LYNAS has been operating in Malaysia for close to nine months. One pertinent question remains: What will happen to its low-level radioactive waste? Protests are unlikely to die out as long as the answer is elusive.
As If Earth Matters
Who cares about green lungs?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
LIVING near green spaces can raise our levels of happiness and quality of life. Then why do our urban green spaces keep shrinking in the name of development? What is the responsibility of residents in making sure this doesn’t happen?
PR Manifesto: Sustainable?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
THE Pakatan Rakyat (PR) manifesto professes to improve Malaysians’ standard of living by raising household incomes and the minimum wage, and creating new jobs. But does it say enough about developing sustainably as a nation? What more needs to be included for the PR to truly be a viable and comprehensive alternative to the Barisan Nasional?
Learning from green movements in the US and China
As if Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
There are valuable lessons that local environmental groups, and our state and federal governments, can draw from the US and China. Two documentaries tell us what they are.
Environmental “hot potatoes” in 2013
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
POLITICIANS today ignore environmental issues at their peril. The year 2012 year saw major environmental protests against controversial projects in Malaysia. What environmental “hot potatoes” will politicians have to deal with carefully this year, especially with the general election around the corner?
A green gift guide for Malaysians
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
From shopping local to donating to worthy causes, here’s a green guide to making Christmas and the New Year meaningful and environmentally friendly.
Why are Malaysians living in the dark?
As if Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
KLANG Valley youth these days probably own a few electronic gadgets from smart phones and laptops to digital cameras. But why are there whole communities in Malaysia still without electricity? And why won’t the government fund the affordable systems that will allow them to generate their own electricity?
Can local govt elections protect public interest and the environment?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
IF we could bring back local government elections, councillors could at least be held accountable for giving the nod to projects without the communities’ knowledge and approval.
From dumpsites to nature sanctuaries
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
THINK of a landfill. What comes to mind? First thing – probably the stink. Toxic leachate seeping out and contaminating waterways. Now, imagine a landfill so clean that people have picnics and take nature walks there. Impossible? Think again. On a recent visit to Singapore after covering an international conference for National Geographic‘s energy blog, I […]
Slow death by aluminum smelters?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
While green activists in Peninsular Malaysia are protesting the rare earth refinery that has yet to begin operations in Gebeng, Pahang, villagers living near an aluminium smelting plant in Balingian, Mukah, Sarawak, have been suffering in silence. How is the plant affecting the lives of local communities in Balingian? Should we be alarmed at plans for new plants?
