By Noor Syahhira Hady
KUCHING: The Malaysian Red Crescent Sarawak (MRCS) planted 50 tree saplings in an effort to combat global warming.
The tree saplings were donated by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and planted all over Matang.
“Global warming has been gradually increasing throughout the years and one of the things that we can do for climate change is to control it.
“That is why we in the MRCS have set every third Sunday in October as ‘Tree Planting Day’.
“This is to encourage our Red Crescent youth and the local communities to plant trees,” said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan Hong Nam, chairman of MRCS at the tree planting ceremony on Sunday (Oct 18).
Chan also stated that as the climate has changed and the risks are rising, the communities need to rise up too.
“Climate change has been happening around us and we need to take action to reduce the greenhouse gas emission.
“Climate change will impact everybody, and people who suffer the most are the ones who live in the world’s poorest countries as they will not have the resources to protect themselves from these climate impacts such as drought, flood, cyclone, and many more.
“This is why today, we will start by planting trees and continuously doing so,” he added.
Chan mentioned that apart from Kuching, several MRCS districts across Sarawak are also having their tree planting ceremony at their respective cities and towns.
“What we are doing today is a great choice as we are aware that global warming is happening rapidly,” he said.
Chan stated that people should be given the idea on what climate change is and why it is important.
“It is strange that we are not taught about climate change in school. This is not something new to us or something that will happen in hundreds of years from now. It is already happening and it affects the world rapidly.
“So, we should do our part in combating climate change and we encourage everyone to plant at least one tree at home, not only today but throughout the year.
“I would also like to remind everyone that the actions we take today will affect tomorrow, and small individual changes can and will make a global difference,” he emphasised.
