PODCAST · society
Earth Matters
by BFM Media
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.
Episodes
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Telling Stories About Malaysia’s Wild Places
Our forests are full of stories, but it takes a certain kind of storyteller to bring them to life. For independent filmmaker Myles Storey, that means looking beyond the animals themselves, to the landscapes they live in, the people who share those spaces, and the connections between them. Since…
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Budget 2027: Is Malaysia Investing Enough in Nature?
Malaysia’s Budget 2027 includes funding for biodiversity conservation, community rangers and green initiatives, alongside measures to address issues such as flooding and water security. The government has also increased the allocation for the Ecological Fiscal Transfer, which provides funding to...
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Understanding Climate Tipping Points and Planetary Health
Climate change is often described as a gradual process, but there are points where a system can change much more rapidly, and potentially in ways that are difficult or impossible to reverse. These are what scientists call tipping points. They can happen in the climate and natural world, but they...
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Putting the Environment Into Budget 2027
As Budget 2027 approaches, what should Malaysia be investing in to address pollution, climate impacts and the protection of our natural resources? Meenakshi Raman, President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, discusses environmental funding and enforcement, the rapid growth of data centres and their…
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What Does It Take to Save Malaysia's Endangered Terrapins?
Every year, hundreds of young Southern River Terrapins are returned to the Kemaman River, but releasing hatchlings is just one part of the work needed to bring an endangered species back. We catch up with Dr. Chen Pelf Nyok, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Turtle Conservation Society of...
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Nature Reads: A Peek Into a Conservationist’s Bookshelf
What does a conservationist read when they’re not out in the field? Environmental researcher and conservationist Dr Teckwyn Lim shares some of the books that have shaped his thinking, from In Malay Forests and The Song of the Dodo, to Moby Dick, Incerto and more. Together with Surin Suksuwan,...
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Klang River Festival: Protecting Kuala Lumpur’s River
The Klang River is one of the defining waterways of Kuala Lumpur, but for many of us, it's something we pass by without really noticing. The Klang River Festival is trying to change that, by bringing people closer to the river, its history, its communities and the habitat along its banks. Now in...
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From The Frontline: Orang Asli Futures (Part 2)
In the second episode of this two-part From The Frontline special, we turn to the voices of young Orang Asli and what they want for the future of their communities. Diana a/p Tan Beng Hui, Eliana a/p Tan Beng Hui, and Rosdila Ngah Roslan, all Programme Coordinators from Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli...
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From The Frontline: Life on Orang Asli Land (Part 1)
In the first of this two-part “From The Frontline” special, we hear from three Orang Asli women about the land disputes affecting communities across Peninsular Malaysia. Diana a/p Tan Beng Hui, Eliana a/p Tan Beng Hui, and Rosdila Ngah Roslan, all Programme Coordinators with the collective Apa…
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An SOS to Save Our Seladang
When we talk about Malaysia’s endangered wildlife, the Malayan tiger usually gets the most attention. But there’s another large mammal in serious trouble, and there may be fewer than 200 of them left in the wild. The seladang, or Malayan gaur, once ranged across much of Peninsular Malaysia, but...
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Haze Again: What Haven’t We Fixed?
It's hazy again - the air is smoky, visibility is down, and in some parts of the country, the air quality has reached dangerous levels. Fires across Indonesia, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, are sending smoke across Southeast Asia once again. What's doubly worrying is that they are…
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What Happened To The Baram Peace Park?
A plan to protect one of Sarawak’s remaining rainforest landscapes has instead ended with a major timber concession over the same forests, according to a new report about the Upper Baram. For years, Penan and other Indigenous communities in the region have pushed for their forests to be protected...
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Nature Reads: Bibliophile Peter Ong on Photography, Primates & Perlis
For August 2026's episode of Nature Reads, we speak to wildlife photographer, author, conservationist and Head of Outreach at Roots & Shoots Malaysia, Peter Ong. Together with co-host Surin Suksuwan, co-founder of Sunda Shelves, we explore the books and people that shaped Peter's interest in…
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Why Is Malaysia Still Battling Haze?
The haze is back. For the past few days, many of us have been waking up to that familiar smell, hazier skies and air that we're really not supposed to be breathing. While the immediate question is where the smoke is coming from, there's a bigger question here: why, after decades of haze crises…
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Indonesia's Environmental Defenders Under Attack
Across Southeast Asia, there's a familiar tension between economic development and environmental protection. Governments talk about growth, companies talk about investment, while communities often find themselves fighting to protect the forests, rivers and land they've depended on for…
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Malaysia’s Genetically Modified Rice Trial: What’s at Stake?
