It definitely is. If some of you vividly recall The Inconvenient Truth, the famous documentary on climate destabilization by Al Gore nearly 10 years ago, Chinese journalist Chai Jing’s new documentary “Under The Dome” has surely taken the baton. Hitting close to 300 million views over a week in early March 2015, the documentary claims to be the only topic on China’s social media platforms for three days straight. The film however, was taken down by the authority after that week. I am not a movie/documentary critique for sure! And as obviously seen, i don’t write any, but thus only means that i will write upon good reason to do so.

Over 2 hours long, the film is a comprehensive look at pollution in China, air pollution particularly, and one of the high profile investigation the public has seen. To me, it is more than a typical TED talk like what Al Gore did with graphs and images, but Chai Jing’s journalist background and her personality have indeed complimented the film and fed the audience with sentiments and anxieties as she unfolded many investigations and life footages. Many who are deemed to be the eye opener to all of the chinese in China, that this is happening in their own backyard. Here are 5 reasons i found that justify my view why this is the next “Inconvenient Truth” (for china?):

1) Chai Jing’s role as a CCTV Journalist and Mother

It’s the charisma in her that elevated the documentary to a whole new level i would say. If you watched Al Gore presenting, you sense a politician speaking at a very affirmative and monotone pace, but Chai Jing’s talk throughout the 104 minutes documentary? Whole lot of variety. The same goes to the arrangement of the film. One can ride along how her arrangement of tone of voice and plots of the documentary that have brought them through the mix of feelings, anxiety? hopeful? guilt? or anticipation? At moments she stops, at moments she rushes through the facts and figures.

Chai Jing is known for being determined and straight forward in addressing her queries.

Chai Jing has had more than 10 years working as a reporter under CCTV, the predominant state television broadcaster in mainland China. Wiki her HERE.Through her events of covering SARS and earthquakes, Chai Jing has earned her reputation of becoming an investigative reporter, this ties in well with the entire activism, advocacy and critical thoughts themed film. The many unprecedented access and footage of the journalist gained on the ground has given the boost on the film too.

But what brought the film to relate with a wider group of audience and close up personal, is Chai Jing’s personal sharing on how she embarks on this journey against air pollution, for being a mom. She shared on how her care and determination in getting a healthy livelihood for her love ones brought her to this path. Am sure this point has drawn a lot of audience to a personal level, as population in Beijing only enjoys half of the year having blue skies. She also admitted the state of naive she was to report the heavy smog in Beijing as Fog instead years ago.

2) Comprehensive (Why Who How When Where) investigation of the Air Pollution in China

The documentary can be rather long i would say, but it is for a good reason. There is a great diversity in presentation style that attracts various level of audience, the film starts off with an introduction to the air pollution generally, the effects of it, and moving on towards investigating the cause of it, and concludes with alternative solutions in respect to other great nations that had overcome the similar problems before.

Chai Jing showing the air pollution particles being shown under microscope

She indeed has a lot of citations in the film, almost every plot of investigation has facts and figures from some academician or connection of hers. Though i did not thoroughly verify her claims, but one can be sure that her primary evidences, interviews, have spoken for themselves. Going through various interviews with individuals from industrial interests, energy conglomerates, and bureaucratic hurdles have magnified the urgency as a whole. But, one shouldn’t be investigating and taking her facts and figures too seriously, there is a good reason why so many projections being thrown into the presentation to elevate the seriousness of the presentation. Overall, you should be getting her message:

1. Pollution has been slowly killing us over the past decade
2. Majority of pollutants is emitted by burning Coal, very dirty and degraded coal in a very uncontrolled manner, and also transportation sector.
3. Attempts to regulate emission has been ineffective, local environmental protection agencies are merely mascots with no enforcement authority, even being bullied by industrial players.
4. The innovation solution is already here, natural gas, but the energy industry is heavily monopolized to not allow this to happen.
5. There are many regulations already in placed in the system, but mostly vaguely created with no respect to the enforcement procedure.
6. The ultimate aim? To bring awareness to the end user, the general public, to participate by actively reporting polluters to local agencies.

3) It’s Technically Discussed, yet Layman Explained

That’s the beauty i found. Chai Jing juggled the presentation within the thin line of being technical or general. With every statistics quoted from any sources, Chai Jing and the documentary as a whole will try its best to give a sound analogy for illustration, from graphs reflecting statistics and personal sharing with a mixture of humor and sarcasm! Better still, there are videos and animation to highlight the message. Similarly to Al Gore’s futurama animation of understanding Global Warming, Chai Jing’s film has animation on air pollution particles PM2.5 entering our lungs and taking over our immune system. Cute yet terrifying.

The animation is shown via 10:40 onwards..

Chai Jing made it easy to understand. Given to range of audience in China probably will find it hard to picture the level of pollutants, Chai Jing gave an example such as showing the amount of air pollution particles her moisture tissue contains after being outdoor for 24 hours. She also showed some other activist having aerial photography of different cities across the years having very limited blue sky days. Though i have to admit that the later half of the documentary tends to be a bit dry, with a lot of statistics citing from documents and interview footage. At that presentation pace of Chai Jing, even the english sub titles are too fast to be read (for the fact that mandarin characters can condensed more message given the same amount of speaking duration as compared to english)

Chai Jing presented the illustration of savings in enforcing a more efficient engine

4) Inconvenient Footage

Nothing beats a documentary that has first hand record of any event on the ground or anything the authority has to say. Chai Jing has included several investigation and interview videos during her journalist days that definitely open up the eyes of many. These include some baffling answers from authorities and industrial players, as well as inconvenient scenes from the operation room as well as coal plant visit.

Some audience might not able to apprehend the level of answer from the local authority

Chai Jing also visually presented that china has burned more coal than all the other countries combined in the world. While her interviews also highlights, a complex situation that needs a sound idea to resolve the dirty energy industry. Among the problems highlighted is the usage of lower quality of coal and lack of authority enforcing environmental standards so that the coal plants will”wash” the coal to reduce as much as 60% in SO2.

First hand information from the relevant bodies proven facts right

The bigger problem lies in the power of environmental department to execute punishment, to order coal plant to close for example. Simply because job creation and energy demand is a clear priority and interest groups are protecting the industry.

