Earth Matters

If one thing is clear from the recent flood disaster, it's that Malaysia isn't prepared for changing weather patterns, and extreme weather events. Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY), a loose coalition of civil society organisations and individuals which was formed in 2021 to address Malaysia’s response to the global climate emergency through urgent and concerted action, have come up with a li...

We look back at some of the issues and stories covered on Earth Matters in 2021, this time focussing on conservation heroes, namely Pua Lay Peng and the Menraq Patrol Unit . Image credit: RIMAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look back at some of the issues and stories covered on Earth Matters in 2021 concerning the plastic pollution crisis, focussing on three stories in particular: firstly, the links between plastic pollution and corruption , secondly, how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the plastic crisis , and finally, how we can reduce our use of plastic, and attempt to live a zero-waste lifestyle . Image cred...

We look back at some of the stories and issues covered on Earth Matters in 2021, concerning the protection of our wildlife. In this look-back episode, we focus specifically on conservation efforts for Bornean elephants , bats and our Malayan tigers . Image credit: Wikimedia Commons & Flickr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look back at some of the issues and stories covered on Earth Matters in 2021 concerning the protection of forests, focussing on three stories in particular: firstly, the links between deforestation and flooding , secondly, the ongoing Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve saga, and finally, the proposed development of the Shah Alam Community Forest . Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/li...

In early December 2021, a broad alliance of civil society organisations filed a pioneering complaint at the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), in response to the chronic and persistent haze pollution. Led by CERAH – Anti Haze Action and Greenpeace Malaysia , the coalition are advocating for a public inquiry into the gaps in the governance of domestic and transboundary haze pollution, and...

It's our final wrap-up of the year with the folks from local journalism portal Macaranga , Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. On the show today, we have a wide-ranging discussion on environment-related news from 2021, related to forests (and deforestation), wildlife conservation, and also the outcomes of COP26, while also looking forward to what might be in 2022. You can find out how to support Macara...

There are lots of movements happening in the usually sleepy highlands of Fraser's Hill, with the Raub Draft District Local Plan 2035 proposing to revive and turn Fraser’s Hill into a major tourist destination. But residents and other stakeholders are divided as to what would be best for the future of this heritage spot, and it's long term survival. Special guest host Keith Kam heads up to th...

Worms are highly underrated, and their services to humankind goes unnoticed below the surface, and are therefore unappreciated. But not so for advocates of vermicomposting like Prof Dr Chan Yoo Kuen, who understands the vital role worms play in keeping us healthy and nourished. It was World Soil Day on the 5th of December, and in conjunction with that, Prof Chan, who is a CEO – Chief Earthwo...

From monkeys to millipedes, Layar Liar is a 52-episode online documentary series, aimed at getting more Malaysians to know and love our natural heritage. Mainly targeted at students and presented in Bahasa Malaysia, the series takes us all on a tour to witness our local wildlife wonders, and remind us why our forests and other natural landscapes - and all its inhabitants - must be protected at all...

Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, the Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers from online journalism portal, Macaranga join us again for a round-up of big environmental news, from the month of November 2021. This month, we've got pledges on our minds - first, Malaysia's pledge at COP26 to stop deforestation by 2030, and also what Malaysia has agreed to, by signing the Global Methane Pledge, along with 10...

Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, the Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers from online journalism portal, Macaranga join us again for a round-up of big environmental news, from the month of November 2021. This month, we've got pledges on our minds - first, Malaysia's pledge at COP26 to stop deforestation by 2030, and also what Malaysia has agreed to, by signing the Global Methane Pledge, along with 10...

Founded in 2012, 1StopBorneo Wildlife aims to conserve the rainforests and the rich biodiversity of Borneo through education, wildlife rescue, eco-tourism and research. Originally founded in Brunei, it has since expanded to Sarawak and Sabah, and the team works with a wide variety of species and habitats including pangolins, elephants, clouded leopards, Irrawaddy dolphins, and a variety of reptile...

The fate of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) is still hanging in the balance. Though the Menteri Besar of Selangor announced back in September that the degazetted forest would be regazetted, nothing has happened so far. The MB has also said that the regazettement will only take place after a decision is made on the East Coast Rail Link alignment. What does this all mean and what is st...

"Gender and climate are profoundly intertwined." This was asserted by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President. But were the voices of women, especially those from developing and poorer nations, heard and taken seriously at the recently concluded COP26 in Glasgow? We speak to activist Ana Celestial, who is a member of both the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment , and the Asia Pacific For...

Jacques Cousteau, the late world-renowned oceanographer, once described Pulau Sipadan as an untouched piece of art. But Sipadan is just one of the many breathtaking islands in Sabah, whose waters are renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity and beautiful, healthy coral reefs. If you're looking for your next Cuti-Cuti Malaysia underwater adventure, find out why Sabah's islands should be on...

The COP26 climate summit was arguably one of the most important diplomatic meetings in history. Were the negotiations to ensure action to deal with the climate emergency a success, or a failure? We find out what went down in Glasgow from Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Head of Programmes at the Third World Network (TWN) , who was at the conference.   Image cr...

The COP26 climate summit was arguably one of the most important diplomatic meetings in history. Were the negotiations to ensure action to deal with the climate emergency a success, or a failure? We find out what went down in Glasgow from Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Head of Programmes at the Third World Network (TWN), who was at the conference.   Image cre...

Pristine white beaches, jungles, mangrove forests, mountains, charming fishing villages, amazing local delicacies - Perak's Pangkor Island has so much to offer for travellers looking for their next Cuti-Cuti Malaysia stop. As the saying goes, “tak kenal, maka tak cinta” so we find more about what Pangkor has to offer from YB Dato Nolee Ashilin binti Datuk Muhammed Radzi, the Perak Stat...

There's a saying: We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Sadly, we seem to be poor borrowers, giving back a planet riddled with environmental degradation for our kids to deal with, and a climate crisis to boot. No child is responsible for rising global temperatures, but they will pay the highest costs. A new exploratory study by UNICEF Malaysia, together wi...

Think of this sobering thought - every piece of plastic you have ever touched is still on Earth. Whether intact or disintegrating, it's here. The plastic pollution crisis was bad enough before the pandemic, but the response to COVID-19 has also resulted in increased use of plastic-based products such as reusable masks, gloves and even more packaging as we shopped online more, just to name a few. H...

In tabling Budget 2022, the government has said it is committed to strengthening the nation’s sustainability agenda. We look at what has been promised under this year's budget, specifically in terms of protecting Malaysia's priceless environment and biodiversity, with Andrew Sebastian, the President and CEO of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY). Brought to you by Mah...

We dissect Budget 2022, and discuss if conservation of the environment was prioritised in this year's budget with Sharan Raj, a Central Committee Member of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM). We also focus on the government's plans to provide full exemption from import and excise duties as well as sales tax for Electric Vehicles (EV), to support the development of the local EV industry, and the impacts...

We dissect Budget 2022, and discuss if conservation of the environment was prioritised in this year's budget with Sharan Raj, a Central Committee Member of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM). We also focus on the government's plans to provide full exemption from import and excise duties as well as sales tax for Electric Vehicles (EV), to support the development of the local EV industry, and the impacts...

The Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2021 was tabled for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat earlier this month, and will include new provisions, namely Section 88A and 88B, that provide for punishments for those who organise wildlife shows and promote wildlife. We discuss the proposed amendments and whether it will go far enough to fill the loopholes in existing wildlife laws, with Marian...