Earth Matters
Science & Ideas
About
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.
Episodes
- The Unequal Reality of the Climate Crisis
Across the Pacific, communities are already living with the realities of the climate crisis. From rising sea levels to stronger storms and threats to food security, many island nations are facing impacts despite contributing only a tiny fr…
- Preserving Bukit Dinding’s Urban Forest
Adrihazim Rashid and Inci Syafruddin of Friends of Bukit Dinding discuss the efforts to protect the Bukit Dinding urban forest in Kuala Lumpur, including conservation and advocacy work.
- First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Explained
The podcast episode covers the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels held in Santa Marta, Colombia. It explores the discussions on roadmaps, financing, and accelerating the move from coal, oil, and gas, featuring insight…
- Orang Asli in Malaysia: Land and Rights
This episode of Earth Matters examines the critical issue of land rights for Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. It delves into why land remains a contested topic, building on discussions of lived experiences from Part One and referencing…
- Orang Asli in Malaysia: Lived Realities
This episode discusses the lived realities of Orang Asli communities in Malaysia, including education, healthcare, and development issues, referencing a policy brief from the Center for Orang Asli Concerns. Dr. Colin Nicholas shares insigh…
- What’s at Stake in Rare Earth Processing?
The renewal of a 10-year license for a rare earth processing facility in Gebeng, Malaysia, is under scrutiny. Civil society groups highlight ongoing concerns regarding radioactive waste, transparency, and accountability, alongside new ques…
- Nature Reads: Wildlife, Wisdom, and Writing with John Payne
John Payne, CEO of BORA and author, discusses his decades of wildlife conservation work in Malaysia and his writings on species loss and restoration with co-host Surin Suksuwan. The episode explores the books that influenced him and his ho…
- Putra Heights Pipeline Explosion: What Was Missed
A year after the Putra Heights pipeline explosion, a new report challenges the official findings of no negligence. The report, authored by Greenpeace Malaysia and RimbaWatch, investigates potential overlooked issues in planning, safety sta…
- The "Mana Hutan Kami" Lawsuit Explained
Six young Malaysians have filed a climate-focused lawsuit challenging environmental policy and government responsibilities in Malaysia, a megadiverse country committed to 50 percent forest cover. The "Mana Hutan Kami" case questions the pr…
- Bukit Cherakah Forest Battle: The Story & What’s Next
Malaysia’s highest court dismissed a legal challenge to protect the Shah Alam Community Forest. The ruling ends a three-and-a-half-year conservation fight and raises concerns about the future of forest protection and public involvement in…
- Growing Native Plants, Protecting Indigenous Knowledge
Temuan women in Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Buloh manage a community nursery growing native plants, utilizing traditional ecological knowledge. Their efforts support conservation and livelihoods, documented in a booklet co-created with Gerim…
- Who Benefits From Sarawak’s New Dams?
Ten years after the Baram Dam was cancelled, Sarawak is advancing new dam proposals. This episode discusses the potential environmental impact, energy requirements, and community involvement, featuring insights from Peter Kallang and Celin…
- Indigenous Knowledge in Action at Jungle School Gombak
Jungle School Gombak is an initiative where the forest serves as a learning space, and Orang Asli community members share their skills and perspectives. Co-founders Major Retired Kalam Pie and Assistant Professor Dr Norzalifa Zainal Abidin…
- Climate Action Amid Rising Global Tensions
Climate advocates highlight the risks of geopolitical uncertainty to climate action, including diverted funds and delayed progress. The episode discusses the urgency of aligning regional priorities for upcoming convenings like the Santa Ma…
- Nature Reads: Raising Eco-Aware Kids Through Stories
Earth Matters features Mimi Salleh, author and publisher of Casa Kids Book, discussing children's books that promote environmental themes and sustainability. The conversation covers books that influenced Mimi's connection to nature and Cas…
- Roots & Shoots Malaysia: Keeping Jane Goodall's Legacy Alive
This episode features TP Lim and Keilly Lim discussing the Roots & Shoots Malaysia initiative, which carries forward Jane Goodall's legacy by empowering young people to enact positive change in their communities through the Roots & Shoots…
- Rethinking Farming With Food Forests
This episode discusses food forests, an agricultural approach inspired by resilient forest ecosystems. It features guests Abdul Razak Abdul Aziz, Chee Hoy Yee, and Gabriel Hii discussing regenerative farming and community resilience in the…