Chai Jing’s visit to Coal Fire Plant with local environmental authority shows huge flaw and non compliance

An interview with a young kid who admits that she has never seen blue sky

Footage on operation on lung cancer with black tar suspected to be coming from air pollution

5) Bringing on the Conversation – Solutions

Chai Jing footage however, has also rode on the optimistic end. The fact is that many european countries have gone through the similar energy demand phase, and used coal extensively, with huge consequences on public health. Chai Jing interviewed several individuals in the America, in the UK, and conclude that these countries have moved on to cleaner production of energy (not to say zero carbon yet!) Natural gas and oil based energy country basically. She has also directly interviewed Environment Protection Agency EPA and other counterparts to understand the legislative system.

But Chai Jing quoted that only 3 companies in China are investing into newer forms of energy, mainly due to lack of funding and monopolization of other competitors. She ended the film by introducing what the audience can do. Well hoping that what she addressed will bring on a new wave of change by educating the end users to speak out. She also shared using mobile apps to complain and to spread the positive vibe of change. She speaks that open disclosure is the foundation of public participation.

Chai Jing introducing the mobile app that has live reporting of the air quality of each power plant.

 Will China Move Forward?

I certainly do not know. Chai Jing did report that several efforts are already on the way. On the other hand, she has shouted out the summary of the current situation, cheap dirty coal that is violating existing environmental standards and affecting public health, thanks to greedy monopolized industrial players that are so powerful to intimidate the government. On one hand, i truly enjoy the plot and deliverable of the films. On the other hand, i do not know how is China responding to it. Let’s hope for the best.

Because their future generation really need to know what a sky and a sun looks like. The Documentary with English Sub Titles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd9BIH2dk60

The draft of National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) was posted on KETTHA’s web page on the 24/1/2014. It is a crucial draft plan that will present the instruments for a successful implementation of energy efficiency strategies in the country for a period of 10 years which is intended to address several barriers on energy efficiency. Personally i am disappointed with the draft, as it only aims for 6% reduction in energy demand for the next 10 years, and this excludes the energy for transportation sector which made up almost half of our total end energy usage.

A crucial benchmark comparison is Thailand’s 20 years Energy Efficiency Development Plan, where it aimed 20% reduction of its total energy demand by 2030. The NEEAP draft does not address crucial details on the agency/task force involved for the EE implementation and feedback mechanisms, the methods to fund more than RM 10 billion for EE in both private and public sectors, policy making, talent capacity building, and research on EE.  Several countries have shown the significant of emphasizing energy efficiency, as this leads to a reduction in peak demand and saved them billion of dollars by avoiding unnecessary power stations, and these funds are used for a better purpose.

The public, including YOU, needs to review this draft plan as it is crucial plan that will affect our economy progression, environmental obligations, and energy security. You do not really to question on the very technical demanding part, but by judging on the quality of a document for a national plan, there are some obvious comments to be made.

As subsidy for electricity will subsequently be removed, the energy efficiency market in Malaysia needs to be stimulated significantly by the NEEAP for the next 10 years as a mean to mitigate the impact of rising cost of living. The limited 1 month time allowance for feedback and the lack of NEEAP draft exposure to public are not deemed professionally done. I  hope citizens will practise their democracy in citizenship by questioning our countries’ policies by sending in their opinions to KETTHA by 24/2/2014.

The Juice of the Draft

In a nutshell, one could turn up in frustration and disappointment by looking on the depth of information of the plan. It sounds more like a draft plan that can be done by post-graduate students honestly speaking, i say this as i cannot help but to feel the entire draft report, which was delayed for years, are not professionally done taken for the fact that it is more of a ‘literature review’ of what is being done currently. which is known to many easily. I personally do not see this as a plan that will elevate the EE industry with the lack of details of implementation in the aspect of financial, human resource, agency job description etc.

I personally see this ‘action plan’ as more of a draft plan to draft on how do we produce action plan. I do not doubt the significance of starting off the plan of identifying our barriers towards EE as well as stating the principles of  the formation of this action plan. However, the lack of details is just a pain to realize that this action plan does not resemble any information but just like a collection of literature of what is done currently. I do not know the history of NEEMP/NEEAP specifically but i suppose there were several drafts before this being done by experts outside of KETTHA and somehow was flushed down the drain. Here are some of my opinions:

1) Not an Ambitious Plan At All

The NEEAP is a plan potentially to improvise the socio economics  situation of the nation, with more efficient of energy usage and lowering peak demand, thus taking off unnecessary power plants, this budget can be allocated for better purpose. The NEEAP is to be the document that will chart Malaysia’s EE journey for the next 10 years. That is long, also considering on the 4 years wasted waiting for this plan.

Screendump showing the identification of barriers and statement of 10 years planning

The next statement, will put your hands down. The first page of the plan has already resembled the mood of the plan, to harvest ‘low hanging fruits’, which translates into, doing easy cheap practical things only?

As shown on the first page of the report, “Harvesting Low Hanging Fruits”

Thailand’s 20 year Energy Efficiency Plan (2011-2030)

One will feel how such draft plan is down the drain upon compared with Thailand’s 20 years plan. If you will go through the 83 pages 20 year EE plan prepared by Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, you would realize how detailed the plans are, with specific timeline chart, both short term (5 years) and long term, with specific plans laid out and scope of responsibilities by each ministry/agency. The best part of this energy efficiency plan is the inclusion of Transportation sector which has close to one-third of the total end energy usage, however with more emphasis on industry sector as it bears 41% of end energy usage, as Thailand is known for a product manufacturer driven economy country.

You can view and download the plan at HERE. I do not have much to critic on the plan, but as a benchmark to our current draft plan for NEEAP, the difference in both, ambitious level and execution details puts us to shame obviously.

2) ONLY a Pathetic 6

Screendump from Thailand MOE’s 20 years EE plan showing the details

% Reduction in Electricity (Not Energy!) Demand Growth

So as oppose to what we saw in Thailand’s 20 years EE plan with the ambition to reduce energy intensity by 25% in 2030 (which includes transportation sector), we see only 6% is the target of reduction in energy demand for the draft NEEAP. As indicated in the last page of the draft.

