Climate crisis leaves Malaysia with hot-headed youth
A Unicef Malaysia survey reveals that young people are increasingly suffering from heat-related illnesses and disruptions to essential services due to climate change. Experts are calling for a shift in policy focus toward climate adaptation to protect the health and future productivity of the youth population.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the transition of climate change from an abstract environmental issue to an immediate public health and economic crisis for developing nations.
Young Malaysians are reporting worsening illnesses, heat-related health problems and disruptions to basic services as climate change intensifies, raising questions over whether the country’s adaptation policies can protect future generations.
Unicef Malaysia’s National Youth Climate Change Survey 2025, released in July, found that climate change was no longer only an environmental challenge but an immediate public health and economic issue.
The survey gathered responses from 1,420 young people aged 15 to 30 across Malaysia between June and October 2025.
Experts warned that policymakers must invest not only in reducing emissions but also in adapting to more frequent heatwaves, floods and other climate-related shocks, or risk deeper disruption to children’s health, education and Malaysia’s future workforce.
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