Earth Matters

It's being called a Code Red for Humanity. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report , which was prepared by 234 scientists from 66 countries, highlights how human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years. This sobering assessment - endorsed by the world's governments - is the first major review of the science of cli...

They're the largest land mammal on the Asian continent, a keystone species, invaluable ecosystem engineers, and cute to boot. Decades ago, the Asian Elephant could be found in almost every state in Peninsular Malaysia, but their numbers have dwindled so much that these days, you'll likely encounter them in only six states. The usual litany of issues - habitat loss and fragmentation, and human-elep...

Back in January of this year, scientists devised what they called the " 10 golden rules for reforestation ", around ‘right tree, right place’ principle. These rules challenged the myth that ‘all tree planting is good’ and brought out discussions of best practices for protecting and restoring the world’s forests. Many of those rules were already being put into practice...

As we've seen, pandemic or not, a conservationist's work carries on, as threats to the survival of wildlife continue. The same is the case for Dr Chen Pelf Nyok and her team at the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia , who have been working tirelessly to ensure the survival of river terrapins, a critically-endangered freshwater turtle species here in Malaysia. While working for the survival of...

It was International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem On Monday – celebrated annually on the 26th of July - and on Monday's episode of Earth Matters , we did a 101 on the characteristics of mangroves, and why they are so important to people and the planet. (Hint: They are carbon-hoarding, coastline-protecting forests which are sponges for greenhouse gases, among many other...

For July's look-back, the Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers of Macaranga.org , Wong Siew Lyn & Law Yao Hua, have plants on their minds. First up, it was recently reported that Australian miner Lynas Rare Earths Limited is considering a new site to build their permanent disposal facility for their radioactive waste, from the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant. The company is reportedly planning a...

Mangroves are described as rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea, which contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. But reports estimate that 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional 1% is lost each year, putting mangroves at a risk of being destroyed altogether. In conjunction w...

Mangroves are described as rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea, which contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. But reports estimate that 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional 1% is lost each year, putting mangroves at a risk of being destroyed altogether. In conjunction w...

Social enterprise Hara Makers have been working towards reducing plastic pollution, and started the Reimagine Plastic Project as a way of working towards that. The initiative is also a community and income-generating project for the economically disadvantaged, by providing them with vocational skills in recycling and upcycling of plastic waste. They have successfully fused plastic bags and plastic...

A staple Hari Raya dish, there is little research on the origins of the ketupat, though academics date its beginnings to 14th and 15th century Java. Traditionally made from different species of palm leaves, many now opt for "ketupat plastik" - which is cheaper and readily available, but also less sustainable, and yet another contributor to plastic waste. Dr Jarina Mohd Jani, a senior lecturer at t...

Pua Lay Peng received death threats, had her home splashed with red paint, her work and life disrupted, and was accused of having nothing better to do by the authorities - all in the name of protecting her home in Jenjarom from unlicensed plastic recyclers. These illegal operators were turning the area into a toxic cauldron of pollution, whose modus operandi was to set up ad-hoc factories in quiet...

From January to July 2018, Malaysia became the world's top destination for plastic waste exports. Even today, we are still reeling from pollution and effects caused by other countries’ waste - a sharp rise in illegal recycling facilities and illegal dumpsites, and land, water and air pollution. The C4 Center or the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism's research into the issue found that...

From a Facebook group to a full-fledged movement and organisation, the folks behind Zero Waste Malaysia are keeping up the good fight to get more Malaysians on-board with the zero-waste way of life. Always exploring new ways to reach people, last year they launched a Lesson Plan and virtual classroom, and now, they are going to launch the MY Zero Waste Life - Summarized handbook, a free-to-access...

World Firefly Day is observed annually during the first weekend in July, and is a global celebration of these fascinating and amazing creatures that inspire wonder in so many of us. Dr Sara Lewis, a Professor of Biology at Tufts University, has researched the luminous lives of fireflies for nearly three decades now, and she is also the co-chair of the IUCN Firefly Specialist Group, and works on gl...

We've all been living through a traumatic year, both in relation to this public-health crisis as well as the social-justice crossroads we face as a country. With lockdowns continuing until “underdetermined dates” in Malaysia, many are being overwhelmed by feelings of despair, loneliness, anger and fatigue, among others. Can turning to the natural world be the panacea to help us get thr...

In this month's round-up, we first look at all the news surrounding old and new environmental extractive projects - the Penang South Islands reclamation, the mining projects at Tasik Chini and Som forest, the sand-mining at Setiu Wetlands - what gives? Next up, we look at a massive deforestation project in Bukit Ibam, Pahang, which will displace Orang Asli families, and also the land dispute cases...

KampungKu is a series of renewable energy projects dedicated to resolving the energy-related needs of Orang Asli communities across Malaysia, by providing small-scale solar solutions. With help from the Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) and other partners, ten easy-to-use, mobile photovoltaic cells and solar lamps were installed in cooperation with the Orang Asli of Kampung...

Setiu Wetlands is one of the largest natural wetlands in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is the only wetland in Malaysia with nine – though some say ten - interconnected ecosystems such as beaches, mudflats, lagoons, estuaries, rivers, islands, coastal forests and mangrove forests. But recently, a local environmental NGO, Ecoswed Initiative, raised the alarm about licensed sand mi...

Setiu Wetlands is one of the largest natural wetlands in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is the only wetland in Malaysia with nine – though some say ten - interconnected ecosystems such as beaches, mudflats, lagoons, estuaries, rivers, islands, coastal forests and mangrove forests. But recently, a local environmental NGO, Ecoswed Initiative, raised the alarm about licensed sand mi...

The Penang South Reclamation (PSR) megaproject is a massive reclamation project to create three islands off the southern coast of Penang island. The size of the proposed reclamation in question involves 4,500 acres of environmentally sensitive areas - that's about the size of Johor’s Forest City. Many Penangites and local civil society organisations have called for the project to be cancelle...

As we stay home to stay safe, our disconnect with the outside world could also be resulting in a disconnect with nature and the natural world. Even prior to coronavirus lockdowns, most of us were spending 90% of our time indoors, and many are increasingly worried that children aren't getting enough green time, much to their detriment. How is the disconnect between children and the natural world li...

Tasik Chini is one of only two natural freshwater lakes in Malaysia, and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Since the late 1990’s though, Tasik Chini's ecosystem has faced steady degradation, negatively impacting the lives of the local communities that depend on it. Most recently, news has emerged that the Pahang government has approved mining operations in the vicinity of Tasik Chini in Pekan t...

Coral Triangle Day is observed every year on the 9th of June, and is a celebration to raise awareness of ocean conservation and protection, especially on the Coral Triangle, the world's epicenter of marine biodiversity. In our continued coverage on Coral Triangle Day, we speak to Dr Jillian Ooi (Marine Ecologist & Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaya) and Affendi Yang Amri (Coral Reef Ecologist,...

 The Coral Triangle Day is observed every year on the 9th of June, and is a celebration to raise awareness of ocean conservation and protection, especially on the Coral Triangle, the world's epicenter of marine biodiversity. The Coral Triangle encompasses the seas of six countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Le...

With the effects of climate change already being reported, its impact will only intensify over time, affecting the children and youth of today, who will bear the brunt of our actions. Often burdened with the role as the "last generation that can end climate change", many have taken up the problem and are encouraging more to do so. Ahead of World Environment Day, we speak to young environmental act...