Screen dump from Draft NEEAP Last Page

And to make matter worst, this 6% is excluding energy usage from transport sector, which is stated clearly that it only confines to electricity usage. It is fine to do a plan only for electricity usage if it is due to ministry/policy red tape factors, but the reduction of 6% is clearly not anywhere ambitious, does not sound anywhere near to our Malaysia’s so much pride for promising to reduce 40% of carbon intensity as per 2005 level announced in COP17. To make matters worst, how can we be proud of 6% energy savings compared to business-as-usual, while the electricity assumption is still increasing by 59% during the 10 years period of the plan

NEEAP only covers Electricity Usage.

The fact is that transport sector itself constitutes almost half of our total energy end usage. By watering down the ambitious target of NEEAP to only 6% reduction, this statistically only mean 3% for overall reduction energy usage.

Final Energy Demand by Sector. Red boxes indicate Residential, Commercial and Industrial demand. Source: National Energy Balance 2011

3) No Details on Agency/Task Force In Control of the Implementation & Feedback of NEEAP

Various literature have shown the similar concern that the effectiveness of various policy and plans in Malaysia is often affected by the ineffective structure of ministries and agencies. It is expected that conflicts from relevant ministries and agencies would happen when they compete for land, energy, funding, legal and political support, and this often explains clash in job descriptions and explanations between agencies. There is no concrete information in the NEEAP stating on the details of the task force and job description, which is also needed to be elaborated across the timeline which consider in the implementation and feedback channel to the task force.

To make matters worst, there is no saying on how much authority this task force has, particularly across different levels of governments and ministries. There has to be a concrete plan solely on setting up the task force which is responsible to overview the nation’s energy efficiency development, as far as we know, there are so many ministries/agencies and as well as layer of government pertaining to any issue. The establishment of SPAD (land public transport authority) came in place, as part of GTP effort to centralize coordination, information and regulation pertaining to any matters on public transport is an example NEEAP can take into account.

4) Lack of Discussion on Policy Levels

While it is acknowledged that there are various Acts to allow KETTHA to promote efficient use of electricity such as Electricity Supply Act (Amendment) 2001 and Efficient Management of Electrical Energy Regulation 2008, and the latest Electricity Regulations (Amendment) 2013 to implement MEPS Minimum Energy Performance Standards, I believe there are many more needed to address the barrier for the implementation of the 10 years duration of NEEAP.

However, on the other side, i see this NEEAP as rather a standalone evaluation of EE itself, there are so many items pertaining to the concern of EE such as Transportation Plan, National Physical Plan perhaps.. there are no signs of the report finding other existing practices to complement to NEEAP or to be amended to do so perhaps? More interestingly, there is mention of lowering carbon emission of the nation by the NEEAP however there is no detail on how this ties in with our Prime Minister’s pledge at COP15 that Malaysia will reduce its carbon intensity per GDP  by 40% by 2020 as per 2005 level.

5) Lack of Details for Funding Strategy

While the NEEAP draft does mention on the crucial need for stable funding to ensure continuity of programs to ensure effectiveness in delivering the impacts, there is no further details on how is the government going  to ‘induce’ the private sector to fund RM9.5bil and also where are they going to source for the RM988million public funds for the 10 years period. The recent electricity tariff may have done well in addressing the issue with cheap dirty electricity. So how is this going to be done?

6) Lack of Elaborations of Consultation Processes and Editing Team behind NEEAP

There is no appendix nor attachment describing on the evolution of drafting NEEAP along the years, and also there are no names involved in the draft mentioned in the document. The public has the rights to know the draft plan is planned sufficiently by credible experts and  after several round of consultation to various agency/think tank/end users etc. As far as i have realized in APEC Peer Review on EE for Malaysia has been a useful document in reviewing the current status, challenges and constructive criticism on the aspect of EE here, there are not many recommendations out of the 41 options being taken into consideration.

7) No Key Initiative for Capacity Building

While the earlier part of the plan highlights that talent pipeline is an issue for the EE industry, there is no key initiative stated at the later part of the draft plan, even though it was identified as one of the 5 strategic actions. The lack of champion in Energy Efficiency poses a huge challenge as we have ambitious goals but the lack of experienced human capital to kick start the various programs for the next 10 years is something not being addressed by NEEAP. The strategic action did briefly mention that EE shall be a focus in tertiary education, workshops will be organized, which doesn’t mean much as there is no details on how to kick off this capacity building.

How do we address energy efficiency studies in our universities? Are we sure that the talent pool of lecturer at the academic level is sufficient  to cater such curriculum? Which institutes are able to cater these EE workshops? Are there any rebates/CPD by attending these seminars? There shall be a section of the Draft Plan addressing all these crucial basic concerns of capacity building.

8) No Key Initiative for Research and Development

Again, the same as point 7. No further details on RnD specifically, while the draft is just as simple as “universities and private entities are encouraged to enhance research in the field of  EE.” There is no single elaboration of how is this going to be done. What are the possible drivers to encourage quality research papers on EE in our universities? Can there be funds allocated for such RnD? Or perhaps will there be a new research center established solely for the purpose of centralizing NEEAP research efforts? The draft plan is seriously lacking of basic details like this to even justify it’s intended actions.

And i believe some can add up more opinions upon comparing with other countries energy efficiency plans.. and thinking that this NEEAP, is the sole document we have for our 10 years Energy Efficiency masterplan, we are in a serious matter as this draft plan is one of the many factors that determine our economic progression, environmental responsibility, and also energy security. I rest my case for now. Will look forward for next few rounds of outcome.

#While i am not a professional to judge things on the very surface, but as a Malaysian who are concern on the policy that will make the change in our environmental obligations, economic progression, and social welfare situation, i say that the public must be concern on such draft!

“How sure are you that the climate change is real? How sure are you that Global Warming is happening? Everything seems fine, why are you worrying?” I don’t know about some of you, but those are the common questions thrown to me, often when i start raising some flags on my Facebook on recent natural disasters or unusual weather phenomena happenings. But it is good because certainly you need solid evidence to prove it is right and not my just a single event of unusual weather event. While i know that i am very convinced that we are in the midst of facing the biggest problem ever since we stepped out from the caves, i do not dare to say that i am bold enough to do a public presentation like how Bill Mckibben always does, which never fails to amaze me for being a walking literature.

