Although the final result in Copenhagen was a failure, 2009 was the year that the climate movement exploded.
This multimedia piece is a collection of images by photographer Robert van Waarden taken during 2009 when he focused on the climate movement growth around the world.
All images (except those provided by 350.org) ©Robert van Waarden, http://vanwaardenphoto.com. Music track – Open Road Kisses by Augustus.
Business Times, January 27, 2010
By Rupa Damodaran
MALAYSIA is keen to develop “solar valleys” to enable small- and medium-sized businesses and other vendors to support the solar energy industry, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
The country has so far attracted RM10 billion in investments in the the fast growing photovoltaic (PV) or solar energy industry, from big players the likes of First Solar and Sunpower from the US and Q-Cells from Germany.
“They (investments) are in line with the government’s policies to encourage green technology and the use of more renewable energy,” he told a media briefing after a visit to Q-Cells Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s fabrication plant in Cyberjaya, Selangor yesterday.
“With the valleys, there will be spin-offs for supporting industries and create clusters. The companies can also source some of the raw materials locally such as silica and glass.”
Mustapa said he was impressed with the progress of Q-Cells, one of the world’s biggest makers of solar cells, since it invested in Selangor Science Park 2 two years ago.
Considered as the first tenant in the “green field” of the industrial park, the German company produced its first solar cell within 10 months of investments.
So far it has invested RM1.5 billion in the plant and has expressed plans to invest more than RM5 billion in Malaysia to cope with the increasing demand in the next few years.
It is currently having discussions with the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA).
Q-Cells was the result of approval process by the high impact committee under the Cabinet where “customised incentives” are extended to significant investments, said Mustapa.
The output from its first two production lines total 165,000 cells daily and it caters to the export market with a sizeable number to Germany.
There are 560 employees and there are plans to ramp up production by the end of the year, providing jobs to 1,000 people.
First Solar, which is located in Kulim, has invested RM2.5 billion, with another RM1.1 billion expansion plan that will provide employment opportunities for 2,400 people.
Sunpower in Malacca, which is is still under construction, has invested RM2.2 billion.
Q-Cells Malaysia chief executive officer Bernhard Rack said a solar hub or valley will augur well for Malaysia and the solar energy market.
A good example for Malaysia to look at is the growth of Germany’s solar industry, which has created more than the 800,000 jobs offered by the automotive industry.
There are about 1.2 million jobs in the renewable energy industry in Germany and the number is expected to double in the next 10 years.
Our planet can no longer withstand man’s unsustainable consumption and wastage. We do not own this earth we merely hold it in trust for our posterity. It is our moral responsibility to bequeath to our children a more pristine and healthy planet. The challenge is to act now before it is a case of “too little, too late”.
~PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak @ World Future Energy Summit 2010
The government’s initiatives in promoting green technology according to Najib’s speech:
Thanks to all volunteers, our COP15 Sharing session at Sunway University College went smoothly on Sunday. We first had Ron shared his experience at Copenhagen.
Ron (Photo credit: Ethan Tan)
Then Jin Yun spoke about how a 16-year-old girl managed to secure sponsorship from Air Asia, enabling her to fly to Copenhagen to attend COP15.
Jin Yun (Photo credit: Ethan Tan)
I spoke about how we engage with the Malaysian negotiators in COP15, my main role there – reporting back to Malaysia with pix and videos, and the vibrant International Youth Climate Movement at COP! =)
(Standing from left) Pei Ling, Ron, Abe, and Adrian with our prime minister at Copenhagen.
Lastly, Adrian shared his experience as YOUNGO’s first staff, how he helped organised the fifth Conference of Youth prior to COP15, the logistic support he provided for the International Youth Climate Movement, and lots of food for thought (as usual =p).
Adrian (Photo credit: Ethan Tan)
The sharing ended with a Q&A session. Thanks again to all the participants and volunteers!
Thanks for coming! (Photo credit: Ethan Tan)
Cheers
Pei Ling
p/s: Abe (from 350.org) sent his apologies as he couldn’t make it to the session and couldn’t find time to make a short video as well. The 350 core team is busy strategising their new plan for 2010!
Eco gifts made by our volunteers (Photo credit: Ethan Tan)
Here you go. (Kinda scary to speak on radio for the first time, luckily Adrian was there.)
12-Jan-10 16:45
Adrian Yeo & Gan Pei Ling speak about COP15, the outcome, why MYCJN opposes the Copenhagen Accord and how they plan to address the issue.
