BFM :: Earth Matters

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, we team up with Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads. This month, together with co-host Surin Suksuwan, the co-founder of Sunda Shelves, we turn our attention to a homegrown series that blends storytelling, folklore, and the natural world. We're joined by writer and journalist Salhan K Ahmad, author of the Alak books, including Alak in the Hinterland and Alak and the Curse of Jerangau. We discuss the landscapes and ideas that shaped these stories, the books that first sparked his own love of nature, and how fiction can help us see the environment in new ways.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Malaysia, questions about Orang Asli land rights have been back in the headlines, from the detention of villagers in Pahang over a land dispute, to communities facing displacement, environmental damage, and development carried out without meaningful consultation. One of the latest flashpoints is Pulau Carey in Selangor, where the Mah Meri community in Kampung Sungai Kurau says a proposed port expansion could threaten their fishing grounds, cultural heritage, and way of life. We speak with Lanuza Layon, Chairperson of the Kampung Sungai Kurau Village Development and Security Committee, and Sarah Amer, a Community Organiser from Gerimis Art Project, about what is happening on the ground, and what it reveals about the broader struggle for Orang Asli land rights in Malaysia.Read more about the issue here and here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illegal e-waste is not a new issue in Malaysia, but recent events have brought it back into the headlines in a big way, from enforcement raids to high-profile investigations and new policy measures. In our previous episode, we spoke about the situation here in Malaysia and the recent developments that have brought the e-waste issue into sharp focus. In this second part of our two-part series on Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia, we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, including the global systems that drive the e-waste trade and the longer-term solutions that might help break the cycle. Helping us to unpack these and more are Mageswari Sangaralingam, the Honorary Secretary of both Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), and Wong Pui Yi, a researcher with the Basel Action Network.Listen to Part 1 HERE.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's illegal e-waste trade has been making headlines in recent weeks, from major enforcement raids and large seizures at ports to corruption investigations involving senior officials. Authorities say the scale of the problem runs into billions of ringgit, raising serious concerns about pollution, public health, and enforcement gaps. In this first of a two part series on Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia, we take a closer look at what's been happening with Wong Pui Yi, researcher with the Basel Action Network, and Mageswari Sangaralingam, the Honorary Secretary of both Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) to explore these developments, and what they have revealed about the scale of the problem, and also the risks faced by communities and the environment. Listen to Part 2 HERE.Image Credit: Astralis TechnologySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not too far from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, there's a place where mangroves meet mudflats, migratory birds stop to rest, and silvered leaf monkeys peer down from the trees. The Kuala Selangor Nature Park may be easy to reach, but its importance goes far beyond a weekend escape. In conjunction with World Wetlands Day, we're taking a closer look at this unique wetland ecosystem, including how it protects coastlines, supports wildlife, and connects people to nature. Joining us to do that are Ng Sean Fong, the Data & Policy Officer at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), and Vivian Soon, a Wildlife and Conservation Officer, also with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's coral reefs are in trouble, and the numbers are getting harder to ignore. Reef Check Malaysia's latest survey shows that live coral cover has fallen again, marking the third straight year of decline. But what does that actually mean for our oceans, our livelihoods, and our future? We speak to Julian Hyde, the CEO of Reef Check Malaysia, to unpack the findings of their 2025 Annual Survey, and to explore why a major new global agreement, the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ or High Seas Treaty, matters for Malaysia, and the wider ocean.Image Credit: Reef Check MalaysiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nature Reads on Earth Matters is the show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with the good folks at Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads. For this month's episode, we speak to Su Mei Toh, a freelance researcher and advisor at Wild Asia. Together with co-host Surin Suksuwan, the co-founder of Sunda Shelves, Su Mei joins us to share more about a selection of books that range from environmental classics and Indigenous knowledge, to science writing and field guides rooted in Malaysia.Books discussed on this episode include:1. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson2. Soil and Soul by Alistair McIntosh3. The Orang Asli and the Contest for Resources by Colin Nicholas4. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer5. Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky6. Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez7. An Immense World by Ed Yong8. Birds of Malaysia - Lim Kim Seng, Yong Ding Li & Lim Kim Chuah9. Beyond Mimo's Tree by Abyan Junus-Nishizawa & Farah Landemaine10. A Naturalist's Guide to the Trees of Southeast Asia - Saw Leng GuanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waste management is something most of us only think about when the bins aren't collected or when landfills overflow. But behind the scenes, big decisions are being made about how Malaysia deals with its waste, and one solution that keeps coming up is Waste-to-Energy, or WtE. It's often described as a win-win. Burn the waste, generate electricity, reduce landfills. But critics say the reality is far more complicated, and that these projects come with serious environmental, financial, and health implications. Joining us is Yuenmei Wong, an independent researcher and consultant to UN agencies, who has spent years studying Waste-to-Energy projects in Malaysia and globally, and who has been actively involved in analysing and responding to current proposals here. We discuss the realities, misconceptions, and policy implications of WtE, and also ask the big question: if not this, then what?Editor's note: The Bukit Nanas hazardous waste plant was modelled after the Danish hazardous waste treatment facility, Kommunekemi, located in Nyborg. It is therefore Danish, not Dutch, as mentioned in the interview. Our apologies for the error. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fireflies are small, easy to overlook, and deeply sensitive to change. When they disappear, it's often an early warning that something in the ecosystem is no longer in balance. In Bukit Kiara, one of Kuala Lumpur's last remaining urban forests, fireflies have become a powerful signal of what is happening, as development pressures grow closer to sensitive habitats. So what are the fireflies of Bukit Kiara telling us, as these new pressures mount? We discuss the history of Bukit Kiara, the incredible biodiversity found there, the pressures the area is facing, and how a new initiative called The Glow Campaign is turning concern into collective action. Helping us do that are Tan Boon Hua, the Vice President of environmental rights NGO the Friends of Bukit Kiara, and Amelia Tan, the Founder and CEO of the social enterprise Conscious.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industrial agriculture is often framed as the only way to feed the world, yet its pesticide-heavy model is deepening environmental and climate risks. Sarojeni Rengam, the Executive Director of Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP), joins us to explain why agroecology offers a more sustainable path forward that builds soil health, strengthens biodiversity and empowers farmers. We'll discuss how agroecology works on the ground, the systemic changes needed to shift away from hazardous chemicals and toward climate-smart, community-led farming. Image Credit: PANAPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 wife turned their weekend cleanups and curiosity about marine life into a community education initiative rooted in nature-based learning. Now, The Beach School invites people of all ages to explore, discover, and build a more mindful relationship with the coastline. We speak to Kent about how the school works, what it stands for, and why coastal education feels so urgent now.Image Credit: The Beach SchoolSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A First Nations delegation from British Columbia, Canada, was in Kuala Lumpur to deliver a formal complaint to PETRONAS. Their complaint centers on PETRONAS' investment in LNG Canada and its associated Coastal GasLink pipeline, which they say has violated their Indigenous rights, damaged sacred sites, and led to police violence on their territory. This World Human Rights Day, we speak to Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chief Na'Moks and Jesse Stoeppler (Gwii Lok'im Gibuu), representing the Wet'suwet'en and Gitxsan Nations, to understand the impacts of this project on their communities and lands, and why they've brought their case to Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 residents who are living near schools, homes, and even old coal-mining tunnels there, say the risks are far too high. To help us make sense of what's happening, we speak to Abdul Hanan Bin Abd Mokti and Pauline Puah, both spokespeople from Jaringan Rawang Tolak Incinerator, who have been at the forefront of this fight. They share how they've faced silence from the authorities on their concerns, what the project means for the community, and why they believe there must be a safer way forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even after 50 years of the highest possible international protection under CITES, tigers continue to be poached and trafficked at alarming levels. A new 25-year analysis - Beyond Skin and Bones: A 25-Year Analysis of Tiger Seizures - puts this into stark perspective, showing that thousands of tigers have been seized across dozens of countries, and that criminal networks are increasingly sophisticated in how they operate. To walk us through what the report uncovered, why the trade persists, and what must change for any real progress to happen, we're joined by Kanitha Krishnasamy, Director of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, and co-author of the report.Image Credit: TRAFFIC.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world watched Belém closely as leaders gathered for COP30, hoping the talks would deliver stronger climate action. Meenakshi Raman (President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Head of Programmes, Third World Network) was there in the thick of this year's climate negotiations, and she joins us to break down the wins, the gaps, and share the stories that didn't make global headlines.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 we think, especially online. The report From Sea to Screen shows huge volumes of these species being traded on digital platforms, including critically endangered species. We are joined by two of the co-authors - Serene Chng, Programme Manager of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, and Serena Adam, Senior Marine Conservation Officer at WWF-Malaysia - to help us understand what is happening behind the scenes of this trade, and the issues arising from it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 of the Sunda Shelves team as our usual guest co-host, we have all three on the show - co-founders/ sh(elves) Surin Suksuwan, Jennifer Neoh Tan, and Dylan Jefri Ong. Together they will be sharing their own top picks of books on nature and conservation that are must-haves, and that shaped their own love of nature and reading. They'll also share recommendations for thoughtful nature-inspired Christmas book gifts, and give us an inside look at what's new at the store.Nature Reads on Earth Matters is the show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with the good folks at Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore and café with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia races against the alarming projection that our landfills may reach capacity by 2041, Zero Waste Malaysia is doubling down on efforts to build a culture of sustainability where it matters most: in our schools. Through the Green Wira Programme, now in its second cohort, over 300 educators have been equipped to lead meaningful, lasting zero-waste initiatives, impacting an estimated 150,000 students nationwide. With the upcoming week-long Green Wira Exhibition and Showcase, and fresh insights from their new stakeholder survey, the organisation hopes to spark even stronger community involvement in the zero-waste movement. Joining us to share more are Khor Sue Yee, Co-founder and Director, and Tasha Sabapathy, Senior Programme and Communications Officer, from Zero Waste Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shorebirds are easy to miss but impossible to forget once you start paying attention, which is something the team behind the Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project has been proving for nearly a decade. Through surveys, talks, community outreach and partnerships at home and abroad, they're helping Malaysians see and value the species that depend on our wetlands. To walk us through this work and why it matters, we're joined by ornithologistDr Nur Munira Azman, the coordinator of the Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project, and a lecturer at the Biology Department of the Science and Mathematics Faculty at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, and Dr Aini Hasanah Abd Mutalib, co-researcher with the Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project, and a research officer at the Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is home to some of the world's most extraordinary biodiversity, from towering dipterocarp forests to coral reefs teeming with life. But decades of deforestation, urbanisation, and industrial growth have taken their toll on our natural heritage. The Malaysian Nature Society, or MNS, is now taking a closer look at where things stand through their upcoming State of Nature Conservation in Malaysia Symposium - 34 years since the maiden release of this report in 1991. Joining us to talk about what's at stake, what's changed, and what needs to happen next for our natural heritage in Malaysia are Donovan Louis, MNS's Head of Conservation, and Ng Sean Fong, MNS's Data and Policy Officer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the world is gathering in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, the global climate summit. But here in Malaysia, a parallel movement is unfolding - AlterCOP 30 Malaysia, a grassroots version that mirrors the urgency of COP while grounding it in local realities. It's independent, youth-driven, and collaborative, and a place for Malaysians to connect global ambition with local action. We speak to the core team organising this summit - Benoit Rabaud, Wan Hidayat, and Gabriel Hii - about what this grassroots “alternative COP” hopes to achieve, and how it might help Malaysians see their own role in the global climate story.Image Credit: AlterCOP 30See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 in the countries that produced it, but in developing nations ill-equipped to deal with its toxic legacy. A new report by the Basel Action Network, “Brokers of Shame,” exposes how American companies continue to ship e-waste to Asia, and how Malaysia has become one of its biggest recipients. Joining us to unpack these findings is Wong Pui Yi, a Malaysian researcher with the Basel Action Network (BAN).Image Credit: Michael Neilson, Klang e-waste dumpsite, SelangorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Southeast Asia, we're all grappling with plastic waste, from rivers choked with bottles and packaging to new proposals for “waste-to-energy” plants that promise to turn rubbish into electricity. But are these really solutions, or just shifting the problem elsewhere? The Philippines, like Malaysia, faces this tension between convenience, consumption, and sustainability too. In this episode, we're joined by two experts from the Philippines who've spent years studying and tackling these issues: Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, an environmental scientist and former UN Chief Technical Advisor on the Environment, who's worked with the WHO and UNDP on safe and sustainable waste management, who's currently an Adjunct Professor and Senior Research Fellow at Silliman University Philippines, and also Merci Ferrer, the Co-Convenor for War on Waste Negros Oriental, and the President of the Philippines Office for the Global Alliance of Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA). Together, we'll explore what it really takes to move toward cleaner, more sustainable ways of living. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All five of Malaysia's gibbon species are endangered, facing threats from deforestation, hunting, and the illegal pet trade. But in the forests of Pahang and Sabah, a group of women are fighting to turn things around. They are Malaysia's first all-female, all-Indigenous wildlife ranger team, working with the Gibbon Conservation Society to rescue, rehabilitate and return gibbons to the wild. Joining us to share more about this are the Gibbon Conservation Society's Founder, Mariani Ramli, and three of the Indigenous rangers: Melda Yapi, Sunnyda A/P Yok Nun, and Lily A/P Din. The rangers discuss their journey into wildlife conservation, their challenges as Indigenous women working in the field, and their hopes for Malaysia's gibbons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this month's Nature Reads, together with co-host Surin Suksuwan (co-founder, Sunda Shelves), we speak to author and anthropologist Dr. Christine Padoch, whose new bilingual book Pemulai ke Nanga Jela / Return to Nanga Jela takes us back to an Iban longhouse community in Sarawak that once stood above the Engkari River, a landscape that was later submerged by the Batang Ai Dam. Through her time living among the Iban community in the 1970s, Christine documented their extraordinary relationship with the land, from cultivating dozens of rice varieties to maintaining traditions deeply rooted in place. She joins us to talk about the book, her fieldwork, and what this story of Nanga Jela can still teach us about culture, memory, and our connection with nature. Nature Reads on Earth Matters is the show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us. Every month, we team up with the good folks at Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore and café with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, and sustains Indigenous communities. But a new report titled “Malaysia's Timber Colony: Exposing Malaysia's Grip Over Papua New Guinea's Forests” has revealed just how much control Malaysian-linked companies have over the country's forests. The investigation finds that 97% of Forest Clearing Authorities - licenses meant for agricultural development - are actually held by Malaysian-linked timber companies, driving large-scale deforestation and the exploitation of local landowners. We speak to co-authors of the report, land owner and land rights activist Samuel Kime from Papua New Guinea, Johanna Michel, Deputy Director of Bruno Manser Fonds, and Adam Farhan, the Director of RimbaWatch, to find out more.Image Credit: Bruno Manser FondsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new deforestation alert has been raised in Sarawak, this time around the Bakun Reservoir. Satellite and drone images show that native forest is being cleared to make way for a massive commercial bamboo plantation spanning over 44,000 hectares. The project, approved under the state's License for Planted Forests scheme, has sparked serious concern among affected Indigenous communities and environmental groups. To help us understand what's happening and what it means for Sarawak's forests, we speak to Fiona McAlpine, Communications and Project Manager at The Borneo Project.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and Environmental Sustainability, and new measures like a carbon tax and expanded green technology incentives. But how far do these allocations really go toward protecting our forests, rivers, and wildlife, and what's missing from the picture? We speak to Adam Farhan, the Director of environmental think-tank RimbaWatch, and Gabriel Hii, the co-chair of the Sarawak CSO–SDG Alliance, for their separate takes on Budget 2026's environment allocations. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 into the boot of a car. It had been caught in a trap and shot six times before its death, a cruel reminder of how vulnerable our national treasure remains. With fewer than 150 Malayan tigers left in the wild, every loss hits hard, but there's still hope, thanks to the tireless efforts of those working to protect them. One such group is Persatuan Pelindung Harimau Malaysia, or RIMAU, an organisation dedicated to protecting tiger habitats, reducing poaching, and inspiring Malaysians to take action. We speak with RIMAU's President Lara Ariffin, and Secretary Renee Aziz Ahmad, about the fight to save the Malayan tiger, the challenges, the progress, and the hope that keeps them going.