BY JOTISRI VASUDEVAN
“IN 1998, temperatures in Malaysia reached a staggering 40 °C during extreme weather events, sending shockwaves through the nation.”
“Just over a decade later, in 2016, the mercury soared to 39 °C, ushering in an era of scorching discomfort.”
Dr Nurul Nadrah Aqilah Tukimat, an expert in water resources and climate assessment, made these observations in an interview with The Petri Dish recently.
The lecturer from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) pointed out that there is a connection between science, heatwaves and climate change.
Heatwaves are not a strange occurrence in Malaysia, a country situated in the tropics. With its equatorial climate and hot and humid weather, heatwaves are a norm in the country’s climate charts. [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”block” ihc_mb_who=”unreg” ihc_mb_template=”3″ ]
However, when these temperatures reach extreme highs, heatwaves will be experienced by the population and will become a talking point among people.
“A heatwave is technically defined as a period of excessively hot weather, typically when the temperature climbs above 37 °C for two consecutive days,” said Nurul Nadrah Aqilah.
Asked if we could expect such heatwaves more frequently, she said: “The answer lies in the presence of El Nino, as heatwaves are an impact of El Nino.”
“El Nino is a climate phenomenon that originates in the Pacific Ocean. It’s all about sea surface temperatures.”
“When these temperatures rise more than 0.5 °C above normal, El Nino appears on the scene. It comes in different forms, from mild to wild, with extreme El Nino as the showstopper,” Nurul Nadrah Aqilah clarified.
Our country is close to the Pacific Ocean, which makes us vulnerable to El Nino’s effects.
When El Nino arrives, it brings searing heatwaves to our shores. Our usual hot days become even hotter, and that’s when we experience those scorching heatwaves as an impact of El Nino.
In short, El Nino is like a heatwave conductor. When it’s around, it leads to extreme heat in Malaysia. But why does this climate phenomenon occur in the first place?
Nurul Nadrah Aqilah responded: “El Nino isn’t acting alone. This temperature rise in the sea surface is largely caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs), specifically carbon dioxide.”
“GHGs contribute to about 97% of the changes in sea surface temperatures. These GHGs, the result of human activities, continuously disrupt our climate systems,” she highlighted.
When GHG increase, temperatures go up, which, in turn, leads to warmer sea surface temperatures. This contributes to El Nino’s arrival, bringing heatwaves directly to our doorstep.
“Unfortunately, despite global efforts, both Malaysia’s and the world’s carbon dioxide levels are still on the rise.”
“The current percentage of carbon dioxide in Malaysia continues to increase by 6 to 7% compared to previous years. If we don’t get this under control, the consequences could be dire,” she asserted.
Nurul Nadrah Aqilah referenced Malaysia’s strong emphasis on the National Policy for Climate Change and the National Water Resources Policy. These policies prioritise the preservation of water resources and have made noteworthy contributions to carbon dioxide control.
“However, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) reveals room for growth, with Malaysia ranking 56th in 2021, despite progress,” she said.
She acknowledged that while Malaysia’s global emissions are comparatively modest, effective control and emissions reduction contribute positively to addressing climate change.
“We can’t always prevent natural disasters like El Nino, but we can adapt by preventing a secondary disaster within the disaster,” she articulated.
Nurul Nadrah Aqilah exemplified her ongoing project called “EvaCon: Evaporation Controller,” aiming to effectively manage and control water levels during heatwaves.
The primary objective is to prevent a compounding disaster within the existing crisis. In this scenario, the initial crisis is the heatwave itself, with its secondary issues, including water shortages.
“In terms of prevention, the government and policymakers are in it for the long haul, not quick wins because climate change’s impacts are long-term, and the benefits of their efforts won’t materialise overnight.”
“But these efforts aim to create a more resilient society that can manage these climatic challenges,” she said.
Nurul Nadrah Aqilah suggested to the public to utilise The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) as it provides real-time weather information and potential issues like heatwaves, thunderstorms, and other climatic events through various social media platforms.
“So, in this ever-evolving climate story, staying informed is your superpower!” she emphasised.[/ihc-hide-content]
