Earth Matters

Since the late 1980s, over a quarter of a billion tonnes of plastic waste have been globally traded, disproportionately burdening developing countries with insufficient waste management capacities, while enabling developed nations to sustain high plastic consumption. Referred to as "waste colonialism," this practice leads to irreparable harm to the environment and human health in importing countries like Malaysia, now a top destination for plastic waste following China's 2018 ban. A new report by the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) exposes corruption and regulatory loopholes exacerbating the crisis, with Malaysia importing a substantial portion of plastic waste from Japan, raising doubts about Japan's support for waste management infrastructure in Southeast Asia. With a limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. In a previous episode, we discussed the challenges and loopholes identified in the institutional framework governing plastic waste imports to Malaysia, and how a lack of monitoring and transparency in the recycling industry compounded the issue. In this second part, we discuss among other things, how Malaysia can learn from China and Thailand's experiences in managing plastic waste and implementing policies to reduce imports, and how to address the challenges of waste colonialism and promote sustainable waste management practices both globally and in Malaysia, with Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, from the C4 Center.

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Since the late 1980s, over a quarter of a billion tonnes of plastic waste have been globally traded, disproportionately burdening developing countries with insufficient waste management capacities, while enabling developed nations to sustain high plastic consumption. Referred to as "waste colonialism," this practice leads to irreparable harm to the environment and human health in importing countries like Malaysia, now a top destination for plastic waste following China's 2018 ban. A new report by the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) exposes corruption and regulatory loopholes exacerbating the crisis, with Malaysia importing a substantial portion of plastic waste from Japan, raising doubts about Japan's support for waste management infrastructure in Southeast Asia. With limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. We find out more about the findings from this research, and how it sheds light on the need for transparency, traceability, and accountability, and advocates for a global agreement to combat plastic pollution, with two of the report's authors, Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, who are both with the C4 Center.

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We speak to Harris Raj Kumar, an environmentalist and the founder of Local Nature Trips, about the nature based tourism activities he runs, to promote a love for our natural heritage.

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The Fashion Revolution is a global movement that aims to transform the fashion industry into a more sustainable and ethical one. It was founded in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh in 2013, which claimed the lives of over 1,100 garment workers. The tragedy shed light on the poor working conditions and lack of transparency within the fashion supply chain. The Fashion Revolution movement calls for greater transparency, sustainability, and ethics in the fashion industry. It encourages consumers to ask brands, "Who made my clothes?" as a way to raise awareness about the people behind the garments and to advocate for fair treatment and wages for workers throughout the supply chain. It's Fashion Revolution Week this week, held annually in April around the anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, and there are various events, campaigns, and initiatives being organised both here and globally to engage consumers, brands, and industry stakeholders in discussions about sustainability, ethical production, and the need for systemic change in the fashion industry. We speak to Melissa Tan, a climate action and sustainability advocate, and the Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Malaysia, to discuss how Fashion Revolution is raising awareness about the social and environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

Image Credit: Fashion Revolution Malaysia

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Back in March 2022, a significant resolution was passed at the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, titled "End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument." This resolution acknowledged the severe global issue of plastic pollution, recognising its detrimental effects on the environment, society, and sustainable development. It mandated the UN Environment Programme Executive Director to establish an International Negotiating Committee (INC) to create a legally binding treaty addressing plastic pollution across its entire life cycle. This landmark decision marked the beginning of the process toward a global agreement on plastic pollution, with the aim of finalising the treaty by the end of 2024. The fourth session of the INC to develop this international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, is set to take place from the 23rd to the 29th of April 2024 in Canada. Many battles are set to be fought at these negotiations, to effectively respond to the global plastics pollution crisis. What are they? We speak to Arpita Bhagat, the Plastic Policy Officer at GAIA Asia Pacific, and Dharmesh Shah, a Consulting Senior Campaigner (Plastics Treaty), at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), to find out more about what civil society organisation will be pushing for, at INC-4.

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In Malaysia, it's sadly not that difficult to purchase wildlife as pets, especially through online channels. But what's spurring Malaysians to want to own and then buy these exotic pets, and are there enough laws to prevent the often illegal trade of these wild species of animals? We speak to journalists Hannan Azmir and Lee Kwai Han, who recently wrote two articles on the illegal trade of wildlife online, for local environmental journalism portal, Macaranga. We also speak to Dr Nor Arlina Amirah Ahmad Ghani from Justice for Wildlife Malaysia, a non-profit research enterprise entity who aims to protect and conserve wildlife in Malaysia through legal means, and how they are promoting legal literacy among wildlife conservation fraternities.

Image credit: Macaranga (Hannan Azmir)

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The Urban Orchard Kuala Lumpur (UOKL) is a project initiated by Yen Maseri Hj Idris, better known as Uncle Yen. After losing his youngest son in 2016, Yen started planting fruit trees along the riverbank of Sungai Penchala, near the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery, as his way of dealing with the loss of his son, and honouring his late son’s memory. His vision is to create a sanctuary for people who are struggling with mental health issues, and to share the fruits of his labour with the public. He joins us to share more about how he turned the neglected swampy land in Taman Tun into a thriving biodiverse orchard, and also how he hopes UOKL will inspire more urban dwellers to reconnect with the earth, and find healing and happiness in the process.

Image credits: UOKL

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International Zero Waste Day was just celebrated on the 30th of March, with the aim of promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, supporting a societal shift towards circularity, and raising awareness about how zero-waste initiatives contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. According to the UN, the waste sector contributes to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution. It's said that zero-waste initiatives can encourage sound waste management and minimise and prevent waste, helping to address the planetary crisis, protect the environment, enhance food security, and improve human health and well-being. Here on Earth Matters, we've had the privilege to speak to several zero-waste practitioners, who have shared their own journeys of transforming their lives and consumption patterns, and going as ‘zero-waste’ as possible. In this look-back episode, we hear from Bea Johnson, the French-born US-based environmental activist, author and motivational speaker, cited as the founder of the zero waste movement, who is best known for reducing her family's annual trash down to a pint and for authoring the book Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste. We then hear from Zero Waste Malaysia's Khor Sue Yee (Co-founder and Director) and Jasreel Lim (Head of Finance & Business Development), who discuss Trashpedia, which is dubbed the ultimate guide to waste segregation and sustainable living.

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In Terengganu’s Pulau Redang, the community is actively engaged in protecting their marine ecosystem, particularly focusing on coral reef restoration with the support of Reef Check Malaysia and the Redang Marine Conservation Group (RMCG). Six locals trained by Reef Check Malaysia's Cintai Redang team have achieved significant milestones within a year, including rescuing 750 coral fragments, removing 274 kg of ghost nets, and eliminating 89 Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COTS). They've also established partnerships with local schools and developed a national community-based Coral Rehabilitation Toolkit, aimed at guiding communities in coral conservation efforts, which has been piloted successfully. Supported by various organisations and funded by the National Conservation Trust Fund, the toolkit offers comprehensive strategies for assessing, rehabilitating, and sustaining coral reefs, including community engagement and tourist involvement for long-term sustainability. We find out more about this conservation success from Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.

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Macaranga Wrap-up is our monthly show on Earth Matters where we give you a roundup of the top environmental news from the month past, curated by the co-founders of the environmental journalism portal Macaranga. Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua return this March with updates on some illegal wildlife trading cases, involving both African rhinoceros and reptiles. We will also take a look at the recent ruling involving the European Union and the Malaysian government, where the World Trade Organisation rejected Malaysia's complaint against an EU decision that biodiesel made from palm oil should not be considered a renewable biofuel, though the EU will also have to make some adjustments to the measures they introduced. Finally, over in Johor, the Merambong seagrass meadow next to Forest City Johor, is reportedly thriving after restoration. A development + conservation success story? We discuss this and more. 

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our ongoing tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. Last month, we did an overview of what Tawau, Sabah has to offer, but today we dive into stunning Semporna, nestled on the eastern coast of Borneo and not too far from  Tawau town. We explore the rich history and cultural heritage of this town, and also its breathtaking tapestry of biodiversity, from vibrant coral reefs to lush rainforests. Helping us on this adventure is Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & CEO of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY).

