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 discuss this and more with Gabriel Hii, the co-chair of the Sarawak CSO-SDG Alliance , and Anjelen Daran...
Mar 10, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Mah Meri’s bunga moyang, or ancestral spirit flowers, are more than just beautiful weavings - they carry deep spiritual meaning and reflect a way of life in harmony with nature. Adat & Alam: The Mah Meri Ancestral Spirit Flowers , a new book by Gerimis Art Project , compiled with guidance by the Tompoq Topoh collective, documents this sacred craft through photographs, illustrations, and essays. We speak with Gerimis Art’s co-founder Wendi Sia, to discover more about the collaboration bet...
Mar 05, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gibbons are among the most endangered primates in the world, yet their trafficking rarely makes headlines. As smuggling operations grow bolder, urgent action is needed to protect these intelligent, social creatures. But enforcement failures, lack of transparency, and weak rehabilitation efforts threaten their survival. So, what can be done? We’re joined by Mariani ‘Bam’ Ramli (President & Founder of the Gibbon Conservation Society ) and Dr. Susan M Cheyne (Vice-Chair for the IUCN Primate Spe...
Feb 26, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast For February's wrap-up of top environmental news, Wong Siew Lyn, co-founder of environmental journalism portal Macaranga , joins us to first discuss the impacts of the recent flooding on conservation projects in Kinabatangan in Sabah, then to explain the government's plans to punish litterbugs, and finally how Malaysia chairing ASEAN might impact the environment and sustainability efforts across the region. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 24, 2025•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast For years, Indigenous communities in Sarawak have fought to protect their ancestral lands from unsustainable logging, challenging industry practices and certification schemes that failed to recognise their rights. Their persistence has led to a victory that saw contested logging concessions lose their certification, marking a turning point in the push for stronger protections. We speak with Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers , to find out more how the Stop The Chop campaign played a hu...
Feb 23, 2025•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Perdana Botanical Garden is more than just a scenic escape in the heart of Kuala Lumpur—it’s also a gateway to understanding Malaysia’s rich biodiversity. Thanks to the newly established Forest Learning Centre , visitors now have the opportunity to explore nature through guided walks designed to make forest learning fun and accessible. From pollinators to wetlands and even nighttime adventures, we find out more about these thematic walks from guide Siti Syuhada Sapno, who is also the Programme C...
Feb 19, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast What’s the state of Malaysia’s coral reefs, and what can we do to protect them? These vibrant ecosystems are essential for marine life and coastal communities, but they face growing threats and pressure from human activity and climate change. Julian Hyde, the CEO of Reef Check Malaysia , walks us through the key findings of the Status of Coral Reefs in Malaysia 2024 report, focusing on the urgent need for sustainable management, and how protecting coral reefs is essential for Malaysia’s economy ...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In Sabah, rescuing and rehabilitating sun bears is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in preparing them for life in the wild, while addressing the root causes of their declining population: illegal trade and loss of habitat. All of this is covered in Macaranga's latest article, Helping Sabah’s Sun Bears Return to the Wild , which also discusses how many released bears struggle to survive back in the wild, and why conservationists are stressing that keeping sun bears in their natural h...
Feb 12, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast When we think about climate action, it’s easy to focus on what’s happening in our own backyard. But the reality is, decisions made in big economies - especially in the US - have a huge impact on the rest of the world. With Donald Trump back for a second term as President of the United States of America, what does that mean for the environment? What policies could shift, and how might that affect global efforts to tackle the climate crisis? To help us make sense of it all, we speak to Rob Dietz ,...
Feb 10, 2025•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast As environmental awareness grows, initiatives like Zero Waste Malaysia’s Green Wira Programme (GWP) are shaping the next generation of sustainability champions. GWP is an educational programme dedicated to training educators in Malaysia on sustainability and zero-waste living implementation. Currently open to primary and secondary school educators in the Klang Valley, the programme - which is endorsed by the Ministry of Education - equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to lead impactful ...
