Earth Matters
Episodes
Agroecology As A Climate Solution
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Industrial agriculture is often framed as the only way to feed the world, yet its pesticide-heavy model is deepening environmental and climate risks. ...
Nature-Based Learning with The Beach School
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Beach School in Port Dickson started with something simple: a family that loved the sea and wanted to protect it. Over time, Kent Leong and his wi...
Indigenous Leaders Speak Out Against LNG Canada
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A First Nations delegation from British Columbia, Canada, was in Kuala Lumpur to deliver a formal complaint to PETRONAS. Their complaint centers on PE...
The Case Against the Batu Arang Incinerator
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Selangor is running out of landfill space, and the state’s solution is a large waste-to-energy incinerator proposed for Batu Arang. But thousands of...
Inside 25 Years of Tiger Trafficking
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even after 50 years of the highest possible international protection under CITES, tigers continue to be poached and trafficked at alarming levels. A n...
Key Takeaways from COP30 in Belém
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The world watched Belém closely as leaders gathered for COP30, hoping the talks would deliver stronger climate action. Meenakshi Raman (President, Sa...
How Online Sales Are Harming Malaysia's Sharks & Rays
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sharks and rays may feel like abundant, everyday seafood in Malaysia, but new research suggests that the demand is much bigger and more complex than w...
Nature Reads: The Sunda Sh(Elves) Christmas Special 2025
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, and for this Nature Reads special we thought we'd do something a little different. Instead of having one...
Zero-Waste Education for a Greener Malaysia
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Malaysia races against the alarming projection that our landfills may reach capacity by 2041, Zero Waste Malaysia is doubling down on efforts to bu...
Inside the Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shorebirds are easy to miss but impossible to forget once you start paying attention, which is something the team behind the Shorebirds Peninsular Mal...
The State of Nature Conservation in Malaysia
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary biodiversity, from towering dipterocarp forests to coral reefs teeming with life. But dec...
AlterCOP 30 - How Malaysia is Reimagining Climate Action
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the world is gathering in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, the global climate summit. But here in Malaysia, a parallel movement is unfolding - Al...
US E-Waste Flooding Malaysia, Report Finds
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, the world generates tens of millions of tonnes of electronic waste, from old phones and laptops to discarded TVs. Much of this ends up not...
Beyond Waste-to-Energy: Real Solutions for Plastic Pollution
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Across Southeast Asia, we’re all grappling with plastic waste, from rivers choked with bottles and packaging to new proposals for “waste-to-energy...
Meet Malaysia’s Trailblazing Indigenous Women Rangers
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All five of Malaysia’s gibbon species are endangered, facing threats from deforestation, hunting, and the illegal pet trade. But in the forests of P...
Nature Reads: Remembering Nanga Jela, an Iban Homeland
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this month's Nature Reads, together with co-host Surin Suksuwan (co-founder, Sunda Shelves), we speak to author and anthropologist Dr. Christine P...
Malaysian Firms Linked to Papua New Guinea Logging
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Papua New Guinea is home to one of the world’s last great tropical rainforests, a vital ecosystem that stores carbon, supports thousands of species,...
The Bamboo Boom Threatening Sarawak’s Forests
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new deforestation alert has been raised in Sarawak, this time around the Bakun Reservoir. Satellite and drone images show that native forest is bein...
Budget 2026: Investing in (or Ignoring) the Environment?
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia’s Budget 2026 has been described as a “green and low-carbon” budget, with RM2.38 billion allocated to the Ministry of Natural Resources...
Saving Tigers Together: RIMAU’s Conservation Mission
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just last month, as we celebrated Malaysia Day, news broke of a heartbreaking poaching case in Johor, where a Malayan tiger was found dead, stuffed in...
Green Wishlists for Malaysia’s Budget 2026
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are challenges that don’t wait for budget cycles. That’s why many are calling for stronger govern...
Rethinking Tourism for People and Planet
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tourism isn’t just about where we travel, it also shapes our economy, our communities, and our natural heritage. Three years ago, The Habitat Founda...
Nature Reads: Travels, Consultancy, and the Books Between
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For September's episode, we speak to Dr. Balamurugan, the founder of ERE Consulting Group and CEO of Elistra Advisory, who recently retired after a lo...
Why River Terrapins Matter More Than You Think
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Terrapin conservation isn’t just about saving a species, it’s also about involving communities, empowering women, and reconnecting Malaysians with...
