Towards a greener Malaysia.
Malaysia is a green and beautiful country. It is also one which aspires to be green in the modern sense of the world: its politicians speak of leading the world in creating a green society. Now, this is most admirable, but is it true of Malaysia on the ground? Is there anything not being done that should be done?
Well, yesterday, I saw something I have frequently seen in Malaysia: a vehicle spewing black clouds of smoke out the back of its exhaust. In this case it was a bus, WAJ 5268, if I remember correctly. The clouds of smoke were so thick as to threaten to obscure the vehicle itself. I found myself disgusted with the vehicle's owner: how could they drive such a polluting bus around? Why didn't they service the engine? This bus alone must be producing the equivalent pollution of hundreds or thousands of other vehicles. It was obscene. Yet, it is not alone. Malaysia is defiled by tens of thousands of such vehicles. That is something which must change.
I am impressed with the publicly expressed intentions of Malaysia's leaders to move towards a green society, one that other nations might aspire to be like. It is a good aim. However, they are overlooking problems on the ground which could easily be corrected. There should not be thousands of heavily polluting vehicles in Malaysia, there should not even be one. Getting rid of them would be easy to do. Every time a policeman sees such vehicle the driver should be stopped and the vehicle impounded. The owner should then be given a choice: pay for the repairs to the vehicle - upfront - or have the vehicle scrapped and recycled - with no compensation. Furthermore, the owner should be fined for being in possession of such a polluting vehicle. Were this regime to be implemented the air around KL would become a lot cleaner in a matter of weeks.
The first step to the solution of a problem is its recognition. I have have done that. The next step is to structure penalties - and enforce them - to eliminate the behaviour. It is not difficult and would be another good step on the green pathway that Malaysia has, very vocally, chosen for itself. I hope that it is a step that is soon taken, for I tire of breathing clouds of venomous smoke, on KL's roads.
(If you would like to learn more of Ainan Celeste Cawley, 10, or his gifted brothers, Fintan, 6 and Tiarnan, 4, this month, please go to:
http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2006/10/scientific-child-prodigy-guide.html
I also write of gifted education, child prodigy, child genius, adult genius, savant, megasavant, HELP University College, the Irish, the Malays, Singapore, Malaysia, IQ, intelligence and creativity.
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Labels: a Green Malaysia, a problem overlooked, cars, environmentalism, pollution, the difference between speaking and doing
11 Comments:
This relates to an earlier post...
http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-good-is-high-iq.html
"research has shown that a 10 point drop in IQ corresponds to a DOUBLING of the time taken to complete the problem"
What research are you referring to?
Hi Patrick,
It relates to research findings referrred to in a book extract I found online...however, I failed to make note of the source at the time, though I remember its contents.
If I can find it, or another reference to it, again, I will post it here...though I have other priorities at this time.
Sorry I can't provide you with an immediate link.
IF you are fool enough to believe in Malaysian Politician...
I'm quite sure it has got to do with the corruption in Malaysia. All I have to do when I get caught is to give the policaman 20 ringgit, and off I go again, bacj smoke and all.
Hi BP,
That is a pity re. bribing the police. If that is all it takes to avoid a penalty then the law cannot function. I must say I have NEVER seen vehicles as polluting as the ones I have seen in Malaysia, in any other country. Engine maintenance and servicing must be altogether neglected. Efforts should be made to get those vehicles off the road. I would suggest just scrapping them.
Thanks for your understanding of the problem.
So did Ainan find a university?
Yes. Ainan is at HELP University College in Kuala Lumpur. He is enjoying his studies there and the other students are warm towards him, so we are pleased.
Thanks for asking.
Actually, about a year ago, my 5 year old nephew, who has been overwhelmingly interested in biology since the age of 3, came up to me while i was visting my brother's house, and asked me why scientists weren't producing fuels from the chemical compounds plants and fungi were releasing into the air during their natural processes. After all, we were already relying on plants for their carbon dioxide. He was especially interested in fungi and their role in decomposition, removing unwanted materials from the world as well as releasing useful chemicals. Recently, he has been proven right! A bit of a Seer, isnt he? A fungus named Gliocladium roseum is known to break down cellulose (somewhat like recycling, for a material undigestible by most living things)and release chemical compounds largely similiar to what is used in diesel fuel. If further experiments and breakthroughs are made, this phenomenal fungus could very well be the next source of fuel for us! It's carbon footprint is much smaller than current method of producing diesel. If this were to work, even the polluting cars would not be as significant, since carbon emissions are already cut down. Upon informing my nephew of the new breakthrough, he has expressed great interest in the subject, and frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if he does come up with another hypothesis that proves to be true. After all, what else can i expect from a boy who walked with perfect stability at 6 and a quarter months, and taught himself the guitar such that he is currently grade 7 standard?
Thanks Meg, for sharing about your nephew. He seems like a gifted boy. He has chosen a timely interest, given that the biological sciences are in the fore these days.
As for the walking...well, as you might know Ainan was walking, without falling at six months...so I know what that is like.
Have fun with your nephew.
earlier in your blog you said ainan was walking at 6 and a half months just like megs nephew??
why change it now?
Re. anonymous and meg's nephew
Err...are you mad? What, exactly, is your problem? Do you not understand English? The month that begins at 180 days, approx. and ends at 210 days, approx, is the SIXTH month...which is exactly what I have always said. There is no change. It is called the English language. The days in that period are in the sixth month.
I can only assume you have some real issues that are trying to work out, with the world. Well, I am not interested in your issues...and see no reason why I should be.
Ainan is as he is. Meg's nephew is as he is. I have been polite about Meg's nephew. You don't seem so motivated to be polite. I wonder why?
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