The Star Online > Nation
Sunday January 4, 2009
We must save environs, says Sabah-born Wong
KUALA LUMPUR: Time is scarce if the environment is to be preserved for future generations, says Australia’s Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong.
“We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We must act now because of what will happen. The evidence is compelling,” she said yesterday.
Wong said this in her keynote address entitled “Moving to a Lower Carbon Future – Perspective from Australia,” at the Green Design Forum here organised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM).
Wong: ‘I still come back and visit Malaysia every year’
The Malaysian-born Wong said climate change must be tackled with innovative ideas and pragmatic solutions, while still maintaining economic growth, which was not easy but a necessary move.
“Making a decision not to act is making a decision that those who come after us must bear the cost,” she said later at a press conference.
The prolonged drought in some parts of Australia and an increase in temperatures had helped raise awareness of the need to address the climate change issue, she added.
Wong said Australia, which relied heavily on coal, was committed to its 2010 deadline for a carbon-trading scheme to help reduce carbon pollution. It also plans to increase the use of renewable energy.
She praised Malaysia for planning to have a Green Building Index (GBI) for commercial and residential properties to help increase sustainability.
The GBI, to be launched by PAM and the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia this April, is a rating system that evaluates the environmental impact and performance of buildings.
The evaluation will be based on six criteria – energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, sustainable site planning and management, water efficiency, material and resources, and innovation.
Wong, who was born in Kota Kinabalu, still holds Malaysia close to her heart although she left for Australia when she was eight years old with her mother and brother.
Her architect father is the technical adviser to the Kota Kinabalu mayor.
“I still come back and visit Malaysia every year. But I can’t really speak Mandarin though but you have to blame my father for that as he speaks to me in English,” she quipped as her father looked on lovingly.
The short-haired, 40-year-old was elected into the Senate in 2001 and was the first Asian-born Australian federal minister.
Her father Francis Wong beamed with pride as he talked about his daughter.
“I am very proud of her. She was very active in political debates even during her university days,” he added.
Popularity: 1% [?]
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
.gif)
Leave a Reply