Malaysia’s Marine Conservation Challenges
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From diving while seven months pregnant, to pioneering sustainable aquaculture projects that support coastal communities, Prof. Dato' Dr. Aileen Tan h...
Logging, Blockades, and Hope in Sarawak’s Forests
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Forests, rivers, and communities are all deeply connected. In Sarawak, Indigenous communities have been working tirelessly to protect their homelands,...
Birds, Forests, and Marvellous Adventures in Terengganu
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Merdeka and Malaysia Day season, we’re reminded that our country’s story isn’t just about people and places, it’s also about our connecti...
Can We Conquer Marine Debris?
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been to the beach, only to find more rubbish than seashells? Unfortunately, that’s a reality for many of our coastlines. But every Sep...
Can Smart Cities Save the Environment?
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all been there - stuck in traffic, breathing in exhaust, or wondering why our city feels harder to live in than it should. But what if the sol...
Protecting Malaysia's Iconic Hornbills
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They are striking, noisy, and unmistakable - but hornbills are far more than beautiful rainforest residents. As key seed dispersers, they’re essenti...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: August 2025
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this month’s Macaranga Wrap-Up, we turn to the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. In Selangor, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia...
Nature Reads: The Skeat Expedition’s Forgotten Stories
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest episode of Nature Reads, we travel back to 1899, when Cambridge anthropologist Walter William Skeat led a major scientific expedition to...
Sustainable Tourism and Spots to Visit in Malaysia
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia’s ecotourism scene has been quietly growing, with communities, conservation groups, and travellers all playing a part in making tourism mor...
Global Plastics Treaty: What Geneva Decided
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The world is drowning in plastic, and governments have been working for more than three years on a global treaty to tackle the crisis. Countries have ...
World Elephant Day 2025: Can Malaysia Save Its Asian Elephants?
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Asian elephants are iconic, intelligent, and a vital part of our natural heritage, but here in Malaysia, they face an uncertain future. Habitat loss, ...
World Elephant Day 2025: Spotlight on Borneo’s Elephants
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They’re small, elusive, and unlike any other elephants in the world, but many of us don’t even realise that Bornean elephants are found only here,...
FPIC and the Fight for Indigenous Rights
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s land development, conservation, or cultural survival, Indigenous peoples are often the last to be consulted, if at all. Yet they’re a...
Why Malaysia Must Act on Plastic Pollution
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia is among the top importers of plastic waste in the developing world, and plastic pollution is choking not just our landfills, but our rivers,...
FRIM: Malaysia’s Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to turn a tin mine into a rainforest, and then get the world to recognise it as a treasure worth protecting? That’s exactly what M...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: July 2025
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every month, we catch up with Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, to chat about the biggest e...
Nature Reads: Reading the Wild with Azamuddeen Nasir
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Seed Law Changes Worry Malaysian Farmers
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Malaysian Food Sovereignty Forum has raised the alarm over proposed changes to two key agricultural laws: the Protection of New Plant Varieties Ac...
Can the World Solve Plastic Pollution Together?
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The world is trying to craft a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, but not everyone agrees on what that should look like. As INC-5.2 negotiat...
Melaka Mega Reclamation: What’s at Stake?
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melaka’s coastline is facing a transformation of unprecedented scale. A massive land reclamation project spanning over 1,100 hectares is being propo...
Who Owns the Right to Seeds?
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A quiet but crucial battle is playing out over something we often overlook - seeds. Proposed changes to Malaysia’s Protection of New Plant Varieties...
Seahorses, Seagrass, and Saving the Planet
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do a mudflat at dawn, an endangered seahorse, and climate action have in common? More than you’d expect. We speak to Vincent Tan, who recently ...
Why Bonn Talks Fell Short on Climate Goals
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two weeks of climate negotiations in Bonn have just wrapped up, and the road to COP30 in Brazil this November is looking anything but smooth. From del...
Saving Fireflies: Science, Stories and Solutions
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s something magical about seeing fireflies, those tiny flashes of light that feel like nature’s own fairy lights. But behind that glow is a ...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: June 2025
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Macaranga Wrap-Up is our monthly segment where we take a step back and look at the top environmental news stories making headlines across Malaysia, wi...
Nature Reads: Books on Environmental Practice and Perspective
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for Nature Reads, a show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we t...
