Earth Matters

Reef Check Malaysia has learned of more plans for airport extensions on islands off the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia, this time on Pulau Redang. We find out about these proposed plans from Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, who will also share how developments such as these can negatively impact biodiversity in the area. Julian will also discuss whether such projects will actually benefit few, but have the potential to harm many.

Image source: Shutterstock

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Human survival is dependent on biodiversity, but our activities - supposedly in the name of our survival - are causing biodiversity loss. And now, with most humans living in cities, there is a need to understand how cities impact biodiversity, and how urban biodiversity impacts people. Kota Hijau Kita is a new integrated platform that was created to support and strengthen a growing movement of people participating in protecting natural areas and creating refuges for biodiversity, including in urban settings. We find out more about this initiative from Wong Ee Lynn and Dylan Jefri Ong from the Kota Damansara Community Forest Society, and Shao-Lyn Low, from Eats, Shoots & Roots.

Image source: Kota Hijau Kita Facebook 

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Human survival is dependent on biodiversity, but our activities - supposedly in the name of our survival - are causing biodiversity loss. And now, with most humans living in cities, there is a need to understand how cities impact biodiversity, and how urban biodiversity impacts people. Kota Hijau Kita is a new integrated platform that was created to support and strengthen a growing movement of people participating in protecting natural areas and creating refuges for biodiversity, including in urban settings. We find out more about this initiative from Wong Ee Lynn and Dylan Jefri Ong from the Kota Damansara Community Forest Society, and Shao-Lyn Low, from Eats, Shoots & Roots.

Image source: Kota Hijau Kita Facebook 

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Bite-Size Climate Action is a series of fun, flexible, and immersive short online modules designed by experts in the conservation field, to inspire Malaysian youth to act for the climate. From forests to food to electricity, uniquely Malaysian videos, podcasts, quizzes and more are provided to demystify the science of climate change and empower everyone to be the change they want to see. We find out more from political scientist Dr. Helena Varkkey, and atmospheric scientist Dr. Matthew Ashfold, who are both part of the team behind this initiative.

Image source: Bite-Size Climate Action 

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The estimate is that one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction. International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated annually on the 22nd of May, is a day to remind us how biological diversity is the pillar upon which we build civilizations, and that its loss threatens the survival of us all. This year's theme is “we’re part of the solution” and for ideas and solutions from those working on conserving biodiversity, we are joined by Justine Vaz from The Habitat Foundation, and Peter Ong, from Roots & Shoots Malaysia. Find out how you can be part of the solution, and not the problem.

Image source: Shutterstock

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The Belum Temenggor forest reserve forms the last and largest contiguous block of natural forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Covering an area of over 300,000 hectares, the tropical rainforest is believed to be over 130 million years old, making it older than both the Amazon and the Congo. Home to a dazzling array of flora and fauna, including the endangered Malayan Tiger, the Royal Belum State Park is also home to the Jahai Orang Asli community that has been residing there for generations. Now, the Jahai community, together with the Perak State Park Corporation and NGO Rimau, have formed the Menraq Patrol Unit, to systematically patrol the forest to protect wildlife from poaching and trafficking activities. We find out more about how this initiative will help protect this vital ecosystem, and also provide an alternative livelihood to the members of Menraq - which means “the people'' in the language of the Jahai Orang Asli - and their village as a whole, from Mohamed Shah Redza Hussein, the Director of the Perak State Park Corporation.

Image source: Rimau

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GreenSteps is a community inspired initiative which aims to help communities evolve towards a low carbon society, with a focus on zero waste, healthy consumption, permaculture development and the rejuvenation of green and natural spaces. Greensteps was the first program under Urban-AX, a community inspired accelerator, which focuses on Low Carbon & Circular Economy Development. Azlan Yaacob, the Founder of Urban-AX, joins us to share how GreenSteps programs - such as the Towards Zero Waste and Coffee2Compst initiatives - are enabling communities in TTDI to easily reduce their carbon footprint through activities like composting, urban farming and more.

Image source: GreenSteps Facebook

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 A new landmark global report titled "What We Waste" takes an in-depth look at how single use plastic, metal and glass beverage packaging is being wasted at ever-increasing rates around the world. It is a story which is particularly concerning in countries with inadequate waste management systems, but there are countries who are leading the way, showing the world that there are circular economy models for managing reusable and recyclable resources. We explore the findings of this new report with Von Hernandez, the Global Coordinator of the Break Free from Plastic movement, and discuss the global direction needed, to reverse the plastic pollution crisis and avert catastrophic climate change.

Image source: Break Free From Plastic's Facebook

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The always popular Bukit Kiara is one of the few large green open spaces found right here in Kuala Lumpur. A much needed space for so many urbanites, sadly this green lung is also under threat from development, sitting on prime land, as it were. The NGO Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) has long been championing the protection and preservation of this area, and we find out more about their hard work to do this, and also their future vision for this area, from Ir Dr Kribanandan Naidu, the President of Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK).

Image source: Friends Of Bukit Kiara's Facebook 

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Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founder, co-editor and writer at local environmental journalism portal macaranga.org is back for another Macaranga Wrap-up episode, this time for a round-up of April’s top environmental news. On this episode, we look at why Malaysia was called a “bright spot of hope” by Global Forest Watch, before looking at the not-so-good news about some marine life in Sabah, which are under threat. We also discuss Red Hongyi's powerful performance art piece which tackled climate change, and look at how art can be employed as a powerful conservation (and conversation) tool, before closing off with a celebration of bees, ahead of World Bee Day in May.

Image source: Shutterstock, Red Hongyi's Facebook 

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