Co-operative Planning for Climate Change Disasters

Universiti Sains Malaysia actively participates in co-operative planning for climate change disasters, that may include the displacement of people both within a country and across borders, working with government, through local and international collaborations that strengthen community preparedness and resilience.

Local Collaboration through UBAHTerra

At the local level, USM students from the School of Communication have applied this approach through UBAHTerra, a climate awareness project launched in December 2024. Developed under the supervision of academic mentors and supported by community and industry partners, UBAHTerra highlights the importance of co-operative disaster planning and community readiness in facing climate-related challenges.

The initiative engaged local organisations such as Komuniti Bersama Taman Utama, Majlis Belia Daerah Timur Laut, and representatives from the creative industry. The project’s central message, symbolised by its name combining “ubah” (change) and “terra” (earth), emphasises collective responsibility in preparing for and adapting to environmental disruptions. Input from the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) and local leaders ensured that the programme incorporated community perspectives and evidence of participation in disaster preparedness planning.

Regional Engagement through the Mangrove Ecosystem Initiative

At the regional level, the Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA) demonstrated USM’s commitment to this same principle through an international project in Batubara, Indonesia. Conducted in November 2024 in collaboration with Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), the programme focused on women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and community-based resilience using mangrove ecosystems as a natural defense against coastal hazards.

Led by Prof. Dr. Saidatulakmal Mohd and supported by regional academics and local community groups, the project brought together 78 participants, including 49 members of coastal communities. Through training on sustainable mangrove management, eco-entrepreneurship, and digital marketing, the programme strengthened the capacity of women and families to adapt to changing environmental conditions. These activities also provided a model for cross-border collaboration in co-operative planning for climate change disasters, linking socio-economic empowerment with climate adaptation strategies.

Through both local and regional initiatives, USM demonstrates its role in translating research and education into collaborative action that prepares communities to respond effectively to the risks and displacement associated with climate change.