Meet Nabalu: Hope for Endangered Gibbons
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a historic moment for gibbon conservation, and for Malaysia. For the first time ever, a North Bornean Gibbon has been born in a rehabilitation ...
Artivism for Conservation
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When we talk about climate solutions, we often focus on numbers, technologies, and laws. But what about stories, emotions, and imagination? Today on t...
Are We Ready? – Preparing for Disasters in Malaysia
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia has seen its fair share of disasters - from flash floods to landslides and even the pipeline explosion in Shah Alam. These events are a stark...
Can We Drill and Still Go Green?
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia has made big promises on climate — from net-zero by 2050 to supporting clean energy. But are we walking the talk? A just-released report fr...
Fireflies, Forests, and the Fight to Protect Them
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to protecting Malaysia’s natural heritage, sometimes it’s the smallest creatures that spark the biggest movements. In Sungai Sepetan...
Monkey Neighbours: Coexisting With Malaysia’s Macaques
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As urban areas expand and forests shrink, humans and macaques are increasingly crossing paths - but not always peacefully. What can we do to reduce ne...
Temoq OA Consent Judgment: Progress or Compromise?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The recent settlement between the Temoq Orang Asli and a major oil palm company is being called a breakthrough for indigenous land rights in Malaysia....
Macaranga Wrap-Up: May 2025
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a busy month for environmental news in Malaysia, from courtrooms to highland roads and wildlife crossings. In this roundup with the co-fou...
Nature Reads: Sen’oi Serog
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're kicking off a new series on Earth Matters, Nature Reads, a show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the...
The Otter Side of Nature
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Otters are more than just cute faces, they are top predators in the wetland food chain and guardians of ecosystem balance. Ahead of World Otters Day, ...
Heatwave Hits Malaysia’s Coral Reefs Hard
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2024, Malaysia experienced its most devastating coral bleaching event on record, with more than half of the country's corals turning ghostly white ...
Malaysia’s Songbird Craze and Crisis
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Songbird competitions are a cherished tradition across Malaysia, but behind the melodic chirps and prized trophies lies a booming - and troubling - tr...
Where Wild Things Roam: Conservation in Borneo
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, but protecting its incredible wildlife is no easy task. Shavez Cheema, founder of 1StopBorneo Wi...
The Problem with TNFD Disclosures Explained
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As biodiversity loss accelerates, there’s a growing push to get financial institutions to take responsibility. In Malaysia, Bank Negara has announce...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: April 2025
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our fourth round-up of environmental news for 2025, with the good folks from environmental journalism portal Macaranga. Co-founders Wong Siew Lyn...
Saving Seagrass: Sustaining Coastal Livelihoods
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gonggong, sea cucumbers, and carpet anemones—just some of the treasures gleaned from Johor’s seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows are often overlook...
Saving Seagrass: Protection Over Planting
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably heard about saving coral reefs and planting mangroves, but what about seagrass? These underwater meadows are quietly holding up our ...
Malaysia’s EFT Scheme: What’s Working, What’s Not
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia’s forests and ecosystems are critical to both our natural heritage and climate goals — and yet, managing them often falls to state govern...
Justice Delayed for Bukit Cherakah Forest
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a classic David versus Goliath story: two environmental NGOs taking on the state government to protect Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve — only t...
Global Clean Energy Hits 40%, ASEAN Lags Behind
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new report from energy think tank Ember reveals a global clean energy milestone: low-carbon sources supplied 40.9% of the world’s electricity in 2...
Bukit Kiara’s Bountiful Biodiversity
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bukit Kiara is one of the Klang Valley’s last remaining green lungs, a beloved patch of forest that offers a daily dose of nature to thousands of ur...
Sabah’s Bold Plan to Save Sun Bears
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sabah has introduced its first-ever 10-year Bornean Sun Bear Action Plan (2025–2034) to tackle the pressing threats facing the species, which is cla...
How Wildlife Traffickers Exploit Malaysia’s Airports
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia’s airports have become hotspots for wildlife trafficking, with thousands of animals smuggled through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KL...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: March 2025
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we close off March, time to look back at some of the top environmental news from the month past, with the co-founders of environmental journalism p...
How Justice for Wildlife Malaysia Fights Crime
23 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Behind every wildlife crime is a legal battle - one that Justice for Wildlife Malaysia (JWM) is determined to strengthen. Recognising the critical rol...
