As we close off April, it's time for our monthly Macaranga wrap-up show, where we give you a rundown of the top environmental news from the month past, curated by the co-founders of the environmental journalism portal, Macaranga. We speak to Law Yao Hua to discuss some major updates on the ongoing Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) saga, before turning our attention to what is set to be the first open trial on rhino horn trafficking activities, in Malaysia’s courts. We also chat about the ongoing global plastics treaty negotiations happening at INC-4 in Ottawa, and why there is such an urgent need to craft a treaty to curb the scourge of plastic pollution.



Image Credit: Shutterstock

As we close off April, it's time for our monthly Macaranga wrap-up show, where we give you a rundown of the top environmental news from the month past, curated by the co-founders of the environmental journalism portal, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/">Macaranga</a>. We speak to Law Yao Hua to discuss some major updates on the ongoing Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) saga, before turning our attention to what is set to be the first open trial on rhino horn trafficking activities, in Malaysia’s courts. We also chat about the ongoing global plastics treaty negotiations happening at INC-4 in Ottawa, and why there is such an urgent need to craft a treaty to curb the scourge of plastic pollution.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

Macaranga Wrap-up - Apr 2024

Macaranga's latest article - Floods, Rising Seas Make Dumps More Dangerous - highlights the escalating dangers posed by landfills, amidst the backdrop of climate change-induced floods, rising sea levels, and other environmental impacts, by focusing on Malaysia's waste management crisis. Landfills, once deemed a solution, now exacerbates environmental and health risks due to their vulnerability to climate-related disasters and inadequate waste management practices, and with only a fraction of Malaysia's landfills meeting sanitary standards, the proliferation of open dumpsites compounds these challenges. "Garbage juice" or leachate, heavy metal contamination, and the heightened risk of landfill fires underscore the urgent need for comprehensive waste management strategies. We discuss the research explained in the article, and examine the potential of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants as a solution, while also advocating for a shift towards sustainable lifestyles to address the root causes of waste generation. Can a paradigm shift in consumption patterns and waste management practices mitigate the escalating risks posed by landfills and foster a sustainable future? We discuss this and more with environmental journalist Ashley Leong, the author of the report, Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founder and editor of Macaranga, and Geetha P Kumaran, an Environmental and Waste Management Consultant.



Image Credit: Ashley Yeong, Macaranga

Macaranga's latest article - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/floods-rising-seas-make-dumps-more-dangerous/">Floods, Rising Seas Make Dumps More Dangerous</a> - highlights the escalating dangers posed by landfills, amidst the backdrop of climate change-induced floods, rising sea levels, and other environmental impacts, by focusing on Malaysia's waste management crisis. Landfills, once deemed a solution, now exacerbates environmental and health risks due to their vulnerability to climate-related disasters and inadequate waste management practices, and with only a fraction of Malaysia's landfills meeting sanitary standards, the proliferation of open dumpsites compounds these challenges. "Garbage juice" or leachate, heavy metal contamination, and the heightened risk of landfill fires underscore the urgent need for comprehensive waste management strategies. We discuss the research explained in the article, and examine the potential of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants as a solution, while also advocating for a shift towards sustainable lifestyles to address the root causes of waste generation. Can a paradigm shift in consumption patterns and waste management practices mitigate the escalating risks posed by landfills and foster a sustainable future? We discuss this and more with environmental journalist Ashley Leong, the author of the report, Wong Siew Lyn, the co-founder and editor of Macaranga, and Geetha P Kumaran, an Environmental and Waste Management Consultant.Image Credit: Ashley Yeong, Macaranga

What A Waste (Problem We Have!)

There are serious flaws in plastic offsets, credits and plastic neutrality, according to the report: Smoke and Mirrors - The Realities of Plastic Credits and Offsetting. Building on research published by SourceMaterial and Bloomberg, with original research by Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), the report looks at two of the main proponents of plastic offsetting — Verra and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) — which were analysed to provide a snapshot of the current realities of plastic offsetting, beyond the promises and marketing. Among other things, the report shows that plastic credits are encouraging the burning of plastic, a practice that releases harmful toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases, with no environmental benefits, and also that there are serious doubts about additionality, a key concept in offsetting. We unpack the findings of this report with Emma Priestland, the Global Corporate Campaigns Coordinator, from the Break Free From Plastic Movement.