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Fun fact: Asian arowana once sold for more than RM500,000! But did you also know that they were once so common, that locals were hauling them up by the dozens to eat? But the fish have been endangered for the past 50 years, and are rarely seen in our rivers and lakes now. Local environmental journalism portal Macaranga wrote a two-part series on the past decline of wild arowanas and current efforts to conserve them, and we find out more from journalists and co-authors of the piece, Law Yao Hua (Editor, Macaranga) and Tracy Keeling (Earth Journalism Networks' CITES Legal Trade Journalism Fellow) and Dr Haslawati Baharuddin, a research scientist from the Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

Image credit: Eric Chiang/Macaranga

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Rantaian Urban Green Spaces or RUGS is a conservation initiative with the primary objective of overseeing and fostering collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders to preserve, revitalise, and interconnect the dispersed green areas within the Klang Valley. Throughout the Klang Valley, smaller, isolated green patches often receive less attention compared to larger forest expanses in other regions of the country.  But these green pockets remain crucial habitats for Malaysia's diverse flora and fauna, thus the need for protection and restoration of these spaces. Under the stewardship of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), RUGS works on inclusive planning processes and the empowerment of local communities, and is said to be the first of its kind in Klang Valley and Peninsular Malaysia. As we celebrate International Day of Forests and World Water Day this March, we find out more about RUGS from Vivian Soon (Wildlife and Conservation Officer) and Ng Sean Fong (Data and Policy Officer) who are both with the Malaysian Nature Society.

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Many Penan and Kenyah communities from the Baram Peace Park up in Northern Sarawak, are rejecting logging in their ancestral lands, whether certified as sustainable or not. From their experience, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) -  a crucial component for all companies who are aiming for sustainable and ethical supply chains - has not been upheld time and again. In the Baram Peace Park, local communities who oppose logging have to fight really hard to protect their territories and rights on a daily basis. While not opposing development, the communities are calling for development that actually protects the forests and their local cultures, instead of destroying them. What has the experience been for these communities, throughout the years? Ahead of International Day of Forests, we speak to Celine Lim, the Managing Director of SAVE Rivers, to discuss how and why local communities in the Upper Baram Forest Area are fighting to protect the forests there.

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Carnivorous plants, with their remarkable ability to capture and digest prey, have captivated the imagination of plant enthusiasts and researchers alike. Here in biodiverse Malaysia, these plants thrive in various ecosystems, each species evolving its own remarkable mechanisms to survive in nutrient-poor environments. We speak to three members of the Malaysia Carnivorous Plants group or MyCP - Gideon Lim and Nicholas Tan who are co-founders, and Justin Chew, who manages the group's communications and strategy - to explore the intricacies of carnivorous plants, including their ecological significance, and discover the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve these extraordinary species in Malaysia today.

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Urban community forests are collectively managed green spaces within cities, serving multiple purposes such as recreation, biodiversity conservation, and education. Urban and community forests play a vital role in our cities and communities, from improving air quality and reducing the urban heat island effect, to boosting property values, fostering community, and enhancing mental and physical health. Ahead of International Day of Forests - celebrated annually on the 21st of March - we want to raise awareness on the importance of all urban community forests, which are in danger of being lost forever due to rapid urbanisation. We catch up with Alicia Teoh, the Founder and Secretary of the Shah Alam Community Forest Society, to discuss the role these urban forests play in improving our quality of life, and why we must protect them at all costs.

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Plastic contaminates the entire planet - we eat it, we breathe it, it's been found in our blood stream. The Break Free From Plastic Movement – a global movement envisioning a future free from plastic pollution – unveiled their 2023 Global Brand Audit results in early February, revealing the world's worst plastic polluters. The annual brand audit is described by the Movement as a participatory community initiative in which branded plastic waste is gathered, counted, and documented to identify the companies responsible for plastic pollution. The brand audits have been running for six consecutive years, and in 2023, 250 brand audits were conducted by 8,804 volunteers in 41 countries, and together, they collected and audited over five hundred thousand pieces of plastic waste. We speak to Miko Alino, the Project Coordinator for Corporate Accountability at the Break Free From Plastic Movement, to discuss the findings and key insights from the report, and how the movement hopes the Brand Audit Report will influence corporate accountability regarding plastic waste.

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Pangolins, often referred to as scaly anteaters or ‘tenggiling’ here in Malaysia, are fascinating creatures renowned for their unique armour-like scales and elusive nature. Despite their ecological importance in pest control, pangolins face dire threats from the illegal wildlife trade - trafficked for their scales and meat - and have the unfortunate distinction of being the most trafficked mammals globally. Facing extinction due to unsustainable exploitation, conservation efforts are crucial to safeguard pangolins and maintain ecosystem balance, as their decline disrupts ecosystems, risking biodiversity loss and compromising ecosystems' resilience. We celebrated World Pangolin Day earlier in February, and in conjunction with that, we catch up with Kanitha Krishnasamy (Director, Traffic Southeast Asia) and Elizabeth John (Senior Communications Officer, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia) to discuss what more can be done to protect these precious creatures.

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We're closing off February this week, cue another roundup of top conservation news with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn. 2023 was the planet's warmest year on record, and just last Saturday, Met Malaysia issued a Level 1 Heat Wave Warning. Scientists have underlined the need for urgent action, but it has also led coral ecologists to warn about coral bleaching and even add new alert levels to track potential risks to coral reefs. We discuss this first, before turning our attention to the recently convened 2nd meeting of the Ad Hoc Joint Task Force (JTF) on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and discussions around the smooth implementation and understanding of the EUDR here in Malaysia and Indonesia. Finally, we look to East Malaysia, where Sarawak has nearly doubled the population of its crocodiles, but this has also led to increased human-crocodile conflicts - we discuss the implications of this conservation success and more. 

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Tawau is the third largest town in Sabah, located on the East coast of the state, that shares a border with North Kalimantan. The area is an eco-tourist's dream, with attractions such as the Tawau Hills National Park, the Ulu Kalumpang Forest Reserve, and also the Maliau Basin Conservation Area and Danum Valley Conservation Area not too far away, offering undisturbed nature and eco adventures. Rainforests aside, there are beautiful, breathtaking unspoiled islands like Kapalai, Sipadan, Mataking, Mabul, Sibuan offering snorkelling and diving adventures galore. We explore what Tawau and its surrounding areas have to offer with Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & CEO, Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia. Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our ongoing tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. 

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Malaysia’s diverse climate and geography form ideal habitats for Nepenthes, which are better known here as ‘periuk kera’. These animal-eating pitcher plants which lures unsuspecting prey with its sweet nectar, has evolved to thrive in nutrient-poor soils, and is a sought after plant by collectors. This and other human activities, ranging from habitat destruction to poaching to fuel illicit trade of pitcher plants, drives the Nepenthes to the brink of endangerment. One of the ways conservationists are responding to these threats is by making pitcher plants so common that their allure in the wild diminishes, borrowing from the late Australian botanist Allen Lowrie's strategy to “make them as common as muck”. The focus of two new articles by online journalism portal Macaranga, we speak to contributing writers Ashley Yeong and Bryan Yong, and Editor, Wong Siew Lyn, to discover more about Nepenthes, and to discuss how Malaysia is trying to protect our own pitcher plants from extinction. 

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The Langur Project Penang (LPP), is a social enterprise in Penang that works for the conservation of primates, specifically to cultivate coexistence among humans and urban monkeys in Peninsular Malaysia. The team has been studying dusky langurs in urban Penang for several years and found that there is a need to help langurs and other treetop animals cross roads more safely. Artificial crossing structures like rope canopy bridges have been used in several countries, to reconnect separated forest patches or habitat fragments and to allow safe passage for small animals. In 2019, LPP made history by successfully setting up Malaysia’s first urban canopy bridge in Teluk Bahang, Penang. The bridge has since been used by various wildlife to cross the busy road to this day, with zero primate roadkill at the site. Recently, the group successfully launched the first of three residential road canopy bridges in Penang UNESCO Biosphere Reserve’s residential areas and we find out more from Dr. Yap Jo Leen (Head of Langur Project Penang (LPP), Wildlife Researcher and Environmental Educator), Lee Joey (Project Executive, Langur Project Penang) and Wong Hui Yi (Environmental Communicator, Langur Project Penang).

Image credit: The Langur Project Penang (LPP)

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It's almost time for Chinese New Year, starting a year of the Wood Dragon, which symbolises power, strength and good fortune. As folks get busy preparing for a festival associated with abundance, we wanted to share some tips on innovative ways to perhaps celebrate a more sustainable Lunar New Year. We enlist the help of Khor Sue Yee, the Co-founder and Director of Zero Waste Malaysia, who will share some creative ideas for ushering in the Year of the Dragon with mindfulness and environmental responsibility. From eco-friendly decorations to sustainable feasting practices, Sue Yee will also delve into the traditions and customs that can be adapted to reduce waste, and minimise our ecological footprint during this festive season. 

Image credit: Shutterstock Inc.

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It's always a delight to spot butterflies, not just for their aesthetic value, but also because we know they are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. But even for these gentle Lepidoptera, threats abound, impacting their survival. Habitat change, development, climate change, widespread pesticide use, and invasive species are just some of the threats they face, because of both direct and indirect impacts on native host plants. In Malaysia, Dr Rosli Omar, a naturalist and wildlife photographer took part in two surveys on butterflies - one in Batu Caves back in 2019, and more recently, one in Bukit Dinding in Wangsa Maju, KL. Dr Rosli has also published a book called Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, with a checklist of Scientific, English and Malay names. He joins us to share more about his discoveries and observations of butterfly species in Malaysia through such surveys, and his recommendations or actions to protect remaining species.

Image Credit: Omar, R., Aziz, A.A. & Badrud’din, S. (2023). Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia: with a checklist of Scientific, English and Malay names. Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia

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We know that with rapid urbanisation comes losses to the natural environment - urban biodiversity is threatened by intensive land-use change, and also from gardening and landscaping practices that disrupt native biodiversity in the process, contributing to the loss of flora and fauna from ecological communities. How can we address these challenges in urban ecology and conservation? That's where the Urban Biodiversity Initiative’’ (UBI) comes in - they are an independent social enterprise for urban ecology research, conservation and environmental education, based at the Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, Universiti Malaya (UM). We speak to Dr. Thary Gazi Goh, an entomologist, conservationist, wildlife educator and Managing Partner of UBI to discuss how UBI contributes to urban ecology research, conservation, and environmental education, and also to explore strategies that Malaysians can implement to effectively conserve biodiversity in our cities. 

Image Credit: Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI)

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As we conclude the first month of the year, it's also time for a quick roundup of top environmental stories from the month that was January 2024 - as always, we're joined by the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. It's not all peachy on the environmental news front - first, we discuss updates from the shocking 2019 chemical toxic waste pollution that happened in and around Sg Kim Kim, in Pasir Gudang, Johor. Next, we discuss how the Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of two NGOs, PEKA and SACF, to initiate judicial review proceedings to challenge the degazettement of Bukit Cherakah as a forest reserve. Finally we head to East Malaysia, where the Sarawak state government is proceeding with plans to construct three more hydroelectric dams, despite several objections and concerns by locals living in and around the areas that will be affected.  

Image credit from left to right:

top: Shutterstock Inc, Shah Alam Community Forest Society

bottom: Shutterstock Inc, Shutterstock Inc

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our ongoing tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. This month, we're going to Negeri Sembilan, more specifically, towards the east and southeast of Seremban, for some trekking and sightseeing! Three places on our list - first there’s Kuala Pilah, where we will explore the Ulu Bendul Recreational Forest, before we head to the Kenaboi State Park, a primary forest full of wildlife, birds, streams and waterfalls too. Finally we head to the Gunung Datuk Recreational Forest, known for its hiking trails, with varying difficulty levels, promising something for everyone. We explore what nature lovers can find at all three locations with Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Inc

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Thaipusam falls on the 25th of January this year, with throngs of Hindu devotees here in the Klang Valley heading to the Sri Subrarmaniam Swamy Temple Cave in Batu Caves to commemorate the triumph of Lord Murugan, and the victory of good over evil. But the limestone karst hill that is Batu Caves is also an outstanding nature monument, and of paramount scientific importance for its cave ecosystem and unique animal and plant biodiversity that includes many rare and/or endemic organisms. We speak to eminent botanist Dr Ruth Kiew, and geologist Dr. Ros Fatihah Muhammad, who are both with the Malaysian Cave and Karst Conservancy (MCKC), about the history and wonders of Batu Caves, but also the threats to the area, and why there is an urgent need to secure and permanently protect Batu Caves. We also discuss the important findings from the Batu Caves Scientific Expedition, which Dr Ruth spearheaded back in 2019.

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Monkeys got your garbage bins? It's not an uncommon complaint among Malaysians that monkeys, more often than not long-tailed macaques, are pests in their neighbourhoods, rummaging through bins and causing a big stink in their wake. But as natural spaces dwindle due to deforestation, and expanding human activities encroach on wildlife habitats, conflicts and interactions between humans and wildlife have become almost unavoidable. That's where The Animal Neighbours Project comes in, with their community-based approach to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in urban areas through a combination of research and education. We catch up with veterinarian Dr Sharmini Julita Paramasivam, who is also an Associate Professor at the University of Surrey, and the Founder & Project Lead of The Animal Neighbours Project, to find out how they are teaching the wildest creatures of them all - humans - to better coexist with other wildlife in Malaysia.

Image Credits: The Animal Neighbors Project

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The Lost Food Project (TLFP) is a not-for-profit organisation in Malaysia that rescues good food that would otherwise end up in landfills, and redistributes it to those in need. They have also teamed up with other organisations to tackle issues on saving food and reducing waste, and in 2023 alone, they rescued a whopping 2.28 million kg of food, the equivalent of over 6.5 million nutritious meals, and prevented 5.7 million kg of greenhouse gases from being emitted. Their latest endeavour is the Surplus Pet Food Project, an initiative aimed at supporting animal shelters, rescuers and street feeders. We catch up with Suzanne Mooney, TLFP's founder, and Gayathri Liew (PR and Communications Manager, TLFP) to discuss their new initiatives in preventing food waste.

Image credit: The Lost Food Project

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The Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) is an environmental NGO that is focussed on conserving Malaysia’s unique habitats, plants and wildlife, and to actively promote and pursue sustainable tourism as one key element in conservation. The group, founded by leading naturalists in Malaysia, have also been working on several projects with the Orang Asli Bateq tribe of Kampung Aur, who live along the Tembeling River in Kuala Tahan, Pahang. The initiatives include assisting them to gain access to clean water and proper sanitation, providing the community with solar lamps to assist with their energy needs, and even supplying humanitarian aid during the monsoon season. Another recent project has been to train the community's youth to become certified tour guides, to promote sustainable tourism in the area. We catch up with Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY, to discuss the group's latest initiative, which saw 10 Orang Asli youths receiving training and doing fieldwork to become certified tour guides, to generate income for themselves and their community.

Image Credit: Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia FB Page

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In Malaysia's race towards achieving 70% renewable energy by 2050, hydroelectric power claims 11% of that share. More mini-hydroelectric dams are being built, as they are cheaper, and said to have less environmental impact. In Perak, the state government has awarded 31 mini-hydro projects in the state involving 49 rivers, but several have already impacted and are in conflict with several indigenous communities there. This is being explored in Macaranga's latest article, Perak Dams Threaten Stone Spirits and Ancestral Graves, and we discuss the clash between renewable energy goals and indigenous communities with Ashley Yeong, the writer of the article, and also with Wong Siew Lyn (editor and co-founder, Macaranga) and Piarapakaran Subramaniam (President, Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER).

Image Credit: Ashley Yeong

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Malaysia is recognised as one of the world’s megadiverse countries, and is listed among the top 12 biodiversity rich countries, in terms of species richness and endemism. This biological diversity spans through ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity, but, there seems to be a general lack of awareness of the importance of biodiversity throughout the country, as well as significant knowledge gaps. The National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022 –2030 aims to tackle that through its five goals, 17 targets, and 61 actions, by providing the direction and framework for Malaysia to not only conserve its biodiversity, but to promote its sustainable use, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of its benefits in the face of increasingly complex challenges, both now and in the future. We discuss this and more with Preetha Sankar, an environmental lawyer.

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COP28, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, was held in Dubai from 30 November to 13 December 2023. It was bound to be a controversial COP, being held in the UAE, whose economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas. That said, among the many outcomes from the negotiations was the agreement to “transition away from fossil fuels" (as opposed to phasing out of all fossil fuels) and US$700 million being pledged to the "loss and damage" fund (which falls short of the estimated $400bn damage caused by climate change each year.) So what were the controversies and highlights at COP28, and more importantly, what lies ahead following these negotiations, for an already climate-impacted world? We discuss this and more with Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Head of Programmes at the Third World Network (TWN).

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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We are at the end of 2023 – as always, it's been quite a year for our environment and natural resources, so we take a look back at the year past with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, who will remind us about some of the big stories from 2023. In particular, we discuss the achievements of the (now former) Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC) and the challenges that remain ahead, before we focus on Pahang, and some of the state's achievements, including the gazettement of the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tigers Reserve. We also discuss our oceans and the increase of Marine Protected Areas in Malaysia, before taking on rare earth mining, which is big business for countries with reserves like ours, but how are we working on ensuring transparency and accountability in the rare earth industry? Then we discuss the European Union's new regulation to curb the EU market's impact on global deforestation and forest degradation, or the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and how that could impact Malaysia, before finally discussing how a changing climate has impacted our food security in Malaysia.

Image Credit(s): 

Shutterstock/Paman Aheri, Zeti Akhzar

Kementerian Ekonomi

Reef Check Malaysia

Lynas

World Animal Foundation

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The rise in price for imported rice in Malaysia saw consumers chasing cheaper locally grown products - but Malaysia isn't producing enough rice to support our local demand. In the village of Long Semadoh in Sarawak though, rice is abundant in both variety and amount - they grow what is known as heirloom rice. Environmental journalism portal Macaranga recently released an in-depth article on this, called "Sowing Seeds of Resilience in Heirloom Rice" which looks at heirloom rice farming in Sarawak, and its contributions to addressing food security concerns and safeguarding heirloom rice varieties. We discuss the history and future of heirloom rice farming in Malaysia, and what steps can be taken to further enhance its contribution to food security and economic development in rural areas with Liani MK (contributing writer, Macaranga), Wong Siew Lyn, (Editor, Macaranga) and Peter Tadam, a tour guide from the farming community of Long Semadoh, Sarawak.

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Abang Faizul

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In March 2022, a global commitment was made to negotiate a comprehensive plastics treaty, addressing the entire life cycle of plastic. Now at the end of 2023, countries are still grappling with disagreements, particularly from "low-ambition" nations disputing fundamental terms like "plastics" and "life cycle." Despite some progress, such as increased support for tackling harmful additives, the recent third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC) ended in frustration. Negotiators now lack a formal work plan for the upcoming five months before the next discussions, and multiple advocacy groups express concerns about the significant delays, questioning the fulfilment of the promise to establish a robust, binding plastics treaty that the world urgently requires. Will the treaty succumb to inertia and eventual disaster, if no progress is made? We discuss this and more with Mageswari Sangaralingam, a Senior Research Officer from Sahabat Alam Malaysia, and the Consumers Association of Penang.

Image Credit: Shutterstock/aldarinho

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Born in 1823, Alfred Russel Wallace was a pioneering naturalist and biologist whose significant contributions to the field of natural history paralleled those of Charles Darwin. Wallace independently formulated the theory of evolution through natural selection, a concept he developed during his extensive explorations of the Malay Archipelago, and his groundbreaking work in the 19th century is said to have laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology. Wallace's collections from the Malay Archipelago included a vast array of specimens, from insects to birds, providing crucial evidence for his evolutionary theories, and his book, "The Malay Archipelago," chronicles his travels and observations, offering invaluable insights into the region's biodiversity and cultural diversity. We reflect on his life with Palaeontologist & Zooarchaeologist Lim Tze Tshen, who is attached with the Sarawak Museum and the Geology Dept of Universiti Malaya, to mark the bicentenary of Wallace's birth, and to discuss how Wallace's life and legacy continue to inspire and shape our understanding of the natural world.

Image Credit: Natural History Museum, PBS, Wikimedia Commons

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Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming after Carbon Dioxide and reducing methane emissions is crucial due to its significant impact on short-term global warming. Recognising this importance is often hindered by unclear information, but scientists are working hard to increase awareness on the issue, as methane emission reductions are considered a readily achievable and cost-effective solution, making them a low-hanging fruit in the quest for overall emission reduction. Malaysia signed the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in November 2021 along with around 100 other countries - what progress have we seen from our country in that area since then? In 2022, civil society organisation CERAH formed a partnership with the University of Malaya, the University of Nottingham Malaysia, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to promote transparency, public engagement, and progress on methane emissions reduction in Malaysia, through the CERAH-EDF Project. The project which recently concluded offers some key findings and recommendations, including the need to clearly articulate a national direction for methane action. We find out more from Dr. Helena Varkkey (Associate Professor of Environmental Politics and Governance, Universiti Malaya) and Dr. Matthew Ashfold (Atmospheric Scientist and Assoc Prof, University of  Nottingham Malaysia), who were both involved in the research project.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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As November draws to a close, we look-back at some of the top environmental news from the month past with Law Yao Hua, the co-founder of environmental journalism portal Macaranga. This month, we discuss how Sarawak is officially the first state in the country to enact an anti-climate change law, and why this is a significant move in our country, before we turn our attention to some of the findings in the Auditor-General's Special Audit on Forest Management and Environmental Impact report, that was just tabled in Parliament on the 22nd of November 2023. Finally we look forward to Macaranga's first physical event happening in December, Semai & Tuai 2023.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons, 123RF

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our ongoing tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. This month, we're going to Langkawi, a UNESCO Global Geopark - OK, not exactly an unknown gem, but Langkawi has been in the news a lot lately, with reports pointing to declining visitors to the Jewel of Kedah for various reasons. Many tourism players have bemoaned the negative publicity, and would like to remind Malaysians that the island has plenty to offer aside from duty free goods, including some amazing ecotourism adventures. From its amazing Famous Flying Five and 500+ species of butterflies to the beautiful Gunung Raya, the archipelago is a naturalist's delight, and we explore what nature lovers can find there with Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Listen to our previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1: Kuala Tahan

Episode 2: Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan

Episode 3: Bukit Batu Putih in Port Dickson

Episode 4: The Sultan Iskandar Marine Park & More

Episode 5: Merapoh

Episode 6: Bukit Wang, Kedah

Episode 7: Kinabatangan River

Episode 8: Kundasang

Image Credit: Shutterstock/YusoffJalil

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The Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2023 was one of the platforms for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realised in different regions. The meeting was held last week in Johor Bahru, and we catch up with Kieran Li Nair from the Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD), to hear her perspective of what went down during this most recent meeting.

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It's been almost a year since the new coalition government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took power. While the PM has focused on fighting corruption and the rising cost of living, how are his and his administration's Green credentials shaping up? We discuss this with Adam Farhan, the co-founder and director of RimbaWatch, while also noting what the government should focus on for the next four years, when it comes to protecting our natural resources and environment.

Image Credit: Discovery Perak

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At last year’s COP27 summit in Egypt developing nations celebrated a victory when they secured an agreement on the Loss and Damage Fund – something that had been advocated for for decades. Following that, a transitional committee composed of members from developed and developing countries were tasked with discussing what this fund would look like - from who would pay into this fund to where it would be located - ahead of a final decision being made at COP28 in Nov/ Dec 2023. After what has been described as "lengthy and heated negotiations" a draft framework for a new UN fund to help nations recover from the “loss and damage” caused by climate change has been agreed upon, though with the US remaining isolated and expressing dissatisfaction at the draft. What were the points of contention? What is in the three-part package proposal, presented as a "take it or leave it" text by the Co-Chairs? We speak to Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, and Head of Programmes at the Third World Network (TWN) to find out more.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Did you know tigers were once found in Borneo? And that orangutans once roamed Selangor? What happened to them, in these areas? These are some of the questions Lim Tze Tshen aka Ah Tshen, a Vertebrate Palaeontologist and Zooarchaeologist tries to uncover, through his work. As a Vertebrate Palaeontologist, he researches animal fossils that have backbones, especially mammal species that can be found in the limestone caves in Malaysia. As a zooarchaeologist, he does research on animal remains found in archaeology sites, such as the ones found in Niah Cave in Sarawak, which were left behind by collectors and hunters from the prehistoric community. In both of these fields, he focuses on how ancient animals responded to environmental changes and hunting activities in the past, and uses this information to understand and address the crisis of biodiversity loss in the present day. He joins us to share more about his work.

Image Credit: Ah Tshen

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The Malaysian government launched the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) this year, outlining Malaysia’s plans towards achieving a sustainable and inclusive energy system, that reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, and moves us towards a low carbon economy. However, organisations like Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) have voiced concerns over some of the proposals in the roadmap, including hydrogen, and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies, which they believe require more thorough assessments and debate, before being accepted as appropriate solutions. We unpack some of these new technologies heralded as the solution to our climate woes - specifically Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and CCUS technologies - to discuss what it means, and whether it's "a greenwash to extend the life of fossil fuel assets, or a panacea to avert catastrophic climate change consequences" with Grant Hauber, who is a Strategic Energy Finance Adviser for Asia, at the Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis. Grant also shares his findings based on two long-running Norwegian carbon capture and storage projects held up as the success stories of CCS, which he believes raises a cautionary tale about the technical and financial viability of the concept in the long run.

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The first draft of the groundbreaking Global Plastics Treaty - a new law to address plastic pollution - will be negotiated from November 11-19, 2023. This is a crucial step in the global fight against plastic pollution, but what does this actually mean for us? We discuss what the Global Plastics Treaty is all about, and the major challenges that lie ahead in implementing such a significant treaty with Shantini Guna Rajan, a Policy Lead, WWF-Malaysia.

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The good people from environmental journalism portal Macaranga return, for another roundup of top environmental news from the month past. Lots of big (and rather alarming) news from October 2023 - Kelantan authorities are seeking to make changes to forest classification - RimbaWatch reports that there is an "unprecedented proposal" to remove all environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) in Kelantan from the Kelantan State Structure Plan, Local Plan and Special Area Plan. Then just last week, we heard from SPAN that seven of our dams are in critical condition, due to ageing structures, which could spell danger for our water security in the country. And finally, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (LPTA) just updated the current terms and conditions of Lynas’ operating licence, including the permission to import raw materials containing naturally occurring radioactive materials, and to allow Cracking and Leaching activities to continue, subject to certain conditions. What does all of this mean? We've got Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, the co-founders of Macaranga to help break it all down for us.

Image Credit: 123RF, Wikimedia Commons

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our ongoing tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. Last time, we explored the Kinabatangan River, and now we're still in Sabah, but in Kundasang, which is located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s tallest mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But climbing the mountain isn't the only thing to do there, and Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY is here to help us explore the many eco-adventures available in the area.

Listen to our previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1: Kuala Tahan

Episode 2: Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan

Episode 3: Bukit Batu Putih in Port Dickson

Episode 4: The Sultan Iskandar Marine Park & More

Episode 5: Merapoh

Episode 6: Bukit Wang, Kedah

Episode 7: Kinabatangan River

Image Credit: 123RF

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Malaysia recently conducted a mid-term review of its National Policy on Biological Diversity (NPBD) 2016 - 2025, in response to the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in December 2022. The new strategy was unveiled yesterday, the 24th of October 2023, and aims to fulfil global biodiversity targets by 2030. This is a crucial moment for Malaysia's dedication to conserving its natural heritage, and its involvement in the worldwide endeavour to safeguard biodiversity. We discuss Malaysia's incredible rich biodiversity, but also its significance within the evolving policy landscape of Malaysia, while also looking at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in terms of protecting the rich biodiversity of our planet with Lakshmi Lavanya Rama Iyer, the Director of Policy & Climate Change at WWF-Malaysia.

Image Credit: 123RF/rebius, truengtra, naypong, shperspectives

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Protecting coasts and oceans has multiple benefits for the environment, economy, society and culture, and in line with that, Malaysia is working hard to increase its biodiversity-rich coastal and marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2025. To date, Malaysia has protected only 5% of its ocean area, but the goal is to double that to protect at least 10% of its total land and marine areas, in line with the National Biodiversity Policy and the international Convention on Biological Diversity to which Malaysia is signatory. So how do we get there? What roles do traditional knowledge and culture play in all of this? We discuss this and more with Dr Jarina Mohd Jani, a Biocultural Conservationist at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founder of Macaranga, who has written a host of articles on these very topics, under Macaranga's #Seaworld series.

Image Credit: Department of Fisheries Malaysia

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Themed “Economic Reforms, Empowering the People,” Budget 2024 was announced on the 13th of October 2023, by Malaysia's Prime Minister & Finance Minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Second Belanjawan MADANI has allocated RM393.8 billion - the highest budget ever tabled by any government in Malaysia’s history, with RM90 billion from the total allocated for development expenditure. We speak to three experts to discuss both highlights and missed opportunities from Budget 2024 in terms of allocations for the environment, covering biodiversity and nature conservation, the ESG agenda, and the transition towards a low-carbon economy, among others. Joining us to do that are Surin Suksuwan (Biodiversity Conservationist and Sustainability Practitioner), Dr Helena Varkkey (Associate Professor of Environmental Politics and Governance, Universiti Malaya) and Affendi Yang Amri (Coral Reef Ecologist, Universiti Malaya, and President, Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences).

Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

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KNOTs - or Knowledge: New Old Twists - is a social enterprise dedicated to promoting engaging and meaningful learning experiences for children, regardless of location. They do this through their Vanishing Classroom, which reintroduces outdoor and traditional learning methods to 21st-century students, and they encourage the utilisation of ecological ecosystems and outdoor environments. Their goal is to offer kids an immersive, hands-on education that goes beyond simply transferring knowledge, instead, they aim to create platforms that encourage skill application and practice. We speak to the co-founders of KNOTS, Johleen Koh and Nor Shidawati Abdul Rasid to find out more.  

Image Credit: KNOTs

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Two years after filing a defamation lawsuit against Indigenous grassroots organisation SAVE Rivers — logging company Samling withdrew the case, with a joint agreement between both parties. Following the successful outcome for SAVE Rivers, we caught up with the organisation's chairman and founding member, Peter Kallang, to discuss the group's plans moving forward.

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Two years after filing a defamation lawsuit against Indigenous grassroots organisation SAVE Rivers, the logging company Samling withdrew the case with a joint agreement between both parties. Initially headed to the Miri High Court for trial on Monday, 18th September, the case was cancelled after a last minute settlement. We spoke to the lawyer representing SAVE RIVERS, Simon Siah, about the history of the case, and what this joint agreement means for both parties moving forward. We also caught up with Jettie Word, the Executive Director of The Borneo Project, to discuss the local and global support and campaigns that were launched in solidarity with SAVE RIVERS.

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Many of us rejoiced at the birth of baby Axel, the first-ever gibbon born at a rehabilitation centre in Malaysia to rescued parents Ebony and Coley. For the first time after 10 years of operations, the Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS) of Malaysia finally has a family so close to being released back into the wild, but before that can happen, Ebony, Coley and Axel will be closely monitored to ensure that they can survive and function like a proper gibbon family there. This process also includes health checks, food, release site surveys, equipment, and more, which GCS are currently fundraising for. We speak to Stephanie Theresa, the Vice President GCS, to find out more. 

Image Credit: Infinim Creative Productions/Stephanie Theresa

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WCS-Malaysia’s main activities revolve around helping the Malaysian government in conducting biological monitoring and supporting protection efforts of wildlife such as tiger, elephant, orang-utan as well as sharks and rays. Wildlife conservationist Dr. Mark Rayan Darmaraj assumed the role of Country Director for WCS-Malaysia back in 2021, and continues to work on implementing conservation strategies that protect habitats and species. We catch up with Mark to discuss WCS-Malaysia's work in more detail, specifically the group’s work on crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. 

Image Credits: WCS Malaysia

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The co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn, join us for a round-up of top environmental news from September 2023. This month, we look at big legal cases involving indigenous communities and their long-standing struggle for customary land rights in Malaysia, and how we expect to see even more legal suits concerning these issues playing out in the courtroom. Still on the topic of legal suits, we also discuss the implications of a recent Court of Appeal judgement in favour of a cement manufacturer carrying on quarrying in Perak's Gunung Kanthan, which would result in both the loss of biodiversity and a Buddhist monastery in the area. Finally we discuss what Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap might look like - how are we planning to phase out coal by 2045 and increase solar energy, and are we considering nuclear energy to help minimise our emissions?