My Encounters

The first account of encountering this is James Martin’s “The Meaning of the 21st Century“, it’s the first book i read from cover to cover during my college years. It accounts the 16 mega problems mankind face that questions if our existence is well beyond 21st century, with most of the problem originated from the cause of bad management and absence of foresight, which includes Global Warming and Over Population well enough. Following up then, i started to get involved into activities particularly United Nations University, with one of its conference in New Delhi that shown me how does global warming sound like on the table of politicians. It is there that i saw politicians from surrounding 8 countries (India, Bhutan, Nepal. Afghanistan etc) coming together and debating on the water security of the region as various studies have shown that Glacier in Himalaya is retreating, thus a concern for the water supply for 1.5 billion people.

Climate Pattern Impact has to be Redefined. Credit to Polyp.org.uk

The problem of climate change is a complex context itself, particularly to the aspect of socio or geopolitics. It’s any nation greed to secure it’s food, water and energy security for the reason of economics well being, this made it even more complex. That’s why sometimes i am with the opinion that economics might be the death that we have invented for not accounting environmental damages in. I am certain for global climate destabilization because of the unfolding events happening around, sometimes i wish that i am a meteorologist to understand what is really happening. I don’t need to be a scientist to push the idea across, it’s true that you cannot judge on the evident of climate destablization by a single event alone, but we do have series of natural disasters, with increasing of frequency and intensity, that’s for sure. Certainly, you don’t need to be a scientist but a person who has stayed in the same place for dozen of years and to experience something different, the stories are well convinced.

Polar Vortex- January 2014

It became one of the most Googled word. Polar Vortex is the new buzzword for many Americans trying to break the mysteries on the extreme cold weather, the cold air jet stream that escaped from the Arctic sent down chilly weathers across US, Canada and Russia. Various researches are on going and currently focusing on the Arctic, reason being is that as the overall globe temperature increases (0.6 degrees since early 20th century), the arctic is the first place to reflect such changes in climate temperature.

Even Dr John Holdren, president Obama’s Science and Technology from the White House stated that extreme weather will be norm in the time to come.

“Whether this is normal randomness or related to the significant climate changes occurring in the Arctic is not entirely clear, especially when considering individual events. But less sea ice and snow cover in the Arctic and relatively warmer Arctic air temperatures at the end of autumn suggest a more wavy jet stream pattern and more variability between the straight and wavy pattern.”  As extracted from NOAA Website

Illustration of Polar Vortex 2014 and 2014. Credit NOAA

The increase of heat content in the ocean is the concern

While some might think that ‘global’ warming’ is to feel the weather is getting hotter and hotter, it is definitely way more complex than that, various parts of the world have already seen how the seasonal climate duration is changing. The world is getting warmer, no doubt on that, it is not measure by air temperature, but the heat content is a more significant observation tool as the acidity also increases due to more intake of carbon from the atmosphere. NOAA recently wrote a piece citing on the increasing heat content in the ocean.

Graph showing Significant increase in Ocean Heat Content as 21st Century Greets. Credits: NOAA

As we all know that liquid carries heat content far more than the atmosphere, with this, it can also affect atmospheric temperature and pressure significantly, causing stronger typhoons, or drier droughts. There are just so many signs that show global climate destabilization is happening everywhere by the means of extreme or off record weathers. While there are dozens of events happened for the past years, i managed to find this interactive chart to help you understand better exactly on what extreme weather i am talking about. Or VISIT HERE for the full chart.

 There are of course dozens of extreme weather events in 2013. North China and Russia have been impacted by heavy rains. More than 140 russian towns saw their worst flooding in 120 yaers. During July 21-22, 11 stations around Beijing broke historical rainfall records, damaging-suffering 1.9million people with 77 people dead, and economic loss of $1.5bil USD.

Australia recorded its warmest year on record. The warmth was also notable because it was widespread across the country, with every state and the Northern Territory ranking among their four warmest years on record (NOAA). The country recorded its hottest day on January 7 – a month which also saw the hottest week and hottest month since records began in 1910. And not forgetting also the bush fires that swept through New South Wales.

UK also experienced its coldest spring since 1962. And also not forgetting Typhoon Haiyan with the wind speed of 195 miles per hour and causing increase in wave by 13 feet, the off the chart-category of its own hurricane that took almost 2000 peoples’ live and displace half million population. It is also another event of evident that such catastrophic climate event will bring economic lost, mainly on agricultural damage. In total of $225 mil damage, philippines has to increase its imports on various agriculture by 10% to 20% due to vast agricultural and fisheries industry collapsed due to the disaster.

Before and After. Credit: dailymail.co.uk

While all these extreme weather events are subjected to different debates and reasoning between scientists to debate about, to conclude if its an act of climate destabilization, i am convinced by the frequency and intensity of events certainly is paving its way for an inconvenient result. While some could have said Malaysia is save and free from natural disaster, we do see some signs, as no doubt that we are part of the global climate system. I once wrote that Malaysia is still safe, ‘for now’. We are in the vibe of economic development.. be it GTP ETP or whatever vision 2020, we do not see a pinch in our economic development yet, resulted from extreme climate events.

Because Malaysia is still Happily “Developing”

There are various countries facing heavy consequences from the global carbon emission. Carried out as an indicator name CCVI Climate Change Vulnerable Index, this map shows the 10 countries who are worst hit by extreme climate event as per early 2012 (Anna 2012). Typically, are those area with least developed and lack of infrastructure to encounter such events.

Climate Change Vulnerable Index – Malaysia? Still save for now?

But yes we do see that the east cost (Kelantan,Terengganu and Pahang) has been receiving additional rainfall, especially last December 2013 with almost 100,000 people evacuated. It seems that the east coast is getting used to frequent flood due to heavier precipitation. The flooding event was the reason why i wrote back in early 2012 but never expected it to be happening and even worsen now. It seems so well that the evacuation centers are now well established and expecting for few more rounds soon.

