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Saving the Planet: Climate and Environmental Lessons from Malaysia and Beyond
A young Southeast Asian Cabinet Minister outlines the challenges and solutions for climate change and energy transition facing his country.
In December 2022, 40-year Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was appointed as Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). A career politician, his first ministerial appointment was a baptism of fire as he was thrust into the complex world of environmental policy.
While 'green issues' had previously only been an occasional part of his work and activism, executing the Malaysian government’s ambitious sustainability plans brought home to Nik Nazmi how crucial solving climate change is to the country’s survival. He comes to realise that a key component of this task includes winning public support for the required transitions and changes, especially in the face of rising climate change denialism and pessimism.
Saving the Planet relates Nik Nazmi’s experiences as NRECC Minister [later redesignated as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES)] and his thoughts on connected issues ranging from water management to climate financing. He stresses that developing countries—which are especially vulnerable to the destruction that ensues from environmental degradation—back climate action but require viable support from their wealthier counterparts.
Ultimately, climate change must be dealt with not only urgently but also inclusively if humanity is to succeed. It is fundamentally a moral and political challenge that will require radically changing our societies to become more just.
Saving the Planet is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the intersections between politics and climate change, as well as for an authentic voice at the frontlines of climate action in the Global South.
In December 2022, 40-year Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was appointed as Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). A career politician, his first ministerial appointment was a baptism of fire as he was thrust into the complex world of environmental policy.
While 'green issues' had previously only been an occasional part of his work and activism, executing the Malaysian government’s ambitious sustainability plans brought home to Nik Nazmi how crucial solving climate change is to the country’s survival. He comes to realise that a key component of this task includes winning public support for the required transitions and changes, especially in the face of rising climate change denialism and pessimism.
Saving the Planet relates Nik Nazmi’s experiences as NRECC Minister [later redesignated as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES)] and his thoughts on connected issues ranging from water management to climate financing. He stresses that developing countries—which are especially vulnerable to the destruction that ensues from environmental degradation—back climate action but require viable support from their wealthier counterparts.
Ultimately, climate change must be dealt with not only urgently but also inclusively if humanity is to succeed. It is fundamentally a moral and political challenge that will require radically changing our societies to become more just.
Saving the Planet is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the intersections between politics and climate change, as well as for an authentic voice at the frontlines of climate action in the Global South.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2024
5 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 4, 2025
This book primarily discusses current climate and environmental issues, focusing on Malaysia while also providing global comparisons for context. It offers insights into environmental management strategies, policies, and challenges, particularly from the perspective of the author, who serves as the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NRECC).
I must admit, I experienced a reading slump while going through the first third of the book. As someone who reads from cover to cover—including the foreword and preface—I found this section quite dry and difficult to engage with. It felt like listening to a highly technical scientific discussion but from the writer’s personal point of view, which made it somewhat monotonous.
However, once I got past that part, the rest of the book turned out to be quite enjoyable. I gained valuable insights into Malaysia’s environmental challenges and how the government, along with the author himself, plans to address them. It was fascinating to see the thought process behind environmental management at a national level.
Among the various chapters, my top three favorites were:
1. Transforming the Water Sector
2. Liveable Cities
3. Forest and Wildlife Conservation
I particularly loved the discussion on Kelantan’s "teh tarik" water issue, which was used as an example to highlight Malaysia’s water management challenges. This chapter felt very relatable and easy to understand, making the key takeaways clear and memorable.
In the chapter on liveable cities, the author did an excellent job of explaining the concept, from the historical importance of clean air to the development of sponge cities. One of the most brilliant ideas mentioned was the adaptation of batik clothing as a sustainable solution for Malaysia’s climate—an example of how we can look back at traditional practices and innovate for modern climate challenges.
While the book provided valuable knowledge, I found several aspects challenging:
1. Dense and Technical Content:
Many parts of the book were heavy with facts, legal acts, and technical terms that might be difficult for readers without a political or legal background to digest. At times, it felt overwhelming—like trying to take a single bite of a massive triple-layered burger!