Image Credit: 123RF/dimaberkut, nskyroman, smon

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Raised in Canada, residing in Malaysia, Anuar McAfee's background is in the field of education, but he is also an avid photographer, birder, conservationist, and author of the bilingual bird guidebook, Birds of Terengganu. The Director of the International Centre at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), and a committee member of the Malaysian Nature Society's Kuala Terengganu branch, Anuar uses the power of photography to help more of us understand the beauty and wonders of nature, while also sharing important reminders of all the natural heritage that needs protection in our beloved country. He joins us to share more about his passion for wildlife and bird photography, and how images can inspire conservation and environmental awareness, especially as we face the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

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Numbers vary, but most estimates state that there are about 4,000 tigers left in the wild - a far cry from their previous 100,000 population. The Eye on the Tiger exhibition is a photography exhibition featuring tigers, from over 30 of the world’s leading professional wildlife photographers. Presented by the Royal Albert Hall and Save Wild Tigers, the exhibition - which first premiered in 2018 - showcased stunning framed shots of tigers, which were available for purchase, with profits going to tiger conservation projects via Save Wild Tigers. That exhibition is now coming to Malaysia - the first country outside of the UK to host the exhibition - to raise awareness and funds for the plight of wild tigers, which face threats from poaching, the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and human conflict. We find out more from Justine Vaz, the Executive Director of The Habitat Foundation and SC Shekar, a renowned photojournalist, whose work is featured in the exhibition.

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Rare earth mining is big business for countries with reserves, such as Malaysia, which has an estimated 16.1 billion tonnes of subterranean rare earth deposits. Rare earths are essential for green technology and climate goals, but their extraction and processing can cause environmental and social impacts. Malaysia aims to balance the economic benefits and environmental costs of rare earth mining, and to ensure transparency and accountability in the industry - but how? What are the challenges of rare earth mining? This, and plenty more are explored in Macaranga's recently published article, Unlocking Rare Earth Riches in Malaysia, co-written by environmental journalist Lee Kwai Han, and Macaranga's co-founder, Law Yao Hua. 

They join us to discuss the ethical and social implications of rare earth mining and consumption.

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The Green Wira Programme by Zero Waste Malaysia is aimed at empowering local school teachers with zero waste knowledge and skill sets to build zero waste schools in Malaysia. The programme ultimately aims to build a waste-free and sustainable future for Malaysia, starting from early education schools. We find out more from the Green Wira Programme Lead, Irene Chooi, from Zero Waste Malaysia.

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International Coastal Cleanup Day is a global event that has been running for more than 35 years. Volunteers all around the world engage and encourage their communities to take action by removing trash from beaches or oceans, identifying the sources of the litter, and inspiring change in beating marine debris pollution. Last year, Reef Check Malaysia had almost 10,000 volunteers and picked up an astounding 23,000 kg of trash! Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, joins us to share more about the idea behind coastal cleanups, but also to discuss why plastic debris remains a growing concern in the marine environment, how we can continue to tackle the plastic waste pollution, and why Malaysia should aspire towards having no more beach clean-ups in the future. 

Image Credit: Reef Check Malaysia

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The IPS-MPS '23 - The Joint Meeting of the International Primatological Society (IPS) and the Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS), was recently held in Kuching, and the conference was themed "Primates and People: A New Horizon”. Malaysia is a highly primate diverse country with rich natural habitats but currently, most of the primates species in Malaysia are regarded as threatened. We discuss why this is the case, and also some of the major outcomes of this international conference that are seeking solutions to protect primates, with the conference co-organisers from the Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS) Dr Aini Hasanah binti Abd Mutalib (President of MPS, and Research Officer at the Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu), Dr Nadine Ruppert (Vice-President of MPS, and Senior Lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia) and Dr Yap Jo Leen (Assistant Secretary General of MPS, and Head of the Langur Project Penang).

Image Credit: Malaysian Primatological Society

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BFM turns 15 on the 4th of September 2023, and to commemorate, we're revisiting some of our best interviews from the years past, and playing you 15-minute snippets from three interviews (or thereabouts) featuring international guests we’ve featured on Earth Matters. In this collection, you will hear from Dame Jane Morris Goodall DBE, a Primatologist & Anthropologist, Richard Heinberg, a Journalist, Educator, and Senior Fellow at the Post Carbon Institute, and also climate activist Yeb Saño, the Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Post Carbon Institute/SIDC

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Youths United For Earth (YUFE) want to celebrate Malaysia's environmentalism, one youth at a time. The youth-led NGO aims to mobilise Malaysian youths for environmental action through environmental storytelling, grassroots community-building, and policy advocacy. The group recently received the Diana Award, set up in memory of the Princess of Wales, presented to 200 youths worldwide aged 9-25 to acknowledge their humanitarian work, and earlier this month, they were also recognised under the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)'s  30 Under 30 program, which recognises young people across the globe who are building a sustainable future through education. We speak to co-founders Max Han and Nurfatin Hamzah, to find out more about the group's efforts, and also ask them their hopes for future Malaysia.

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As we close yet another month in 2023, we also look back at some of the top environmental news from August, with the help of the co-founders of environmental journalism portal, Macaranga. Today, we're tackling three topics in particular, first the Nature Conservation Agreement in Sabah, considered by many to be a controversial carbon project - we'll break down what it's about, and why there are questions surrounding it. Next we discuss what happened at the IPS-MPS '23 - The Joint Meeting of the International Primatological Society (IPS) and the Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS), which was held in Kuching, which was themed: "Primates and People: A New Horizon." Finally we cheer the good news that came out in late July, where Pahang will gazette 134,183ha of land for the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tigers Reserve to boost wildlife conservation efforts - great news for our dwindling tiger population. Helping us to break all this down are the co-founders of Macaranga, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua.

Image Credit: 123RF/International Primatological Society (IPS)/Global Tiger Forum

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our monthly tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. For this episode, we're heading to Kinabatangan, in Sandakan, Sabah, specifically the Kinabatangan River. At 560 km long, the Kinabatangan River is Sabah’s longest river, and Malaysia’s second longest river. Whilst the upper reaches of the Kinabatangan River have been extensively logged, the lowland forest and mangroves have survived, and much of the lower Kinabatangan River is gazetted under the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. This vast floodplain forest supports a wide array of wildlife, from proboscis monkeys to Irrawaddy dolphins, and also a variety of other birds. Taking us cruising today is our intrepid guide on this series, Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Image Credit: 123RF

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The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative focused on “making nature’s values visible”. Back in early July 2023, the United Nations Development Programme in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam (UNDP Malaysia) unveiled the results of site-level economic valuation exercises conducted in three protected areas in Malaysia. The study estimates that ecosystem services of Taman Negara National Park, Royal Belum State Park and Endau-Rompin National Park are respectively valued at over RM1.7 billion, RM531 million and RM 428 million annually, and the study was aimed at developing an evidence base for increased finances and investments for terrestrial protected area systems in Peninsular Malaysia. We speak to Niloy Banerjee (UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam) and Gan Pek Chuan (Head of Nature, Climate and Energy, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam) to break down the results of this study, and also discuss why is it important to put tangible numerical values on habitats and green spaces.

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The folks at Zero Waste Malaysia continue to work towards building a waste-free future for Malaysia, with a mission to drive social and systemic change for our country. The group has been keeping busy, and just last month - which was Plastic Free July- saw the team collaborating with Hara Makers where they launched a 10-metre-tall installation made with 3 tonnes of plastic bags at community space, Parc @Subang Ria. They are also busy working on The Trashpedia Outreach Programme, an immersive recycling collection activity which encourages clean and proper waste segregation, where they invite the public to bring their clean and dry recyclables to learn as a community, and foster a powerful catalyst for action. We find out more about it from Khor Sue Yee, the Co-founder and Director of Zero Waste Malaysia. 

Image Credit: Zero Waste Malaysia

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Though they registered officially in 2020, the Gibbon Conservation Society or GCS has been running since 2013, marking 10 years of hard work to rescue and rehabilitate gibbons in Malaysia. Gibbons are an endangered species and are threatened primarily by loss of their forest habitat, but also other factors like the illegal wildlife trade, the use of their body parts in Chinese medicines, and poaching. The group have had many exciting developments this past year, including the historic birth of Axel, the first-ever gibbon baby born at a rehabilitation project in Malaysia, in July 2023. We catch up with Mariani Ramli aka Bam, the President and Founder of GCS, who started the project in 2013 with her own savings, and also Dr. Susan M. Cheyne, the Co-Director of Borneo Nature Foundation International, the Vice-Chair for the IUCN Primate Specialist Group Section on Small Apes, and an advisor to Gibbon Conservation Society. Susan will also share more about her work in protecting endangered gibbons through the IUCN, and also the importance of multi stakeholder collaboration in conservation.

Image Credit: Stephanie Theresa, Infinim Creative Productions / Gibbon Conservation Society

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Earlier in May 2023, the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned us that we were leaving an "exceptionally long La Niña weather phenomenon that intensified drought and flooding" and that El Niño, its warming opposite in the cycle, would likely be on the cards for 2023. That indeed happened in July, and while these are natural phenomenons, it is also taking place against a background of human-induced climate change, which is increasing global temperatures, affecting seasonal rainfall patterns, and making our weather more extreme. So what lies in store for Malaysia? Past occurrences of El Niño here brought hotter and drier weather, causing dams to dry up, and subsequent water rationing exercises for the public. Are we headed for a water crisis, or are we better prepared now? We discuss this and more with Aznie Rahim, the Principal Assistant Secretary for Water Resources, at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC), and Law Yao Hua, the Co-Founder of Macaranga.

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State elections are just around the corner, and #UndIklim-Selangor 2023 is a campaign to present to voters the direct stand of each candidate on matters pertaining to climate action, conservation of natural resources, good governance and more. A joint effort between Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY) and Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM), it is part of a citizen education series to encourage Malaysians towards mature democratic action and thinking. We speak to Kennedy Michael, the Co-Founder and Communications Coordinator Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY) and Lead Coordinator of #UndIklim-Selangor 2023, to find out more.

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With state elections just around the corner, we catch up with Adam Farhan, the co-founder and director of environmental watchdog RimbaWatch, to suss out how the six states that are heading to the polls have been doing on the environment-front - with a special focus on deforestation - and what voters should consider when choosing their state representatives. Adam also sheds light on a recent report RimbaWatch released that highlighted gaps in PETRONAS's Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 (NZCE 2050) pathway towards achieving net zero future ambitions.

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TRAFFIC - the wildlife trade monitoring network - have been working with Pos Malaysia for the past four years to help the postal service better detect wildlife in the mail, which is a massive problem worldwide, with people and businesses using mail and courier services to send live wild animals and their parts and products to customers. We speak to Renee Yee, a Training and Capacity Building Officer with TRAFFIC, to find out more about this illicit trade, and some of the crazy smuggling methods people use, but also how the training with the postal and courier services provided by TRAFFIC has helped tackle the illegal trade of wildlife.

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For our monthly roundup of environmental news from the month of July, we tackle Ecological Fiscal Transfers, ship-source pollution and its impacts on our maritime environments, and the illegal trade of wildlife, with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn.

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our monthly tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. This month, we're heading to Kedah, to visit places like Taman Eko Rimba Bukit Wang, Air Terjun Bukit Perangin, Pedu Lake, Ulu Muda and more, with our guide, Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Listen to our previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1: Kuala Tahan

Episode 2: Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan

Episode 3: Bukit Batu Putih in Port Dickson

Episode 4: The Sultan Iskandar Marine Park & More

Episode 5: Merapoh

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It's International Tiger Day on the 29th of July, celebrated annually to raise awareness for tiger conservation. In Malaysia, we are still fighting tooth and nail to protect the critically endangered Malayan Tiger, our symbol of national pride, and the apex predator in our forests. With stats putting their numbers at less than 150 left in the wild, what more can we do to keep them in the wild, for generations to come? We discuss this and more with Christopher Wong, the Tiger Lead for WWF-Malaysia, while also discussing recent cases of Human-Tiger Conflict (HTC) and what more can be done to foster coexistence instead. 

Image Credit: WWF-Malaysia

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Rising more than 1000m above sea level on the Titiwangsa Range, and straddling the Pahang-Selangor border, Fraser’s Hill is a highland rainforest area that is a popular ecotourism getaway for many, and affectionately known as the little England of Malaysia. There are rumblings that Fraser's Hill might be turned into a state park - though the idea is very early in the development stage - and to brand around 83,000 hectares of land as the Fraser's Hill Forest Complex. What are the pro's and con's of turning the area into a state park, and what considerations must be taken into account before this idea is executed? Two concerned and long-time residents of Fraser's Hill, Nik Jassmin Hew and Sean Yap, who are also the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively of Persatuan Alam dan Warisan Bukit Fraser (PAWBF), join us to share their concerns and ideas.

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The Life and Times of Jenah is a series of three interconnected animated marine educational videos, which aims to spread awareness on the threats facing the marine environment. Written, directed, produced, illustrated, animated and voiced by an all-local team led by Reef Stakes, the series puts the viewer in the fins of Jenah, a black-spotted snapper, that spends portions of her life cycle in three marine ecosystems - mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. We catch up with animator Maxine Choo, and Tabitha Ow, the voiceover talent for the production, to find out how they are working together with scientists to promote marine environment conservation.

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‘Mummy, Where's My Dorsal Fin?’ follows the adventures of a little Indo-Pacific finless porpoise calf named Aluna and her mother Cheriya, as they explore their beautiful habitat around the Langkawi Archipelago. Described as a story of discovery, learning, and hope in a changing world, the book was also inspired by the natural beauty of Langkawi. We catch up with marine biologist Dr Louisa Ponnampalam, the Chairperson of the MareCet Research Organisation and author of the book, to find out more about the stories that inspired her first children's publication, and how she and other scientists are using writing and the creative arts to spread the message on conservation of the environment.

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The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) recently held its 59th Meeting, with the aim to explore and illustrate the options and opportunities for balancing science, conservation and society around the world of tropical biodiversity. Environment writer and co-founder of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Law Yao Hua, was in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, for the meetings, and joins us to share more about what went down last week, some exciting advances in tropical biology research, and how the declaration has called for practical solutions for a climate-resilient future.

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The RM5 billion Nenggiri Hydroelectric Project located in Kelantan is expected to supplement renewable energy for Malaysia, and also potentially generate 2,000 new jobs, on top of mitigating flood issues in the state. But for the Orang Asli in Gua Musang who call the area home, the project will submerge up to 5,834 hectares of forest that are their cultural lands, and force them to leave their homeland. They also believe the mega dam project will erase the historical trace of Orang Asli Temiar in West Malaysia, among many other issues. We speak to lawyer Seira Sacha Abu Bakar, the Chairperson of the Committee on Orang Asli Rights for the Malaysian Bar, for updates about the project, including how the recent Nenggiri archaeological excavation works by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) unearthed artefacts including skeletal remains dating back 14000 years, making the site older than where the Perak Man was found.

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Myles Storey is a wildlife filmmaker, who has worked on productions with the BBC, World Animal Protection, and Roots & Shoots Malaysia, among others. Keen to tell stories that can impact our relationship with nature, Myles produced and directed Finding Solo, a documentary about the last white-handed gibbon in Bukit Serdang, and he was also the wildlife videographer and director of the documentary Wang Kelian - The Forgotten Valley. Myles joins us to share more about his work in filming untold conservation stories from Malaysia, and also to discuss how wildlife filmmaking can be a powerful tool for wildlife conservation.

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An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for a new international airport on Pulau Tioman has been made public and is now open for review and comments from the public - plans include 141.6ha of reclamation, moving corals, and quarrying. Pulau Tioman is known for its beautiful beaches, and the island hosts three related marine ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves. Visitors head to Tioman in search of nature-related adventures, and tourism on islands has a huge economic impact and importance. But locals, environmentalists and conservationists are concerned with this proposed new airport, as they believe it will not only negatively impact the ecosystems there, but also that the existing social infrastructure is insufficient for the increased tourist numbers that will come with a new airport. Should we be investing in large-scale tourism infrastructure in this current environment, or should we be looking long term, and preparing our tourism destinations for a different reality: small groups; authentic experiences; peace and quiet? We discuss this and more with Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.

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As June draws to an end, we speak to Law Yao Hua, co-founder of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, to discuss the top environmental news of the month past. We discuss how it has been estimated that there are RM809bil worth of rare earths in Malaysia, making it a hot commodity for state governments to pursue - can this industry be developed sustainably and responsibly? We also discuss the EIA report of a proposed new Tioman Island International Airport which is now up for review, looking at the many concerns about the development, and its projected impacts to the island, before finally looking forward to activities lined up for World Tiger Day on the 29th of July.

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our monthly tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. 

