Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet
CAP Urges Just Energy Transition for a Safer, Greener Future
In conjunction with Earth Day 2025, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Malaysian government, industries, schools and households to take bold and urgent action to enhance energy efficiency, minimise electricity wastage and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to safe, clean renewable energy sources.
This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, reminds us that the power to protect the planet lies not only with governments and corporations, but also in the hands of every individual. The way we use energy and the policies we support will shape our planet’s future.
Fossil Fuels: A Risk to Both Climate and Communities
The recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights on 1 April 2025, which destroyed homes, vehicles and disrupted lives, underscores the hidden dangers of our ongoing dependence on fossil fuel infrastructure. While natural gas is often promoted as a “cleaner” alternative to coal, it still poses serious safety, health, and environmental risks. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
Although investigations are ongoing, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder: our continued dependence on fossil fuels endangers both people and the planet. Malaysia must treat this incident not as an isolated accident, but as a wake-up call to transition urgently towards a cleaner, safer, and more resilient energy system.
Why Energy Efficiency Matters
Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective and immediate solutions to tackle the climate crisis. It allows us to reduce emissions, save costs and reduce dependence on polluting fuels – all without compromising our quality of life. In Malaysia, the majority of our electricity is still generated from fossil fuels, particularly coal, oil and natural gas. Improving efficiency helps us to avoid the need for more power plants, reduces strain on the national grid and supports our national and international climate commitments.
Unfortunately, energy wastage remains widespread in buildings, households, factories and public facilities. Air conditioning is often set too low, lights are left on unnecessarily and inefficient appliances are still in use. Addressing this requires both technological upgrades and a shift in public mindset and behaviour.
False Solution: Waste-To-Energy Incineration
One example of a false solution is waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration, which is often promoted as a sustainable way to manage waste while generating electricity. However, this method poses significant environmental and health risks. Incinerators emit toxic pollutants such as dioxins, furans, heavy metals and fine particulate matter. These substances are linked to serious health issues, including cancer, respiratory illness, birth defects and developmental problems in children.
Moreover, burning waste discourages recycling and waste reduction efforts, locking us into a linear and polluting system. Instead of investing in incineration, Malaysia should prioritise zero-waste strategies, including composting, reuse systems and redesigning products for circularity.
CAP’s Grassroots Energy Initiatives
At CAP, we believe that community-led solutions and education are powerful tools for change. Our Earth Day 2025 efforts focus on building energy awareness among students, teachers and families.
CAP has selected 12 schools from both Penang Island and the mainland to participate in our Energy Saving and Efficiency Project. At each school, student Energy Monitors were appointed to track electricity consumption in their school. Through initiatives such as switching off unused lights and fans, managing computer lab usage and turning off the smart board after use, these young leaders are already making a meaningful impact.
We recently organised an energy-saving and efficiency training programme for school teachers in Penang Island at SJK(C) Union on 17 April, reaching out to 94 teachers, with practical guidance from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) on smart meters, renewable energy and energy-saving tips. A second session will be held in May for teachers in Seberang Perai. These workshops aim to help teachers integrate energy awareness into classroom activities and empower them to lead by example in conserving electricity within school environments.
As part of the Earth Day celebration, CAP will also collaborate with the Penang Green Council (PGC) to deliver two informative talks on “Climate Change and Energy-Saving” and “Natural Cooling Recipes”. The event will take place on 22 April 2025 (Tuesday), from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, at the Concourse, 3rd Floor, KOMTAR. We warmly invite the public to join us for these engaging sessions and learn practical, climate-friendly solutions that can be adopted in everyday life.
Through these initiatives, CAP hopes to cultivate a generation of energy-literate Malaysians who will continue to make informed and responsible choices throughout their lives.
We urge the government to show leadership by accelerating climate action, enacting strong renewable energy policies and phasing out harmful subsidies for fossil fuels. Businesses must employ energy-saving technologies, waste reduction, resource efficiency measures and adhere to environmental regulations.
Our Power Lies in What We Do Next
The theme “Our Power, Our Planet” speaks to the responsibility we all share and the opportunity we have to build a better future. The power is not just in our electricity supply. It is in our voices, our votes, our actions and our demands for a more just and sustainable world.
Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang
Letter to the Editor, 21 April 2025