Najib: Massive Floods Due to Climate Change

I really wonder if he said that or it’s just the media interpretation. Will be interested to know on the methodology to prove on how the excessive rain fall event is tied with climate change. But look no further, a week or two ago we just got a happy news that this CNY will be celebrated with chilly weather, thanks to the wind being blown down from China and Russia. It is usual that January is the coldest month of the year, but the extra chill weather from China and Russia is passed down via north-easterly winds, making it colder. Faizal from GEC did suggest a linkage with the overall global climate phenomena (but yea was looking forward for a detail literature explain), but farmers who are involved in agriculture, who are deeply tied with weather condition did feel the pinch already with the extending of maturity period of their crops, thus affecting sales.

So back to the main question again is global climate destabilization a myth? The answer depends on you. And as on the account of numerous times of having this topic with Malaysians, my instinct tells me that most of us know what is global warming at the very scratch, which is ‘weather getting hotter’. Hmm! Of course there are much more to know about that.. including Donald Triumph himself..

Looks like he missed Al Gore’s 101 Climate Change – The Inconvenient Truth

I can’t help but to blame on few things based on my observation, for the local Malaysian context, on why we all are still so lazy to take action:

• Media Coverage and Accuracy

No doubt, but cannot be blamed on Media as a whole as well as there are not many extreme weather cases happening so far to be covered upon. (Owhh but there are dozens of environmental issues deserving attention but unfortunately not covered). My concern on media is not merely whether they are reporting on the event, but rather, on the information accuracy of it. I was disappointed during the flood that no further investigation or coverage was done into allowing the public to understand the heavy precipitation better, rather announcing which politicians or which agency is pouring in aid etc. No doubt also that media as a whole can turn things around by giving misinformation. Global Warming can be a very misleading word if the public, in general doesn’t take effort on trying to understanding the whole simple analogy of climate destabilization.

A new poll from Yale University and George Mason shows that the percentage of Americans who don’t believe in climate change rose 7% in 2013 to 23% of the entire population.  While 63% of the general public believes that climate change is occurring, only 47% believe that human activities are to blame.  The poll also revealed that less than 50% of Americans believe that climate change will affect their lives, but 65% say that it could harm future generations. SOURCE

No doubt, i have seen people like this around.

• Because Climate Destabilization hasn’t Affected us in $ yet 

Yes it is that simple, the government won’t take steps into climate change mitigation unless there is a sound economic value to it. And as per current economic model, cutting down the nation’s carbon emission will not help the countries in $ directly, unless there is a financial mechanism involving carbon already existed and being practiced by Malaysian Government then am not sure about. Geographically climate speaking, we are not as vulnerable as Philippines and Taiwan who are exposed to pacific ocean typhoons/hurricanes.. we are not a nation positioned in a huge land mass and constantly having ocean around us working as a heat capacitor ensuring minimal extreme temperature differences.. (theoretically speaking), we have yet to face hug extreme climate events that will affect our economy yet to grab our politicians’ attentions.

• Religion

I once remember in a monthly social gathering with my ‘green’ friends, after the documentary, we had a discussion and someone said “It’s so hard to talk about climate change with religion centered people”. I think i could well relate to that, as many times i spoke about this to my christian friends, all they will just say is that “the signs are showing, it is all in the book of Revelation, Jesus is coming again! Repent!” And they will just respond by “Just Pray”. I do not generalize every christian and religion in this way, but the fact is that sometimes Religion can blind us so much from the world we are living in to move on with what Faith asked us to do with the scripture. Sometimes we choose to be in an enclosed place call “The Church” and fill our ears on sermons of sins, redemption and forgiveness, but not interpreting the scripture we behold to, to the daily life we are living in with the people around us. There are issues to be thought about outside here in the place He created.

So thinking that Climate Destabilization is somewhat true? Please question scientifically and fair, and if you do find that this is a journey of yours as a mankind to save your future generation, here’s a video for you.

Start rolling the ball, start questioning on what you learn on 350.org Do The Math HERE. IF you feel like you are keen and concerned to do something about it, do it from the very fundamental basic steps, save energy as simple as that, in a wide spectrum of application, from the house you live in, to the transport you use and to the food you eat. Feel like doing more for the activist movement? Then start it by connecting to like minded people, join MESYM’s monthly documentary session and start talking and start doing!

The greenest light bulb is the one that you switch off. That familiar phrase which i often use to reflect on the need for thoughts on energy conservation and efficiency before one talks about renewable energy. While obviously, it is no happy news for a fuel driven economy to save energy, it is an inevitable approach that needs to be tabled as some have said that the Renewable Energy scene is not doing much to cope up with the forecasted energy demand. According to the Ninth Malaysian Plan (2006-2010) RE was set to achieve 300MW by 2010, but only, a far cry 88MW is achieved.

Nuclear as the Base Load?

It is disturbing to know that TNB is supporting the fact that Malaysia has to head for Nuclear because “we have no choice”. The graph above illustrates peninsular’s current demand forecast and reserve margin, while the tabulation is based on the assumption that electricity demand of peninsular will grow 3-5% annually from 2010 until 2020 and there is no new plant scheduled for installation from now until 2015 (TNB). However some industrial player speculate that the reserve will go up as high as 40% when ST (Energy Commission) is trying to develop the large generating capacity.

What “Hidden Fuel”?

While the intention of nuclear studies has been long ago since 2008, questions arise when there are no news for the nation’s energy efficiency studies. The NEEMP National Energy Efficiency Masterplan has been delayed as long as almost 4 years now! I express agreement towards Dr Zaini’s (Ex Director of SEDA) concern HERE. There is simply insufficient argument tabled to the parliament or within the public, or the media to question on how much energy we waste in the first place before asking for more.

Referring to a Energy Efficiency Market Report done by IEA International Energy Agency,  a research on 11 developed countries shows the potential of energy efficiency and conservation to avoid unnecessary energy usage as well as improving efficiency. The research puts the point across, that between 1974 and 2010, energy efficiency was the largest energy resource, thus i can’t put the thought away thinking IF Malaysia can have such projections as well.

The largest fuel contribution by far, hypothetically context speaking, is energy efficiency and conservation, by avoiding the energy use. The graph above illustrates the magnitude of energy that can be saved. It contributes 63 exajoules (EJ) of avoided energy use in 2010, larger than the supply of oil (43 EJ) and (22 EJ). IEA also broke down the EE potential by sectors to show the two-thirds of the economic potential to improve energy efficiency remains untapped in the period to 2034.