Image Credit: Shutterstock

There are serious flaws in plastic offsets, credits and plastic neutrality, according to the report: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/smoke-and-mirrors/">Smoke and Mirrors - The Realities of Plastic Credits and Offsetting.</a> Building on research published by SourceMaterial and Bloomberg, with original research by Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), the report looks at two of the main proponents of plastic offsetting — Verra and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) — which were analysed to provide a snapshot of the current realities of plastic offsetting, beyond the promises and marketing. Among other things, the report shows that plastic credits are encouraging the burning of plastic, a practice that releases harmful toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases, with no environmental benefits, and also that there are serious doubts about additionality, a key concept in offsetting. We unpack the findings of this report with Emma Priestland, the Global Corporate Campaigns Coordinator, from the Break Free From Plastic Movement.Image Credit: Shutterstock

Smoke and Mirrors - The Realities of Plastic Credits and Offsetting

The wildlife conservation landscape in Malaysia, is changing, and while there have been many wins, such as recent amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Act, there remains challenges, such as the delays in the actual enforcement of the Act, which threaten their efficacy. A comparison between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah's wildlife legislation underscores the need for tailored, comprehensive frameworks to address unique ecological needs and challenges. Notably, Sabah's Wildlife Conservation Enactment (1997) exemplifies a holistic approach, emphasising habitat preservation and species conservation. The proliferation of wildlife trade on social media underscores the urgency for dedicated NGOs specialising in rescue and rehabilitation. Drawing lessons from successful collaborations in neighbouring countries, Malaysia can enhance conservation efforts by fostering partnerships between NGOs and government agencies. Transparency, accountability, and adherence to international guidelines, facilitated by Malaysia's membership in the IUCN, are paramount to safeguarding the nation's biodiversity. The Gibbon Conservation Society of Malaysia is an NGO that believes in the importance of approaching conservation from every possible angle, in order to truly solve the issues faced by our wildlife. They work towards a comprehensive approach that not only tackles rehabilitation and the wildlife trade, but also empowers individuals, collaborates with communities, and contributes to scientific research, all while spreading awareness on issues such as these, across the globe. The society submitted an application to Perhilitan under Section 12(2) for a rehabilitation permit a few years ago, but the permit has still not been approved. We speak to Mariani Ramli, the President & Founder of the Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS)  to discuss this ongoing issue, and to also find out how such delays are affecting their ongoing rehabilitation efforts, and the challenges that have arisen from the slow enforcement of these amendments in the Wildlife Act.

The wildlife conservation landscape in Malaysia, is changing, and while there have been many wins, such as recent amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Act, there remains challenges, such as the delays in the actual enforcement of the Act, which threaten their efficacy. A comparison between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah's wildlife legislation underscores the need for tailored, comprehensive frameworks to address unique ecological needs and challenges. Notably, Sabah's Wildlife Conservation Enactment (1997) exemplifies a holistic approach, emphasising habitat preservation and species conservation. The proliferation of wildlife trade on social media underscores the urgency for dedicated NGOs specialising in rescue and rehabilitation. Drawing lessons from successful collaborations in neighbouring countries, Malaysia can enhance conservation efforts by fostering partnerships between NGOs and government agencies. Transparency, accountability, and adherence to international guidelines, facilitated by Malaysia's membership in the IUCN, are paramount to safeguarding the nation's biodiversity. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://gibbonconservationsociety.org/">Gibbon Conservation Society</a> of Malaysia is an NGO that believes in the importance of approaching conservation from every possible angle, in order to truly solve the issues faced by our wildlife. They work towards a comprehensive approach that not only tackles rehabilitation and the wildlife trade, but also empowers individuals, collaborates with communities, and contributes to scientific research, all while spreading awareness on issues such as these, across the globe. The society submitted an application to Perhilitan under Section 12(2) for a rehabilitation permit a few years ago, but the permit has still not been approved. We speak to Mariani Ramli, the President &amp; Founder of the Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS)&nbsp; to discuss this ongoing issue, and to also find out how such delays are affecting their ongoing rehabilitation efforts, and the challenges that have arisen from the slow enforcement of these amendments in the Wildlife Act.

Macaranga Wrap-up - Apr 2024

Earth Matters

In 1 playlist(s)

Earth Matters

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips