By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 25: The Sheikh Othman Sarawak Waqf Chair at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has been called upon to spearhead research initiatives in the food industry and biodiversity that could bring about solutions that may help mitigate global climate change.
Championing this call to action, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg encouraged Sarawakian students, academicians, and professionals within UKM to draw inspiration from the remarkable journey of the late Sheikh Othman Abdul Wahab, a prominent Islamic scholar from Sarawak who had travelled all the way to Mecca to seek knowledge.
Sheikh Othman, born in Kuching in 1863, was a prominent Islamic scholar of the 20th century. He made substantial contributions to the advancement of Islam in Sarawak and the broader archipelago based on Islamic principles.
Today, Abang Johari noted that the global climate crisis is a paramount concern, which will profoundly influence economic development and human civilisation moving forward.
“Scientists have cautioned that even a modest two-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures could have catastrophic consequences, subjecting people to perilous heatwaves. Excessive carbon emissions are identified as the primary cause of global warming. So, what are the solutions?
“In response, efforts must be made to cool the Earth by enhancing oxygen levels in the environment and controlling carbon emissions.
“Fortunately, Sarawak possesses vast forested areas that act as oxygen sources. Under my leadership, the Sarawak government is committed to exploring innovative strategies for increasing oxygen production and mitigating carbon emissions,” he said when officiating at the Sheikh Othman Sarawak Waqf Chair Facility and a visit to the Sheikh Othman Sarawak Gallery in UKM Bangi in Selangor, which was broadcast live through Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) social media platforms today.
As Malaysia, and Sarawak in particular, is blessed with abundant rainfall and sunlight, Abang Johari urged the chair, established through collaboration between the Sarawak government and UKM, to conduct further research, particularly in the realms of the food industry and biodiversity, that would facilitate increased oxygen production and effective climate control.
He also emphasised the need to plant more fast-growing trees including food crops.
Highlighting the importance of digitalisation, which Sarawak has already begun to embrace, and the potential offered by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, he expressed optimisism that Malaysia and Sarawak can leverage these tools to find innovative solutions to climate change challenges.
“Furthermore, there are already scientific solutions for capturing and storing carbon which Sarawak is actively participating in these efforts.
“Given our continental shelves are in a geographically strategic location with minimal disturbance from volcanic activity, we can safely and efficiently store carbon in our land. Sarawak can make significant contribution as carbon is one of the major issues in the world,” he said.
Apart from that, Abang Johari added that Sarawak is also working on expanding hydrogen production in the State in collaboration with several stakeholders, as he noted that hydrogen holds the potential to play a major role alongside battery electrification and renewable energy in addressing the climate crisis.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Utility and Telecommunications (MUT) Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, UKM chairman Professor Emeritus Dato Dr Mohamad Abd Razak, UKM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman, and Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datu Misnu Taha. — DayakDaily
