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 Dedari — a village community located upriver from Kuala Tahan and across from Taman Negara &m...
Jun 28, 2021•26 min
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 mining activities causing damage and destruction to the beach area, and also to the Setiu Wetlands Sta...
Jun 23, 2021•38 min
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 mining activities causing damage and destruction to the beach area, and also to the Setiu Wetlands Sta...
Jun 23, 2021•38 min
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 cancelled, raising concerns over how the reclamation will destroy the richest fishery in Penang, negatively ...
Jun 21, 2021•37 min
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 linked to the decline in wildlife? How can we get our kids to understand nature despite the times we l...
Jun 16, 2021•27 min
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 to a royalty-linked company, despite its pledge to rehabilitate the country's second-largest natural ...
Jun 14, 2021•28 min
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, Universiti Malaya & President of the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences), who are both workin...
Jun 09, 2021•29 min
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 Leste. We get a 101 on the Coral Triangle - sometimes dubbed the "Amazon of the ocean" - from marine s...
Jun 09, 2021•21 min
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 activists about their plans for saving the planet, in the areas of education, technology, science, law ...
Jun 02, 2021•50 min
In this month's roundup of environmental news, we first discuss Penang's conflicting coastal conservation plans - on the one hand, they aim to gazette 428 ha of mangroves as forest reserves this year, but then, the state is also proposing to reclaim about 1800 hectares of land on its southern coast - a move widely criticised by conservationists. What gives? Next we will look at the news of a canine coronavirus, which has triggered unwarranted panic among Malaysians. The study on the matter sugge...
May 31, 2021•21 min
Reef Check Malaysia has learned of more plans for airport extensions on islands off the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia, this time on Pulau Redang. We find out about these proposed plans from Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, who will also share how developments such as these can negatively impact biodiversity in the area. Julian will also discuss whether such projects will actually benefit few, but have the potential to harm many. Image source: Shutterstock See omnystud...
May 31, 2021•28 min
Human survival is dependent on biodiversity, but our activities - supposedly in the name of our survival - are causing biodiversity loss. And now, with most humans living in cities, there is a need to understand how cities impact biodiversity, and how urban biodiversity impacts people. Kota Hijau Kita is a new integrated platform that was created to support and strengthen a growing movement of people participating in protecting natural areas and creating refuges for biodiversity, including in ur...
May 24, 2021•31 min
Human survival is dependent on biodiversity, but our activities - supposedly in the name of our survival - are causing biodiversity loss. And now, with most humans living in cities, there is a need to understand how cities impact biodiversity, and how urban biodiversity impacts people. Kota Hijau Kita is a new integrated platform that was created to support and strengthen a growing movement of people participating in protecting natural areas and creating refuges for biodiversity, including in ur...
May 24, 2021•31 min
Bite-Size Climate Action is a series of fun, flexible, and immersive short online modules designed by experts in the conservation field, to inspire Malaysian youth to act for the climate. From forests to food to electricity, uniquely Malaysian videos , podcasts, quizzes and more are provided to demystify the science of climate change and empower everyone to be the change they want to see. We find out more from political scientist Dr. Helena Varkkey, and atmospheric scientist Dr. Matthew Ashfold,...
May 19, 2021•38 min
The estimate is that one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction. International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated annually on the 22nd of May, is a day to remind us how biological diversity is the pillar upon which we build civilizations, and that its loss threatens the survival of us all. This year's theme is “we’re part of the solution” and for ideas and solutions from those working on conserving biodiversity, we are joined by Justine Vaz fr...
May 17, 2021•35 min
The Belum Temenggor forest reserve forms the last and largest contiguous block of natural forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Covering an area of over 300,000 hectares, the tropical rainforest is believed to be over 130 million years old, making it older than both the Amazon and the Congo. Home to a dazzling array of flora and fauna, including the endangered Malayan Tiger, the Royal Belum State Park is also home to the Jahai Orang Asli community that has been residing there for generations. Now, the ...
May 12, 2021•45 min
GreenSteps is a community inspired initiative which aims to help communities evolve towards a low carbon society, with a focus on zero waste, healthy consumption, permaculture development and the rejuvenation of green and natural spaces. Greensteps was the first program under Urban-AX, a community inspired accelerator, which focuses on Low Carbon & Circular Economy Development. Azlan Yaacob, the Founder of Urban-AX, joins us to share how GreenSteps programs - such as the Towards Zero Waste a...
May 10, 2021•49 min
A new landmark global report titled "What We Waste" takes an in-depth look at how single use plastic, metal and glass beverage packaging is being wasted at ever-increasing rates around the world. It is a story which is particularly concerning in countries with inadequate waste management systems, but there are countries who are leading the way, showing the world that there are circular economy models for managing reusable and recyclable resources. We explore the findings of this new report...
