Monday, March 2, 2015
CLIMATE change refers to changes in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time, which include in temperature, precipitation or wind patterns, among others, that occur over several decades or longer.
It is an important issue that needs to be addressed in Brunei, said Harris Abd Latip, Director of Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) of the Belait District.
“The public need to know what steps to take to prevent or help reduce climate change. However not a lot of people are aware of it, despite it being an important issue.”
The Belait BDRCS director recently attended a “Master Training for Southeast Asia Climate Change” course in Phuket, Thailand, titled and learned about climate adaptation and mitigation, early warning and early action.
“Since me and another member of the BDRCS have attended the talk, we feel that it is our role to disseminate information on this important issue.
“We will be compiling all the information we gained and produce a book. Members of the public can then read on the issue and know what steps to take to prevent it.”
It will be a challenging task to disseminate information to the public, said Harris.
“But we will try. Our strategy is to start with our members who mostly consist of students then we will raise awareness to village heads and government agencies.”
“Other countries already have an early warning system to warn them before a Tsunami happens.”
In Brunei, there have been efforts made he said, particularly on early prevention for flooding.
“Government agencies have already expanded drains and have machines that can pump water from the drains.”
“However I believe there are a few other things that need to be improved especially concerning remote areas – communication and accessibility. There have been cases where it was hard for relevant authorities to contact and access areas that were affected.”
Another member of the BDRCS who also went for the course, Ahmad Akbal Adiyusa Hj Mohd Yusuf said that Brunei should do more to prevent climate change from happening.
“One of the great things Brunei is doing is the “No Plastic Bag” campaign. This I believe helps a lot to save the environment.”
Ahmad Akbal Adiyusa said that more should be done including the banning of open burning.
“We should encourage the act of planting more trees. This will definitely help in decreasing the effects of climate change.”
The BDRCS member who is a fireman said that climate change awareness should also be emphasised more in schools.
“It’s better to start educating the younger generation early and to encourage them to help reduce climate change especially since they’ll be the future leaders of our nation.”
The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society does not only focus on first aid but other factors including spreading the awareness of climate change.
The society launched a green project which involves youths through a programme called Youth Engagement that focuses on educating them about climate change, which leads to disasters.
The society’s Secretary General Sheikh Kadir Abdullah said they want to try and reduce the risk of disasters.
“One way is by educating our members and the public as we want them to understand that preserving the earth is important.”
In May, the society launched the green project with the Municipal Department and planted more than 100 trees in Jubilee Perak Park and started a public recycling campaign.
Students reciting a pledge during the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society's election of new members at Dato Marsal Primary School. BT file
The Brunei Times
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