- Malaysia’s Fair Share Carbon Budget Explained
Earth Matters discusses Malaysia's fair share of the global carbon budget, a finite amount of emissions left to avoid severe climate change impacts. The episode explores a report co-authored by Adam Farhan and Nithiyah Tamilwanan that exam…
- The Great Raptor Migration at Tanjung Tuan
The episode discusses the annual migration of raptors through Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve, a significant wildlife event in the region. It covers the importance of this journey and how the public can participate in Raptor Watch 2026 with Wo…
- Development vs Environment in Penang
The Earth Matters episode discusses the challenges facing Penang, balancing economic development with environmental preservation. It highlights concerns over the Silicon Island project, potential ecological damage, and impacts on fisherfol…
- Inside Gua Musang’s Orang Asli Struggles
The episode explores the direct impact of Malaysia's extensive forest loss on Orang Asli communities in Gua Musang, including environmental degradation and land disputes. Heng Kiah Chun from Greenpeace Malaysia discusses the #HutanKitaHakK…
- Orang Asli Rights and Broken Promises
Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia are experiencing evictions, arrests, and development without consent. Civil society groups highlight systemic marginalisation and urge the Prime Minister to uphold land rights and reform commit…
- Understanding Malaysia's Seed Law Shift
Proposed changes to Malaysia’s seed laws are central to a debate on farmers’ rights, food security, and corporate influence, with UPOV 1991 being a key point of discussion. The episode features Sangeeta Shashikant from Third World Network…
- Nature Reads: Folklore, Forests, and the Alak Books
This Earth Matters episode features writer Salhan K Ahmad discussing his Alak books, which merge folklore and the natural world. He joins co-host Surin Suksuwan of Sunda Shelves to talk about the inspiration behind his stories and how fict…
- Development and Displacement in Orang Asli Lands
This Earth Matters episode examines Orang Asli land rights in Malaysia, highlighting issues of displacement and development. It features discussions with Lanuza Layon and Sarah Amer regarding the Mah Meri community's concerns about a propo…
- Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia Part 2: A System Revealed
Part 2 of Earth Matters' series on illegal e-waste in Malaysia discusses the global systems fueling the trade and potential solutions. Guests Mageswari Sangaralingam and Wong Pui Yi provide insights into the issue.
- Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia Part 1: A Problem Exposed
Part one of a series on Malaysia's illegal e-waste trade explores recent enforcement actions, seizures, and corruption investigations. Researchers discuss the scale of the problem and environmental risks.
- Saving Wetlands: The Story of Kuala Selangor Nature Park
The Earth Matters episode 'Saving Wetlands: The Story of Kuala Selangor Nature Park' examines the significance of this wetland ecosystem near Kuala Lumpur. It discusses the park's role in coastal protection, wildlife support, and connectin…
- Malaysia Loses 47,000 Football Fields of Coral
Earth Matters discusses the significant loss of live coral cover in Malaysia, as reported by Reef Check Malaysia. CEO Julian Hyde explains the implications of this decline and the relevance of the High Seas Treaty to ocean conservation.
- Nature Reads: Books Rooted in Place and People
On Earth Matters' Nature Reads segment, guest Su Mei Toh discusses books focused on nature, environmental classics, Indigenous knowledge, science writing, and field guides rooted in Malaysia, with hosts Surin Suksuwan and others.
- Is Waste-to-Energy Really Sustainable?
Earth Matters explores the sustainability of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) in Malaysia, featuring researcher Yuenmei Wong. The discussion covers the realities, misconceptions, and policy implications of WtE, questioning its viability as a waste ma…
- Malaysia’s First Climate Lawsuit Explained
The Earth Matters podcast discusses Malaysia’s first climate lawsuit, filed by RimbaWatch, which focuses on corporate greenwashing. Kuberan Hansrajh Kumaresan explains the case and its significance for regulating climate claims in Malaysia.
- Indigenous Ecotourism with the Semai Community
The Semai community in Indigenous Tropical Adventure & Homestay (ITAH) is opening its doors wider for ecotourism, focusing on fruit seasons, forest life, and cultural exchange. This initiative is supported by Gerimis Art, with insights sha…
- Fragmented-Connected: Finding Nature in a Concrete Klang Valley
The exhibition Fragmented-Connected examines the loss due to urbanization in the Klang Valley and explores reconnection through conservation, community, and storytelling, featuring insights from Siti Syuhada Sapno and Vivian Soon.
- Floods, Heat, and Climate Justice in Thailand
This episode discusses the disconnect between global climate commitments and the lived experiences of communities in Thailand dealing with floods, heat, and changing livelihoods. It features climate activist Wanun Permpibul discussing clim…
- Saving Bukit Kiara Through The Glow Campaign
The Earth Matters episode examines the firefly population in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, as an indicator of ecosystem health amid development pressures. It highlights the area's biodiversity and the collective action spurred by The Glow Cam…
- Agroecology As A Climate Solution
Sarojeni Rengam explains agroecology as a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture, highlighting its benefits for soil health and biodiversity and discussing the systemic changes required for a shift toward community-led farming.
- Nature-Based Learning with The Beach School
The Beach School in Port Dickson, founded by Kent Leong and his wife, focuses on nature-based learning and marine conservation, stemming from a family's love for the sea. It now offers community education initiatives for all ages centered…
- Indigenous Leaders Speak Out Against LNG Canada
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks and Jesse Stoeppler explain their formal complaint to PETRONAS in Kuala Lumpur concerning the LNG Canada project and Coastal GasLink pipeline. They detail violations of Indigenous rights, damage to sac…
- The Case Against the Batu Arang Incinerator
Residents near the proposed Batu Arang waste-to-energy incinerator express concerns about high risks. Spokespeople from Jaringan Rawang Tolak Incinerator share insights into the project's community impact and argue for safer solutions, not…
- Inside 25 Years of Tiger Trafficking
A 25-year analysis, "Beyond Skin and Bones," examines thousands of tiger seizures globally, highlighting sophisticated criminal networks and persistent poaching despite CITES protection. Kanitha Krishnasamy discusses the report's findings,…
- Key Takeaways from COP30 in Belém
Meenakshi Raman, President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, shares insights from the COP30 climate negotiations in Belém, discussing both the achievements and areas needing improvement in global climate action.
- How Online Sales Are Harming Malaysia's Sharks & Rays
New research indicates a large and complex online trade of sharks and rays in Malaysia, with critically endangered species being sold digitally. Co-authors Serene Chng of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and Serena Adam of WWF-Malaysia explain the t…
- Nature Reads: The Sunda Sh(Elves) Christmas Special 2025
The Christmas Special of Nature Reads on Earth Matters features the three co-founders of Sunda Shelves discussing their favorite nature and conservation books, offering gift ideas, and sharing news from their store. The episode is part of…
- Zero-Waste Education for a Greener Malaysia
Zero Waste Malaysia is expanding zero-waste education in schools through its Green Wira Programme, having trained over 300 educators impacting 150,000 students to address the nation's landfill capacity issues.
- Inside the Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project
The Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project works to conserve and raise awareness about shorebirds in Malaysia through surveys, outreach, and partnerships. Ornithologists Dr. Nur Munira Azman and Dr. Aini Hasanah Abd Mutalib discuss their d…
- The State of Nature Conservation in Malaysia
The Earth Matters episode discusses the impact of deforestation and urbanisation on Malaysia's biodiversity. Donovan Louis and Ng Sean Fong from the Malaysian Nature Society detail the upcoming symposium focusing on the state of nature con…
- AlterCOP 30 - How Malaysia is Reimagining Climate Action
This episode discusses AlterCOP 30 Malaysia, a grassroots, youth-driven climate action summit that runs parallel to the global COP30 in Brazil. Organizers Benoit Rabaud, Wan Hidayat, and Gabriel Hii explain its goals of connecting global c…
- US E-Waste Flooding Malaysia, Report Finds
A Basel Action Network report, 'Brokers of Shame,' details how the US exports significant amounts of electronic waste to Malaysia. Researcher Wong Pui Yi discusses the findings on Earth Matters.
- Beyond Waste-to-Energy: Real Solutions for Plastic Pollution
This episode discusses the challenges of plastic waste in Southeast Asia, critically examining waste-to-energy proposals and exploring sustainable solutions with environmental scientist Dr. Jorge Emmanuel and Merci Ferrer of GAIA.