2. Footnotes Formatting:
The footnotes were written in full bibliography format on the same pages, which was quite distracting during reading. It disrupted the flow and made it harder to stay engaged.
3. Choppy Transitions:
Some sections of the book lacked smooth transitions, making the discussion feel slightly disjointed.
4. Personal & Political Tone:
While the book covers important topics, readers should be aware that it also feels like a personal journal of the author's work during his tenure. Many of the attached photos showcase his visits and collaborations, sometimes appearing out of place within the discussion. At times, I questioned the relevance of certain photos, as they seemed more like political documentation rather than essential additions to the book’s content.
Overall, I appreciate the depth of knowledge this book provides, especially regarding Malaysia’s environmental policies and future strategies. However, due to the heavy content and technical nature of some discussions, I would not recommend it as light reading—especially not as a bedtime book, as it could easily lead to a reading slump.
That said, if you’re someone interested in climate and environmental issues, particularly Malaysia’s approach to tackling the planetary crisis, this book is worth reading. Just be prepared for a somewhat dense and politically-influenced perspective.
Would I read it again? Probably not. But am I glad I read it? Absolutely, for the knowledge it provided.
I must admit, I experienced a reading slump while going through the first third of the book. As someone who reads from cover to cover—including the foreword and preface—I found this section quite dry and difficult to engage with. It felt like listening to a highly technical scientific discussion but from the writer’s personal point of view, which made it somewhat monotonous.
However, once I got past that part, the rest of the book turned out to be quite enjoyable. I gained valuable insights into Malaysia’s environmental challenges and how the government, along with the author himself, plans to address them. It was fascinating to see the thought process behind environmental management at a national level.
Among the various chapters, my top three favorites were:
1. Transforming the Water Sector
2. Liveable Cities
3. Forest and Wildlife Conservation
I particularly loved the discussion on Kelantan’s "teh tarik" water issue, which was used as an example to highlight Malaysia’s water management challenges. This chapter felt very relatable and easy to understand, making the key takeaways clear and memorable.
In the chapter on liveable cities, the author did an excellent job of explaining the concept, from the historical importance of clean air to the development of sponge cities. One of the most brilliant ideas mentioned was the adaptation of batik clothing as a sustainable solution for Malaysia’s climate—an example of how we can look back at traditional practices and innovate for modern climate challenges.
While the book provided valuable knowledge, I found several aspects challenging:
1. Dense and Technical Content:
Many parts of the book were heavy with facts, legal acts, and technical terms that might be difficult for readers without a political or legal background to digest. At times, it felt overwhelming—like trying to take a single bite of a massive triple-layered burger!
2. Footnotes Formatting:
The footnotes were written in full bibliography format on the same pages, which was quite distracting during reading. It disrupted the flow and made it harder to stay engaged.
3. Choppy Transitions:
Some sections of the book lacked smooth transitions, making the discussion feel slightly disjointed.
4. Personal & Political Tone:
While the book covers important topics, readers should be aware that it also feels like a personal journal of the author's work during his tenure. Many of the attached photos showcase his visits and collaborations, sometimes appearing out of place within the discussion. At times, I questioned the relevance of certain photos, as they seemed more like political documentation rather than essential additions to the book’s content.
Overall, I appreciate the depth of knowledge this book provides, especially regarding Malaysia’s environmental policies and future strategies. However, due to the heavy content and technical nature of some discussions, I would not recommend it as light reading—especially not as a bedtime book, as it could easily lead to a reading slump.
That said, if you’re someone interested in climate and environmental issues, particularly Malaysia’s approach to tackling the planetary crisis, this book is worth reading. Just be prepared for a somewhat dense and politically-influenced perspective.
Would I read it again? Probably not. But am I glad I read it? Absolutely, for the knowledge it provided.
August 1, 2025
Amazing book to learn about climate action in the Malaysian context. While I thought the book did not go in depth enough with the issues discussed, and lacks enough practical/ actionable solutions, it did very well in providing the reader with a comprehensive view of every aspect of the environment in Malaysia. Definitely loads to learn from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews