KUCHING: Curiosity about the growing impact of climate change led Sarawak to explore alternative sources of clean energy based on its own natural resources, a journey that ultimately shaped the state’s decision to pursue hydrogen as part of its long-term development strategy.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s green energy journey began with a desire to better understand the science behind climate change and how Sarawak could contribute meaningful solutions using its own strengths.
“I was curious and I wanted to know why these things were happening,” he said when speaking at the opening of the Sarawak Science Centre (SSCiEX) today.
Abang Johari also pointed to the recent heatwaves across Europe and floods in India as stark reminders of the devastating consequences of climate change.
He said his search for answers led him to explore international efforts to tackle climate change, including the Paris Agreement, while deepening his understanding of how rising global temperatures could affect the environment including global food security.
Determined to better understand how science could help address those challenges, he began reading extensively on hydrogen, including Hydrogen Revolution: Blueprint for the Future of Green Energy by Marco Alverà.
He said the book reinforced his belief that the scientific knowledge to develop hydrogen technology already existed, and that the challenge now was to apply that knowledge through continuous research and innovation.
“In other words, the literature is already there. What we need is to apply it and continue doing research so that Sarawak can work towards developing this technology,” he said.
The Premier said the more he learnt about hydrogen, the more he realised Sarawak possessed the natural resources needed to support the development of the clean fuel.
“We have water. So I asked myself, why don’t we produce hydrogen?” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s abundant water resources and rich biodiversity provided the state with a strong scientific foundation to advance green technologies, including hydrogen, while supporting its long-term aspiration of becoming a low-carbon economy.
However, he stressed that natural resources alone would not be enough to realise that vision, saying Sarawak also needed a new generation of scientists, engineers and researchers capable of transforming ideas into practical solutions.
“That is why curiosity is very important and we want our young generation to be curious,” he said.
Reflecting on his own journey into hydrogen research, Abang Johari said the experience reaffirmed his belief that curiosity was the starting point of scientific discovery, encouraging young people to cultivate the habit of reading and developing an interest in emerging technologies.
He also said this philosophy was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of SSCiEX, which aims to inspire children and young people to ask questions, explore scientific ideas and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
“You don’t have to know everything, but at least know a little about it. If you know a little, you become curious. When you become curious, you start reading. And when you read, you begin to understand,” he added.
