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Earth Matters

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

society & culture natural sciences

All Episodes

49:33

Who Benefits From Sarawak’s New Dams?

Earth Matters ·

2026/04/08

This year marks ten years since the Sarawak government cancelled the proposed Baram Dam, a project that would have displaced thousands of people and flooded vast areas of Indigenous land. It was a hard-fought victory, led by communities who stood their ground for years to protect their rivers and their homes. But today, Sarawak is once again pushing forward with new dam proposals, raising familiar concerns about environmental impact, energy needs, and whether communities are being properly included

en-US

50:58

Indigenous Knowledge in Action at Jungle School Gombak

Earth Matters ·

2026/04/06

Indigenous knowledge, cultural identity, and environmental stewardship all come together in a project called Jungle School Gombak, which offers something quite different from a typical classroom. Here, the forest becomes the learning space, and Orang Asli community members take on the role of teachers, sharing skills, stories, and perspectives that are rarely experienced firsthand. It’s an initiative that not only brings people closer to nature, but also challenges how we think about knowledge,

en-US

33:15

Climate Action Amid Rising Global Tensions

Earth Matters ·

2026/04/01

As the world edges deeper into geopolitical uncertainty, climate advocates are warning that the costs could extend far beyond the battlefield, from diverted public funds to delayed climate action. With two major global climate convenings just around the corner, the Santa Marta Conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, and COP31 later this year, the urgency to align regional priorities has never been greater. At a recent regional gathering convened by Climate Action Network Southeast Asia

en-US

29:25

Nature Reads: Raising Eco-Aware Kids Through Stories

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/30

Nature Reads on Earth Matters is the show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with the good folks at Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads. Together with co-host Jennifer Neoh Tan, bookshop manager of Sunda Shelves, we speak to Mimi Salleh, an author, illustrator and publisher of Casa Kids Book, a Malaysian children’s imprint known for picture books that explore

en-US

35:09

Roots & Shoots Malaysia: Keeping Jane Goodall's...

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/25

For decades, Dr. Jane Goodall inspired generations to believe that every individual has the power to make a difference. Through Roots & Shoots, that belief has grown into a global movement led by young people taking action in their own communities. We speak to TP Lim, President of Roots & Shoots Malaysia, and Keilly Lim, Project Manager of the Roots & Shoots Malaysia Award (RASMA), to discuss how that legacy continues here in Malaysia, and how youth can join the 2026 cycle of RASMA

en-US

48:28

Rethinking Farming With Food Forests

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/18

Forests are some of the most productive and resilient ecosystems on Earth. They support incredible biodiversity, build healthy soils, and sustain life in ways that scientists are still learning from. So what if we applied those same principles to the way we grow food? That idea lies behind the concept of food forests, and it is one of the themes that will be explored at the Food Forest Forum 2026, a gathering that will bring together practitioners, farmers, researchers, and community groups

en-US

39:49

Malaysia’s Fair Share Carbon Budget Explained

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/16

The world has a limited amount of carbon left that it can emit if we want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Scientists call this the global carbon budget. But once that number is set, another question follows: how should that budget be divided between countries? A new report titled "Estimating a Fair Share Carbon Budget for Malaysia" examines what our country's fair share might actually look like, and what it means for our climate policies going forward. We find out more from the

en-US

32:10

The Great Raptor Migration at Tanjung Tuan

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/11

The annual migration of raptors across the Straits of Malacca is one of the region’s most remarkable wildlife events. Each year, thousands of birds of prey pass through Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve on their journey north, and the movement is closely observed by birdwatchers and conservationists. We discuss the migration of raptors, why this journey matters, and how the public can experience it through Raptor Watch 2026 with Wong Shea Hong, the Bird Group Coordinator at the Malaysian Nature Society

en-US

42:45

Development vs Environment in Penang

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/09

Penang has long been celebrated for its heritage and natural beauty. But in recent years, concerns about overdevelopment, rising heat, flooding risks and large-scale reclamation have sparked difficult conversations about the island’s future. The Silicon Island project, formerly part of the Penang South Islands plan, is now moving ahead. Supporters call it essential for economic growth. Critics warn of irreversible ecological damage and serious consequences for thousands of fisherfolk. We take a

en-US

22:53

Inside Gua Musang’s Orang Asli Struggles

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/04

Between 2002 and 2023, Malaysia lost millions of hectares of humid primary forest. In places like Gua Musang in Kelantan, the impact of forest loss is being felt directly by Orang Asli communities. Villages in Pos Pasik, Pos Simpor, and Pos Bihai are reporting polluted rivers, damaged crops, conflicts with wildlife, and increasing pressure on customary lands. Some residents are now facing possible legal consequences for defending those lands through peaceful blockades. We speak to Heng Kiah Chun,

en-US

40:54

Orang Asli Rights and Broken Promises

Earth Matters ·

2026/03/02

In just one month, Orang Asli communities across Peninsular Malaysia have faced eviction, arrests, logging activity, and developments moving ahead without their consent. Civil society groups say these are not isolated incidents, but signs of deeper systemic marginalisation tied to land, power and profit, and are calling for the Prime Minister to honour his reform commitments and uphold Orang Asli customary land rights. We speak to Koong Hui Yein, Programme Manager at RimbaWatch, about what is

en-US

56:50

Understanding Malaysia's Seed Law Shift

Earth Matters ·

2026/02/25

Proposed changes to Malaysia’s seed laws have sparked a growing debate about farmers’ rights, food security, and corporate control. At the center of the discussion is UPOV 1991, an international framework that strengthens plant breeders’ rights but has raised concerns across the region. To help us unpack what this could mean for Malaysia and Southeast Asia, we’re joined by Sangeeta Shashikant, Legal Advisor and Programme Coordinator from the Third World Network, and Nori Ignacio, the Executive

en-US

25:45

Nature Reads: Folklore, Forests, and the Alak Books

Earth Matters ·

2026/02/23

Nature Reads on Earth Matters is a show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads. This month, together with co-host Surin Suksuwan, the co-founder of Sunda Shelves, we turn our attention to a homegrown series that blends storytelling, folklore, and the natural world. We’re joined by writer and journalist Salhan K Ahmad,

en-US

34:16

Development and Displacement in Orang Asli Lands

Earth Matters ·

2026/02/16

Across Malaysia, questions about Orang Asli land rights have been back in the headlines, from the detention of villagers in Pahang over a land dispute, to communities facing displacement, environmental damage, and development carried out without meaningful consultation. One of the latest flashpoints is Pulau Carey in Selangor, where the Mah Meri community in Kampung Sungai Kurau says a proposed port expansion could threaten their fishing grounds, cultural heritage, and way of life. We speak with

en-US

35:37

Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia Part 2: A System Revealed

Earth Matters ·

2026/02/11

Illegal e-waste is not a new issue in Malaysia, but recent events have brought it back into the headlines in a big way, from enforcement raids to high-profile investigations and new policy measures. In our previous episode, we spoke about the situation here in Malaysia and the recent developments that have brought the e-waste issue into sharp focus. In this second part of our two-part series on Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia, we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, including the global

en-US

40:34

Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia Part 1: A Problem Exposed

Earth Matters ·

2026/02/09

Malaysia’s illegal e-waste trade has been making headlines in recent weeks, from major enforcement raids and large seizures at ports to corruption investigations involving senior officials. Authorities say the scale of the problem runs into billions of ringgit, raising serious concerns about pollution, public health, and enforcement gaps. In this first of a two part series on Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia, we take a closer look at what’s been happening with Wong Pui Yi, researcher with the Basel

en-US

30:55

Saving Wetlands: The Story of Kuala Selangor Nature Park

Earth Matters ·

2026/02/04

Not too far from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, there’s a place where mangroves meet mudflats, migratory birds stop to rest, and silvered leaf monkeys peer down from the trees. The Kuala Selangor Nature Park may be easy to reach, but its importance goes far beyond a weekend escape. In conjunction with World Wetlands Day, we’re taking a closer look at this unique wetland ecosystem, including how it protects coastlines, supports wildlife, and connects people to nature. Joining us to do that are Ng Sean

en-US

35:32

Malaysia Loses 47,000 Football Fields of Coral

Earth Matters ·

2026/01/28

Malaysia’s coral reefs are in trouble, and the numbers are getting harder to ignore. Reef Check Malaysia’s latest survey shows that live coral cover has fallen again, marking the third straight year of decline. But what does that actually mean for our oceans, our livelihoods, and our future? We speak to Julian Hyde, the CEO of Reef Check Malaysia, to unpack the findings of their 2025 Annual Survey, and to explore why a major new global agreement, the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use

en-US

35:31

Nature Reads: Books Rooted in Place and People

Earth Matters ·

2026/01/26

Nature Reads on Earth Matters is the show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with the good folks at Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads. For this month's episode, we speak to Su Mei Toh, a freelance researcher and advisor at Wild Asia. Together with co-host Surin Suksuwan, the co-founder of Sunda Shelves, Su Mei joins us to share more about a selection of

en-US

41:23

Is Waste-to-Energy Really Sustainable?

Earth Matters ·

2026/01/21

Waste management is something most of us only think about when the bins aren’t collected or when landfills overflow. But behind the scenes, big decisions are being made about how Malaysia deals with its waste, and one solution that keeps coming up is Waste-to-Energy, or WtE. It’s often described as a win-win. Burn the waste, generate electricity, reduce landfills. But critics say the reality is far more complicated, and that these projects come with serious environmental, financial, and health

en-US

964 results

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