14.2.1 CO2 Emissions and Environmental Concerns

As of 2009, the total CO2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels were esti­mated to be ~29,000 MT. The transportation industry contributed more CO2 emissions than any other sector, accounting for more than 37% of the total. Scientists have indicated that CO2 emissions are more likely to harm the environment than to pro­vide any benefit. One of the greatest effects of CO2 emissions may result from its contribution to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are associated with global climate change. CO2 is the second largest contributor to climate change, making up 30% of the GHG emissions that cause global climate change and threaten ecologi­cal systems. The latest report from the World Meteorology Organization showed that the La Nina event that occurred in 2010 and 2011 ranked among the strongest of the past 60 years and that large parts of Central Africa and Southern Asia were likely to have the warmest year on record (WMO 2008, 2011).

Antarctic and arctic ice also showed declines that were even more rapid than has been forecast through the years, causing increases in the sea level (Stroeve et al. 2007; Swingedouw et al. 2008). Over the last century, the sea level has risen about 17 cm, forcing some communities in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Panama, and Vanuatu to relocate (Mattson 2010). The sea level in Malaysia, specifically in the west coast peninsular and Kuala Baram in Miri, also has increased and is expected to increase by an additional 10-13 cm over the next 100 years (The Star Online 2010). If there are no efforts to prevent the release of CO2 to the atmosphere, it is likely that large land areas will be covered by water in the future.