Rice is a staple food for millions of Malaysians, but a proposed field trial in Perak is raising questions about how we grow it, and who bears the risks when new technologies are introduced. The trial involves genetically modified MR219 rice that has been engineered to tolerate glyphosate, as…
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Long Moh: Defending Land, Culture and Community
We marked International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on the 9th of August, a day to recognise Indigenous cultures, communities and their ongoing struggles for rights and recognition. In Sarawak, few issues are more fundamental to those struggles than land. The documentary Long Moh takes…
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Restoring Rivers Through Gotong-Royong
Eight years ago, two neglected riverside dumpsites along the Klang River became the starting point for an ambitious experiment. The idea was simple: if people came together consistently to care for these places, could nature recover? Today, those spaces have become thriving community parks…
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Young Malaysians Confront Climate Change
It's easy to imagine that the climate crisis is still years away, but for many young Malaysians, it's already shaping everyday life, from getting to school safely and dealing with extreme heat, to worrying about floods, their wellbeing and what the future might hold. A new National Youth Climate...
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Discoveries from Malaysia's Newest Tiger Reserve
Every year, Global Tiger Day reminds us of the urgent need to protect one of Malaysia's most iconic and critically endangered animals, the Malayan tiger. But protecting tigers isn't just about saving a single species, it's about protecting entire forests that are home to countless other plants…
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Nature Reads: Small Stories, Big Ocean Lessons
On this episode of Nature Reads, we speak to Malaysian children's author and scuba diver Gloria Chieng, together with co-host Jennifer Neoh Tan, Bookshop Manager at Sunda Shelves. We explore the books and experiences that inspired Gloria's love of nature, how her time beneath the waves led to her...
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Sustainable Finance: Protecting Forests or Greenwashing?
Sustainable finance has become a major part of the global push towards tackling climate change and protecting nature. By helping direct investment towards projects that deliver environmental and social benefits, it has the potential to reshape how development happens. Here in Malaysia, Bank…
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Who Decides Coastal Development?
Land reclamation is often promoted as a driver of economic growth, but it's also one of the most controversial forms of development, with lasting impacts on the environment, coastal communities, and traditional livelihoods. Now, a recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the Penang South Islands...
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MY Garden Birdwatch: Count Birds, Help Conservation
Birds are often described as indicators of the health of our environment. When bird populations change, they're often telling us something about the ecosystems we all depend on. That's one reason projects like MY Garden Birdwatch matter. Returning this July after a four-year break, the nationwide...
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Following the Fate of Our Forests
Ever so often, we hear about another patch of forest being cleared, excised or reclassified. But if you've ever tried to find out exactly what happened, when it happened, or whether it was even legal, you'll know just how difficult that information can be to access. That's exactly the problem...
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Global Climate Talks & Local Impacts Explained
Climate action doesn't only happen at the annual UN Climate Conference, or COP. Throughout the year, negotiators, policymakers and civil society organisations meet to tackle the complex work of turning global climate commitments into practical action. Last month saw a packed calendar of major...
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Examining Malaysia's Elephant Transfer to Japan
The transfer of three Malaysian elephants to Japan has sparked widespread debate over the past few months. While the move was described as a conservation partnership between two zoos, campaigners have questioned whether the transfer complied with Malaysian law, raised concerns about the…
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Why Tourist Islands Are Drowning in Waste & How To Fix It
The more successful a tourist island becomes, the more waste it often has to manage. That's one of the central ideas behind a new report titled Pathways Towards Circularity: The Zero Waste Islands Framework, from GAIA Asia Pacific, which argues that many island destinations are trapped in an...
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Nature Reads: Remembering a Wilder Malaysia
For July 2026's episode of Nature Reads, we speak to Rahayu Zulkifli, Chief Executive Officer of Marine Conservation and Research Organisation Malaysia (PULIHARA), together with co-host Dylan Jefri Ong, co-founder of Sunda Shelves. We explore the books that sparked Rahayu's love of nature and...
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Is Malaysia Ready for a Super El Niño?
El Niño is often thought of as a weather phenomenon, bringing hotter and drier conditions to parts of the world. But according to the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia, the bigger story may not be the weather itself, but rather how prepared Malaysia is to deal with the pressures...
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Taman Rimba Kiara: Saving the Park, Securing the Homes
For years, residents, activists and the Bukit Kiara longhouse community fought plans to develop part of Taman Rimba Kiara, a dispute that eventually made its way to the country's highest court. In 2023, the Federal Court ruled that the proposed development was unlawful, securing a landmark…
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The Push for Orang Asli Customary Land Recognition
More than 1,500 Orang Asli and supporters recently gathered in Putrajaya to submit a memorandum calling for greater recognition and protection of Indigenous customary lands. The demonstration comes amid growing concerns over land disputes affecting Orang Asli communities across the country,...
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Leading a Forest's Second Chance
Forest restoration is often described as a long game. Trees that are planted today may take decades to mature, and ecosystems can take even longer to recover. Yet restoring degraded ecosystems requires more than patience, it often depends on the commitment of individuals willing to invest their…
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Oil and Gas vs Marine Biodiversity
As we mark World Oceans Day today Coral Triangle Day in June, it's worth remembering that Malaysia sits within one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth. Our waters are home to coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sea turtles, sharks, and countless other species that support fisheries…
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The Rainforest Youth Summit 2026
What does meaningful climate engagement actually look like for young people today? Beyond headlines and social media, how do we create spaces for real conversations, collaboration, and action? Those are some of the questions at the heart of the Rainforest Youth Summit, which returns this year in...
