Let us seriously consider saving our biodiversity
Reading Time: 2 minutesSaving Our Biodiversity By DR GHAZALLY ISMAIL Malaysia is a mega-biodiverse country with a unique and rich biodiversity that exists nowhere else on Earth. However, this treasure trove of flora and fauna faces increasing threats, especially from climate change. Scientists have identified about 1.75 million species globally, but they estimate the actual number to be […]
The environmental impacts of genetically modified crops
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUniversity of Toronto Genetically modified (GM) crops are widely used worldwide, but their environmental effects need to be explored more. New research, published in a recent issue of “Science” looks at common genetic modifications in four crops: soybean, corn, cotton, and canola. Although GM crops can produce more yield and profits, it can lead to […]
Going green marks significant milestone
Reading Time: 3 minutesThis partnership marks a significant milestone in The Petri Dish’s journey toward greater environmental responsibility. The newspaper now uses Nextgreen’s “NeuWhite” paper, which holds the MyHijau mark, a certification recognised by the Malaysian government’s green recognition scheme and the SIRIM Eco Label. By embracing a greener paper choice, The Petri Dish reinforces its commitment to […]
Nutrient-stealing plant discovered by Malaysian botanists
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA DISTINCTIVE PLANT, which steals nutrients from underground fungi, has been published as a new species in the open-access journal Phytokeys by botanists from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in collaboration with local naturalists and stakeholders. Discovered in the tropical rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia, Thismia malayana belongs to a group of plants known as […]
JCF launches nationwide sustainable development education programme
Reading Time: 2 minutesJCF launches nationwide sustainable development education programme The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) has launched a teacher professional development programme to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Malaysia. This initiative was unveiled during the opening ceremony of the “ESD for 2030 Regional Meeting on Transforming the Futures of Education” at Sunway University. JCF, recognized as […]
Dr Jane Gew champions environmental sustainability
Reading Time: 2 minutesDr Jane Gew Lai Ti, an Associate Professor at Sunway University, stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship and sustainability. Her unwavering dedication to mitigating plastic pollution and promoting eco-friendly practices stems from a transformative anecdote she shared, reflecting a profound shift in her personal and professional ethos. In 2018, Dr Gew embarked on a […]
Malaysian primate infants in peril after plantation visits
Reading Time: 2 minutesA STUDY reveals a link between the infant mortality rate among wild southern pig-tailed macaques and their visits to oil palm plantations to scavenge for food. According to the study published in Current Biology, frequent visits to oil palm plantations are leading to a sharp increase in mortality rates among infant southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca […]
Global study: More than half of branded plastic pollution linked to 56 companies
Reading Time: 2 minutesA NEW STUDY published in Science Advances found more than half of branded plastic pollution found in the environment was linked to 56 companies. CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, co-authored the paper along with 12 other international organisations, providing the first-ever quantification of products from global plastic producers in the environment through audit events. Researchers […]
Celebrating International Biodiversity Day with thoughts on sustainable development
Reading Time: 2 minutesAS the global community is called to re-examine our relationship with the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances, we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter, and energy, just to name a few. This involves respecting, protecting, and repairing our biological […]
Insects key to survival of migratory birds
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE World Migratory Bird Day campaign in 2024 will focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds, and highlight concerns related to decreasing populations of insects. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys, and greatly affect the timing, […]