The individual, the state and sustainability

THE Penjana (Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara or Plan to Rebuild the Nation’s Economy) short-term recovery plan offers much-needed relief to many Malaysians and has worthy goals in mind. But it seems to have wasted an opportunity to follow along the lines of a “Green New Deal”.

Any effective climate action that also addresses issues of inequality and economic needs requires some kind of systemic state support. The basic outlines of such a plan have been proposed in the United States, with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey having led the way. In an ideal world, we would adapt this as a blueprint for economic and environmental reconstruction. In reality, this is yet to happen.