Climate change is hurting jobs and businesses
Gig workers like Mustaza Yunus and small business owners in Malaysia face financial and operational challenges due to extreme heat and unpredictable weather, while environmental experts warn of compounding climate risks and urge integrated policy responses. Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s Meenakshi Raman highlights gaps in Malaysia’s National Adaptation Plan, emphasizing the need for coordinated climate vulnerability assessments to address cascading hazards like droughts and floods.
Mustaza Yunus, a 47-year-old gig worker from Cheras, Malaysia, relies on daily jobs for income but faces disruptions from extreme weather. Hot conditions cause discomfort and health issues, while rain and flooding disrupt traffic and deliveries, forcing riders to work despite challenges. Similarly, Maimum Husin, a 67-year-old food court vendor in Sri Rampai, reports declining sales as customers avoid outdoor dining due to heat. Environmental groups warn Malaysia’s weather monitoring systems fail to address interconnected climate risks. Meenakshi Raman, president of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, states extreme heat and flash floods often occur simultaneously, amplifying vulnerabilities across sectors. She criticizes the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for lacking integration, urging alignment of climate risk assessments to prevent cascading disasters like droughts and water shortages. Raman cites the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in describing rising instability, with Earth’s warming increasing risks of irreversible climate tipping points. Sustainability advocate Anthony Tan adds that urban heat islands—created by reduced greenery and increased pavement—disproportionately affect low-income communities. Poor housing in flood-prone areas, disrupted schooling, crop losses, and limited emergency access for the elderly worsen inequalities. Tan calls for immediate action, including reviewing drainage and irrigation systems to adapt to future needs over 30–50 years. He stresses understanding climate change’s causes and effects as a priority for local authorities. Experts agree Malaysia’s fragmented response to climate hazards leaves workers and businesses exposed, demanding urgent policy reforms to mitigate compounding risks.
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