Heng Kiah Chun, a campaigner for the environmental group, said the government should implement sustainable development that meets the needs of people today without compromising future generations.

Speaking to FMT, he said climate change mitigation was crucial for the achievement of economic recovery.

“Development projects should incorporate low-carbon development planning that includes proper impact and risk assessments,” he added.

He also said that the projects need to balance social, economic and environmental considerations.

Heng was commenting on Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman’s statement that development projects needed a relook after last week’s floods, which have displaced thousands of people in several states.

Meenakshi said it was worrying that many highway, tunnel and reclamation projects were being vigorously pursued despite changes in the climate.

Heng said the floods were a wakeup call that should tell authorities of the harm that over-development could cause.

“Without healthy ecosystems,” he said, “there will be no clean air to breathe, safe water to drink or nutritious food to eat.”