Earth Matters

When it comes to protecting Malaysia’s natural heritage, sometimes it’s the smallest creatures that spark the biggest movements. In Sungai Sepetang, fireflies are uniting communities, scientists, and storytellers alike. This was captured in Macaranga's latest publication, titled: It Takes a Village to Keep Fireflies Flashing . We chat with the article's writer Liani MK, and Sonny Wong, a member of...

As urban areas expand and forests shrink, humans and macaques are increasingly crossing paths - but not always peacefully. What can we do to reduce negative interactions, and promote harmony with our wild neighbours? Dr Nadine Ruppert (Vice-President of the Malaysian Primatological Society , and an associate professor at the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Dr Sharmini Ju...

The recent settlement between the Temoq Orang Asli and a major oil palm company is being called a breakthrough for indigenous land rights in Malaysia. But while it’s a step forward in court, it’s not the end of the story. What was gained, what was lost, and what’s next? To help us unpack this complex case, we’re joined by Dr Lim Teckwyn Lim, who was an environmental expert witness on the case, and...

It’s been a busy month for environmental news in Malaysia, from courtrooms to highland roads and wildlife crossings. In this roundup with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga - Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn - we’re taking a closer look at three major stories that grabbed headlines in May: a key court decision involving Bukit Cherakah forest reserve, a controversial road pro...

We're kicking off a new series on Earth Matters, Nature Reads, a show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with the good folks at independent bookstore Sunda Shelves , and in this first episode, we explore the storybook called Sen’oi Serog, published by the Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre. I...

Otters are more than just cute faces, they are top predators in the wetland food chain and guardians of ecosystem balance. Ahead of World Otters Day, the Malaysia Otter Network and Rimbun Dahan are teaming up to shine a light on these remarkable mammals through a day of engaging activities for all ages. We speak with wildlife biologist Woo Chee Yoong and Rimbun Dahan ’s Bilqis Hijjas about the eve...

In 2024, Malaysia experienced its most devastating coral bleaching event on record, with more than half of the country's corals turning ghostly white under extreme ocean heat. It was part of the fourth global coral bleaching event, a stark reminder of how climate change is rapidly reshaping our seas. To understand what this means for our reefs, marine life, and coastal communities, we speak with c...

Songbird competitions are a cherished tradition across Malaysia, but behind the melodic chirps and prized trophies lies a booming - and troubling - trade. Recent investigations have revealed how demand for birds like the Oriental Magpie-robin and Red-whiskered Bulbul is pushing wild populations to the brink, all while legal protections lag behind. All of this is covered in Macaranga's latest two-p...

Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, but protecting its incredible wildlife is no easy task. Shavez Cheema, founder of 1StopBorneo Wildlife , has dedicated his life to doing just that, blending education, community work, and tourism to create real conservation impact. He joins us to talk about his work in conservation, his brand-new, free Borneo Nature Travel Guide, and why we nee...

As biodiversity loss accelerates, there’s a growing push to get financial institutions to take responsibility. In Malaysia, Bank Negara has announced plans to adopt nature-related risk assessments inspired by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures or TNFD, which is a global initiative that provides a framework for companies and financial institutions to report and manage nature-rela...

It's our fourth round-up of environmental news for 2025, with the good folks from environmental journalism portal Macaranga . Co-founders Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua join us to look back at news from April 2025, first focussing on the troubling news about beheadings of Bornean pygmy elephants in Sabah, and the possible reasons behind these gruesome killings. Next we dissect the dispute between Y...

Gonggong, sea cucumbers, and carpet anemones—just some of the treasures gleaned from Johor’s seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows are often overlooked in conservation plans, yet for coastal communities in Johor, they’re essential. In this second episode of our two-part series on seagrass, we want to explore the connection between seagrass meadows and small-scale fishing communities in Johor with Ass...

