Month: February 2025
WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING ON YOUR PLATE?
If you’re shopping for groceries, avoid foods with a long ingredients list and shelf life. These are synonymous with processed foods – which also tend to be high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods, most of which do not bear any resemblance to foods in their original forms. Studies have found that foods high in saturated fat, salt, sugar, calories or with minimal whole grains and fibre can...
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Why We Must Continue to Crackdown on Global Waste Traders that have Targeted Malaysia
The Basel Action Network (BAN) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) are deeply concerned about criticism that has been levied against the Malaysian government over their courageous crackdown on illegal e-waste recycling operations that have been springing up throughout the country (see “Environment auctioning 15 tons of seized e-waste”, Malaysiakini, 25 February 2025; “Malaysia’s e-waste...
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MAKE CYCLING SAFE
Here’s a good strategy for people centric streets – build protected and safe bicycle lanes. (Image via IMM DesignLab)
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CAP Raises Alarm Over ECRL’s Environmental and Wildlife Impact
The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) is very concerned about the impacts of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. The primary consideration of the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd when planning the ECRL routes is cost, rather than the habitats of wildlife, which are being disturbed to the extent that animals are forced to leave their natural environment. CAP has...
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BATS – KEEPERS OF PRECIOUS LIBRARY BOOKS
Did you know that there is a library in Portugal where bats are used to protect the books? Bats eat insects that might damage old books. At the heart of the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest educational institutions in Europe, is the Joanina Library, a veritable treasure trove of knowledge and baroque architecture. This unique library is not only an impressive place with its sumptuous...
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SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS, BIG HEALTH BENEFITS
We are literally wired to help each other. "Helper’s high" is the uplifting feeling people experience after performing acts of kindness, generosity, or altruism. It’s more than just a warm, fuzzy sensation-science shows that helping others triggers a biochemical response in the brain that enhances mood and well-being. When you engage in acts of kindness, such as volunteering, donating, or...
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A LIVING TREASURE
This Tree is a Testament to the Power of Nature This 2000-year-old tree is located at Zwigodini Village of Mutale in Limpopo, South Africa. Venda people call it, “Muri Kunguluwa”, which means, “The Tree That Roars”. The tree actually makes a roaring sound when the wind blows through its branches. It is also called, “The Tree Of Life”, because it serves as a source of life to the...
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Make This Ramadhan Spiritually Enriching, Avoid Food and Plastic Waste
As Ramadhan approaches, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges all Malaysians to reflect on the environmental and societal impacts of our consumption habits during this sacred period. While Ramadhan is a time for spiritual reflection and self-discipline, unfortunately, for some, it has become a period of feasting and wasteful spending. Food Waste: A Growing Concern Excessive food...
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PLASTICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE – QUICK FACTS
How do plastics add to climate change? > Large volumes of greenhouse gases are produced during the production of plastics because oil must be refined using energy-intensive processes. > Powerful greenhouse gases are released by plastic as a result of heat and sunlight. An increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causes the planet to increase in temperature. This causes climate...
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