05

There’s a reason Michael Jackson is and will always be the King of Pop. “Earth Song” is evidence of his level of genius, simply because I don’t think anyone else could effectively and seamlessly blend pop, gospel, and blues music together. Though this powerful anthem was released in 1995, it’s become even more relevant today. Sorry Michael, even if it’s been 17 years since you’ve passed, I don’t think the world has been cooler or much better. In fact, like many countries across the world, Malaysia is dealing with climate change, made worse with the constant development of new shopping malls, even when existing ones have low foot traffic (Cue, Glo Damansara or Kota Damansara’s The Strand or some say even Pavillion Damansara Heights). The one that Jackson dropped by in 1996 part of tour in Malaysia is still surviving, helped by the neighbourhoods which are made up of those with an above average purchasing power, other than the wide variety of tenants and shops. Otherwise, those with a lower purchasing power would highly likely window shop or wait for the sale to get what they want. Those who are a staff in that mega shopping destination, you belong in a different category, some of you belong in the no-choice category, especially when you’re there just to grab a quick bite and then have to go back to your vocation that requires you to follow the shopping mall hours (almost strictly).

Like Jackson cries in the song “I don’t know where we are, but I know we’ve drifted far”. Unfortunately, this is accurate. How did we go from small shops to mega shopping malls, and then to having 1000 malls (and counting) in Malaysia? Do Malaysians really have that much time and purchasing power to patronise all these places?

And don’t even get me started on the air conditioning units and temperatures that they use to keep shoppers cool and so-called comfortable. Some of these places are freezing and are reasons why people with lower tolerance to unnatural cold to fall sick. Ask any expat living in Malaysia, especially from Europe and they will tell you that they’re shocked to see so many air-conditioning units in Malaysia. The French living here will likely tell you (learners of French), C’est incroyable, especially when they find out that there are a crazy number of public holidays that translate into long weekends, thus creating more chances for Malaysians to “lepak” in these places, should you choose not to join in the “balik kampung” traffic on the road, which is another reason for carbon emissions and footprint, when we should be reducing them. But on the other hand, you’ve probably some supply of fresh(er) air, since there’s less pollution, when there’s the holidays because you can have some air to breathe in from your porch or from your balcony. Fewer cars and vehicles on the road also give you less noise pollution. So, your ears will have a break from too many car honks or siren sounds, unless you have neighbours who are irritants, or you happen to work in a particular industry that necessitates the use of sirens.

This World Environment Day and perhaps week, I pledge to go outside and breathe in as much natural air and clear as much clutter, physically, digitally and mentally. Fortunately, it’s still the school holidays so kids should be exposed to nature, as much as possible, instead of seeing visuals of trees on their respective smartphones, tablets or laptops. Even better, if you can teach kids the logic of waste separation, like the Japanese, who have been excellent at this.

As for adults, the early part of the school holidays should have been spent deleting unwanted, unimportant emails, if you haven’t had the time to do so, so far. Going a step further, you should slowly reduce single-use plastic, where possible. All these contributes to gas emissions. If you’ve to fly overseas, choose flights with a more friendly footprint on the environment.

Earth Song will remain with me and many others, not only because it’s the earliest song I learnt of his, back in the ‘90s, though I didn’t understand what he was angry about at first. Fast forward, I know exactly why and what he meant, partly helped by my ear and aptitude for the piano keys. You know you can’t go wrong with a wistful piano intro like that.

It’s structured as a theatrical, symphonic protest ballad, which effectively speaks to all ages.

If you’ve watched “This is It” (2009), and with clips circulating online, you’d find out that “Earth Song” was Michael Jackson’s last song he rehearsed before his passing, a painful way to unwittingly drive a “comeback”.

Change has to begin somewhere. All it takes is at least one to start.