‘Teach children’ to Love Animals

‘Teach children’ to Love Animals

Malaysians need to reevaluate their views of animals. Animals aren’t unfeeling and unthinking brutes as many people may take them to be. Rather, they’re sentient beings and ought to be treated as such. “Many humans today have yet to reach what we call ‘civilised thinking’ level when it comes to…

We ‘Need to Protect’ Sabah’s Forests

We ‘Need to Protect’ Sabah’s Forests

The natural environment isn’t something “out there”; rather, it’s an integral part of who we are as a species and as a people. That’s why we must stop destroying forests. By protecting natural habitats for other species, we ultimately protect ourselves. This is the gist of an inspiring speech that…

Earth has lost a Tenth of its Wilderness within the past 25 Years

Earth has lost a Tenth of its Wilderness within the past 25 Years

In the vast span of geological time, a quarter century is a mere blink of an eye. Yet within that short period of time we have destroyed a tenth of the Earth’s wilderness. Quite a dubious achievement, that. According to an international group of scientists who have mapped the planet’s…

‘Holistic’ Biodiversity Law is in the Making

‘Holistic’ Biodiversity Law is in the Making

Malaysian wildlife protection laws have made for a bit of patchwork, but lawmakers are getting ready to fix that. Natural Resources and Environment Minis­ter Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has announced that his administration is working on a comprehensive biodiversity law that will seek to protect the nation’s natural environments…

One for All, All for One for Nature

One for All, All for One for Nature

A problem with much of environmentalism is that whereas most people agree with its goals of saving species and protecting nature (or what’s left of it), they may be rather less likely to be on board when it comes to personally doing something about them. Let’s call this the “let…

Environmental Protection is both a Collective and Individual Duty

Environmental Protection is both a Collective and Individual Duty

Many Malaysians feel strongly about the wellbeing of their country’s natural environment. They take great pride in the stunning diversity of Malaysia’s world-renowned exotic wildlife; they keep up to date about environmental issues; and they wax rightfully indignant about blatant cases of poaching, illegal logging and environmental pollution. The question,…

New Rules Seek to Reduce the Threat of Oil Spills in Malaysia

New Rules Seek to Reduce the Threat of Oil Spills in Malaysia

Azure waters. Palm-lined sandy beaches. Picturesque corals with bountiful marine life. So go the usual descriptors of Malaysia’s shorelines in popular tourist brochures, which dutifully reel off the pristine beauties of the country’s natural maritime features and resources. Such laudatory prose isn’t unjustified, of course, but a lot of those…

Environment Minister Mulls Harsher Penalties for Polluters

Environment Minister Mulls Harsher Penalties for Polluters

Protecting Malaysia’s unique natural environments is in the collective interest of all Malaysians, yet citizens of the country, individually and collectively, often end up doing more harm than good to their environments through reckless actions and irresponsible choices. Corporations can be especially guilty of placing profits ahead of the good of…