The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), will take place from the 11th to the 22nd November 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Described as a "pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis" what are the key focus areas for these talks, and what's at stake? We chat with Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, to discuss this and more.



Image credit: Shutterstock

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), will take place from the 11th to the 22nd November 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Described as a "pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis" what are the key focus areas for these talks, and what's at stake? We chat with Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, to discuss this and more.Image credit: Shutterstock

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.

Earth Matters

COP29 Climate Summit: Key Issues and Urgent Goals

In Kuching, outdated drainage infrastructure and rapid urbanisation have exacerbated flash flooding, leaving residents vulnerable and frequently facing severe property damage and safety risks. Persistent heavy rainfall, worsened by climate change, causes rivers to swell and drains to overflow, inundating homes, cars, and streets. For locals living there, flooding is a recurring crisis, disrupting lives, destroying belongings, and even bringing wildlife hazards into urban areas. While government efforts are underway to improve drainage systems, experts and flood management researchers urge a more comprehensive approach that includes sustainable urban planning, updated infrastructure, and accessible flood data to better prepare for the city’s evolving environmental challenges. All this and more are explored in Macaranga's latest article, Fighting Floods with Better Drainage in Kuching, and we discuss the research and findings on this with Liani MK, a contributing writer with Macaranga who wrote the piece, Wong Siew Lyn, Editor, Macaranga, and Dr Charles Bong, a hydrology and urban drainage management researcher, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).



Image credit: Arieff Zafir (via Macaranga.org)

In Kuching, outdated drainage infrastructure and rapid urbanisation have exacerbated flash flooding, leaving residents vulnerable and frequently facing severe property damage and safety risks. Persistent heavy rainfall, worsened by climate change, causes rivers to swell and drains to overflow, inundating homes, cars, and streets. For locals living there, flooding is a recurring crisis, disrupting lives, destroying belongings, and even bringing wildlife hazards into urban areas. While government efforts are underway to improve drainage systems, experts and flood management researchers urge a more comprehensive approach that includes sustainable urban planning, updated infrastructure, and accessible flood data to better prepare for the city’s evolving environmental challenges. All this and more are explored in Macaranga's latest article, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/fighting-floods-with-better-drainage-in-kuching/">Fighting Floods with Better Drainage in Kuching</a>, and we discuss the research and findings on this with Liani MK, a contributing writer with Macaranga who wrote the piece, Wong Siew Lyn, Editor, Macaranga, and Dr Charles Bong, a hydrology and urban drainage management researcher, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).Image credit: Arieff Zafir (via Macaranga.org)

Better Drainage in the Fight Against Floods

Malaysia is home to ten hornbill species, who play vital roles in preserving the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems. But these beautiful and iconic birds face threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and also suffer from the effects of climate change. We explore how conservation efforts - driven by science and community involvement - are giving hornbills a fighting chance in Malaysia’s rainforests. Joining us are wildlife researcher Dr. Ravinder Kaur (Wildlife Researcher, CoFounder, xploregaia, Scientific Director, GAIA and a lecturer at Sunway University) and Dr. Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin (CEO, Sime Darby Foundation) to share insights into the challenges and triumphs of conserving these magnificent creatures, the vital role hornbills play in the ecosystem, and the groundbreaking efforts being made to protect their habitats. We also discuss the inaugural National Hornbill Day, which is set to be celebrated on the 10th of November 2024.



Image credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia is home to ten hornbill species, who play vital roles in preserving the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems. But these beautiful and iconic birds face threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and also suffer from the effects of climate change. We explore how conservation efforts - driven by science and community involvement - are giving hornbills a fighting chance in Malaysia’s rainforests. Joining us are wildlife researcher Dr. Ravinder Kaur (Wildlife Researcher, CoFounder, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://xploregaia.com/">xploregaia</a>, Scientific Director, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.no-burn.org/">GAIA</a> and a lecturer at Sunway University) and Dr. Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin (CEO, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.yayasansimedarby.com/">Sime Darby Foundation</a>) to share insights into the challenges and triumphs of conserving these magnificent creatures, the vital role hornbills play in the ecosystem, and the groundbreaking efforts being made to protect their habitats. We also discuss the inaugural National Hornbill Day, which is set to be celebrated on the 10th of November 2024.Image credit: Shutterstock

Hornbill Conservation in Malaysia: Threats and Triumphs

In a follow up interview, we speak to Datuk Dr. John Payne, the CEO of Bringing Back Our Rare Animals (BORA), a pioneering conservation organisation based in Sabah. Originally founded to prevent the extinction of the Sumatran or Hairy rhinoceros, BORA has now expanded its focus to include efforts to boost wild food productivity for endangered species such as Bornean orangutans, elephants, and the often-overlooked native wild cattle species. Dr. Payne shares insights into BORA’s unique approach to wildlife conservation, particularly how enhancing food supply for prey species plays a critical role in sustaining larger predators and promoting ecosystem balance.



Image credit: Shutterstock

In a follow up interview, we speak to Datuk Dr. John Payne, the CEO of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bringingbackourrareanimals.org/">Bringing Back Our Rare Animals (BORA)</a>, a pioneering conservation organisation based in Sabah. Originally founded to prevent the extinction of the Sumatran or Hairy rhinoceros, BORA has now expanded its focus to include efforts to boost wild food productivity for endangered species such as Bornean orangutans, elephants, and the often-overlooked native wild cattle species. Dr. Payne shares insights into BORA’s unique approach to wildlife conservation, particularly how enhancing food supply for prey species plays a critical role in sustaining larger predators and promoting ecosystem balance.Image credit: Shutterstock

COP29 Climate Summit: Key Issues and Urgent Goals

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