For this episode, we're heading to Merapoh, a small town in Lipis, Pahang, which is located next to the Pahang-Kelantan border. Merapoh is one of the lesser used entrances to Taman Negara National Park, and is a popular spot for spelunking activities, and is also known for its karst landscape. We explore the teeming biodiversity, trails, and waterways of this area with Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Listen to our previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1: Kuala Tahan

Episode 2: Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan

Episode 3: Bukit Batu Putih in Port Dickson

Episode 4: The Sultan Iskandar Marine Park & More

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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In the 1950's, it was estimated that Malaysia had as many as 3000 tigers in the wild. In 2022, that number had dwindled to an estimated 150.  Is there still a chance to save our Malayan tiger? The answer is yes, and the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) are spearheading several grassroots efforts which involve individuals playing their part in the conservation of our amazing tigers, including the Rewilding Yu programme, and the CAT Walk and CSR CAT Walk. We speak to Muna Noor, a Conservation Officer with MYCAT to find out more about how we all play a part in reversing the decline of the Malayan Tiger.

Image Credit: Suzalinur Manja Bidin @ MYCAT

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In 2018, China’s National Sword Policy came into effect, banning 24 (later 32) types of solid waste imports to the country, including plastic and paper waste. This, we know, caused a global disruption in the recyclable material market and redirected plastic waste to new destination countries, primarily in Southeast Asia. From January to July 2018, Malaysia became the world's top destination for plastic waste exports. This influx led to a sharp rise in illegal recycling facilities and illegal dumpsites, causing land, water and air pollution. This has been described as being akin to “waste colonialism” - where more powerful countries export their toxic waste problem to developing countries and acquire local resources to meet their own goals. In New Zealand, it was reported that since 2014, the country has sent over 300,000 tonnes of plastic waste overseas - mostly to developing countries, including Malaysia. There is now a petition for the country to ban plastic waste exports to developing countries, a campaign being led by Malaysian-born lawyer Lydia Chai. Lydia joins us, to share more.

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Plastics only started to be made in large quantities after World War 2, but since then, the pollution from all the plastic we manufacture and use has become one of the most serious threats humanity faces. According to the IUCN, by 2015, 60% of all plastic ever produced had become plastic waste, and is practically everywhere - it’s in the air, in the soil, in freshwater, and in the sea. In 2019, only 9% of plastic waste was recycled globally, while 22% was mismanaged - the UN calls in a planetary crisis. In Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia estimates that the total annual post-consumer plastic waste generated here in 2016 was over one million tonnes, which could fill 76,000 rubbish trucks. With such a seemingly monumental crisis facing us, what must we do to stem the plastic pollution tide? We discuss what the sustainable production and consumption of plastics must be like with Tahirah Banu Mohamed Ariff, the Plastic Initiative Manager at WWF-Malaysia.

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Humanity is facing a plastic pollution crisis. It's said that plastic production has risen exponentially in the last decades, and now amounts to some 400 million tons per year– a figure set to double by 2040. In 2022, UN Member States agreed to start negotiating a historic new global treaty to end plastic pollution. The framework is now being negotiated throughout a series of meetings across the globe, and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) are working on developing this international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. In conjunction with World Environment Day which was on the 5th of June, we take up the theme to #BeatPlasticPollution and speak to Mageswari Sangaralingam, a Senior Research Officer from Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers Association of Penang, about the ongoing talks, and whether a resolution to clearly take us towards a future with no plastic pollution can be a reality.

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It's World Reef Awareness Day on the 1st of June, celebrated annually to reflect on our ocean's delicate coral reefs, and to bring together communities and leaders around the world to conserve these incredible marine ecosystems. Beyond their ecological services, coral reefs are valuable to communities for food security, storm protection, cultural value, and more. But with human activity and a warming planet rapidly degrading these precious and fragile ecosystems, a range of interventions are needed to protect them. We speak to three coral reef ecologists, Sebastian Szereday (Co-founder, Coralku), Alvin Chelliah (Senior Programme Manager, Reef Check Malaysia) and Affendi Yang Amri (Coral Reef Ecologist, University of Malaya, and Researcher, Projek Pulih) about the dynamic ecosystem hidden beneath the ocean's surface, and how they are working through their respective organisation to reverse coral reefs decline. They also help to outline the good, the bad, and the ugly truths behind coral reef restoration, and expand on why preservation is always the smart thing to do.

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May is coming to a close, which makes it time for another roundup of top environmental news with the co-founders of journalism portal, Macaranga. This month, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua join us to discuss the heatwaves we are contending with in Malaysia, while tying it to water supply concerns that are increasing across the peninsula. Next we discuss how Malaysia and Indonesia are gearing up for a two-day joint mission to Brussels, to deliberate on issues pertaining to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that is "negatively impacting the palm oil industry." Following that, we dissect the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change ministry's plans to impose a total ban on plastic bags in Malaysia by 2025 - a welcome plan by many, but how will this be executed in reality? On a plastic related note, we look forward to celebrating World Environment Day on the 5th of June, whose theme this year is to Beat Plastic Pollution, limit waste and push for a transition to a circular economy.

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Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our monthly tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. In our fourth episode, we're heading over to Southeast Johor, more specifically the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park to visit some of the beautiful islands there, before taking a trip to Desaru and Mersing, for both island adventures, but also to experience some local cultural treats the places have to offer. Helping us navigate these beautiful waters is Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Listen to our previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1: Kuala Tahan

Episode 2: Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan

Episode 3: Bukit Batu Putih in Port Dickson

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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The battle to save Taman Rimba Kiara is finally over, with the Federal Court's ruling in favour of protecting the space, by quashing a development order by the DBKL to develop the area. Many have described the long fight to preserve this green lung as a David vs Goliath undertaking - how did the community rally together to coordinate and take on the authorities? We speak to three of the many involved in the saga, Hafiz Abu Bakar (Former Chairman, TTDI Residents Association), Leon Koay (Committee Coordinator, Save Taman Rimba Kiara Working Group) and Khairudin Rahim (Media Coordinator, Save Taman Rimba Kiara Working Group) about the monumental effort that saved a park, and brought together a community for the greater good.

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It's International Day for Biological Diversity today, celebrated annually on the 22nd of May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year, the theme is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity” and is meant to promote action in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. On today's show, we want to celebrate Malaysia's incredible biodiversity by revisiting previous Earth Matters interviews, which all highlighted different aspects of Malaysia's incredible biodiversity. Listen to snippets from these episodes: The ABC's of Biodiversity: River Terrapins, The ABC's of Biodiversity: Seagrasses, and The ABC's of Biodiversity: Gibbons of Malaysia.

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Earlier this May, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) officially accepted a complaint against Malaysian timber company Samling, which was filed by civil society groups last October. The FSC accepted the complaint after determining there was “sufficient evidence” regarding violations of FSC policies, and the council has said it will open a case into alleged illegal logging, violations of traditional and human rights, destruction of high conservation value forests and significant conversion of forests as grounds for dissociation. Separately in June 2021, the same timber company filed a lawsuit against Malaysian NGO SAVE Rivers and its directors for publishing allegedly defamatory statements as part of its “Stop the Chop” campaign. To date, the case has been postponed four times. What are the issues behind both these cases? We speak to Jettie Word, the Director of The Borneo Project, to help us unpack what's happening over in Sarawak.

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Bukit Kiara is a much loved green lung in our rather green lung deprived city centre. A former rubber estate, the area is now a popular spot for thousands of Klang Valley residents in search of ways to commune with nature. The area is not fully gazetted though, and the NGO Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) have long been championing the protection and preservation of this area, and are always working towards raising awareness of the importance of keeping Bukit Kiara green and intact. They are organising FOBK Bukit Kiara Hill Walk in conjunction with Earth Day 2023 on the 21st of May, and we find out more about this from Leon Koay, the President of FOBK, who will also remind us about the many wonders found in this urban forest, including the world’s largest firefly!

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The Penang South Islands (PSI) project was initially a massive reclamation project to create three islands off the southern coast of Penang island. The RM10 billion reclamation project is a state government initiative to finance the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan through the reclamation of the three islands covering 1,620ha off Permatang Damar Laut. The project has faced fierce and vociferous opposition from many, including environmentalists and local fishermen. We catch up with Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, to discuss the negative social and environmental impacts this project is expected to cause, and why concerned groups are still calling for the project to be scrapped, despite the project now being scaled down by 49% to one island, from the original three.

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