Earth Matters

The Annual Terrapin Release, a significant and joyous event for Malaysia's terrapin conservation efforts, is happening soon. Organised and spearheaded by the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia , the event is held annually on the first Saturday of October, and is the climax of the Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project, a community-based project that has saved more than 9700 terrapin eggs...

There is growing local opposition to logging in the Baram Forest, with the Baram Penan communities leading efforts to protect their land from further destruction. At the heart of this movement is the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA), also known as the Baram Peace Park . The Penan community recently delivered a petition with over 500 signatures to Sarawak government officials, demanding an immediate...

There is a growing movement against Japan's controversial policy to export carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions to other countries, particularly in the Global South. Spearheading this movement is Ayumi Fukakusa, the Deputy Executive Director of Friends of the Earth Japan , who initiated a global petition earlier this year, raising serious concerns over the implications of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS...

Recently, Cameron Highlands MP and the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Dato' Dr. Ramli bin Dato' Mohd Nor, proposed to place Orang Asli matters under the Federal Constitution’s Concurrent List, which would give both federal and state governments legislative authority over these issues. The Malaysian Bar had some concerns about this, arguing that the federal government already has sufficient po...

Recently, Cameron Highlands MP and the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Dato' Dr. Ramli bin Dato' Mohd Nor, proposed to place Orang Asli matters under the Federal Constitution’s Concurrent List, which would give both federal and state governments legislative authority over these issues. The Malaysian Bar had some concerns about this, arguing that the federal government already has sufficient po...

The Free Tree Society (FTS) is an organisation that has long been dedicated to urban rewilding and environmental education, right here in Kuala Lumpur. Their latest initiative, the Bangsar Ecological Connector: A Community Driven Rewilding Initiative was just launched, and is an effort to restore biodiversity, foster community involvement, and create sustainable urban ecosystems. We find out more...

As our oceans and coastlines face increasing threats from pollution, initiatives like International Coastal Cleanup Day become more crucial than ever. This global event brings together communities, volunteers, and organisations to tackle the growing problem of marine debris. In Malaysia, Reef Check Malaysia has been at the forefront of these efforts, playing a pivotal role in mobilising local part...

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. Through the series, 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. A conservation expedition rather than an ecotourism adventure, the Citizen Action for Tige...

It's that time of the month where we speak to Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga , for a round-up of top environmental news from August 2024. Today on our list, we look at Sabah's Tawai Forest Reserve, described as "a unique ecological treasure" but which is facing threats from the construction of the Pan Borneo highway.  We then turn o...

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden , the University of Malaya's 80-hectare botanical garden, is an important conservation site and educational resource in Malaysia. Since its inception in 1974, the garden has evolved from an abandoned rubber estate into a flourishing haven for around 1,700 plant species, offering a unique rainforest experience in an urban setting. Original...

A new analysis by global energy think tank Ember reveals that solar power generation in Peninsular Malaysia was 53% cheaper than fossil fuels in 2023, offering significant cost savings and energy security benefits. The report highlights the untapped potential of Malaysia's solar resources, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, and advocates for accelerated solar growth and grid...

Asian elephants are the largest land mammals on the Asian continent and play a crucial role as keystone species and ecosystem engineers. Distinguished by their smaller ears and domed heads compared to their African counterparts, these gentle giants once roamed across diverse habitats from grasslands to rainforests throughout Asia. However, their population has sharply declined due to habitat loss,...

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is globally recognised as a barometer of the world’s biodiversity. This year, the Red list includes over 163,000 species of animals, fungi, and plants, with 28% of them threatened with extinction. One notable mention: our very own Bornean pygmy elephant. Scientists believe there are only about 1,000 animals...

In a significant victory for wildlife protection, authorities in Malaysia seized over 1,000 parts from endangered species like Malayan tigers and leopards near Taman Negara National Park not too long ago. Four individuals were arrested, and this massive operation highlights the critical role of increased enforcement in protecting our biodiversity hotspots. We discuss the impact of this seizure, th...

With the simple motto to “Recycle, Reduce, Reuse” KakiDIY have been doing just that, through their movement of DIY enthusiasts. Together, they have greatly reduced waste by reusing broken items around them, either by repairing them or making it into something new.  Celebrating their 7th anniversary this July, we catch up with Johnson Lam, the Founder of KakiDIY and KakiRepair, to discuss the...

As July wraps up, we too want to bring you a roundup of the top environmental news from the month past, with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal, Macaranga . Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua join us once again, first to discuss Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage efforts in Malaysia, which have been ramping up significantly, and why it's being championed as a climate solution. In c...

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. Through the series, 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 light of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem that was...

Anak Rimba Books has a clear goal: to inspire a generation of children to cherish the planet. Founded by Abyan Junus-Nishizawa and Farah Landemaine, this publishing house is dedicated to creating beautifully illustrated children's books, to educate young readers about nature and endangered Asian species. To date, they have released six delightful and impactful stories, and have expanded into other...

Problematic forest plantations prompted Malaysia to call for a 15-year moratorium on new projects in Peninsular Malaysia, to buy time to plug the gaps in the system. But two and a half years on, states are still licensing planters to clear new sites. Why? In Macaranga's latest series , environmental journalist Law Yao Hua follows up on the issue of forest plantations in forest reserves, which is s...

Assistant Professor Dr John S. Ascher is an entomologist with the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore, who has been described as the world's leading native bee taxonomist. Also a Research Associate at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore, he joins us to share more about his work, which includes helping to create a world map of bee species, in...

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has identified the need for Southeast Asia to have an environmental rights instrument to strengthen the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)'s commitment to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The hope for the declaration is to emphasise the importance of environmental rights as part of human rights, aiming to create a...

The ASEAN Declaration On The Right To A Safe, Clean, (Healthy), Sustainable Environment aims to provide an unprecedented regional framework, to push for the implementation of international environmental rights standards. These include the 2022 U.N. General Assembly Resolution of access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right. This would be the region’s first-ever...

Every year during the first weekend of July, a unique global event flickers to life – World Firefly Day . Held to commemorate the importance of fireflies in our ecosystems, World Firefly Day also aims to highlight the ongoing threats these luminous beetles are facing, including habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. We speak to Dr Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh , a Senior Lecturer for Biodiv...

The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of freshwater turtles and tortoises in Malaysia. Founded in 2011, TCS is involved in a variety of activities aimed at protecting these endangered species, including research, habitat protection, and community outreach. Over the years, TCS has spearheaded several outreach programmes designed...

Tucked away in the serene neighbourhood of Sri Hartamas is a delightful garden of edible plants and flowers known as Kebun Komuniti Hartamas (KKH). Initiated by a group of like-minded neighbours in August 2020, this space has transformed into a hub of community activity. Designed by the community and for the community, the garden aims to support those in need while promoting gardening knowledge an...