Download Sreu Rithiya - University of Montana

Pre-Departure Paper on “Most Critical Environmental Issues in Cambodia”
By Rithiya Sreu, Cambodia
The most critical environmental issue in Cambodia is Environmental Education (EE). Most people do not aware
of environmental impacts toward one’s life. Business does not highlight corporate social responsibility.
Agricultural practice is not sound; people do slash and burn, and there is no selective-cutting practice. Elite people
grab land from the poor and invest through economic land concession without concerning about negative impacts;
trees are illegally logged, and mines are unsoundly exploited. The responsible authority barely conduct the
environmental workshop to raise public awareness to protect environment. The lack of public transportation and
the absence of car-pooling leads to gridlock. As a result, copious of polluted gases are emitted, contributing to
global warming, low air quality in the region, and health problems. The imbalance of nature causes floods
(occasional droughts and windstorms) results in a high number of internally displaced people, wrecked buildings,
and economic losses.
Unsustainable management of natural resources induce habitat loss and declining biodiversity, in particular
destruction of mangrove swamps and declining fish stocks. Newly released maps reveal that Cambodia continues
to suffer major deforestation. Cambodia’s precious forests provide livelihoods for many Cambodians, and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions for the entire world. Deforestation undermines the resilience of the forest ecosystem
leading to disease and climate change, which induce lower agricultural output and greater food insecurity for
millions of Cambodians. The change of precipitation threatens traditional agricultural production, which is one
of the pillars to Cambodia’s economic growth. President Barack Obama once said, “And no challenge – no
challenge – poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.” Indeed, the lack of environmental
education negatively affect people’s lives, and complicates the imbalance of ecosystem and long-term economic
growth.
Such issues seriously exacerbate poverty, slow-down economic development, and degrade public welfare and I
could not standstill to see my people suffer. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) states that EE is vital in imparting an inherent respect for nature amongst society and in enhancing
public environmental awareness, as it safeguards future global developments of societal quality of life through
the protection of the environment, eradication of poverty, minimization of inequalities and insurance of
sustainable development (UNESCO, 2014a). I believe, if EE is to be successfully integrated into education system
and public education, Cambodian people will be furnished with mindfulness of sustainable practices. All of these
will be good for environment, economy, and society.
University of Montana would be the best platform to learn about the opportunities and challenges in relation to
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD); how US’s environmental studies and law
enforcement inspire Cambodia to secure and preserve sustainable practices; environmental issues in a global
context and federal legislation with a focus on environmental and food security; policies to foster economic
development and environmental protection. How US’s contributions shape Cambodia’s forest preservation and
rich biodiversity; and international commitments and participation in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
On top of that, YSEALI Fellows possess potential ability to address issues concerning the world at large; I will
be acquiring environmental and socio-cultural knowledge provided and shared by great people who experienced
in addressing environmental issues in their home country. Therefore, we will reach a panacea since we share
common interests in shaping environmental policy, opportunity to develop, refine, and demonstrate leadership in
solving global issues through the prism of environmental policy.
Coming back home, I shall implement good governance, social justice, and empowerment; a sustainable resource
management in my home country; fight against corruption; use of cost-effective policy instruments; gender
equality in ecosystem services; moreover, ability to adapt to a changing environment and climate; the integration
of environment and climate change into school curriculum or vocational training; last but not least, practice REDD
to preserve the forests and reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses. I strongly believe that, working together, the
United States and Cambodia can do much to address environmental threats for future development.