Feb 05, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The United States’ exit from the Paris Agreement - again - raises urgent questions about the future of global climate negotiations. What does this mean for COP30 in Brazil, where countries are expected to present new climate commitments? How might the absence of US leadership affect international efforts to curb emissions? We speak to Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Head of Programmes at the Third World Network , to help us break down the implications ...
Feb 03, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 2025's first round-up of top environmental news from the month past, we tackle how coastal erosion is devastating coastlines in some parts of Malaysia, before looking at how the highest sea temperatures on record in 2024 has led to one of the worst coral bleaching incidents in Malaysian waters. We also take a look at the Natural Resources And Environmental Sustainability Ministry's announcement that executive summaries of environmental impact assessment reports will be made accessible to the ...
Jan 27, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we slither into the Year of the Snake this Chinese New Year, it’s the perfect time to shed our fears and learn more about these fascinating creatures. While snakes are often portrayed as symbols of fear or danger, they are in fact vital components of our natural world. We catch up with naturalist Andrew Sebastian, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY), to discuss Malaysia's incredible snake diversity, and why we should replace fear wit...
Jan 26, 2025•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast From misleading advertisements to vague sustainability promises, greenwashing is becoming a major hurdle in the fight against the climate crisis. The Zero Greenwashing Alliance , a first-of-its-kind initiative in Asia, aims to hold corporations accountable for their greenwashing while encouraging genuine climate solutions. We find out all about this groundbreaking initiative, including the Zero Greenwashing Alliance Database and Green Claims Guide , from Adam Farhan, the Director of RimbaWatch, ...
Jan 22, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Every day, perfectly good food ends up in the trash while countless people struggle to find their next meal. But what if there was a way to fix both problems at once? Justin Cheah, Marketing Director of Kechara Soup Kitchen , joins us to show how it’s done. We discuss Kechara Soup Kitchen’s efforts to combat food waste, the inspiring stories behind their work, and the environmental and social ripple effects of their mission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 20, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nestled at the base of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the Behrang Ulu urban forest is a natural treasure that the local community has worked tirelessly to protect. Home to over 1,100 distinct varieties of trees and recognized as Asia’s largest conservation nursery, the area is now under threat from industrial development. Local activists, conservationists, and legal experts are now calling for urgent measures to protect the forest, and we want to examine the importance of preserving this biodiversity...
Jan 15, 2025•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Petting zoos, with their promise of up-close wildlife encounters, have surged in popularity, blending education, entertainment, and exotic allure. Yet, as highlighted in Macaranga's latest two-part investigative report ( Petting Wildlife Sending Mixed Signals and Jury Out on Whether Petting Zoos Aid Conservation ), these facilities often walk a fine line between fostering conservation awareness and inadvertently harming wildlife. From stress-induced behaviours in animals to ethical concerns abou...
Jan 13, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lara Ariffin is an award-winning filmmaker whose passion for conserving wildlife has shaped her stunning documentaries, including the acclaimed online documentary series Layar Liar . As the President of Persatuan Pelindung Harimau Malaysia or RIMAU, a citizen-driven NGO dedicated to protecting the Malayan tiger, Lara is also a powerful advocate for Malaysia's incredible but fast-disappearing biodiversity. We catch up with Lara for updates on RIMAU's work, and also for a behind-the-scenes look at...
Jan 08, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Organised by the Biji Alam Conservation Society, the Biji Alam Awards for Nature Conservation represent a groundbreaking initiative to honour and empower mid-career Malaysian conservationists who dedicate their lives to protecting nature, often with little recognition or support. Founded by a passionate team of environmentalists and experts, the awards aim to address the challenges faced by these unsung heroes, and by celebrating their efforts and providing both financial aid and visibility, the...
