Earth Matters BFM Media

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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the late 1980s, over a quarter of a billion tonnes of plastic waste have been globally traded, disproportionately burdening developing countries with insufficient waste management capacities, while enabling developed nations to sustain high plastic consumption. Referred to as "waste colonialism," this practice leads to irreparable harm to the environment and human health in importing countries like Malaysia, now a top destination for plastic waste following China's 2018 ban. A new report by the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) exposes corruption and regulatory loopholes exacerbating the crisis, with Malaysia importing a substantial portion of plastic waste from Japan, raising doubts about Japan's support for waste management infrastructure in Southeast Asia. With a limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. In a previous episode, we discussed the challenges and loopholes identified in the institutional framework governing plastic waste imports to Malaysia, and how a lack of monitoring and transparency in the recycling industry compounded the issue. In this second part, we discuss among other things, how Malaysia can learn from China and Thailand's experiences in managing plastic waste and implementing policies to reduce imports, and how to address the challenges of waste colonialism and promote sustainable waste management practices both globally and in Malaysia, with Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, from the C4 Center.

Image Credit: Shutterstock
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the late 1980s, over a quarter of a billion tonnes of plastic waste have been globally traded, disproportionately burdening developing countries with insufficient waste management capacities, while enabling developed nations to sustain high plastic consumption. Referred to as "waste colonialism," this practice leads to irreparable harm to the environment and human health in importing countries like Malaysia, now a top destination for plastic waste following China's 2018 ban. A new report by the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) exposes corruption and regulatory loopholes exacerbating the crisis, with Malaysia importing a substantial portion of plastic waste from Japan, raising doubts about Japan's support for waste management infrastructure in Southeast Asia. With limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. We find out more about the findings from this research, and how it sheds light on the need for transparency, traceability, and accountability, and advocates for a global agreement to combat plastic pollution, with two of the report's authors, Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, who are both with the C4 Center.

Image Credit: Rich Carey, Shutterstock
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Harris Raj Kumar, an environmentalist and the founder of Local Nature Trips, about the nature based tourism activities he runs, to promote a love for our natural heritage.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fashion Revolution is a global movement that aims to transform the fashion industry into a more sustainable and ethical one. It was founded in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh in 2013, which claimed the lives of over 1,100 garment workers. The tragedy shed light on the poor working conditions and lack of transparency within the fashion supply chain. The Fashion Revolution movement calls for greater transparency, sustainability, and ethics in the fashion industry. It encourages consumers to ask brands, "Who made my clothes?" as a way to raise awareness about the people behind the garments and to advocate for fair treatment and wages for workers throughout the supply chain. It's Fashion Revolution Week this week, held annually in April around the anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, and there are various events, campaigns, and initiatives being organised both here and globally to engage consumers, brands, and industry stakeholders in discussions about sustainability, ethical production, and the need for systemic change in the fashion industry. We speak to Melissa Tan, a climate action and sustainability advocate, and the Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Malaysia, to discuss how Fashion Revolution is raising awareness about the social and environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

Image Credit: Fashion Revolution Malaysia
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in March 2022, a significant resolution was passed at the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, titled "End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument." This resolution acknowledged the severe global issue of plastic pollution, recognising its detrimental effects on the environment, society, and sustainable development. It mandated the UN Environment Programme Executive Director to establish an International Negotiating Committee (INC) to create a legally binding treaty addressing plastic pollution across its entire life cycle. This landmark decision marked the beginning of the process toward a global agreement on plastic pollution, with the aim of finalising the treaty by the end of 2024. The fourth session of the INC to develop this international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, is set to take place from the 23rd to the 29th of April 2024 in Canada. Many battles are set to be fought at these negotiations, to effectively respond to the global plastics pollution crisis. What are they? We speak to Arpita Bhagat, the Plastic Policy Officer at GAIA Asia Pacific, and Dharmesh Shah, a Consulting Senior Campaigner (Plastics Treaty), at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), to find out more about what civil society organisation will be pushing for, at INC-4.
Image Credit: GAIA
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.