The World of Sustainability

Learning about zero-waste and composting can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. Especially in a place like Malaysia where we are still arguably new to the world of composting and other “green” practices, finding the right resources to get you started is inarguably a challenge in and of itself. To get your journey started, we’d like to share some composting and “green” books, podcasts and YouTube channels to check out. We’ve tried our best to make this list beginner-friendly, so feel free to approach this journey (and this list!) with excitement, fresh eyes, and hope! We’re also on Instagram if you’d like to learn more about what we do. 

Sustainability isn’t something that can be learned all at once and then be set for life. We as a society are constantly learning about how to better protect our environment as it is an ever-evolving field. Reading is always a stellar way to learn about something, especially since it contains more detailed information compared to bite-sized forms of media like videos and so on. (Not to worry, if your favourite method of consumption is through videos, we’ve got you covered too!)

Books on Sustainability

• There Is No Planet B by Mike Berners-Lee

When looking for resources and ways to learn more about sustainability, it’s crucial to not fall into a pattern of doom-scrolling or consuming materials that don’t provide at least some element of hope. While the planet is in dire need of help and change, that doesn’t mean we’re too far gone yet. Any and all efforts to help our planet is one that is worth it. There Is No Planet by Mike Berners-Lee is said to be one of the most-read resources when it comes to sustainability and our planet’s future. Not only have reviews cited this book as being helpful, critical and clearly written, but readers have also said that this book has what many others lack: hope. Those who have read this book have commended the warmth and wit successfully translated by the author’s words. 

• The Sustainability Shift by Adnan A Hezri 

In The Sustainability Shift: Refashioning Malaysia’s Future, Hezri discusses the ecological  threats Malaysia faces, and the shift we need to collectively make in order to achieve a more sustainable future. In the book, themes of “environmental degradation, climate change and the pending ecological collapse faced by humans” are discussed.  While this may sound like a daunting theme to make yourself aware of, it serves as a necessary and valuable juxtaposition to books like There Is No Planet B. It’s incredibly valuable to be aware of the true dangers and depth of the climate crisis, which is a service this book carries out well. 

YouTube Channels

• Zero Waste Malaysia 

Given that Malaysia is still relatively new to the sustainability movement, there aren’t as many “influencers” on YouTube whose main focuses are centred around sustainability. That being said, one of the most referred-to sources for green or sustainable practices in Malaysia is Zero Waste Malaysia. Since its establishment in 2016, Zero Waste Malaysia (ZWM)  has grown to become one of the largest and most trusted sustainability sources in Malaysia. From Comprehensive Guides to Sustainable Living to 3 Things You Can Do With Citrus Peels, ZWM has you covered on all fronts. 

• Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY)

KAMY is a Malaysian climate movement calling for representative and democratic climate action in Malaysia. With videos highlighting Malaysia’s forest reserves, and the Public Understanding on Climate Crisis, their videos provide climate change insight and information across the board, even in ways and areas that aren’t typically discussed in the sustainability and climate movement. They also amplify the voices of indigenous people in Malaysia, thus providing valuable insights on how climate change affects local and indigenous communities. 

Podcasts On Sustainability and Climate Change 

• ALAMak! 

ALAMak! is a Malaysian-hosted podcast dedicated to talking about the climate emergency in Malaysia. Since its first episode that aired in March of 2021, ALAMak! has discussed topics ranging from Malaysia’s “unsustainable obsession with coal”, the Malaysian flood crisis and the ins and outs of climate negotiation. Despite having only 5 topics to-date, this podcast shares the harsh truths about our country’s part, goals and efforts towards a better tomorrow. As part of Klima Action Malaysia, they aim to raise awareness and create conversations surrounding climate change. 

• Bite-Size Climate Action

Bite-Size Climate Action hosts a series of unique, fun and immersive podcast episodes on Malaysian climate action. Their podcast discusses Sustainable Products, Sustainable Housing, and even have bite-sized Climate Action Online Modules. Tuning into this podcast will provide you with a learning experience from local climate change change-makers about collective efforts that can be taken to improve the state of our environment. 

The sustainability journey is one that lasts our entire lifetime. In the ever-changing world of what we know about climate change and climate awareness, educating ourselves is of the utmost importance. If you’re looking to take the next step in your fight for the betterment of our environment, we suggest looking into composting. Look no further, we’ve got you covered; here’s a Brief Introduction to Composting.