Scientists, politicians urged to work together vs climate change

BANGKOK, Thailand–The Regional Forum on Climate Change was launched on Wednesday morning in Thailand in anticipation of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (21st Conference of Parties) later this year.

Prof. Zakri Abdul Hamid, Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, said scientists should help influence policy making.

“There is a key role for scientists to play, to generate knowledge for the politician to make better-informed decisions,” he said during his keynote speech.

“Science, ladies and gentleman, provides answers which are indisputable as the basis of conclusive decision making processes and impact assessment,” he said. “As you have seen science has already contributed to a successful and sustainable energy supply yet there is a need or room for future innovation.”

Zakri discussed the problems caused by human action, especially the shrinking resources.

“We have changed the chemistry of our atmosphere causing sea level to rise, ice to melt,” he said.

Zakri explained that middle-income countries “have borne the largest burden of disasters,” their losses amounting to about one percent of their gross domestic product, “which is 10 times higher than (that of) developed countries.”

The science advisor said it is important for scientists “to influence policy in the highest level.”

He said the scientific community should continue to engage and communicate with policymakers.

He said it is also important for scientists to learn the “language of politicians” by explaining the impact of climate change on the lives of their constituents.

“In Asia, it (climate change) will have an increasing effect on human health, security, livelihood and economy. So ladies and gentlemen we are expected to ready for the challenge, the resilience and undermine the challenges faced by the region,” he told the audience, composed mostly of academics and scientists.

The forum was organized by the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand, together with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union.

Through its technical sessions and discussions, it aims to propose interventions that may influence local policy relating to climate change. It also hopes to “inspire” an Asean position for the upcoming climate change negotiations in Paris.