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Nature Reads: The People & Stories Behind Bukit Kiara
On this episode of Nature Reads, we speak to guest Ir. Dr. Kribanandan G Naidu, Immediate Past President of Friends of Bukit Kiara (FOBK), together with co-host Dylan Jefri Ong, co-founder of Sunda Shelves. We discuss the books, experiences, and ideas that inspired Dr Kriban’s connection to…
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Top Tips for Malaysian Ecotourism Road Trips
The school holidays are around the corner, along with a string of long weekends and public holidays, which means many Malaysians are probably already planning road trips and quick getaways. And with all the recent conversation around fuel subsidy rationalisation and rising travel costs, suddenly...
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The Unequal Reality of the Climate Crisis
Across the Pacific, communities are already living with the realities of the climate crisis. From rising sea levels to stronger storms and threats to food security, many island nations are facing impacts despite contributing only a tiny fraction of global carbon emissions. At the same time,...
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Preserving Bukit Dinding’s Urban Forest
Urban forests often quietly disappear before people realise what has been lost. But in the case of Bukit Dinding, a growing community of residents and environmental advocates have been working hard to ensure this important green space remains protected. From conservation work and biodiversity...
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First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Explained
For decades, global climate talks have largely focused on reducing emissions. But at a landmark conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, countries, scientists, Indigenous leaders and civil society groups gathered to tackle a much more direct question: how do we actually move the world away from…
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Orang Asli in Malaysia: Land and Rights
Many of the challenges facing Orang Asli communities are already well known, but what’s really driving them? In Part Two of our two-part special, we turn to what many argue is the root issue: land. In Part One, we explored the lived experiences, from education and healthcare to questions around...
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Orang Asli in Malaysia: Lived Realities
What are the realities facing Orang Asli communities in Malaysia today? It’s a question that touches on everything from education and healthcare to identity, representation, and the way development is carried out on the ground. This is Part One of a two-part special based on the policy brief…
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What’s at Stake in Rare Earth Processing?
A rare earth processing facility in Gebeng is back in the headlines, following the government’s decision to grant it a 10-year licence renewal. While new conditions have been introduced, civil society groups say longstanding concerns over radioactive waste, transparency, and accountability remain...
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Nature Reads: Wildlife, Wisdom, and Writing with John Payne
For this month's episode of Nature Reads, we speak to Datuk Dr John Payne, the Chief Executive Officer of Bringing Back Our Rare Animals or BORA, who has spent decades working on wildlife conservation across Malaysia, particularly in Sabah. But beyond the field, he is also a prolific author…
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Putra Heights Pipeline Explosion: What Was Missed
It’s been a year since the Putra Heights pipeline explosion, a disaster that left hundreds of homes damaged and more than a hundred people injured. While an official investigation by the official Parliamentary Special Select Committee concluded there was no negligence, a new report titled “Putra...
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The "Mana Hutan Kami" Lawsuit Explained
Malaysia is one of the world’s megadiverse countries, and for decades, it has held itself to a global commitment to maintain at least 50 percent forest cover. But as pressure on land continues to grow, and new independent data points to large areas of forest already earmarked for conversion,...
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Bukit Cherakah Forest Battle: The Story & What’s Next
Malaysia’s highest court has dismissed a legal challenge to protect the Shah Alam Community Forest, marking the end of a three-and-a-half-year fight by conservation groups. The decision has raised serious concerns about the future of forest protection in the country, and what it could mean for...
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Growing Native Plants, Protecting Indigenous Knowledge
In Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Buloh, a group of Temuan women are running a community nursery, growing native plants using knowledge rooted in the forest around them. Their work supports both livelihoods and conservation, while drawing on generations of lived experience and connection to the land....
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Who Benefits From Sarawak’s New Dams?
This year marks ten years since the Sarawak government cancelled the proposed Baram Dam, a project that would have displaced thousands of people and flooded vast areas of Indigenous land. It was a hard-fought victory, led by communities who stood their ground for years to protect their rivers and...
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Indigenous Knowledge in Action at Jungle School Gombak
Indigenous knowledge, cultural identity, and environmental stewardship all come together in a project called Jungle School Gombak, which offers something quite different from a typical classroom. Here, the forest becomes the learning space, and Orang Asli community members take on the role of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
BFM Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Earth Matters have?
Earth Matters currently has 1000 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Earth Matters about?
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...
How often does Earth Matters release new episodes?
Earth Matters releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 1000 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
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You can listen to Earth Matters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Earth Matters?
Earth Matters is created and hosted by BFM Media.
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