Climate Change, ESG Among Key Topics Of DOE's 30th Environmental Debate

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Current environmental issues, including climate change, energy, and the principles of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), will be among the key topics of the 30th Environmental Debate Competition Between Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) organised by the Department of Environment (DOE) this year.

DOE strategic communications director Azuri Azizah Saedon said the competition aims to cultivate students' appreciation for the environment while providing exposure and raising awareness of environmental preservation and conservation efforts.

“Climate change is a critical issue right now, so we want to enhance students' knowledge through reading, research, and data gathering so that when they become leaders, they will be aware and think critically about environmental issues,” she said when featured in Bernama TV’s 'Apa Khabar Malaysia' programme today.

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She said the competition is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), and the Malaysian University Debate Council.

It will be held at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) from Oct 25-27, with the finals slated on Oct 28 at the Tun Azizan Zainul Abidin Auditorium, Putrajaya Corporation.

Meanwhile, Director of the World Debate and Oratory Centre at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Dr Mazlena Mohamad Hussain, said that the debate competition trains students to skillfully use data and statistics to support their arguments, in addition to emphasising environmental issues that are closely linked to all aspects of life.

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She said that debating is not just about words, but also about knowledge and wisdom in presenting opinions.

“In debating activities, we don’t want students to be like empty tins - making loud noises but lacking substance. Clear data, statistics, evidence, and the latest knowledge are certainly needed in debate arguments.

“Therefore, students are advised to conduct in-depth and detailed research. The most important scoring criterion is content. If the knowledge is not solid, the debate might sound good to the judges, who are environmental experts, but the value of the argument will be low,” she said.

-- BERNAMA