[COLUMNIST] The hidden costs of climate change: impacts on rural communities

The rural community in Malaysia reflects a combination of land utilisation, economic marginalisation, and geographic isolation, often living outside metropolitan areas.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), 24.9% of the Malaysian population, or over 7 million people, lived in rural areas as of 2020 (MyCencus, 2020), with Kelantan (55.9%), Pahang (47.2%), Perlis (46.2%), Sabah (45.3%), and Sarawak (43.0%) having the highest percentage of rural communities. While the obvious effects of climate change, like rising sea levels and extreme temperatures, are well-documented, there are other equally harmful but less obvious repercussions that are often overlooked.

The “hidden costs” of climate change encompass a variety of socioeconomic, environmental, and health-related issues that disproportionately affect rural communities. Even small climate changes can have a domino effect in these areas, where livelihoods are closely tied to natural resources, leading to health risks, economic instability, biodiversity loss, and an erosion of social cohesion.

The true cost of climate change is becoming increasingly evident as local communities struggle to adapt to these changes, yet it remains largely ignored in broader climate discourse.

Firstly, climate change significantly impacts the agriculture, forestry, and fishery (AFF) industry, affecting productivity and food security, particularly among smallholder farmers and fishermen.

Some of the major agricultural states in Malaysia, such as Kelantan, Kedah, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak, also have the highest rural populations and are heavily invested in agriculture activities.

As documented over the years, climate-related disasters have historically resulted in significant losses for both the government and farmers.

According to Bank Negara, the Malaysian economy suffered nearly RM8 billion in damages from climate-related disasters between 1998 and 2018.

In December 2023, the agriculture and agro-food sectors suffered damages and losses of RM 111.95 million due to the northeast monsoon. In 2022, floods caused RM154.5 million in losses in the agriculture sector.

In March this year, as reported, paddy farmers in Kedah lost at least 40% of their income during the harvest season due to prolonged heat. Additionally, as recently reported, a local Penang fisherman lost his sole source of income when his boat was destroyed in a storm.

For smallholder farmers and fishermen already grappling with narrow margins, these situations can trigger a vicious cycle of poverty, particularly in communities where agriculture is the primary economic activity.

As previously highlighted by EMIR Research in “Hidden indicators of poverty - part 1”, climate change increases poverty risks among marginalised communities. For instance, Radin et al. (2012) highlighted that it is estimated that paddy farmers will lose an average of 67% of revenue from 2020 to 2029, 88% from 2050 to 2059, and 127% from 2090 to 2099 due to climate-related conditions.

Meanwhile National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) projects that Terengganu, Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah, and Perak will be the most vulnerable in terms of hardcore poverty by 2050 due to projected temperature and rainfall changes.

Besides economic costs, rural communities are particularly vulnerable to health risks resulting from climate change. Most rural communities depend on natural resources, such as rivers, for water and farmland for their livelihoods. When these resources deteriorate, these populations become more susceptible to vector-borne diseases, water-borne illnesses, and food insecurity.

Additionally, prolonged exposure to extreme weather during farming and fishing can lead to heat-related illnesses, respiratory issues, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases. For instance, water-borne diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and Lyme disease are exacerbated by rising temperatures and altered weather patterns.

A 10-year analysis (2013-2022) on dengue cases by Teh et al.(2024) in Sarawak found that the majority of cases were in rural areas (58.7%), with significantly more cases among males (5,794 or 61.7%) than females (3,590 or 38.3%). According to the author, this is likely because many parts of Sarawak are still rural, where men predominate in work while many women are housewives.

A cross-sectional study by Ramdzan(2020) found that out of 1,222 patients from Sabah, a higher proportion in rural areas (380 or 88.6%) had malaria infections compared to those in urban areas (30 or 3.8%).

In rural areas with limited access to healthcare, these diseases have severe consequences, leading to a cycle of illness, higher mortality, and reduced quality of life.

Last but not least, climate change increases rural-to-urban migration, internal displacement and the loss of cultural heritage.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), indigenous communities are being displaced by climate change at a rate seven times faster than the world population growth rate, jeopardising traditions and causing ancestral lands to disappear.

For context, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) reports that climate-related internal displacements in Malaysia have risen since 2020, with 23,000 people displaced that year. This number surged to 129,000 in 2021, 156,00 in 2022 and 206,000 in 2023. Although it is not specified whether these displacements involved urban or rural populations, the data suggests a significant link between climate change and internal displacement in Malaysia, highlighting the connection between climate change and rural-to-urban migration.

Therefore, in addition to the Budi Agri-Komoditi, Bantuan Tunai Pesawah assistance, etc. and subsidies by the Madani government, there is a critical need to investigate long-term sustainable measures to address the impact of climate change on rural communities in Malaysia.

Firstly, enforcing strict land use and zoning regulations to manage disaster risks, particularly in areas prone to floods, landslides, etc., is essential. Land use planning and zoning are crucial for disaster risk reduction, especially in rural areas prone to climate-related disasters.

In addition to Malaysia's current zoning regulations, which classify land into commercial, industrial, and residential categories, authorities should create publicly accessible hazard maps. These maps are important for identifying areas at risk and regulating construction and development in these zones to mitigate potential damage.

By designating vulnerable areas, authorities can provide proactive emergency response and implement guidelines to prevent or mitigate the impact of natural disasters while also informing the public about the environmental conditions of the locations in case of emergencies.

Emergency response mechanisms should also integrate land use planning with disaster preparedness, including early warning systems, well-planned evacuation routes, and designated safe zones.

Investing in early warning systems and community preparedness programs can help rural areas better anticipate and respond to disasters, reducing the overall impact on lives and property.

Besides, climate change policies should be integrated with rural development and support for rural and marginalised communities to ensure they are not left behind in national efforts to address climate change. These policies can promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, and enhance resilience to climate impacts.

To incorporate climate change adaptation with rural development, Vietnam, for example, launched the "National Target Program on New Rural Development," which prioritises infrastructural development, increased agricultural output, and the promotion of sustainable land use practices.

Malaysia could benefit from similar policies that explicitly integrate climate change adaptation with rural development initiatives, providing targeted support for smallholder farmers, investing in resilient infrastructure, and ensuring marginalised communities have access to resources and training to cope with climate impacts.

Furthermore, Malaysia should widen and strengthen collaboration with international partners, specifically ASEAN countries, which share vulnerabilities to climate change and transboundary environmental issues. After all, ASEAN nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines have performed well in climate change initiatives, according to the 2024 Climate Change Performance Index.

By taking part in regional initiatives, exchanging best practices, and coordinating efforts on sustainable agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and renewable energy, Malaysia can enhance its climate resilience.

Such alliances aim to improve infrastructure, implement climate-smart farming practices, and strengthen rural communities’ ability to cope with climate hazards.

In summary, addressing these hidden costs requires targeted policies and interventions that focus on specific vulnerabilities of the rural communities in Malaysia, ensuring that they are included in the national and global response to climate change.

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