Earth Matters

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, Program Director at the Post Carbon Institute. Rob, who is also the lead author of the bestselling book ‘Enough Is Enough: Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources’ will share how these policies could shape the future, why it matters even for people outside the US, and what we can do to keep pushing for a more sustainable world.

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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 waste reduction efforts in their schools and communities. Looking ahead, GWP has an ambitious goal: by 2030, it aims to empower 10,000 educators, impact 1,000,000 students, and establish 100 zero-waste schools to drive Malaysia towards a waste-free, sustainable future. What makes this year’s edition unique? Irene Chooi, the Education Programme Manager at Zero Waste Malaysia, joins us to share insights on the programme’s impact, and what’s in store for 2025.

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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 of this withdrawal, and what it means for the fight against climate change.

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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 public from February, and what that actually means for us all. Joining us for this discussion are co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua.

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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 with fascination when it comes to these remarkable reptiles. 

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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, the environmental think-tank conducting research and advocacy on climate-related issues in Maritime Southeast Asia.

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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.

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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-rich area, the legal protections in place, and what more needs to be done to secure its future. We speak to Prof. Dato’ Er. Ts. Dr. Santharasekaran Subramaniam, President of the Nature Conservation Organisation of Malaysia, P Y Wong, Director of Greenleaf@Kampar, and Danielle Kuang, from Greenleaf@Kampar, to find out more.

*You can sign the petition to support the preservation of the Ulu Behrang urban forest here.

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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 about sourcing exotic species and the risk of zoonotic diseases, the articles probe the complex realities of petting zoos in Malaysia. Joining us to discuss this are Macaranga co-founder and editor Wong Siew Lyn, and writer Lee Kwai Han, to explore the deeper implications of petting zoos on wildlife welfare, conservation, and public perception.

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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 Layar Liar's latest series of documentaries which showcase fascinating animals that live in our Malaysian rainforest, and the people working to protect them.

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