The Star Online

Malaysia is one of the 200 countries which signed the December 2017 UN resolution on
microplastics and marine litter but has to date not been seen to do anything constructive to reduce
plastics production, consumption and disposal. While the Selangor state government has been
regularly cleaning up beaches, which is commendable, this only constitutes a treatment of the
symptoms and not the cause.

Both coalitions need to create incentives for waste reduction and alternatives to plastics and other
harmful and wasteful materials and industries. The environment cannot wait. Already, human and
animal health and food security have been adversely affected by plastics pollution and poor waste
management practices.

It cannot be the job of concerned citizens, non-governmental organisations and volunteers alone to
protect and speak up for Malaysia’s natural environment and resources.

Malaysia stands to gain more economic benefits and ecosystem services from keeping its forests,
mangroves and other environmentally sensitive areas intact and biologically diverse than from
logging, mining and road construction.

The time to act for the environment is now. Environmental conservation should be each political
coalition’s main consideration in all of its policies and decisions, and not an afterthought.

South China Morning Post

*Ronny Tang Bing-yuk
(With global warming seriously affecting the Earth, our climate is becoming more and more
unstable.)
Firstly, the government has enough resources to carry out different eco-friendly projects.

It can encourage community involvement to make a better place to live in and work in.

Secondly, the government can formulate sustainable development strategies and make proper use
of our limited land supply.

Thirdly, the government can put right past mistakes that have damaged the environment.

The government may have the ultimate responsibility, but this does not mean that we can do
whatever we want.

The future is in our own hands so everybody should make an effort to protect the environment

Wikipedia
*individuals
I think the people should be responsible for protecting the environment. We live here so we should
take care of our surroundings. There are several ways to achieve this.

We should reduce the amount of waste we produce by using less paper, fewer plastic bags and less
electricity, and recycling metals and other precious resources.
In addition, we should use less bleach, pesticides or other chemicals that can damage the
environment. We should also make our communities more eco-friendly, whether they are schools,
clubs or housing complexes.

We could organise tree-planting campaigns or walks to raise money for green groups. It is true that
not every individual will behave responsibly. Hence, the Hong Kong government has to enact laws to
stop such selfish persons or companies from polluting the environment.

Ecologist
As the leaders of their countries, it’s governments’ responsibility to stand up to face the battles their
people are fighting. In the modern world, that means climate change.

The flip side of this coin is that when governments start getting involved and working to combat
global warming, citizens need to realise the decisions they make won’t be perfect.

No one can provide perfection, but anyone concerned about the earth’s health should want to
support a group of leaders with far-reaching influence in their efforts to make more change happen,
in addition to the everyday efforts of individuals.

When it comes down to deciding what issues the government should have a hand in, everyone will
answer differently. The fact of the matter is, climate change shouldn’t be a party political issue. It
affects everyone and is going to continue hurting people all over the world.

Governments have shown they can make a radical difference if they get to lead the fight against
global warming. Everyone can get behind something that makes such a powerful, positive change.

Mountsainvincent
However, there are strong partisan differences on this question as well. Two-thirds of Democrats
and independents say the environment is the responsibility of the government, while a majority, 57
percent, of Republicans consider it an obligation of individuals. Similarly, liberals are more inclined to
say the government should be dealing with environmental concerns, while most conservatives feel
that the private sector should be handling problems with the environment.