Climate change is often discussed in terms of targets, pledges, and long-term plans. But what happens when companies make climate claims that may not be true, and when no government agency steps in to investigate? RimbaWatch has filed what is believed to be the country’s first climate litigation case focused on greenwashing, and we discuss how this landmark legal case could shape how climate claims are regulated in Malaysia. Joining us to explain what this case is about and why it matters is Kuberan Hansrajh Kumaresan, Head of Legal Advocacy at RimbaWatch.


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Climate change is often discussed in terms of targets, pledges, and long-term plans. But what happens when companies make climate claims that may not be true, and when no government agency steps in to investigate? RimbaWatch has filed what is believed to be the country’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fnsXacxZDRuGr2feUhsl7rxnGwN9xiqx/view">first climate litigation case</a> focused on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.zerogreenwashingalliance.com/">greenwashing</a>, and we discuss how this landmark legal case could shape how climate claims are regulated in Malaysia. Joining us to explain what this case is about and why it matters is Kuberan Hansrajh Kumaresan, Head of Legal Advocacy at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://rimbawatchmy.com/">RimbaWatch</a>. 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

Malaysia’s First Climate Lawsuit Explained

This story begins almost ten years ago, with durian trees planted patiently and a village waiting for the right time. After hosting only small groups of friends for years, the Semai hosts at Indigenous Tropical Adventure & Homestay or ITAH are now ready to open their doors more widely, with support from Gerimis Art. The experience centres on fruit season, forest life, and cultural exchange, guided by the community themselves. To share more on how this collaboration came about, the Semai hosts, and what visitors can expect, we’re joined by Wendi Sia, the Co-Founder of Gerimis Art.

This story begins almost ten years ago, with durian trees planted patiently and a village waiting for the right time. After hosting only small groups of friends for years, the Semai hosts at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSt5wpGE4y8/?img_index=1">Indigenous Tropical Adventure &amp; Homestay</a> or ITAH are now ready to open their doors more widely, with support from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gerimisart.com/">Gerimis Art</a>. The experience centres on fruit season, forest life, and cultural exchange, guided by the community themselves. To share more on how this collaboration came about, the Semai hosts, and what visitors can expect, we’re joined by Wendi Sia, the Co-Founder of Gerimis Art.

Indigenous Ecotourism with the Semai Community

Across the Klang Valley, many small green spaces are overlooked, even as they continue to support wildlife and communities. At the same time, there are people quietly working to protect, reconnect, and care for these places. The exhibition Fragmented-Connected asks what we have lost through urbanisation, and what it means to reconnect, through conservation, community, and storytelling. We find out more from Siti Syuhada Sapno, the Programme Coordinator at the Forest Learning Centre at Perdana Botanical Garden, and the curator and writer of the exhibition, and also Vivian Soon, a Wildlife and Conservation Officer at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), and Project Coordinator for Rantaian Urban Green Spaces (RUGS), an initiative linking urban green spaces across the Klang Valley. 

Across the Klang Valley, many small green spaces are overlooked, even as they continue to support wildlife and communities. At the same time, there are people quietly working to protect, reconnect, and care for these places. The exhibition <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS4PM9KkZLs/">Fragmented-Connected</a> asks what we have lost through urbanisation, and what it means to reconnect, through conservation, community, and storytelling. We find out more from Siti Syuhada Sapno, the Programme Coordinator at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/theforesthouseflc">Forest Learning Centre</a> at Perdana Botanical Garden, and the curator and writer of the exhibition, and also Vivian Soon, a Wildlife and Conservation Officer at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mns.my/">Malaysian Nature Society</a> (MNS), and Project Coordinator for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rugs.my/">Rantaian Urban Green Spaces</a> (RUGS), an initiative linking urban green spaces across the Klang Valley.&nbsp;

Fragmented-Connected: Finding Nature in a Concrete Klang Valley

Climate policies are often designed far from the people most affected by climate change, and while global commitments are important, they don’t always reflect realities on the ground. In Thailand, communities are dealing with flooding, extreme heat, and changing livelihoods, and women are often at the center of responding, yet missing from decision-making. So what happens when policy doesn’t meet lived experience? Joining us to unpack this is Wanun Permpibul, a climate activist and the Director of Climate Watch Thailand, who works at the intersection of climate justice, policy, and grassroots action.


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Climate policies are often designed far from the people most affected by climate change, and while global commitments are important, they don’t always reflect realities on the ground. In Thailand, communities are dealing with flooding, extreme heat, and changing livelihoods, and women are often at the center of responding, yet missing from decision-making. So what happens when policy doesn’t meet lived experience? Joining us to unpack this is Wanun Permpibul, a climate activist and the Director of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.climatewatch-thailand.org/">Climate Watch Thailand</a>, who works at the intersection of climate justice, policy, and grassroots action. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s First Climate Lawsuit Explained

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