The piece is a collaboration with the Malaysian Bird Report.
All posts by Macaranga
Infrastructure, Open Mic and Energy Transition
>> Workshop: Data Journalism
On June 10, Yao Hua conducted a 3-hour workshop for 20 media students at New Era University College, Kajang. He guided the students to find, analyse, and visualise data on abandoned housing projects.
>> Investigating Infrastructure Projects
On May 9—11, Siew Lyn and Yao Hua joined other trainers in a 3-day workshop on investigative journalism focused on infrastructure. Most of the 20 participants were journalists. Organised by Malaysiakini and funded by the Earth Journalism Network, Siew Lyn will be a mentor for story writing for the next 6 months.
>> Open mic, a first for Yao Hua
To promote Macaranga, Yao Hua took to the stage for a 5-minute open mic session at Pesta Bumi Kita on 28 April. Yao Hua can’t write poetry and his stand-up comedy is what others would call tragedy, so he just spoke about the fears and joy of being an environment journalist.
>> Workshop: Communicating Climate Stories
Yao Hua conducted a workshop for around 15 journalists on telling climate stories in more effective ways. The workshop on 27 April was the first in a series organised by Klima Action Malaysia. Other speakers included Dr Zeliha Zaiton and Dr Renato Lima.
A month later, Siew Lyn participated in the second workshop on energy policies.
What A Waste (Problem We Have!)
Based on Macaranga‘s feature Floods, Rising Seas Make Dumps More Dangerous.
Monthly Wrap-Up: May 2024
28 June 2024: In the May, we look back at new research that throws light on dolphins in Kedah/Perlis, pangolins in Sabah, and sunbears, also in Sabah.
Rather than the proposed ‘orangutan diplomacy’ to promote sustainable palm oil, perhaps enforcing no-deforestation palm oil would work better.
Finally, the court ruled that the Temiars of Kampung Cunex in Gerik, Perak can claim the settled and occupied areas in their customary territory as their ‘tanah adat’. Unfortunately, the larger surrounding forest is excluded.
Should Kids Learn About Nature?
16 June 2024: Our Remarks piece on the history of nature education got picked up by BFM89.9 Radio. Listen to our guest contributor Surin Suksuwan recount how today’s generatino would have done well to have had the ‘Nature Study’ foundation of Malayans. Read his commentary: Nurturing a Nature Revival.
Nurturing a Nature Revival
Nature is trendy again. Conservationist Surin Suksuwan takes a look at the journey of colonial-era ‘Nature Study’ to the present.
NOW, PERHAPS more than ever before, Nature is becoming a concern for all rather than just to a fringe group who are labelled as tree huggers.
Unfortunately, it has taken the combined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss for people to realise that the Earth is in trouble and we cannot go on with business as usual.
(Feature pic: Nature Study was once taught to primary and secondary schoolchildren. | All photos by Surin Suksuwan)
Monthly Wrap-Up: April 2024
1 May 2024: The federal government announced that it has cancelled the concession agreement for the PJD Link project. The developer’s hopeful statement response and rumours of possible compensation to the developer raises questions if this is truly the end of this contested highway project.
We followed up on the first open trial of illegal possession of rhino horns in Malaysia. The two accused pled not guilty, reversing their earlier plea. Apparently, harsher penalties for conviction have led to more accused opting to stand trial and fight their case. That means more work for enforcers.
Lastly, we discussed the significance of the 4th meeting of nations in Canada to establish a Global Plastic Treaty. This would lead to a legally binding international agreement by the end of this year that aims to cut plastic pollution. It is the plastic world’s Paris Agreement. But plastic producers are lobbying against bans.
Green Pest Control Key to Sustainable Paddy Farming
Alternative pest control methods ensure the sustainability and yields of paddy farming in Tanjung Karang, finds student Chloe Holley.
PEST CONTROL is a critical part of agriculture because it can impact yield tremendously. But conventional insecticides can devastate the environment. In Tanjung Karang, Selangor, rice planters have turned to biological methods to control pests, a model for farmers everywhere.
(Feature pic: Rice farmers in Selangor are using environment-friendly means to counter pests | Photo by Maureen Beresford)
Facebook pets are too easy to buy
Based on Macaranga‘s features Social Media Makes It So Easy To Like And Buy Exotic Pets and Langur In City Spotlights Efforts To Tackle Wildlife Trade Online.
Lee Kwai Han co-wins award
12 April 2024: Congratulations to Lee Kwai Han, our contributing writer, for co-winning the Said Zahari Young Journalist Award 2023/2024!
Kwai Han won for her story Unlocking Rare Earth Riches in Malaysia for Macaranga.
Congratulations also to her co-winner Nurul Nabila for her Sinar Harian story, and to Alena Nadia, for her Malaysiakini story for making the shortlist.
All three journalists produced stellar work. We look forward to more inspiring and important stories from them. Thank you to Pusat Sejarah Rakyat for supporting young journalists!
Incidentally, Kwai Han co-wrote her winning story with Yao Hua, who won the award two years ago.
