Malaysian policy on environmental security

Abstract

Threat to environmental security such as climate change is a security problem that requires local and global solutions. However, the impacts of climate change vary across temporal and spatial scales. For impacts that are local and global, short- and long-term considerations in policy making are imperative. Similarly, although the impact is global, climate change also requires adaptation responses at regional, country and local levels. Government policy nowadays is increasingly challenged by the notions of environmental security, sustainability and governance. Malaysian policy here points toward a national interest and a decision of government on the issue of environmental security. This paper discusses how local and global environmental threats influence policy making in Malaysia.