Malaysia's future threatened by climate change and mental illnesses

SHAH ALAM - Climate activist Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir has issued a stark warning about the impending dangers of climate change, emphasising the urgent need for collective action.

The first Asian woman to complete the Pole to Pole mission, Sharifah was particularly concerned about the accelerating melting of Antarctic ice and its potential catastrophic consequences for Malaysia.

Since 2002, Sharifah has been warning about the possibility of Malaysia sinking by 2050, a prediction recently supported by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

She likened politicians to wolves, suggesting that common people will suffer from leaders' inactions, particularly regarding environmental issues.

"This is one reason I chose not to become a government official but a commoner who can take on extraordinary duties like raising climate and environmental awareness," she told Sinar Daily in an exclusive interview recently.

She also highlighted the growing mental health challenges among people, such as experiencing panic attacks when confronted with "uncontrollable" environmental issues.

"We advised the government during Pak Lah's time (Fifth Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) to encourage youth to study psychology and counselling, as the country was moving towards becoming an industrial nation, with a focus on engineering and computer science," Sharifah said.

She stressed the need for more emphasis on human sciences and the importance of mental health education.

As president of All Women Empowerment to Accelerate (Aweta), she pointed out the importance of quick thinking in addressing mental health issues.

Sharifah linked mental health challenges with environmental stability, explaining that youth with poor mental health could undermine efforts to address global warming and melting Antarctic ice.

"We have entered an era of mental illness. When I started studying in Canada in 2000, studies showed that one in 14 people was mentally ill or showed symptoms.

"Now, it's one in seven to nine," she stated, outlining the progression from stress to mental illness.

She identified multiple sources of stress, including bullying, body-shaming, peer pressure, and the challenges of motherhood, all of which can weaken a community's ability to tackle the climate crisis.

Sharifah added that financial issues, such as debt and the rising cost of goods, also contribute to the problem, leading to issues like higher divorce rates.

"It is crucial for the older generation to provide stability to the younger generation. If they don't, the mentally ill and those with other issues will take their place, which should not happen," she warned.

"The country will collapse. What can we do? Stop focusing on immediate needs; think about what you want for the future.

"However, those who want to take positive action often face penalties, unfair treatment, and ultimately disqualification," she said.