Delegates from 175 countries met at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - INC-5 - to develop a historic and international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Debates centered on reducing plastic production and managing waste, but did resistance from fossil fuel-producing nations stall progress? We find out what happened at this critical meeting from Wong Pui Yi, a Research Consultant with the Basel Action Network, and Mageswari Sangaralingam, an Honorary Secretary from Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Chief Executive at the Consumers’ Association of Penang, who were both at the talks in Busan.



Image credit: Seunghyeok Choi / Break Free From Plastic, Uproot Plastic Coalition

Delegates from 175 countries met at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - INC-5 - to develop a historic and international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Debates centered on reducing plastic production and managing waste, but did resistance from fossil fuel-producing nations stall progress? We find out what happened at this critical meeting from Wong Pui Yi, a Research Consultant with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ban.org/">Basel Action Network</a>, and Mageswari Sangaralingam, an Honorary Secretary from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://foe-malaysia.org/">Sahabat Alam Malaysia</a> and Chief Executive at the Consumers’ Association of Penang, who were both at the talks in Busan.Image credit: Seunghyeok Choi / Break Free From Plastic, Uproot Plastic Coalition

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

Plastics Treaty: Will Nations Cut Production?

For decades, PACOS Trust - Partners of Community Organisations in Sabah - has been at the forefront of supporting Sabah’s indigenous communities, helping them protect their heritage, land, and resources. By fostering local leadership, promoting collaboration, and championing land rights, PACOS works hand-in-hand with grassroots organisations across 14 districts and 23 areas, to create sustainable change. Through training, advocacy, and collaboration, PACOS ensures that indigenous voices are central to discussions about development and environmental stewardship. We speak to Anne Lasimbang, the Executive Director of PACOS Trust, and Gordon John Thomas, the Programme Coordinator at PACOS Trust, to find out more about this organisation's work, and how they are collaborating with indigenous communities, enabling them to reclaim their voice and protect what matters most.



Image credit: GJT @ PACOS Trust

For decades, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pacostrust.com/">PACOS Trust</a> - Partners of Community Organisations in Sabah - has been at the forefront of supporting Sabah’s indigenous communities, helping them protect their heritage, land, and resources. By fostering local leadership, promoting collaboration, and championing land rights, PACOS works hand-in-hand with grassroots organisations across 14 districts and 23 areas, to create sustainable change. Through training, advocacy, and collaboration, PACOS ensures that indigenous voices are central to discussions about development and environmental stewardship. We speak to Anne Lasimbang, the Executive Director of PACOS Trust, and Gordon John Thomas, the Programme Coordinator at PACOS Trust, to find out more about this organisation's work, and how they are collaborating with indigenous communities, enabling them to reclaim their voice and protect what matters most.Image credit: GJT @ PACOS Trust

In PACOS We Trust: Empowering Indigenous Sabah

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 journalism portal Macaranga with co-founders, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. We discuss how carbon emissions are still rising, and how forest conservation (or the lack thereof) is playing a part in that, before we turn our attention to mangrove conservation in Malaysia. We then discuss how Malaysia’s newly-identified Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) are a win for conservation and citizen science, before examining how the illegal wildlife trade is thriving, boosted by online trading, and in spite of conservation methods such legalising the breeding and trade of certain species. Finally, how is global warming exacerbating existing environmental challenges like flooding and coral bleaching? We discuss all this and more.



Image credit: Shutterstock

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 journalism portal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/">Macaranga</a> with co-founders, Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. We discuss how carbon emissions are still rising, and how forest conservation (or the lack thereof) is playing a part in that, before we turn our attention to mangrove conservation in Malaysia. We then discuss how Malaysia’s newly-identified Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) are a win for conservation and citizen science, before examining how the illegal wildlife trade is thriving, boosted by online trading, and in spite of conservation methods such legalising the breeding and trade of certain species. Finally, how is global warming exacerbating existing environmental challenges like flooding and coral bleaching? We discuss all this and more.Image credit: Shutterstock

Macaranga Wrap-up: A Look-Back at 2024

Macaranga's latest article “Banking on River Reserves to Protect Water Supply” explores Selangor's urgent measures to safeguard its water resources amid recurring pollution-related water cuts. We discuss how the state plans to gazette river reserves and enforce stricter regulations to address these issues, and how they could possibly counter challenges such as private land ownership, inter-agency coordination, and the protection of upstream ecosystems. We also look at community-driven conservation efforts, industry accountability, and the importance of holistic water basin management for sustainable water security. Joining us are journalist Chen Yih Wen, Macaranga co-founder Law Yao Hua, and Kennedy Michael, co-founder of Alliance of River Three (ART!)

Macaranga's latest article <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/banking-on-river-reserves-to-protect-water-supply/">“Banking on River Reserves to Protect Water Supply”</a> explores Selangor's urgent measures to safeguard its water resources amid recurring pollution-related water cuts. We discuss how the state plans to gazette river reserves and enforce stricter regulations to address these issues, and how they could possibly counter challenges such as private land ownership, inter-agency coordination, and the protection of upstream ecosystems. We also look at community-driven conservation efforts, industry accountability, and the importance of holistic water basin management for sustainable water security. Joining us are journalist Chen Yih Wen, Macaranga co-founder Law Yao Hua, and Kennedy Michael, co-founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://riverthree.wixsite.com/riverthree">Alliance of River Three (ART!)</a>

Plastics Treaty: Will Nations Cut Production?

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