Date: Thursday, 26th November 2015
Time: 22:13
Author: Loh Rachel, 18 (Selangor, Malaysia)
Current location: Yoyogi Olympics Memorial Youth Center (Tokyo, Japan)
First things first, hello! I’m Loh Rachel from the Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD15) and am currently attending the Conference of Youths on Climate Change (COY11) in Tokyo! Feel free to ask me about COY11, MYD or anything at all through my social media networks.
So, I mustered a little courage today and spoke up during the roundtable discussion where we connected (via Skype) with all the COY conferences across the world in Brazil, India, Canada and France, to name a few. I was definitely nervous represent the youth voices of COY 11 Tokyo, but I am so glad I did! I always seem to have a problem voicing out my opinions to a large audience, afraid of their judgements, but I have learnt that we all deserve a voice and if you don’t speak up when necessary- you. Will. Regret. It.
Me speaking to youths at COY 11 in 8 countries across the globe!
One of the best parts of my day was producing part one my group’s discussion during the “Youth of East Asia Action Agenda” (YEAAA) session. We collectively decided on the topic of Haze in East Asia, while others concluded on various topics such as conservation of biodiversity, poverty, the rise in sea levels, etc. My group was positively charged with energy. From tackling the causes of the haze to delving deep into the consequences and its relevance to climate change, we achieved A LOT during that session. Wooohoooo, go productivity! We’re ready for part two where we will talk about solutions and the logistics of incorporating this pertinent issue in our COY11 Tokyo manifesto.
Team “WE HATE HAZE” with their poster.
Second best part of the day was when the MYD group consisting of Ginger, Sze Ming and me going out for a stroll to the Meiji Shrine! We witnessed the mesmerising beauty of the fall colours merging with the traditional Japanese architecture. It was so beautiful that we decided to walk there every morning.
The Malaysian Youth Delegation (#MYD15) at the Meiji Shrine!
So, aside from learning a few Japanese phrases (e.g. Mataashita : see you tomorrow), I’ve learnt more about the negotiation process in COP21 through a film called “Make It Work” by Theatre de l’air, where students from various universities around the world experienced a COP simulation and ended up negotiating as representatives of entities (e.g. Soil) instead of the usual format (i.e. Countries). The documentary provided a wonderful insight to the harsh reality of the negotiating process in COP.
Lastly, my goal for attending COY11 is to establish a network with like minded people who are passionate about climate change and the environment, learn more about climate change and how youths can or should be involved, and make sure our voices are heard by world leaders in time for COP21. And today, though I didn’t achieve the first goal as I believe it takes time to foster strong bonds of friendship, I believe I will achieve it in the long run. As for the latter, I strongly believe we as youths achieved that today and I hope we can continue to keep this energy as we proceed with the next two days!
Domo arigatou once again to Air Asia for sponsoring our flights! I’ll be posting daily updates, so please stay tuned. 🙂
Greetings to all, Ginger Ooi here from Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD). If you are curious about MYD, don’t miss out the chance to know more about us. MYD is sending 3 youths to attend Conference of Youth (COY11) in Japan. Thanks to our sponsor, Air Asia for providing youths in Malaysia to have a greater exposure to the world.
I am one of the lucky ones to be selected. It is a golden opportunity to meet with youth from East Asia and know what problems they face in their own countries and together urge world leaders to act against climate change.
This is the first year COY is happening outside of the organising country. Tokyo has been selected to host COY in East Asia. It is time to reach the local community about climate change instead of flying all the way to Paris. This is my first time travelling to a four season country.
I am excited and eager but worried as well as the temperature is between 2-18 degree Celcius. Oh gosh, I will look fatter in appearance due to the many layers I will be wearing…I like it though! Stay tuned with MYD.
My apologies for the late posting. Limited WiFi access
With 6 days to go before the COP21 takes place in Paris,
let’s do some serious talk on climate adaptation and mitigation
with Roxanne Low from Malaysian Youth Delegation.
The terms “adaptation” and “mitigation” are two important terms that are fundamental in the climate change debate. The IPCC defined adaptation as adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderate harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Similarly, Mitchell and Tanner (2006) defined adaptation as an understanding of how individuals, groups and natural systems can prepare for and respond to changes in climate or their environment. According to them, it is crucial to reducing vulnerability to climate change. While mitigation tackles the causes of climate change, adaptation tackles the effects of the phenomenon. The potential to adjust in order to minimize negative impact and maximize any benefits from changes in climate is known as adaptive capacity. A successful adaptation can reduce vulnerability by building on and strengthening existing coping strategies.
In general the more mitigation there is, the less will be the impacts to which we will have to adjust, and the less the risks for which we will have to try and prepare. Conversely, the greater the degree of preparatory adaptation, the less may be the impacts associated with any given degree of climate change. For people today, already feeling the impacts of past inaction in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation is not altogether passive, rather it is an active adjustment in response to new stimuli. However, our present age has proactive options (mitigation), and must also plan to live with the consequences (adaptation) of global warming.
The idea that less mitigation means greater climatic change and consequently requiring more adaptation is the basis for the urgency surrounding reductions in greenhouse gases. Climate mitigation and adaptation should not be seen as alternatives to each other, as they are not discrete activities but rather a combined set of actions in an overall strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate mitigation is any action taken to permanently eliminate or reduce the long-term risk and hazards of climate change to human life, property. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines mitigation as: “An anthropogenic intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.” Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Climate adaptation refers to the ability of a system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability and extremes) to moderate potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences. The IPCC defines adaptation as the, “adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment. Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Various types of adaptation can be distinguished, including anticipatory and reactive adaptation, private and public adaptation, and autonomous and planned adaptation.”
This is quite a serious post,
truly reflecting how seriously climate change can affect us.
Do look foward to COP21, people,
as it’s our responsibility in addressing this serious issues.
In our previous post, we had insights from Mr. Richard =)
In this post, we will hear what our fellow MYD has to say on Malaysia’s stand on climate change.
Thomas – MYD15
Here, let me happily share with you some insights from Elyas Eric:
Malaysia is a developing country that’s on the brink of becoming a high-income nation. If we manage to hit our economic target by the year 2020, we will be standing on the same league as other high income countries such as Singapore. However, as we are transforming Malaysia to become a high income nation, we face substantial challenges: marrying economic development and environmental protection. Therefore, in this context, Malaysia can offer a new perspective in taking actions against climate change.
As peaceful as it is in Malaysia, we are vulnerable to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments, the past records of Malaysia climate show similar trend that has been encountered globally(Bindoff et al., 2007; Trenberth et al., 2007). Malaysia’s temperature had increased 0.18 0C per decade for over 40 years since 1951 (MOSTE, 2000). Since 1986, the average annual rise in sea level at a southern coastal site in the Peninsular Malaysia increase by approximately 1.25mm (UTM, 2007).
As a developing nation, Malaysia faces similar challenges that other developing countries are experiencing. Malaysia has overpassed the great divide in climate change negotiations: we have entered the 21st century as one of the richest countries in SEA. During COP15 in 2009, Malaysia, with support from developed countries, proposed to reduce its carbon emission to 40 per cent by the year 2020 compared with its 2005 levels, and in the same year, the National Climate Change Policy was introduced to ensure climate-resilient development and serves as a framework to mobilise and guide Government agencies, industry and communities as well as other relevant stakeholders in addressing the challenges of climate change in a concerted and holistic manner.
In pursuant to the proposal in Copenhagen, the National Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Programme for Malaysia (known as MYCarbon), was launched on 3rd December 2013. When it comes to negotiation, we were promised many great things, and although we didn’t get the funds or technology we were promised at Copenhagen, we stuck to the pledge we made there. In the Tenth Malaysia Plan, 2011-2015, as a result of mitigation measures, we have cut the emissions intensity of our GDP by 33% of the 40% proposed in the past five year. The Eleventh Malaysia Plan, 2016-2020, will focus on climate resilient development that incorporates climate change and environmental considerations into policy and development planning, evaluation and implementation.
Listed in Non Annex I as a developing country, Malaysia has no quantitative commitments under the Kyoto Protocol at present but instead, acts as one of the observer countries. However, together with all other countries, Malaysia is already committed under the UNFCCC to combat climate change by formulating, implementing, publishing and regularly updating national and regional programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change. Under the UNFCC, Malaysia is addressing anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all greenhouse gases.
Malaysia aims not only to graduate into the high income category by 2020, but also to shift to a new period of a low carbon economy. We are determined to get there not through rapacious consumption, but sustainable development. Asian leaders must argue for strong and effective action on climate change. Though, it is difficult to adapt to the new climate threat, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while still pursuing economic development, nothing is impossible if everybody plays their roles.
What’s the number after 10? Absolutely right, 9 more days to COP21. Save your date from 31 Nov to 11 Dec because COP21 is happening.
In 1993, Malaysia signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and ratified it on 17 July 1994. Today, the international treaty is signed by 193 countries. The main objective is to “stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.”
Every year, Malaysia will sent a team of negotiator to attend Conference of Parties (COP). This year is non exceptional as people around the world is giving high hope that the world leaders would come out with solutions to safeguard our mother earth.
