EcoTipping Points are levers for restoring sustainability to our imperilled environment which require small actions that tip the balance from decline to restoration by tapping the inborn power of nature and human societies to heal themselves.
In order to achieve EcoTipping point, one has to go through many steps and identify the concrete action plan which can be implemented to meet the goal demand. The overwhelming of environmental issues around the world becomes more and more complex. How to restore back the green world and put it back on the track towards sustainable future? It takes time and well management of environmental approach. How to make the sustainability happen? To realise the sustainability of the future, a lever that set the change in motion is needed the most to balance between the environment and human being. The global population growth is the main cause for the excessive demand of water supply and water resources. To prevent water crisis and water shortage in country, alternative water supply is the only way to solve the problem. Malaysia is currently a developing country which involved the urban growth in accordance to the rapid economic growth, industrialization and technology. Rainwater can be used as an alternative water supply in Malaysia as Malaysia is a tropical country which blessed with abundant of rainfall which averaging around 2400mm for Peninsular Malaysia, 2360mm for Sabah and 3830mm for Sarawak. Rainwater harvesting system has been implemented in many countries such as USA, Japan, China, India, Germany and Australia to support the increasing water demand. The integration between rainwater harvesting system and existing conventional water supply systems will help to meet the demand and contribute in the sustainability of the water supply. There is implementation of rainwater harvesting system in Malaysia but the awareness among the public is not enough to achieve the EcoTipping point. There are only a few government buildings installed with the rainwater harvesting system. In order to promote this practice, policy is very important. In the new act in Malaysia, the Ministry is now actively involved in the water saving programs which encouraging rainwater harvesting system implementation. The main thing is to raise the awareness among the residents and to deliver the message that our world now is facing with serious global environmental issues. Once everyone gains the information and willing to work together to achieve the same goal, this will be the start of the EcoTipping points which push us towards the success. In future, everyone can fully utilise the rainwater and decrease the demand on the water supply from water treatment. 6 Ingredients to Success 1. Outside stimulation and facilitation. Share the problem and the outcome by comparing the water usage with and without the supply of rainwater harvesting system. 2. “Letting nature do the work.” The rich rainfall in Malaysia makes the sustainability of water resources possible. 3. Transforming waste into resources. Rainwater fall on the ground, without being collected, although it is not considered as waste, but it is such a waste if we do not make use of something actually valuable to us which is come from the nature. Rainwater can be collected for potable use or non-potable use. 4. A powerful symbol. Government or agency or NGO can be worked on the rainwater harvesting system implementation in the country. Effort and commitment are very important. 5. Overcoming social obstacles. Awareness among the public is very important. Everyone can start with a simple rainwater collection tank in the house first to know the impact which is benefit to us, not necessary have to install with the rainwater harvesting system. However, the mindset must not be the obstacles in the first place. 6. Social memory. Give people information about the successful case of rainwater harvesting system installation in specific building with supportive statistical data. |