KUCHING: Educators have a vital role in driving environmental consciousness and climate change awareness across Sarawak’s communities, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Reading his speech on his behalf, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh emphasised that teachers are not just curriculum deliverers, but agents of change and community leaders.
“This role is critical in nurturing a generation that is environmentally literate,” he said at the Closing Ceremony of the Sarawak-Level Environmental Education Workshop for Teacher Advisors of Kelab Pencinta Alam Sekitar (PALS) 2025, held on Wednesday.
Awang Tengah highlighted the urgent realities of climate change — extreme weather, flooding, prolonged drought, and biodiversity loss — as clear signs that educators must be actively involved in inspiring environmental action.
He stated that teachers can influence change through:
- Extracurricular programmes
- Sustainable living role modelling
- Community engagement initiatives
He also affirmed Sarawak’s firm commitment to the environmental sustainability agenda through a series of long-term initiatives and policies:
- Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023
- Sarawak Climate Change Policy
- Renewable energy investment
- Blue carbon coastal ecosystem restoration
He added that education remains a cornerstone of Sarawak’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with programmes jointly led by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) in collaboration with schools and stakeholders.
The Kelab Pencinta Alam Sekitar (PALS) was recognised as a significant platform for informal environmental education and leadership development.
“I am informed that throughout this workshop, teachers were exposed to sustainable teaching strategies, outdoor learning, and community activities. This is a crucial step toward nurturing an environmentally conscious generation,” he said.