Being a negotiator is an uneasy job as your country rely on you to come out with the best deal. Every single words, comma, sentence and content must take into serious consideration. Sometimes, negotiation process can extend till late night or the next day until a decision can be finalised.
Among the Malaysian negotiators are as below:
a)Â Prof. Gurdial Singh
A senior practicing lawyer and Legal Advisor to the Third World Network. He qualified at King’s College, London and the University of Malaya.Gurdial has represented Malaysia and the legal profession at numerous international forums and meetings, and has published several books covering civil trial advocacy, indigenous peoples’ knowledge systems, and drafting for lawyers.
b)Â Dr.Gary William Theseira
Deputy Undersecretary of Environment Management and Climate Change Division Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. He is responsible for policy analysis, development and support for environment management and climate change and sustainable development.
Environmental Management and Climate Change (PASPI)
Senior Research Officer with FRIM (2001 to 2010)
Post Doctoral Associate, University of Minnesota
Ministry of NRE Undersecretary
Ph.D. Mississippi State University, USA
Prof Gurdial – Malaysia at ADP – COP20
Prof Gurdial – Malaysia at COP Closing Plenary COP20
Keep counting down and we will reach our target soon. Be with us to the opening of COP 21.
10 more days to go towards COP21. Are you excited? A group of youth from Malaysia is as much anticipated as you towards COP21.
Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD) is a group of youth who  represent the youth climate movement in Malaysia and hold leaders accountable for their actions especially in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21.
For the past decades, Malaysia has been actively participated conferences held by United Nation Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) to combat climate change. However, the voices from the youth is unheard and not taken into account in national policy making.
Reference to Doha Work Programme on Article 6 of the Convention Decision 15/CP.18 “Public participation and public access to information are crucial in order to develop and implement effective policies, as well as to engage all stakeholders actively in the implementation of these policies.”
In Malaysia, we foresee the importance of getting the involvement of public especially youth in climate change negotiation process for a better future. In May 2015, 15 youth have been selected to undergo capacity building to increase their knowledge on national and international UNFCCC process.  The trainers include Malaysian Negotiator, Guardian’s top young campaigners to watch in the lead up to COP21, award winning journalists, producers, editors and many more. Click here for MYD trainings series.
In October 2015, MYD has produced Malaysian Youth Statement on Climate Change to be submitted to our Prime Minister. It was a remarkable achievement for each delegation to come till this far and continue to push beyond their own limit  to create a just, safe and livable future for all.
Let’s have a quick view on how six of the selected MYD feels about attending upcoming COP21.
Amalen: I feel privileged. It’s not everyday you get to go overseas for anything and this experience also makes me feel more and more excited as the days grow closer, New sort of world in a few days time with people from around the world just in one spot.
Elaine: Thanks for MYD and Adrian our mentor for this “zero to hero” experience. I appreciate the experience because i’ve achieve things that i didn’t know i can achieve, like promulgation of the 1st youth statement, knowing how to read the climate information, being recognized and given the opportunity to work with negotiation team,chances of being interviewed on radio, fly to Paris to be with other ten thousands people to seek solutions and get our voices out etc. This is the 1st year of MYD, though we have gone through a lot of hiccups along the way, but i think the experience will bring next year’s delegation to a higher level. Looking forward for more Malaysian youth to join the squad. Proud to be one of the first MYD team and eager to share to and learn from the future delegates.
Emily: I feel very honoured to represent Malaysian youth for this historical occasion. Viewing at how our Malaysian negotiators are working hard and playing a crucial role in the negotiations, I’m looking forward to provide assistance to them. I’m also eager to meet and interact with international youths in climate movement and stand in line with them for this significant cause.
Jolene: I am excited. Feel like a journey with an aim to uncover how negotiation work with diverse countries and continents.
Shak: I’m very excited to learn new issues related to climate change. This will be a good platform for me to add up my life experience. I’m starting at this young age, therefore I won’t miss out later in the future and becoming more knowledgeable.
Thomas:Â I believe going to COP21 will be an eye opening experience for me. It is unbelievable that i will be representing youth climate movement in Malaysia. I hope that COP21 is able to meet the objective of developing a universal legally binding agreement that will keep the global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius.
Be with us MYD to get the latest update from COP21 as 6 of the selected MYD will be carrying out their missions which includes reporting back to the local audiences on COP21’s daily progressions, tracking policy and negotiation development as well as coordinate and collaborate with youths from other countries to mobilise and lobby the governments.
I am one of the lucky ones to be selected. It is a golden opportunity to meet with youth from East Asia and know what problems they face in their own countries and together urge world leaders to act against climate change.
