Earth Matters

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened another set of week-long talks in Nairobi, which was the Open-Ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. There were a couple of clear wins, but a lot more contentious issues that were left unsettled, with one participant of the talks describing the proceedings as “groundhog day in Nairobi.” With negotiations on biodiversity loss being an issue too important to fail at, what were some of the key outcomes of this set of talks? We discuss some of the key outcomes with Lim Li Ching, a Senior Researcher with the Third World Network.

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We know that biodiversity is the variety of life, at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, and is essential for the resilience of ecosystems. We also know that a part of this essential biodiversity contributes in one way or another to agriculture and food production. But reports have pointed to how the global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss, and this loss will continue to accelerate, unless we change the way we produce food. Can mass agriculture ever be friendly to biodiversity? We discuss this, and also the intrinsic and economic value of Malaysian biodiversity, with Chrishen Gomez, a biologist who is currently attached to the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford.

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The Bonn Climate Change Conference was described as two weeks of intense discussions, to make progress on important technical issues, and prepare decisions for adoption at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh in November. What issues were discussed, and were there any fruitful outcomes, especially from the lens of developing nations and the Global South? Why were many developing nations left frustrated at the talks? We catch up with Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Head of Programmes at the Third World Network (TWN), to discuss outcomes from the recently concluded talks.

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In June 2022's roundup of environmental news, done in collaboration with award-winning environmental journalism portal Macaranga, we look back at news of resistance to large infrastructure projects in Malaysia. We discuss the RM5 billion hydroelectric power plant at Mukim Ulu Nenggiri in Gua Musang, and also the new proposed airport in Pulau Tioman, and explore the environmental and social impacts of these projects which have been outlined by the communities affected by them. We then look forward to the upcoming Penang Georgetown Festival, which has two eco-themed programmes in the lineup.

Image credit: @aktivis_alam/Twitter, Shutterstock.com, George Town Festival/Facebook

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There are five species of gibbons, found in Malaysia. The white-handed gibbon, dark-handed or agile gibbon, and the siamang are found in Peninsular Malaysia, while Muller's gibbon and Abbott's grey gibbon live in Sabah and Sarawak. Gibbons are known for providing one of nature's most enchanting concerts - welcoming the sunrise with their songs. But their songs and cherubic faces make them a sought-after commodity in the illegal wildlife pet trade, and coupled with habitat loss, gibbons are being pushed further into the endangered species list. We speak to Mariani Ramli, the President of the Gibbon Conservation Society, and the Head Director of the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project about these gibbons found in Malaysia, and also about the second conservation and rehabilitation project for Malaysia’s Singing Apes in Kota Belud, Sabah - The Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project or Borneo GReP. 

The ABC's of Biodiversity is an ongoing series where we explore why biodiversity loss is our loss.

Image credit: gibbonconservationsociety.org

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Bukit Kiara remains as one of the few large green open spaces found right here in Kuala Lumpur, and is a hugely popular recreational site for urbanites in the Klang Valley. The green lung also provides a number of ecosystem services, including flood mitigation and erosion and landslide prevention, just to name two. But with the whole area not fully gazetted and protected, there is still work to be done to protect this vital space from more development. We catch up with Ir Dr Kribanandan Naidu, the President of Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK), for an update on everything the group has been working on, and why they continue to fight for the preservation of this area as a whole.

Image credit: Friends of Bukit Kiara/Facebook

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According to a recent report in the Malay Mail, there is a proposal to develop the 292-hectare Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP) into a tourist destination. Though there is nothing in black and white yet, the plan is causing worry among the many stakeholders looking to preserve the safety and sanctity of this wetlands area. What's happening over in the area? We speak to Andrew Sebastian, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) to find out more. 

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Coral reefs are the ocean’s most biodiverse ecosystems, and provide food, coastal protection and income for many people across the world, and here in Malaysia too. But in a recent article in Macaranga, marine ecologist Sebastian Szereday has warned that a lack of action and funding will ring the death knell for coral reefs in the face of warming seas. With most attention focussed on the climate crisis, are we forgetting the parallel biodiversity crisis we are also facing? Sebastian and Natasha Zulaikha, who are co-founders of the organisation Coralku, join us to share more about their collective mission to fight the global decline of coral reefs, and also why coral reefs are an essential ecosystem to this planet, and how detrimental their loss will be to us all. The ABC's of Biodiversity is our ongoing series where we explore why biodiversity loss is our loss.

Image credit: Coralku/Facebook

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We continue with Biodiversity for Malaysia on Earth Matters, a monthly series which wants to get everyone on the same page when it comes to biodiversity matters, all the issues surrounding the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework process, the 30X30 target and more. So we know that currently, about 17 percent of terrestrial, and eight percent of marine areas, are under some form of protection, but that in many cases, the effectiveness of their protected status is in doubt. This means the new 30x30 target - to protect at least 30% of Earth’s land and sea by 2030 - represents a significant commitment. But progress has been slow, and nations are still nowhere near a consensus. Governments are set to hold a fourth meeting of working groups at the end of June, before the adoption of the framework at the resumed UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) later this year in Kunming, China. Are we expecting much progress there? We speak to Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, and Alvin Chelliah, a Senior Programme Manager at Reef Check Malaysia, to discuss.

Image credit: Tom Fisk/Pexels.com

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This year’s World Oceans Day, on 8 June 2022, will highlight the theme Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. A healthy ocean is a critical part of the solution to the climate and biodiversity crises, but currently, less than 17% of land and 8% of the ocean worldwide is protected. We speak to Monique Sumampouw, Head of the Marine Programme at WWF-Malaysia, about the changes happening to our oceans, the challenges these changes present, and why it's critical to protect our planet’s life support systems.

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