Bfm :: Earth Matters

It's estimated that fewer than 150 Malayan tigers remain in the wild in Peninsula Malaysia, led to near extinction by the usual suspects of poaching and habitat loss. But efforts have been stepped up through the years, not only from hard working NGO's, but through the establishment of the National Tiger Task Force headed by the prime minister, and the setting up of a Wildlife Crime Bureau under the police. What more can be done? We speak to Christopher Wong, the Tiger Lead at WWF-Malaysia, ahead to World Tiger Day, to discuss what solutions still remain.Image credit: Linda Tanner

Every last Monday of the month, we gather for a roundup of important environmental news from the month past, with the good folks of journalism portal, Macaranga. This month, Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn, co-founders of Macaranga, join us to discuss how over 53 NGOs are calling for more transparency surrounding environmental impact assessments (EIAs) by the Department of Environment, before we turn to the promising news that the DEWAN Rakyat has approved the National Forestry (Amendment) Bill (RUU) 2022. Looking forward to August, we've got a few "observation" days coming up, including World Elephant Day and World Orangutan Day, and we discuss how we can support these observances by supporting local NGOs working on these issues.

We've seen the reports and news headlines: "Our planet is choking on plastic" "Microplastics: Polluting our blood, foetuses - and now the dairy and meat we eat." Along with the climate and biodiversity loss crises, pollution - including air and plastic pollution -  is the third part of the Triple Planetary Crisis. How can we be part of the solution to end plastic pollution? In conjunction with #PlasticFreeJuly, we discuss this and more on this month's episode of Plastic Soup - an ongoing series where we ask whether we are indeed living in a giant bowl of plastic soup, and explore ways we can get out of this goop. Helping us today is Hema Mahadevan, a Public Engagement Campaigner at Greenpeace Malaysia, who will also share her views on the Global Plastics Treaty, and Malaysia's Plastics Sustainability Roadmap.Image credit: Shutterstock / Maxim Blinkov

Biodiversity for Malaysia is a monthly series which aims to get everyone on the same page when it comes to all things biodiversity-related, especially on issues surrounding the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework process, the 30X30 target, and more. As we've been discussing over the past few months, there has been little progress on negotiations for a new Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Talks in Geneva in March had little progress, and the recently convened talks in Nairobi in June were said to have had only two clear wins. There is particular interest in Target 3, the so-called “30x30 target” which looks to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. But recent interventions by many countries, including Malaysia, have resulted in a somewhat confused situation. What are the issues worrying countries about this target? We discuss perceived problems and available solutions with Jim Gamble (Programme Director, Pacific Environment), Masha Kalinina (Senior Officer, Conserv

The Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link or PJD LINK is a proposed 34.3 km, 2 lane dual carriageway expressway, which, as per its description, will act as a traffic dispersal for the Petaling Jaya area, and serve as an alternative to traffic congested areas. Fully funded by the private sector without government subsidies, the proposed highway - which will be a tolled one - is also being mooted as a means to stimulate the economy which has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are many who are opposing this proposed highway, including, but not limited to, Petaling Jaya residents and other business owners in the area, who are concerned the highway may bring more problems than solutions. We speak to David Yoong, the Chairman of the The Stakeholders cum Residents Against PJD Link (SCRAP Highway) group, about the concerns PJ residents and other stakeholders have about this proposal, which includes the fact that it may irreversibly change the green landscape of PJ.Image Credit: saynotopjdlink

A biologist turned wildlife photographer, Chien Lee began his career in northern California as an environmental educator, before moving to Sarawak in 1996, which has been his base ever since. Using the power of photography to help more of us understand the beauty and wonders of nature, his works are also a powerful reminder of all the natural heritage that needs protection, as we face the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. We speak to Chien about his career as a naturalist and wildlife photographer, and how photography complements and promotes environmental conservation. He also tells us more about “Masters of Disguise,” his solo exhibition that specifically focuses on the art of deceit in nature, through camouflage and mimicry.Image credit: Chien Lee Wildlife Photography

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.Image credit: Shutterstock / Patrik Stanek

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.

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.Image credit: UNclimatechange/Flickr

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

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: gibbonco

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

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

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

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 C

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.Image credit: Shutterstock

It's been said that one of Yeb Sano’s defining moments came during the 2013 UN Climate Summit in Warsaw, where, as the Philippines Chief Negotiator, he delivered an emotional appeal and underwent 14 days of fasting in solidarity with Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) victims, and all those already faced with the impacts of the climate crisis. With nearly two decades of experience working to combat climate change, Yeb is the Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, and has been tirelessly working towards achieving social and environmental justice, especially for developing nations. Ahead of World Environment Day, we speak to Yeb about issues related to the climate crisis, and how he is campaigning for the defense of ancient forests, and against carbon polluters.Image credit: Nitin Bhardwaj/flickr

Another month gone by, another round-up with our two favourite environmental journalists, Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founders of Macaranga. This May, we look back at KL's floods and why it's supposedly happening so often, before turning our attention to the skies, and how Migratory Bird Day this year calls attention to light pollution and its impact on birds, even here in Malaysia. We also discuss the Lanthanide rare earth mining project that has been approved in Perak, which will further reduce the size of our Central Forest Spine. Looking forward to June, we discuss World Oceans Day, and the effects a warming ocean has on corals. Image credit: Shutterstock, RustyR/Shutterstock, Saarani Mohamad/Facebook

Serene Chng is a wildlife trade researcher and a program officer with TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia. Her work involves recording wildlife traded in many of the region’s most notorious markets, and she has brought many emerging wildlife trafficking issues to light through her research and collaborations with others. A bird lover herself, Serene is a co-coordinator with the IUCN Species Survival Commission Asian Songbird Specialist Trade Group, which was instrumental in highlighting the fact that the world is facing an Asian songbird crisis - a result of a frenzy of illegal trapping and unsustainable trade to supply demand for them as caged birds. Serene joins us to talk about her work, including what she did as a "National Geographic Explorer" from 2019 - 2021, which, among other stories, is now immortalised in a podcast series, Expedition: Earth.Image credit: A stall in a bird market, Bali. ©Serene Chng/TRAFFIC

Juara Turtle Project is a conservation and research centre on Tioman Island, and the group call themselves a "peoples project", because they believe change begins with people. The group runs a number of volunteer-based conservation projects to try and progress the situation for the sea turtles and natural habitats on Tioman island, which also has some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs that facilitate a flourishing ecosystem. However, that system is constantly under threat due to unsustainable practices on a local and global scale. We find out more about the group and their work from John Richard Amos and Siti Hawa binti, who are both with the Juara Turtle Project.Image credit: Juara Turtle Project/Facebook