Climate Science 101 | Bite-Size Climate Action

Basics

WELCOME TO CLIMATE SCIENCE 101

The world is warming faster now than at any point in recorded history. If heating continues at this rate, it could have a devastating impact on our planet, causing increased extreme weather events, sea-level rise, food shortages, and extinctions. But we can avoid the worst of these effects if we limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We need to act for the climate and we need to act NOW.

Our Climate Action starter pack will help you understand the basic science behind climate change, and where Malaysia stands in the climate equation.

MINI LECTURES

In these three Bite-Size mini lectures, our scientists explain WHY we should care about global warming and its impacts, WHAT needs to be done to avoid too much climate warming, and HOW the world is trying to organise towards this.

GLOBAL WARMING AND ITS IMPACTS

Dr Sheeba Chenoli, University Malaya

AVOIDING TOO MUCH WARMING- CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

Dr Matthew Ashfold, University of Nottingham

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

Dr Helena Varkkey, Universiti Malaya
Read more at UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Process and Meetings

INTRODUCTION: CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOU

Explore our infographic gallery for some need-to-know facts on climate change in the Malaysian context.

Are we higher or lower than you thought? Understand how Malaysia ranks in various indicators in the

Any surprises in the top sectors? Your personal actions can help to reduce emissions across the boar

Describe your image

Do you know the difference between emissions intensity, average emissions per person, and total emis

Are we higher or lower than you thought? Understand how Malaysia ranks in various indicators in the

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REFERENCES

GLOBAL CO2 LEAGUE TABLE, 2019

2019 global averages: 4.9 tonnes CO2 emissions per capita; 0.29 tonnes CO2 emissions intensity per $1000 GDP. 2019 global total: 38,000 million tonnes CO2 overall emissions. The IPCC Glossary defines emissions intensity as the amount of emissions released per unit of another variable such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), output energy use or transport.
Rankings from knoema.com
Data from Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research

MALAYSIA’S GHG EMISSIONS BY MAJOR SECTOR, 2018

Percentages reported are for emissions excluding land use change and forestry sector. Fugitive emissions are leaks and other irregular releases of gases or vapours from a pressurized containment - mostly from industrial activities- in Malaysia, this is mostly from the oil and gas industries.
Data from Climate Watch

WHAT IF WE OVERSHOOT 1.5°C GLOBAL WARMING?

Adapted from infographic by Worlds Resources Institute (2018) “8 Things You Need to Know About the IPCC 1.5˚C Report”
Seafood consumption data from Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations Statistics (FAOSTAT)
Agricultural sector employment from World Bank Development Indicators
Temperature trends from Tan ML, Juneng L, Tangang FT, Chung JX and Radin Firdaus RB (2021), Changes in temperature extremes and their relationship with ENSO in Malaysia from 1985 to 2018, International Journal of Climatology 41, E2564-E2580

IS OUR NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION GOOD ENOUGH?

Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a term used under the UNFCCC whereby a country that has joined the Paris Agreement outlines its plans for reducing its emissions. Emissions include land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF). To avoid 1.5°C warming, global average emissions per person should be around 3 tonnes CO2e by 2030.
Intended NDC of the Government of Malaysia (2016)
Malaysia Third Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC (2020)
Malaysia Third National Communication and Second Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC (2018).