You’ve probably heard about saving coral reefs and planting mangroves, but what about seagrass? These underwater meadows are quietly holding up our coasts and climate, but we’re losing them fast - at about two football fields every hour, globally. In the first of a two part series on seagrass, we speak to marine ecologist Associate Professor Dr. Jillian Ooi , to help us understand seagrass better,...

Malaysia’s forests and ecosystems are critical to both our natural heritage and climate goals — and yet, managing them often falls to state governments with limited resources and incentives. That’s where the Ecological Fiscal Transfer, or EFT, comes in: a federal funding mechanism designed to reward states for protecting their natural assets. But how well is it working, and what could make it stro...

It’s a classic David versus Goliath story: two environmental NGOs taking on the state government to protect Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve — only to be held back by a judicial delay that’s lasted over a year. Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka) and the Shah Alam Community Forest Society (SACF) say the system is failing them, and the forest, with legal processes moving far too slowly to keep p...

A new report from energy think tank Ember reveals a global clean energy milestone: low-carbon sources supplied 40.9% of the world’s electricity in 2024, driven by record-breaking growth in solar power. In contrast, ASEAN generated just 26% of its electricity from clean sources, and clean generation in the region is no longer keeping pace with demand. With massive solar and wind potential still lar...

Bukit Kiara is one of the Klang Valley’s last remaining green lungs, a beloved patch of forest that offers a daily dose of nature to thousands of urban dwellers. But beyond its walking trails and morning joggers lies an ecosystem teeming with life — that is also under threat. We speak with Professor Darryl Jones , an urban ecologist and bird expert from the Centre for Planetary Health & Food S...

Sabah has introduced its first-ever 10-year Bornean Sun Bear Action Plan (2025–2034) to tackle the pressing threats facing the species, which is classified as vulnerable to extinction. Developed through extensive consultation, the plan focuses on habitat protection, stronger law enforcement, population monitoring, and public awareness. We catch up with Dr. Wong Siew Te, a wildlife biologist, tropi...

Malaysia’s airports have become hotspots for wildlife trafficking, with thousands of animals smuggled through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in just the last few months. Endangered primates, turtles, reptiles, and even bats have been packed into luggage and flown out of the country, often only intercepted at other airports outside the country. What’s allowing this illegal trade to thriv...

As we close off March, time to look back at some of the top environmental news from the month past, with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal, Macaranga . Together we discuss some current legal disputes being played out in court involving Orang Asli communities, who are facing issues such as destruction of their ancestral land and cultural heritage. We also discuss the supposed pro's...

Behind every wildlife crime is a legal battle - one that Justice for Wildlife Malaysia (JWM) is determined to strengthen. Recognising the critical role of the judiciary in conservation, JWM works to enhance prosecutorial processes, improve investigative methods, and educate legal professionals on the far-reaching impacts of wildlife crime. Originally a spin-off of the Justice for Silent Victims (J...

Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is often presented as a solution to climate change, including here in Malaysia. But according to new research by environmental think-tank RimbaWatch, CCUS is not only ineffective at reducing emissions but is actively enabling further fossil fuel extraction, and could actually unlock a 1.3 billion-tonne carbon bomb. With billions of ringgit at stake a...

The Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JETP, was designed to help countries move away from coal, towards clean energy. But with the United States recently pulling out of its financial commitments, many are wondering if the model can still work. Grant Hauber, an expert in energy finance, who has been closely following developments, argues that the JETP can still succeed without U.S. involvement...

When a major development project is announced—whether it’s a highway, a dam, or a large-scale plantation—one of the most critical steps in the process is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). But how does the EIA process work, and how much influence does public feedback really have? In a three-part series , environmental journalism portal Macaranga spoke to stakeholders to explore all this an...

For generations, farmers in Malaysia have saved and shared seeds, preserving biodiversity, culture, and food security. But a new proposed law could change that, shifting control of seeds—and ultimately food production—into the hands of corporations. What does this mean for the future of farming in Malaysia? How will it impact smallholder farmers, indigenous communities, and even consumers? We disc...