Earth Matters

It's our final wrap-up of the year with the folks from local journalism portal Macaranga, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. On the show today, we have a wide-ranging discussion on environment-related news from 2021, related to forests (and deforestation), wildlife conservation, and also the outcomes of COP26, while also looking forward to what might be in 2022. You can find out how to support Macaranga's independent brand of environmental journalism here.

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There are lots of movements happening in the usually sleepy highlands of Fraser's Hill, with the Raub Draft District Local Plan 2035 proposing to revive and turn Fraser’s Hill into a major tourist destination. But residents and other stakeholders are divided as to what would be best for the future of this heritage spot, and it's long term survival. Special guest host Keith Kam heads up to the highland resort, to get the low down from residents, the planners, environmentalists and other stakeholders, on what they think the future of Fraser's Hill should look like.

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Worms are highly underrated, and their services to humankind goes unnoticed below the surface, and are therefore unappreciated. But not so for advocates of vermicomposting like Prof Dr Chan Yoo Kuen, who understands the vital role worms play in keeping us healthy and nourished. It was World Soil Day on the 5th of December, and in conjunction with that, Prof Chan, who is a CEO – Chief Earthworm Officer - and vermicomposting advocate, joins us to share how and why we should all get on the vermicomposting bandwagon. She will also share basic tips for anyone to get started on their vermicomposting journey.

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From monkeys to millipedes, Layar Liar is a 52-episode online documentary series, aimed at getting more Malaysians to know and love our natural heritage. Mainly targeted at students and presented in Bahasa Malaysia, the series takes us all on a tour to witness our local wildlife wonders, and remind us why our forests and other natural landscapes - and all its inhabitants - must be protected at all costs. We find out more about the series from producers, Lara Ariffin and Harun Rahman, of Nuvista Media Sdn Bhd.

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Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, the Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers from online journalism portal, Macaranga join us again for a round-up of big environmental news, from the month of November 2021. This month, we've got pledges on our minds - first, Malaysia's pledge at COP26 to stop deforestation by 2030, and also what Malaysia has agreed to, by signing the Global Methane Pledge, along with 103 other countries. We also try to figure out how carbon credits work, and what this form of trading is all about, especially for Malaysia.

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Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua, the Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers from online journalism portal, Macaranga join us again for a round-up of big environmental news, from the month of November 2021. This month, we've got pledges on our minds - first, Malaysia's pledge at COP26 to stop deforestation by 2030, and also what Malaysia has agreed to, by signing the Global Methane Pledge, along with 103 other countries. We also try to figure out how carbon credits work, and what this form of trading is all about, especially for Malaysia.

Image credit: Shutterstock & Flickr

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Founded in 2012, 1StopBorneo Wildlife aims to conserve the rainforests and the rich biodiversity of Borneo through education, wildlife rescue, eco-tourism and research. Originally founded in Brunei, it has since expanded to Sarawak and Sabah, and the team works with a wide variety of species and habitats including pangolins, elephants, clouded leopards, Irrawaddy dolphins, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, insects and flora. We find out more about their work from Shavez Cheema, the Founder and Director of 1StopBorneo Wildlife.

Image Credit: 1StopBorneo Wildlife Facebook

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The fate of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) is still hanging in the balance. Though the Menteri Besar of Selangor announced back in September that the degazetted forest would be regazetted, nothing has happened so far. The MB has also said that the regazettement will only take place after a decision is made on the East Coast Rail Link alignment. What does this all mean and what is stalling the regazettement process? We find out from June Tan and Suresh Kumar, who are both part of the Pertahankan Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Utara (PHSKLU) coalition, and who are collectively demanding that the Selangor State Government carries out its promise to regazette the forest immediately, without any more delays, and without attaching any conditions.

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"Gender and climate are profoundly intertwined." This was asserted by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President. But were the voices of women, especially those from developing and poorer nations, heard and taken seriously at the recently concluded COP26 in Glasgow? We speak to activist Ana Celestial, who is a member of both the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, and the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), to understand why many believe there was a deliberate exclusion of feminists and grassroots women at the conference. We also discuss why the fight against climate change is a fight against gender inequality, and the linkages between climate change and gender.

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Jacques Cousteau, the late world-renowned oceanographer, once described Pulau Sipadan as an untouched piece of art. But Sipadan is just one of the many breathtaking islands in Sabah, whose waters are renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity and beautiful, healthy coral reefs. If you're looking for your next Cuti-Cuti Malaysia underwater adventure, find out why Sabah's islands should be on your list from Johnny Chew, the owner of Dive Borneo Bah! Sdn Bhd. This Sabah native is also a qualified PADI course director & Tec Instructor trainer, and he has been in the diving industry for over 30 years. For more information, visit malaysia.travel.

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