Jan 06, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast For decades, PACOS Trust - Partners of Community Organisations in Sabah - has been at the forefront of supporting Sabah’s indigenous communities, helping them protect their heritage, land, and resources. By fostering local leadership, promoting collaboration, and championing land rights, PACOS works hand-in-hand with grassroots organisations across 14 districts and 23 areas, to create sustainable change. Through training, advocacy, and collaboration, PACOS ensures that indigenous voices are cent...
Dec 18, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are at the end of 2024 – again, it’s been quite a year for the planet, and we take a look back at some of the top news covered by environmental journalism portal Macaranga with co-founders, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. We discuss how carbon emissions are still rising, and how forest conservation (or the lack thereof) is playing a part in that, before we turn our attention to mangrove conservation in Malaysia. We then discuss how Malaysia’s newly-identified Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISR...
Dec 16, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Macaranga's latest article “Banking on River Reserves to Protect Water Supply” explores Selangor's urgent measures to safeguard its water resources amid recurring pollution-related water cuts. We discuss how the state plans to gazette river reserves and enforce stricter regulations to address these issues, and how they could possibly counter challenges such as private land ownership, inter-agency coordination, and the protection of upstream ecosystems. We also look at community-driven conservati...
Dec 11, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mariani Ramli and her team at the Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS) of Malaysia have dedicated over a decade to rescuing and rehabilitating gibbons, with the ultimate goal of returning these magnificent apes to their natural habitat. We catch up with Bam as she is fondly known, who is the Founder and President of GCS, to revisit the incredible story of these amazing but underprotected primates, and how the team are tirelessly working on their conservation. We'll also get updates on baby Axel - t...
Dec 09, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ahead of World Soil Day, we’re digging deep into the importance of soil health, and how it underpins life on Earth. We learn how composting can transform waste into a resource, protect ecosystems, and contribute to a sustainable future from Harbir Gill, a soil enthusiast and founder of Ground Control , which is part of the Text Cycle Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 04, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Delegates from 175 countries met at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - INC-5 - to develop a historic and international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Debates centered on reducing plastic production and managing waste, but did resistance from fossil fuel-producing nations stall progress? We find out what happened at this critical meeting from Wong Pui Yi, a Research Consultant at Basel Action Network, and Mageswari Sangaralingam, an Honorary Secre...
Dec 02, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Delegates from 175 countries met at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - INC-5 - to develop a historic and international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Debates centered on reducing plastic production and managing waste, but did resistance from fossil fuel-producing nations stall progress? We find out what happened at this critical meeting from Wong Pui Yi, a Research Consultant with the Basel Action Network , and Mageswari Sangaralingam, an Honorar...
Dec 02, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Back from Baku, Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Head of Programmes at the Third World Network , fills us in on what went down at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29 - which finished more than 35 hours in overtime, but still left many delegates unhappy, especially from the developing nations. We discuss the outcomes related to climate finance, especially how the decision to adopt a n...
Nov 27, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this round-up of top environmental news from the month past, we first look back at the major outcomes of COP29 involving climate financing, then at how two cities in Malaysia were ranked globally for their efforts to combat the effects of climate change through the One Planet City Challenge by WWF. Finally we wonder how Ecological Fiscal Transfers in Malaysia actually work, and how and to whom the funds are disbursed. Joining us as always are the co-founders of environmental journalism portal...
Nov 25, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Every year, Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) coordinates the nationwide International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event, held annually in September since 2018. Organisations, groups and individuals collect data during the cleanup and key in data into the Clean Swell app to contribute to the global database of cleanups by Ocean Conservancy. This year, over 8,500 volunteers from all around Malaysia collected 41,015kg of trash during the annual event, and among the 388,730 items collected, the most common item ...
Nov 24, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the heart of Selangor lies the newly established Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark, a 112,955-hectare area that integrates natural beauty with community-centred conservation. Officially launched by the Sultan of Selangor, this Geopark is an evolving effort toward UNESCO Global Geopark status. We explore this journey with Noina Baharuddin, the Coordinator of the AJ Rimba Collective , and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharina Abdul Halim, the Deputy Director of LESTARI UKM , who have been working together to promo...
Nov 20, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
