Lai Cheng

How Buildings Contribute to Climate Change – and What Can Be Done about it The building and construction industry is a big emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases, according to the latest UNEP and Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction report. The amount of building floor space is expected to double by 2050, with many of the additions coming in developing and emerging economies....

Malaysia's growing microplastics crisis is largely self-inflicted, driven by domestic waste, weak recycling practices and everyday plastic use, said experts. Universiti Sains Malaysia marine scientist Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said the issue was no longer a future risk, but an ongoing environmental crisis affecting marine ecosystems and seafood. "The key point is that we are not anticipating...

Malaysians are in danger of ingesting up to 2,016 microplastic particles a year through fish consumption, with higher exposure among coastal communities, said the Fisheries Department. Fish is a key pathway for human exposure to microplastics, particularly in countries with high seafood intake such as Malaysia, where they are an important source of protein. Fisheries Department director-general...

The recent escalation in global oil prices, driven in part by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the West Asia, has contributed to an increase in the cost of plastic production. As most conventional plastics are derived from petroleum-based feedstocks, fluctuations in oil prices can significantly influence the cost of plastic packaging materials, which are widely used across the retail and food...