While this is just an international studies on developed countries, i am sure it is convincing enough to stir up our thoughts on putting Malaysia in this context. What kind of savings are we probably talking about? I am pretty much sure that energy conservation will play a huge part of savings before we even talk about energy efficiency. But what are the factors that drive energy efficiency? It can be triggered by policies, financing, economy, technology, or even socio-culture factor.

SAVE Sustainability Achieved Via Energy Efficiency

We did have a good program on EE on board. The SAVE programme rebate initiative program is part of the ETP master program, it is aspired to catalyze the energy efficiency market by giving out cash voucher rebate to any application to purchase energy efficient equipment. The RM50.2 million initiative by the government in 2011 has been fruitful, starting from the implementation in july 2011 till august 2012, an estimated energy savings of 179.68GWh and electricity bill savings of RM39.17million was seen. The savings can also be translated into avoiding unnecessary additional power plant by reducing the capacity needed. (More details from Dr Zaini’s blog)

SAVE Article (Credits to Dr Zaini)

At a side note, i have identified few energy efficiency advocates in the professional industry. Feel free to follow the LinkedIn Malaysia Green Professional where i notice a couple of interesting insights on the RE,EE scene are being discussed.

Dr Zaini and Ir Lalchand with their views and thoughts at their column at TheHeat

Jevons Paradox / Rebound Effect

But today i am writing to draw the attention to the crucial need for energy conservation as much as EE is significant as well. At some point energy efficiency practices can be a false campaign when energy conservation effort goes down the drain. They call this the rebound effect, or jevons paradox when  the rebound effect is greater than 100%, exceeding the original efficiency gains. It’s pretty much the same as supply demand curve, a decrease in the price of good/service will increase the quantity demand. Thus in a way, with a lower price for work, more work will be ‘purchased’.

Credits to Wikipedia

Let us put it in perspective with a hybrid car, a lot of times environmentalist try to use the different way of explaining fuel efficiency through monetary benefits. One can save money compared to typical combustion car on a same mileage comparison, then the consumer may then interpret the message that ‘i can drive further with this with the same cost’!

It doesn’t take much to discover how this paradox is right behind our backyard in Malaysia. With cheap electricity now, thanks to EE products, companies are willing to spend more within the same budget allowance, LED is an irrefutable evident of so. Just look at Bangsar with how many potable LED screens with big flashy ads. Lloyd Alter from Treehugger illustrated it well enough in NewYork when a truck is modified with entire LED panels for advertising purpose.

What really push for Energy Conservation Practices? Monetary? Social?

I agree with the thought that the approach of saving the environment by raising peoples awareness is a long lost battle. Let’s face it that almost all of us have heard about global warming and the need to save energy but almost none give it a care, unless the person is one who does not demand any incentive in return but purely by the good will of social responsibility. And thus, i think that the only way to deal with it is monetary and social factors. Our economy system today does not justify the cost to environment, and only when new financial scheme such as carbon crediting comes in (ok i am novice to that topic) , then we can see a balance in environmental economics.

The Raise of Electricity Tariff?

Speaking of Monetary approach, then that was a good example i thought about. During December last year 2013, electricity tariff was set to be up by an average of 15% effectively by this year 2014. However this does not affect domestic users between 0-300kWh usage. Then the next thing you get is complaints from the industry or commercial sector such as the Malaysians Employers Federation as electricity accounts for 6% to 15% of their business cost. I think it is great! then only then you will think of how to save your energy usage!

Series of events after raise in electricity tariff. Screen dump of TheStar.

Then, series of measures follow up. With the hope that this raise of electricity tariff will make people think twice on their energy expenditure, the Malaysian Associate for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management is advising its 400-odd members nationwide to set their air-conditioning at t 23°C or 24°C. To me, that’s the easiest and most energy saving approach that can be done. So easily! Just by raising the tariff and such measure is taken.

This made me think on the possible implications on several similar fields, such as waste disposal. Malaysia has one of the cheapest sanitary landfill tipping fee,RM28.80 and RM36 per tonne, compared to Germany, which charges between RM1,000 and RM1,400; Australia, RM215; and China, RM60 to RM75. This perhaps explained well enough why our effort to recycle is low! people just do not think twice on reducing their waste because there is no monetary disincentive to it. Perhaps soon we shall increase our disposal fare as well?

Social Behavioral Science affects Energy Conservation

Besides monetary measures, the other way for energy conservation is to mobilize the power of social pressure, or social behavioral science. Alex Laskey made an energy software to make end users aware of their energy expenditure, not only that, and compare it with their neighbors! If you are thinking it’s just small deal, the large scale reductions in energy usage are no joke. Since its launch in 2008, it has cumulatively saved utility customers more than $200 million and 2 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy — enough to power a city of more than a quarter million people. It’s all through a powerful combination of behavioral science, data analytics and good marketing.

There are a variety of methods to put this social behavioral science across many fields. I can recall in Japan where many basic good environmental practices are not enforced by policies or regulations however by the upbringing of community, or just a part of their culture. Energy conservation, however is still a topic not much talked about in Malaysia, media is part to be blamed perhaps?

JKR Block F – Simple Energy Conservation Measures

This project is a good example of addressing necessary energy conservation before we talk about energy efficiency. This project, which won the ASEAN Energy Awards 2010 was started in July 2008 with 744 occupants but the number increased significantly to 836 by the end of December 2009. The energy saving measures carried out were of the no cost and low cost with an investment of RM30,000 for submetering and posters. The payback period is just 3.29months!

Graph illustrating the drop in kWh/per person/year as the measures are taken

There is a 9.83% of kWh saving from the baseline which translates into 570,308kWh. The BEI kWh/person/year results in 16.39% savings from the baseline. The baseline BEI is established at 203.50kWh/m2/year, and this was seen to be brought down to 183.49kWh/m2/year after all the measures taken. A conventional office building has a BEI of around 210kWh/m2/year. The measures are relatively simple!

As you can see, these are just basic best practices, which again, points back to the potential of tackling energy conservation via social behavioral science. I cannot help but to express my frustration whenever there are windows opened from office buildings that clearly adds to a huge air infiltration which poses unnecessary energy demand to counter it.  I attach the full picture here for your convenience of reference. (pic credit to Khim Bok, IEN Consultants).