Signing out
Pei Ling
Ron
Chironjit Das (Ron), 23, was hired by YOUNGO to maintain its official website YouthClimate.org prior to COP15. He considers himself an environmentalist but is pragmatic about the scenario and its solutions. He will share with you why he thinks you should go to COP, and what to expect there as youth.
Ron is also a business analyst with Tesco, and currently pursuing his professional qualification in management accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA), UK.
UN climate chief Yvo de Boer & Jin Yun @ COP15
Soo Jin Yun, 17, started lecturing her friends about global issues when she was still in primary school. She was one of the 50 global south youths selected to receive funding from the Dutch government to attend COP15, however, the scholarship was retracted later because she was under 18. Despite that, she was accredited by TakingItGlobal and managed to find her way to Copenhagen. She described her COP15 experience as an inspiring one that strengthens her resolve to fight for climate justice.
Jin Yun is also a country coordinator for British Council’s Debatewise COP15 Global Youth Panel.
Adrian @ COY5. Photo credit: Yong Ping (ECO Singapore)
Adrian Yeo, 27, is the co-founder of MYCJN. In the lead up to COP15, he was hired as the UNFCCC Youth Constituency’s (YOUNGO) first official staff in Copenhagen. As a logistic coordinator, he helped planned and organised the fifth Conference of Youth (COY5), as well as provide logistical support for the constituency and its initiatives/projects throughout COP15.
A business graduate, Adrian was with Citigroup before moving on to the furniture industry. He is also a former president of youth development NGO Raleigh KL.
Pei Ling in action @ COP15. Photo credit: Yong Ping
Gan Pei Ling, 23, is a final year Journalism student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). Apart from messing around and cooking (well, eating out is expensive in Copenhagen), her main role at COP15 was to report back to Malaysia about the happenings via MYCJN’s blog.
She started out as a women’s rights activist and was attracted to join the climate movement after attending MYCJN’s Environmental Sustainability Leadership Symposium last August. You can also find her writings on climate change at The Nut Graph.
Abe Woo, 24, is 350.org’s East Asia Field Coordinator. 350.org created a movement that arguably made 350 one of the most famous numbers in the 21st century. The entire team met face-to-face for the first time at COP15 after working together for two years; you can expect more great stuffs from them in 2010 and beyond.
A graduate student from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Abe studies sea cucumber and fancies diving and fencing.
*Abe cannot make it to the COP15 sharing session (he is up to a diving mission in Langkawi) but he will be producing a video from Penang and we will share it with you on 24 Jan!
Over 2,000 youths attended COP15 to demand for a fair, ambitious and binding deal from our world leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark last December. Among them were five Malaysian youths: Abe, Ron, Pei Ling, Adrian & Jin Yun.
Join us on 24 Jan 2010 as they share with you their experience, thoughts, feelings, highs & lows, and all the colours and drama that happened throughout COP15.
Programme
8.30am – Registration
9.00am – Sharing starts
11.30am – Q&A
12.00pm – Ends
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With more than 20 milestones (big & small) achieved in 2009, we’ll go through the time tunnel to review http://bit.ly/8MFR06 all the ups & downs before moving forward to chair our course for 2010.
Programme
1.00pm – Video starts
1.30pm – MYCJN 2009 review and 2010 discussion
4.00pm – Ends
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Date: 24 Jan 2010 (Sunday)
Venue: Sunway University College, Auditorium 4
Registration: Free admission. As seats are limited, please RSVP online before 20 Jan. First 50 guests to arrive would receive a free mystery eco-gift. For more info, contact Shen Leong @ shennyan[at]gmail[dot]com / 017-935 0988.
NOTE: Spread the news, retweet, email, and share this with fellow facebook friends! =)
Getting there
Address: No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 46150 PJ, Selangor
Map: http://bit.ly/7cnOUL
Bus: http://www.sunway.com.my/shuttleservice/
Train: KTM Komuter Subang Jaya Station > Bus U76 to Sunway Pyramid > Free shuttle bus
Car: RM2/entry will be charged by Sunway U.
Food & Drinks
There are some shops and a food court nearby. They are just within walking distance from Sunway University College’s side gate. There are water stations available, so please bring your own water bottle.
Stationery: Remember to bring your own stationery if you would like to take down notes during the sessions. =)
Calling for application:
Student Leaders on Global Environmental Issues 2010
The application form can be found here. Interested applicants please submit your application to the US embassy in K.L. by 29 January 2009.
Wanna find out the answers? Check out The Nut Graph. =)
Tune in to BFM89.9 at 2.00pm to listen to MYCJN on the Bigger Picture: Outcome of COP15 talks in Copenhagen!
