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Activities Report 1999 Sept Newsletter

Renewable Energy: A Good Source for the Future but Environmental Protection Also Needed 

      The Malaysian Nature Society welcomes the plan to introduce a new source of renewable energy to the country’s current four-fuel strategy. The Society feels that the plan, unveiled by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently, is most appropriate, as carbon fuels are a major source of air and water pollution in developed nations as well as in many upcoming countries like ours.
      The current consumption and need for energy in our country is growing tremendously as Malaysia strives to reach its goal as a developed nation by the year 2020. It is thus necessary that steps be taken to ensure that proper energy sources are studied and developed as this will not only
meet the demand of the future but will also be able to safeguard the environment. By doing this it will ensure that Malaysia develops both as an industrial and environmentally sound nation.
      There may be a cost involved in protecting the environment but let us not forget that there is also an economic and national cost if we ignore the environment and allow it to degrade. It is thus essential that while pursuing renewable energy sources such as the need to build hydroelectric dams the total damage on the environment should be minimized as much as possible.
      Building one large dam may not be a good idea as a larger area has to be inundated. In addition, problems of methane build-up due to large concentrations of unremoved and rotting plant debris may arise. The costs of maintaining large dams are also higher and their efficiency is lower compared to smaller dams. Building few smaller dams in suitable valleys may be a better solution. Other options of renewable energy include wind and waves. These areas should be looked into before making any drastic decisions. Of course, the initial setup may be expensive but developed countries can lend a hand here and do something practical instead of just criticizing developing nations.
      The Society hopes that further studies be conducted in this area of renewable energy as we cannot depend solely on depletable carbon fuels which also contribute to haze, air and water pollution. Malaysia has a goal to reach and the Malaysian Nature Society supports all efforts the Government is doing in maintaining both the economic and environmental stability of this country.

Kuala Lumpur, 9 June, 1999

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Created on 3rd Sept 1999