Is Carbon Capture Fueling More Fossil Extraction?
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is often presented as a solution to climate change, including here in Malaysia. But according to new r...
Just Energy Transition Partnership: What’s Next Without the U.S.?
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JETP, was designed to help countries move away from coal, towards clean energy. But with the United States ...
Understanding Environmental Impact Assessments
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When a major development project is announced—whether it’s a highway, a dam, or a large-scale plantation—one of the most critical steps in the p...
How Malaysia’s Seed Bill Threatens Farmers
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For generations, farmers in Malaysia have saved and shared seeds, preserving biodiversity, culture, and food security. But a new proposed law could ch...
The Story of The Mah Meri's Spirit Flowers
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Mah Meri’s bunga moyang, or ancestral spirit flowers, are more than just beautiful weavings - they carry deep spiritual meaning and reflect a wa...
Inside the Illegal Gibbon Trade
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gibbons are among the most endangered primates in the world, yet their trafficking rarely makes headlines. As smuggling operations grow bolder, urgent...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: February 2025
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For February's wrap-up of top environmental news, Wong Siew Lyn, co-founder of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, joins us to first discuss th...
How Communities Are Stopping Logging In Sarawak
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Indigenous communities in Sarawak have fought to protect their ancestral lands from unsustainable logging, challenging industry practices a...
Perdana Botanical Garden Walks: Nature, Wildlife & More
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Perdana Botanical Garden is more than just a scenic escape in the heart of Kuala Lumpur—it’s also a gateway to understanding Malaysia’s rich bio...
Bleaching, Breakdown, and Hope for Coral Reefs
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the state of Malaysia’s coral reefs, and what can we do to protect them? These vibrant ecosystems are essential for marine life and coastal...
The Realities of Rehabilitating & Releasing Rescued Sun Bears
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Sabah, rescuing and rehabilitating sun bears is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in preparing them for life in the wild, while address...
Trump’s Environmental Policies: Who Wins, Who Loses?
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When we think about climate action, it’s easy to focus on what’s happening in our own backyard. But the reality is, decisions made in big economie...
Inside Green Wira: Zero Waste Education in Schools
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As environmental awareness grows, initiatives like Zero Waste Malaysia’s Green Wira Programme (GWP) are shaping the next generation of sustainabilit...
US Pulls Out Of Paris Agreement - What Happens Next?
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The United States’ exit from the Paris Agreement - again - raises urgent questions about the future of global climate negotiations. What does ...
Macaranga Wrap-Up: January 2025
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2025's first round-up of top environmental news from the month past, we tackle how coastal erosion is devastating coastlines in some parts of Malay...
Snakes Explained!
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we slither into the Year of the Snake this Chinese New Year, it’s the perfect time to shed our fears and learn more about these fascinating creat...
Tackling Greenwashing in Southeast Asia
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From misleading advertisements to vague sustainability promises, greenwashing is becoming a major hurdle in the fight against the climate crisis. The ...
Fighting Food Waste with Kechara Soup Kitchen
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every day, perfectly good food ends up in the trash while countless people struggle to find their next meal. But what if there was a way to fix both p...
Preserving Malaysia’s Largest Rainforest Nursery in Behrang Ulu
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nestled at the base of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the Behrang Ulu urban forest is a natural treasure that the local community has worked tirelessly to ...
Petting Zoos: Conservation or Exploitation
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Petting zoos, with their promise of up-close wildlife encounters, have surged in popularity, blending education, entertainment, and exotic allure. Yet...
Wild Stories, Wilder Causes
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lara Ariffin is an award-winning filmmaker whose passion for conserving wildlife has shaped her stunning documentaries, including the acclaimed online...
The Biji Alam Awards for Nature Conservation
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Organised by the Biji Alam Conservation Society, the Biji Alam Awards for Nature Conservation represent a groundbreaking initiative to honour and empo...
In PACOS We Trust: Empowering Indigenous Sabah
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, PACOS Trust - Partners of Community Organisations in Sabah - has been at the forefront of supporting Sabah’s indigenous communities, he...
Macaranga Wrap-up: A Look-Back at 2024
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are at the end of 2024 – again, it’s been quite a year for the planet, and we take a look back at some of the top news covered by environmental...
Protecting Selangor’s Rivers and Water
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Macaranga's latest article “Banking on River Reserves to Protect Water Supply” explores Selangor's urgent measures to safeguard its water resource...