By MOHD IZHAM BIN HASHIM
KOTA KINABALU: Rising sea levels threaten millions of people, putting homes and livelihoods at risk and creating one of the most urgent humanitarian crises of our time.
“We’re no longer talking about something that may happen in the future. The effects of climate change are already here — stronger storms, rising seas, vanishing glaciers. It’s happening all around us, and it will only worsen if we don’t act,” said Michael Lim, a health, safety, and environment (HSE) expert with over a decade of experience advocating for stronger climate action across Southeast Asia.
Michael warns that climate migration — once seen as a distant threat — is now becoming a rapidly accelerating reality. As coastal areas become uninhabitable due to flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion, people are being forced to relocate.
“It’s simple. When land can no longer provide food or water, people have no choice but to leave. When this happens at scale, it will reshape economies, societies, and governments in ways we are unprepared for,” he added.
The signs are clear in Jakarta, where the Indonesian capital is sinking at an alarming rate — up to 25cm per year in some areas, according to Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This is due to a combination of rising sea levels and excessive groundwater extraction. Large parts of the city already lie below sea level, and flooding during high tides has become a common occurrence. In response, the government has launched a multibillion-dollar plan to relocate the capital to East Kalimantan, aiming to safeguard the nation’s future.
In Kota Kinabalu, storm surges and coastal erosion are increasingly threatening homes and businesses. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, the city battles both advancing seas and land subsidence. According to a 2020 World Bank report, Southeast Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to sea-level rise, with projections indicating that up to 48 million people could be displaced by 2050 if no significant intervention is made.
At the heart of this crisis is the human-driven disruption of Earth’s natural balance. Michael explains that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), primarily released through industrial activities and transportation, are thickening the atmosphere, trapping excess heat.
“Our atmosphere is like a blanket — it keeps just enough heat in to support life. But we’ve made it too thick. Now, that blanket is suffocating us,” he said during his keynote address on Energy Efficiency for Business at a forum on Environmental Protection at G.A Space on Thursday.
The roundtable discussion gathered experts from various fields to explore how government policies, technology, and entrepreneurship can collaborate to drive sustainable growth.
While natural CO2 fluctuations have occurred over hundreds of thousands of years, the surge caused by human activity since the Industrial Revolution is unprecedented. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that the current rate of CO2 increase is the highest it has been in at least 800,000 years. As the planet warms, ice sheets melt, seas rise, and extreme weather events become more frequent — a dangerous chain reaction with global consequences.
Despite the magnitude of the challenge, Michael insists that individuals are not powerless. He emphasizes that everyday actions can collectively make a difference.
“Air conditioning is often the biggest energy user in homes and offices, sometimes accounting for up to 60% of electricity bills. Setting it to 26°C and using a fan keeps you comfortable while reducing your carbon footprint,” he advised.
Michael also recommends using timers on hot water systems, investing in energy-efficient air conditioners, and switching to energy-saving lighting.
“Small changes add up. We don’t need heroes; we need everyone to do their part,” he said.
Michael’s message to businesses is equally clear. Energy decisions now go beyond cost savings — they determine a company’s role in either combating or contributing to the climate crisis.
“It’s about survival in a rapidly changing world. Whether retrofitting buildings, investing in solar or wind power, or rethinking operations, businesses must act now. There’s no time to wait,” he emphasized.
With governments tightening environmental regulations, Michael warns that companies failing to act risk falling behind as markets, investors, and consumers increasingly demand sustainability.
Ultimately, Michael believes humanity’s future depends on the decisions we make today. The window to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is closing fast, but the choices are still in our hands.
“We can’t reverse the damage overnight, but we can choose to stop making it worse — starting now,” he said.
Among the speakers at the forum were Founder and Chairman of Sabah Entrepreneurs Transformation (SET) Dato’ George Lim, State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister’s Public Relations Secretary Amos Thien and CK Ecosystem and TEWL Chairperson, Deric Chiew among others. The event was supported by Sabah Entrepreneurs Transformation (SET), Vistage, SAMENTA, JCI Kota Kinabalu, Lion Vintage KK, and YMM Sabah.