Think Twice Again, Think with the Energy Pyramid In Mind

So, the question here is rather, what are the immediate steps that you can take to adopt energy conservation and energy efficiency measures?

Before thinking about switching to energy efficient fan, think of whether fans are necessary in the specific area in the first place, or do you just need a small task fan if you are working with your laptop?

Before thinking about switching to LED, think about personalized task light if you are doing laptop work, you certainly do not need the whole room to be light up when you just need a task area to be illuminated.

Before thinking about buying an energy efficient fridge, ask what capacity of fridge do you really need first?

If you ask me, Air cond for residential, is just really unnecessary.

Think critically on energy conservation again, then talk about energy efficiency, and ONLY talk about Renewable Energy the last. That’s the way forward for our energy security concern which no policy makers are questioning about!

I shall end the post with a good illustration chart of energy pyramid. (Credit to MNenergy.com)

So i am sure that some of you have heard on the KL Car Free Day event! Hope some of you who have turned up earlier on will give your feed back on the event here. I will just report briefly on what happened and some comments on the mentioned event. As mentioned earlier on, the KL Mayor has announced that every 7.30-9.30am of the first sunday of every month shall be car free across a 6km span of road in the city center.

DBKL mobilized dozens of personnels to seal off the roads for the convenience of car free activities. Overall it is a good experience in looking at all walks of lives coming together, be it young or old, or different activities. Good to see roller skaters and also joggers, however it is obvious that the car free day has becoming more to a cycling day event instead. Earlier on my hope was on its potential to function just as Penang’s Beach Street Car Free event, which truly promotes social integration.

Really, Car Free?

The first issue i realized, and expected is, there are buses and taxis in the car free zone, and sometimes there are cars who entered. I cannot help but to wonder that the planning itself is a close loop car free road, where you are stating that no one in the loop can leave the area by car! On the other hand, i felt that the whole car free aka cycling day (instead) is becoming more like a cycling competition thing, as you have wide span of car free road allowing you to sprint. I was expecting a cycling crowd that was more slow pace and enjoying the peaceful scene of the concrete jungle.

DBKL Personnels on Bikes

The essence of ‘green’ commuting by bicycle, which is also commuting to work is to cycle moderately slow and to reap the benefits of pedaling through the vibrant city. However, Sunday has made it hard for cyclist to really enjoy the city activities. What’s there really to enjoy about when you are cycling through rows of closed shops? Anyway, but it was a fruitful day to notice that DBKL enforcement team has its own bike team!

Seems that it was started since last October, with 20 personnels involved. Their scope of patrolling are neighborhood area, clear enough as bikes do the job more efficient. Nice MTBs and headlamps and carrier! Am pretty sure that they are proud with their job now! Instant Celebrities haha!

I am glad that a diversified range of cyclist profile attend, be it the professional bikers, or the auntie uncles, or the Alam Flora street cleaner, or young kids with their scooters. But overall here are my take aways:

• This is not Car Free Day, not even Car Free Hours, but Cycling Hours event instead. I really pity those who came to jog and roller skate, it was so dangerous for them to have cyclist speeding through them. I really wonder if DBKL can assure the safety of all when there are 2000 people speeding through the closed loop.
• How does this event encourage people to ‘go green’? If i am going to quantify the amount of carbon offset, it is a back fire one instead. So many people travel to the city by cars with their bikes on their carrier, so many tent set up, so many free drinks with waste after that… so commercialize. I am not against, but it really feels that as if cycling is an exclusive activity that needs jerseys, helmets, and gloves to ride on the road. It was such a formal event.

But it was a good start after all, first time event is meant to be one that needs public feedback. It is also great to hear on the Mayor’s announcement  that:

He also said that under the ‘River of Life’ project, City Hall was considering providing special lanes to encourage city folk to use the bicycle as a means of transportation in the city.

“We have started identifying bicycle lanes to connect one sector to another in the city. This will be realised soon,” he said.

It’s quite exciting to hear what’s really coming up soon! But most likely it is related to the Longkang road here! The true car free road!

Thanks to the avid Cycling Kuala Lumpur Group, a grass root effort which surveys all the possible shortcuts for cyclist across KL to encourage day to day commuting. Went down via Dataran Merdeka entry point to visit some grafitis.

Of course you wouldn’t want to be here during raining season.

Indeed a nice hangout space for bikers and artist.

It’s also a good ride to understand our river better, on how we simply release our sewage without treating them, into the river. You will be surprised on the presence of foreign labors seeking shelters here as well. Just imagine that someone needs to smell your waste everyday. Now i am thinking about “River For Life” project and scratching my head on how will the transformation take place.

Good to see young hearts picking up the 2 wheels too!

Gotten up from the Longkang from Pasar Seni area!

Will look forward for next month’s ‘car free day’ again then! Feel free to PM me if you are heading along! Let’s head for a breakfast before then!

Well since this quote has been used so many times in various journal and keynote addresses of various conferences, there it is again to remind perhaps this budget shall take into consideration of that target, meanwhile yes I am in the midst of breaking the myth of the statement made above, don’t you find it is funny that it is emission intensity based on GDP rather than absolute CO2 level?

Anyways, besides speaking about ‘funds allocated for green budget’ sounds like a contradicting thing when out of so many other highlights and details of funds, there are only little shallow emphasize made here for the ‘green budget’, that any other aspect of the overall fund could just overwrite the significance of such green effort. Full detail of Budget2014 HERE. So what are the ‘green thing’ about it?

Environmental Conservation and Resource Management

154. The Government is committed to providing a clean, safe and healthy environment for the present and future generations. Among the programmes to be implemented are the National Carbon Reporting Programme or MyCarbon by the corporate sector, establishment of a National Conservation Trust Fund for conservation of degraded areas and permanent forest reserves, as well as natural resource management.

I don’t know whether I should be clapping or laughing for this. I acknowledge the good intention on carbon footprint program, but seriously? I don’t think we are prepared for such mechanism, it is simply not realistic when we don’t have a reliable local database of extensive schedule of items or materials with corresponding carbon values. My goodness, do we think that the public is already well aware of some basics of carbon footprint? Most do not even know how to calculate their own electricity bill, same goes to corporate and government servants I suppose.

