Climate activist calls for greater youth awareness on climate change

SHAH ALAM - The first Asian woman to reach both the south and north poles Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir has voiced concerns over the excessive entertainment that she believes is leading to an ignorant Generation Z, particularly in regard to the climate.

She emphasised the importance of addressing the climate crisis from all aspects, including the state of youths, which she believes contributes to a low rate of climate crisis awareness.

"When I think about climate change, I consider every element in this world.

"Our youths are being ruined by drugs, the entertainment through concerts, and for what? It is the propaganda that ruins you that will ruin the country.

"This is very important; if you want to be a politician, you have to have a brain and be open about every problem on whatever platform," she added, urging the politicians to also pay heed to the youths who are too busy for the climate crisis," she told Sinar.

She said that immoralities were being televised these days and people were easily influenced by what was shown.

Sharifah Mazlina said that many youths did not see that this was happening, which heightened the importance of addressing it, especially by people in power.

"It's so sad. What are we doing? There is barely any climate change awareness, and who will face climate change from 2030 to 2050? It's future generations," said the activist, who is in her late 50s.

She also criticised the pessimism in people who dismiss the consequences of their inaction.

"I'm not talking about you; I'm talking about us, the older generation, who have gone through everything and failed to leave a good legacy.

"For the newer generations, when you get married, your children will face horrible floods, exacerbated by corruption that prioritises profit over safety," Sharifah added, highlighting that many infrastructures today still do not account for potential natural disasters.

"Most buildings lack a safety system to prepare for natural disasters like earthquakes," she said, advising people to take minimal actions such as keeping a transparent bottle with water to observe any unusual water movement that might signal an incoming earthquake and being able to evacuate living spaces like apartments early.