Earth Matters

Mangroves are described as rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea, which contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. But reports estimate that 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional 1% is lost each year, putting mangroves at a risk of being destroyed altogether. In conjunction with this year's International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we're doing a two-part special on mangroves, and in this first part, we discuss the immense ecological and economic importance of these ecosystems with Dr Ahmad Aldrie Amir, a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and he is currently heading the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre there too. Dr Aldrie is also the coordinator of the Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network (MyMangrove).

Listen to the second part of our coverage on International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem here

Image source: Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network Facebook 

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Mangroves are described as rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea, which contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. But reports estimate that 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional 1% is lost each year, putting mangroves at a risk of being destroyed altogether. In conjunction with this year's International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we're doing a two-part special on mangroves, and in this first part, we discuss the immense ecological and economic importance of these ecosystems with Dr Ahmad Aldrie Amir, a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and he is currently heading the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre there too. Dr Aldrie is also the coordinator of the Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network (MyMangrove).

Image source: Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network Facebook 

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Social enterprise Hara Makers have been working towards reducing plastic pollution, and started the Reimagine Plastic Project as a way of working towards that. The initiative is also a community and income-generating project for the economically disadvantaged, by providing them with vocational skills in recycling and upcycling of plastic waste. They have successfully fused plastic bags and plastic packaging into fabric, and even melted harder plastics such as bread tags into flower pots, coasters and bowls. This #PlasticFreeJuly, we speak to the folks behind the initiative, Chee Lee Yoon and Hung Bee Ling, about their social and environmental project.

Image source: Reimagine Plastic Project Facebook

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A staple Hari Raya dish, there is little research on the origins of the ketupat, though academics date its beginnings to 14th and 15th century Java. Traditionally made from different species of palm leaves, many now opt for "ketupat plastik" - which is cheaper and readily available, but also less sustainable, and yet another contributor to plastic waste. Dr Jarina Mohd Jani, a senior lecturer at the faculty of science and marine environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has embarked on project called Wawasan Ketupat, to encourage a return to the traditional ways of weaving ketupat, and to promote its uniqueness, sustainable use of natural resources, and celebration of traditional culture. Ahead of Hari Raya Haji and in conjunction with #PlasticFreeJuly, Dr Jarina joins us to share more.

Image source: Wawasan Ketupat Facebook  

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Pua Lay Peng received death threats, had her home splashed with red paint, her work and life disrupted, and was accused of having nothing better to do by the authorities - all in the name of protecting her home in Jenjarom from unlicensed plastic recyclers. These illegal operators were turning the area into a toxic cauldron of pollution, whose modus operandi was to set up ad-hoc factories in quiet areas, contaminate the groundwater as they process plastic waste, and illegally dump or burn whatever they couldn’t recycle in the dead of night. In conjunction with Plastic Free July, we speak to this accidental activist about how she and other like-minded folks exposed this practice, and how they continue to fight the problem which continues to spread across Malaysia like a deadly cancer.

Ms Pua can be contacted at [email protected].

Image source: Shutterstock

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From January to July 2018, Malaysia became the world's top destination for plastic waste exports. Even today, we are still reeling from pollution and effects caused by other countries’ waste - a sharp rise in illegal recycling facilities and illegal dumpsites, and land, water and air pollution. The C4 Center or the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism's research into the issue found that the problems plaguing the plastic recycling industry include allegations of smuggling, factories operating with no proper license and pollution controls, gangsterism, political-business nexus, and a lack of public access to information. How can Malaysia hope to clean up plastic pollution - and tackle the corruption that's also causing it? In conjunction with Plastic-Free July, we discuss this and more with  Wong Pui Yi, a researcher with the C4 Center.

Image source: Shutterstock

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From a Facebook group to a full-fledged movement and organisation, the folks behind Zero Waste Malaysia are keeping up the good fight to get more Malaysians on-board with the zero-waste way of life. Always exploring new ways to reach people, last year they launched a Lesson Plan and virtual classroom, and now, they are going to launch the MY Zero Waste Life - Summarized handbook, a free-to-access guide available in four languages. In their own words, it is a  "treasure trove of information compiled from experts and practitioners on sustainable living that will appeal to all Malaysians, from the uninitiated to the avid environmentalist." We find out more about their work and this new exciting compilation from Sue Yee Khor, the co-founder and director of Zero Waste Malaysia, and Jasreel Lim, the head of finance & funding and external relations, at Zero Waste Malaysia.

Image source: Zero Waste Malaysia, Jasreel Lim LinkedIn

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World Firefly Day is observed annually during the first weekend in July, and is a global celebration of these fascinating and amazing creatures that inspire wonder in so many of us. Dr Sara Lewis, a Professor of Biology at Tufts University, has researched the luminous lives of fireflies for nearly three decades now, and she is also the co-chair of the IUCN Firefly Specialist Group, and works on global firefly conservation. She joins us for an illuminating chat about these most de-light-ful creatures.

Image source: Shutterstock

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We've all been living through a traumatic year, both in relation to this public-health crisis as well as the social-justice crossroads we face as a country. With lockdowns continuing until “underdetermined dates” in Malaysia, many are being overwhelmed by feelings of despair, loneliness, anger and fatigue, among others. Can turning to the natural world be the panacea to help us get through these times? We discuss this and more with Baida Hercus, the President of the environmental NGO, Free Tree Society.

Image source: Free Tree Society Facebook 

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In this month's round-up, we first look at all the news surrounding old and new environmental extractive projects - the Penang South Islands reclamation, the mining projects at Tasik Chini and Som forest, the sand-mining at Setiu Wetlands - what gives? Next up, we look at a massive deforestation project in Bukit Ibam, Pahang, which will displace Orang Asli families, and also the land dispute cases in Sarawak, where Penan and Kenyah groups are alleging that they haven't given free, prior, informed consent to logging projects in Miri and Limbang. Finally, will August see the reconvening of Parliament? We need policy-makers to table and debate responses to not just the Covid pandemic, but also a host of consequent environmental issues. Joining us to discuss this and more are Wong Siew Lyn & Law Yao Hua, Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers, Macaranga.org.

Image source: Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang Facebook, Shutterstock  

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