I briefly checked up on this and found that MyCarbon aka national corporate GHG reporting is currently on the drafting stage I suppose. While the framework is already laid out, I am highly in doubt in terms of reporting and reliability of communication, as sometimes GHG report could direct translate into confidential matters of the company. To execute this program itself, can you imagine the amount of carbon auditors needed and where do we get these pool of talents and who monitors them?

155. To strengthen the development of green technology, the Government will provide investment tax allowance for the purchase of green technology equipment and income tax exemption on the use of green technology services and system.

Well, this thing has been going on for years for now and it’s not even a new item. In fact, what seems to be scary for me, is that despite how positively it sounds, the process of application and flow of work is somewhat not business friendly and there seems to be an uncertainty in the work of scope of which department or ministry should this be under, most likely to be confused between MIDA and ST. Perhaps even we have this good effort for years, the effectiveness of ministry shall be to the deserving standards to deliver the expected KPIs needed.

156. To encourage a green lifestyle, Malaysian Green Foundation will be established to promote and enhance use of green technology by the corporate sector and the general public. For this, a launching grant of RM15mil will be provided to the Foundation.

I am, deeply terrified. The idea of establishing something to promote and enhance green tech etc is NOT new at all. In fact the confusing thing is that it seems a lot of ministries and implementing arms of it are doing different programs but somehow they do not reach to a common conclusion or goal. The awareness of green tech has been years now, KETTHA’s CETREE unit does RE and EE awareness to school syllabus and trains up teacher, implement green school awards etc.. (and I have partnered with them before and I highly doubt the effectiveness of such)

SEDA has been doing a lot of awareness of its FiT scheme.. Energy Commission is going around to promote the enforcement of Energy Star base approval rates for the 5 domestic electrical appliances soon, GreenTechMalaysia also doing it’s various awareness campaigns. This move raises the doubts towards the current implementing arms of awareness around the realm of sustainable development/green tech. So, now why another new “Malaysia Green Foundation” and with the RM15mil promote and enhance use of green tech. That’s the curiosity that’s killing me and I need to find out the answer soon on what basis this sum could be allocated to before judging too early.

158. To improve efficiency and electricity energy conservation, the Government will undertake energy audits as well as install retrofit in ministry buildings. For 2014, the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Youth and Sports; Ministry of Human Resources; Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism; and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry have been identified for the implementation of the initiative. In addition, the Government will install solar panels on rooftops of ministry buildings as well as replace existing lights with LED lights in stages.

This is NOT New as well. The move to showcase government office to take the lead in going ‘green’ has been years too. Energy Commission is also enforcing the 24 degree policy for the AC set point in all government offices (and yes I doubt the implementation too). In fact, the implementation of retrofits to government buildings packages can be highly doubt as well, for not going through value engineering and just doing it for the sake of policy etc..

Now it has become a laughing stock instead, just look at the recent news to PM’s official residence is racking up RM2.3mil annually. You don’t even need to talk about energy efficient but preventing energy wastage seems to be what we all lacking of here. How do we have public trust over such ‘green’ effort? Overall I do not sense the seriousness of government buildings going ‘green’ if you ask me. My goodnesss don’t even try telling me about how green Putrajaya is.

Conclusion

If you ask me again what’s the green thing about Budget 2014. It’s either not impressive at all, or equivalent to nothing at all! While I am truly sorry if there are some things that you know but I don’t, kindly share with me as well, I do know that it’s a very complex industry outside there and I am not in it for a dozen of years to give a technical feasible implementing ideas, but..

Here is what I think Should Be in the Budget 2014 to keep the Green Wave going on

• Continue the full exemption for import duty and excise tax for hybrid cars

This is rather a huge bomb to the hybrid and electrical vehicle industry. The hybrid vehicle sparked off last few years due to this. The government gave full exemption for import duty and excise tax for hybrid cars with engines displacing under 2,000 cc until December 31, 2013. Ever since full duty exemption was given, the hybrid car segment has seen a big boom led by Toyota and Honda.

From just 332 hybrids sold in 2010, over 15,000 hybrids found new homes last year, while 8,571 units were sold in the first seven months of 2013. Now with this scrapped off, this is leaving many major players in the automotive industry pondering what’s next. Well my personal speculation will say this is to give way to Proton’s very own hybrid models as it’s been in the test lab for quite some time.

• Fund SEDA’s FiT

Many are unsure on the status of the availability of Feed In Tariff quota for the next few years to come. It is indeed the mechanism that thrives the PV industry significantly. Of course who wouldn’t want to invest in a 21 years scheme that you can sell your electricity 3-5 times higher than you purcahse them? Sounds a legit investment too. Currently the FiT future quota is determined by the 1% of RE fund of your electricity bill (except to domestic user who spend less than RM70/month). It seems that perhaps SEDA might need to increase another 1% to keep the funding going so to balance the cash flow to the FiT holders. While I do not really understand in terms of financing, it will be good that if Budget 2014 funds FiT to keep the PV industry growing here.

• Fund Environmental Social Enterprise/ NGOs

This is a dying need for many NGOs and Social Enterprise. Almost every NGO I came across will mention on the issue of funding, and sadly speaking, most of them get fundings from energy companies such as shell/exxon/etcetc, well do they have a choice when there are big giant corporates who wish to ‘fulfill their green CSR’ and no one else to fund the NGOs? NGOs are not only thirst of monetary resources to execute plans, but red tapes are plentiful as well, that is why many turn into social enterprise, and nevertheless starting up is hard with the lack of starting funds.

• Recruit and Fund more Rangers in the National Parks

This is another dying need. Imagine only less than 50 rangers guiding more than 49,000 hectares of protected forest in the peninsula. With the lack of enforcement and manpower, it is hard for them to take care of the flora and fauna treasure of the national parks. It’s often the case we under estimate their contribution and significant role play in keeping the protected forest away from poachers, assist in research works etc etc. They need more man power and more resources to back them up. You can know more about their struggles through WWF’s Wira Rimba film.

That’s all I could think of right now, while of course I am not an environmental policy person to evaluate through (well perhaps I might in time to come?), but feel free to throw in any suggestion on what would you like to see in Budget 2014 in respond to the dying need of environmental sustainability of Malaysia.