COVID-19: Fast-forwarding renewable resources 10 years into the future

THE unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has hit global community and impacted on the environment, lifestyle, economy and employment.

Thousand cases and months later, Malaysia introduced the movement control order (MCO). It was in 2020 and the enforcement has had an impact socially and more importantly on economic activities in the country.

As a result, economic activity has come to a halt and the stock market has fallen. To date, the Tam Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led government, government and private agencies as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have intensified efforts to revive the country’s economy.

COVID-19 and the environment

COVID-19 has caused several effects on global migration.

The MCO has minimised human movement and has positively impacted the natural environment. Noticeably clearer skies, cleaner rivers and lesser wastes are some of the effects of the MCO and COVID-19.

Carbon emissions have declined and has also resulted in improved air quality, reduced water pollution in many cities around the world and reduced pressure on tourist destinations, which could help restore ecological systems.

Apart from that, there are also some negative effects of COVID-19, such as waste disposal of medical materials, waste and disposal of disinfectants, masks and gloves; and residues of untreated materials continue to harm the environment.

Measures taken to control the spread of the virus and the decline in economic activity have had a major impact on the environment.

Science and Technology sector is no exception affected by this pandemic

Senior lecturer of Eco-Technology Program of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Azrena Abdul Karim said, “the eco-technology programme to be offered in September 2021 has provided a program framework to outline methods to achieve long-term environmental benefits and ensure graduates are competitive in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP)".

The 12th RMK is a government measure in strengthening the economy, environmental sustainability and social engineering.

The Eco-Technology Program from The Faculty of Applied Sciences has taken the initiative in fulfilling every national plan and agenda during the period from 2021 to 2025. Eco-Technology emphasises on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) in the aspect of learning.

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is driven by advances in cyber, digital and engineering technologies to prepare Eco-Technology graduates for the job market in smart production.

Through the Eco-Technology Program, efforts to address COVID-19 pandemic will be implemented through the use of medical equipment as well as enforcement measures in monitoring the spread of the virus to curb COVID-19 virus from continuing to spread through the aspects of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).

In addition, another component in IR 4.0, namely the Internet of Things, is also emphasized in the development of smart technology applications that can be used as a test measure for early detection of COVID-19 virus outbreak.

The application of IR 4.0 in addressing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic is indirectly able to make Malaysia a more viable country in innovation and digital technology.

From the environmental sustainability point of view, the Eco-Technology Program provides exposure on the use of ‘zero-value’ materials to materials that provide added-value. For example, waste materials from the environment where we managed in a planned manner, can be used as research material to be made into quality products.

This initiative can reduce the impact of environmental pollution that is worsening.

The eco-technology programme strategy is expected to help towards environmental sustainability as well as to educate a responsible community in terms of hygiene and values, especially in this pandemic era to produce a resilient society towards the well-being of the people with the concept of "Kita Jaga Kita".

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* Azrena Karim is a senior lecturer of Eco-Technology Programme, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam.

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.