlands as they occur.

To their credit, environment ministers of the southern ASEAN region had met
on July 27 to discuss preparations for the coming dry season, among others. The
ministers, noting the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centres forecast of drier-
than-normal weather conditions between June and this month, had agreed to remain
vigilant and step up efforts to minimise any possible occurrence of transboundary
haze from land and forest fires.

If only the countries concerned had followed through with the appropriate
preventive and preparedness measures on the ground, before the weather turned
bad as predicted. (DISAGREE)

Indonesia has commited a lot of resources to put out the fires, but that ie
enough, Indonesia should welcome any offer of help coming its help. It is no more a
question of national pride, as Indonesian are suffering even more.

In fact, the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution was

instituted precisely for such instances. While the agreement emphasises prevention
and monitoring, there is extensive provisions for a joint emergency response, where ,
under Article 12, an affected party can request help or accept assistance offered.
Over the years, standard operating procedures have been developed, and in fact
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