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are challenges that don't wait for budget cycles. That's why many are calling for stronger government commitments in Budget 2026. What's on the environmental wish list, and why does it matter for all of us? We hear from two activists working in the environment and conservation field - Khor Sue Yee, Co-founder and Director of Zero Waste Malaysia, and Andrew Sebastian, the CEO of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) - about their wish list for Budget 2026. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism isn't just about where we travel, it also shapes our economy, our communities, and our natural heritage. Three years ago, The Habitat Foundation and Tengah Island Conservation came together with a bold idea: to create a coalition that could raise the profile of sustainable tourism and strengthen the people working in the field. We speak to its co-founders, Justine Vaz and Cher Chua-Lassalvy, to talk about their work, their lessons after three years, and their hopes for the future of tourism here at home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 long and influential career in environmental consultancy. He is also an avid traveller with a lifelong passion for nature, and together with co-host, Surin Suksuwan, co-founder of Sunda Shelves, he discusses the books that shaped his journey, both professionally and personally.Nature Reads on Earth Matters is a monthly show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us, done in collaboration with Sunda Shelves, an independent bookstore and café with a passion for wild places and thoughtful reads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Terrapin conservation isn't just about saving a species, it's also about involving communities, empowering women, and reconnecting Malaysians with our rivers. That's the approach taken by the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia, the country's first and only NGO dedicated to freshwater turtle conservation. We catch up with its Co-Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Chen Pelf Nyok, for our annual check-in to talk about recent findings, the society's ongoing projects, and their much-anticipated Annual Terrapin Release this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From diving while seven months pregnant, to pioneering sustainable aquaculture projects that support coastal communities, Prof. Dato' Dr. Aileen Tan has dedicated her life to the ocean. That dedication has now earned her global recognition, as she's the first Malaysian to win the Anton Bruun Medal, one of marine science's highest honours. Dr Aileen, a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Director of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) at USM, joins us to reflect on her journey, her research, and her hopes for the future of our seas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forests, rivers, and communities are all deeply connected. In Sarawak, Indigenous communities have been working tirelessly to protect their homelands, and organisations like Save Rivers have been walking alongside them. Their campaigns have led to big wins, like holding timber companies accountable, and they're also nurturing alternatives, like reforestation, ecotourism, and mapping ancestral lands. As we celebrate Malaysia Day, we catch up with Celine Lim, the Managing Director of Save Rivers, to talk about how these local stories of resilience are part of our national story too.Image Credit: Save RiversSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 connection to nature. We speak to a family who embodies that spirit - wildlife photographer Anuar McAfee (Director, International Centre, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin and Research Fellow, East Coast Environmental Research Institute), and his sons Muhammad Cornelius McAfee (Tour Guide, Ketengah), and Aidan McAfee (Student, Politeknik Banting) - who have spent countless hours exploring Terengganu's forests, rivers, and skies. We discuss their love of the outdoors, the birds and wildlife of Terengganu, and why Kenyir Lake and other nature spots around Terengganu are natural gems worth discovering.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 September, thousands of Malaysians gather to clean our beaches and record what's being collected during the International Coastal Cleanup, coordinated by Reef Check Malaysia. Those numbers reveal not just what's ending up in the ocean, but also what needs to change in our daily lives and in policy. Joining us to talk about this year's cleanup, and the bigger picture of marine debris and pollution, are Julian Hyde, the CEO of Reef Check Malaysia, and Theresa Ng, Reef Check Malaysia's COO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 solution wasn't just more roads or bigger buildings, but smarter ways to design and run our cities? We speak to Dr. Non Arkaraprasertkul, a Senior Expert at Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency, who's been behind more than 120 smart city projects across Thailand. He joins us to share more about his work which involves cities across ASEAN, and how bringing together technology, good policy, and what people actually need, can achieve the goal of creating cities that are easier to live in, better for the environment, and built for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.