Earth Matters

KampungKu is a series of renewable energy projects dedicated to resolving the energy-related needs of Orang Asli communities across Malaysia, by providing small-scale solar solutions. With help from the Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) and other partners, ten easy-to-use, mobile photovoltaic cells and solar lamps were installed in cooperation with the Orang Asli of Kampung Dedari — a village community located upriver from Kuala Tahan and across from Taman Negara — in less than six months. Following the success of that project, more projects were initiated to help other Orang Asli communities, and even more are hopefully on the horizon. We find out more from Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) and Arran Rahul Hashim, the Lead Project Coordinator and Co-founder of Kampungku. 

Image source: KampungKu, ECOMY

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Setiu Wetlands is one of the largest natural wetlands in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is the only wetland in Malaysia with nine – though some say ten - interconnected ecosystems such as beaches, mudflats, lagoons, estuaries, rivers, islands, coastal forests and mangrove forests. But recently, a local environmental NGO, Ecoswed Initiative, raised the alarm about licensed sand mining activities causing damage and destruction to the beach area, and also to the Setiu Wetlands State Park, which is located next to the coastal forest.  We find out what's happening over in Terengganu from Dr Jarina Mohd Jani, a researcher and lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, who will also share more about what this unique and amazing ecosystem has to offer.

Image source: Jabatan Pelancongan Negeri Terengganu 

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Setiu Wetlands is one of the largest natural wetlands in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is the only wetland in Malaysia with nine – though some say ten - interconnected ecosystems such as beaches, mudflats, lagoons, estuaries, rivers, islands, coastal forests and mangrove forests. But recently, a local environmental NGO, Ecoswed Initiative, raised the alarm about licensed sand mining activities causing damage and destruction to the beach area, and also to the Setiu Wetlands State Park, which is located next to the coastal forest.  We find out what's happening over in Terengganu from Dr Jarina Mohd Jani, a researcher and lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, who will also share more about what this unique and amazing ecosystem has to offer.

Image source: Tourism Terengganu

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The Penang South Reclamation (PSR) megaproject is a massive reclamation project to create three islands off the southern coast of Penang island. The size of the proposed reclamation in question involves 4,500 acres of environmentally sensitive areas - that's about the size of Johor’s Forest City. Many Penangites and local civil society organisations have called for the project to be cancelled, raising concerns over how the reclamation will destroy the richest fishery in Penang, negatively affect the livelihoods of 4,817 inshore fishermen, but also saying that the Penang government has not been transparent about the project. We find out more from Meenakshi Raman, President Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

Image source: Penang South Islands Masterplan Design Competition Website

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As we stay home to stay safe, our disconnect with the outside world could also be resulting in a disconnect with nature and the natural world. Even prior to coronavirus lockdowns, most of us were spending 90% of our time indoors, and many are increasingly worried that children aren't getting enough green time, much to their detriment. How is the disconnect between children and the natural world linked to the decline in wildlife? How can we get our kids to understand nature despite the times we live in, so they will value it? Naturalist Aidi Abdullah joins us to answer these questions and more.

Image source: Shutterstock

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Tasik Chini is one of only two natural freshwater lakes in Malaysia, and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Since the late 1990’s though, Tasik Chini's ecosystem has faced steady degradation, negatively impacting the lives of the local communities that depend on it. Most recently, news has emerged that the Pahang government has approved mining operations in the vicinity of Tasik Chini in Pekan to a royalty-linked company, despite its pledge to rehabilitate the country's second-largest natural lake. We find out more from Andrew Sebastian (Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia)

Image source: Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang Facebook

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Coral Triangle Day is observed every year on the 9th of June, and is a celebration to raise awareness of ocean conservation and protection, especially on the Coral Triangle, the world's epicenter of marine biodiversity. In our continued coverage on Coral Triangle Day, we speak to Dr Jillian Ooi (Marine Ecologist & Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaya) and Affendi Yang Amri (Coral Reef Ecologist, Universiti Malaya & President of the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences), who are both working on a new programme called Projek PULIH - Protecting Underwater Life through Integrated reHabilation - which is related to coral rehabilitation.

Image source: Project Pulih Facebook 

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 The Coral Triangle Day is observed every year on the 9th of June, and is a celebration to raise awareness of ocean conservation and protection, especially on the Coral Triangle, the world's epicenter of marine biodiversity. The Coral Triangle encompasses the seas of six countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste. We get a 101 on the Coral Triangle - sometimes dubbed the "Amazon of the ocean" - from marine scientist Alvin Chelliah, who is also a Senior Programme Manager at Reef Check Malaysia. Alvin will also  discuss Reef Check's work on Pulau Tioman, which is contributing to coral conservation and community resilience there.

Image source: Shutterstock

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With the effects of climate change already being reported, its impact will only intensify over time, affecting the children and youth of today, who will bear the brunt of our actions. Often burdened with the role as the "last generation that can end climate change", many have taken up the problem and are encouraging more to do so. Ahead of World Environment Day, we speak to young environmental activists about their plans for saving the planet, in the areas of education, technology, science, law and politics. Joining us are Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, the Chairperson of Klima Action Malaysia or KAMY, Sharan Raj, the National Coordinator of the Bureau for Environment & Climate Crisis at Parti Sosialis Malaysia, and Natasha Zulaikha from the youth-led environmental initiative, MyHutan. This episode is brought to you by Volvo Cars; Redefining freedom to move in a personal, sustainable, and safe way."

Image source: Shutterstock

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In this month's roundup of environmental news, we first discuss Penang's conflicting coastal conservation plans - on the one hand, they aim to gazette 428 ha of mangroves as forest reserves this year, but then, the state is also proposing to reclaim about 1800 hectares of land on its southern coast - a move widely criticised by conservationists. What gives? Next we will look at the news of a canine coronavirus, which has triggered unwarranted panic among Malaysians. The study on the matter suggested no human-to-human transmission, and couldn't tell if the virus caused disease. Instead of panicking over unsubstantiated concerns, we look at verified zoonotic threats that emerged from deforestation. Finally, it's World Environment Day in June, and the global theme is Ecosystem Restoration. Malaysia has launched its 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Why then the disconnect of continuing with deforestation plans, while planning to plant more trees? Joining us to discuss these issues are Wong Siew Lyn & Law Yao Hua, Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers, Macaranga.org.

Image source: Shutterstock, 100JutaPokok

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