May 05, 2021•39 min
The always popular Bukit Kiara is one of the few large green open spaces found right here in Kuala Lumpur. A much needed space for so many urbanites, sadly this green lung is also under threat from development, sitting on prime land, as it were. The NGO Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) has long been championing the protection and preservation of this area, and we find out more about their hard work to do this, and also their future vision for this area, from Ir Dr Kribanandan Naidu, the President o...
May 03, 2021•40 min
Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founder, co-editor and writer at local environmental journalism portal macaranga.org is back for another Macaranga Wrap-up episode, this time for a round-up of April’s top environmental news. On this episode, we look at why Malaysia was called a “bright spot of hope” by Global Forest Watch, before looking at the not-so-good news about some marine life in Sabah, which are under threat. We also discuss Red Hongyi's powerful performance art piece which tackle...
Apr 26, 2021•19 min
Many may think of FRIM or the Forest Research Institute Malaysia as a lovely and popular recreational park set amid a lush rainforest setting, right here in the Klang Valley. But FRIM is also one of the leading institutions in tropical forestry research in the world, and award-winning research at that. Latest research by the institute has found that 567 Malaysian plant species are now listed as threatened, out of the 1,600 Peninsular Malaysia plant species assessed in the Malaysia Red List. We f...
Apr 26, 2021•32 min
With land in Sarawak under intense pressure from the logging, palm oil and mega-hydro companies, communities in the Baram River Basin are getting together and organising themselves, to create an indigenous managed protected zone, and fend off unwanted and poorly planned development projects. Ahead of this year's Earth Day - which calls on us all to Restore Our Earth - we find out more about how the indigenous communities in Baram are working with partners and collaborators to protect their land,...
Apr 19, 2021•30 min
Was Malaysia snubbed when it wasn't invited to the US-organised Leaders Summit on Climate, which will be hosted by US President Joe Biden? The event will feature world leaders from 40 countries, and a statement from the White House said that invitees included the “heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy”. Does Malaysia not fit the bill? We speak t...
Apr 12, 2021•42 min
Unlike many other mammals, bats are often greatly feared by people. There is even a condition for it - Chiroptophobia - or the fear of bats, which may largely stem from their association with darkness, vampires, horror films, or even their association as disease vectors and pests. This fear or dislike of bats is believed to be an important barrier to bat conservation globally. But a new study aims to shine the spotlight on more positive beliefs and cultural perceptions regarding bats from across...
Apr 05, 2021•41 min
Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, the co-founders of Macaranga.org return for their monthly wrap-up of environmental news, first to discuss several protests organised this month alone by various Orang Asli communities, against development projects on their ancestral lands. We then turn to the news about an anti-poaching raid that was conducted in Tawau, Sabah which led to the arrest of 14 men, including four policemen and allegedly one ex-MP. Finally we discuss climate change group Klima Action Mal...
Mar 29, 2021•12 min
In 2018, China's National Sword Policy came into effect, which banned 24 types of solid waste imports into the country. This included plastic waste, which then caused a global disruption of the market for recyclable material. It also led to the redirection of plastic waste to Southeast Asia, and 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, wate...
Mar 29, 2021•36 min
The theme for World Water Day 2021 is 'Valuing Water'. Safe to say that for many of us in the Klang Valley, we valued our water most, when we lost access to our steady supply on several occasions last year, as a result of water pollution. If water is considered a human right under international laws, what powers do we as lay people have, to ensure clean and safe access to water at all times? We discuss this and more with Kiu Jia Yaw, the co-deputy chair of the Bar Council Environment & Clima...
Mar 22, 2021•50 min
It's been said that tree planting ‘has mind-blowing potential’ to tackle the climate crisis. Billions more trees, scientists claimed, could remove two-thirds of all the carbon dioxide created by human activity. But does it matter which trees are being planted? In a report released at the end of January, scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) have said that planting the wrong tree in the wrong place can do more ha...
Mar 15, 2021•36 min
Described as an unassuming patch of greenery, Bukit Persekutuan or Federal Hill, is one of the last sizable forest areas in the Kuala Lumpur city centre. This secondary forest is home to an impressive range of flora and fauna, and is also an area that is culturally and historically significant, complete with iconic buildings that are part of our nation's history. Unfortunately, Bukit Persekutuan's location, being adjacent to Kuala Lumpur City Centre, also makes it prime land for development, whi...
Mar 08, 2021•48 min
In 2020, local environmental journalism portal Macaranga.org published four in-depth articles based on their investigation into forest-use changes in Peninsular Malaysia. Called Forest Files, the series explored issues such as forest-use policies, key drivers of forest loss and also how citizens could influence forest use. In our third and final interview covering the Forest Files' findings, we look at what more can be done to improve forest use, in line with the needs of all the different stake...
Mar 01, 2021•50 min
