Building Evidence-Based, Human-Focused, Solutions-Driven Climate Narratives
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Building on PANAS! Climate Change Stories in Malaysia, the PANAS! Climate Storytelling 2025 project equips journalists and content creators to tell climate stories that are evidence-based, human-focused, and solutions-oriented. Through training, mentorship, and production grants, participants developed compelling narratives that spotlight underrepresented voices and connect climate science to lived realities across Malaysia.
This project is part of the Alumni UK Climate Action Grant Projects 2025, funded by the British Council. We were honoured to be one of 20 projects selected globally from over 300 applicants.
WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS
Too often, climate stories are framed around catastrophe and despair. While urgency is real, public engagement suffers when narratives feel distant or overwhelming.
By shifting the climate narrative beyond doom-and-gloom, the project seeks to:
- Strengthen the accuracy and impact of climate communication.
- Amplify voices from youth, indigenous and underrepresented communities.
- Promote solutions-focused reporting that connects climate science to lived realities.
- Expand the reach of local climate stories into mainstream and digital media.
Organised in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia, the initiative continues our mission to strengthen climate communication in Malaysia’s media landscape.
ACTIVITIES
Climate Storytelling Workshop
A total of 30 participants were selected through an Expression of Interest process for this exclusive full-day training held on 8 November 2025 at Sustain.ed, Kuala Lumpur.
The workshop featured:
- A session on Climate Solutions Journalism (Tan Su Lin, Science Media Centre Malaysia)
- A masterclass on Engaging Climate Content for Impact (Patrick Lee, Critical2TV)
- A session on Amplifying Underrepresented Voices (Jhericca Conny Justin, PACOS Trust)
Participants also pitched their climate solutions story ideas to a live audience, structuring them around the Four Pillars of Solutions Journalism.
Each presentation was followed by real-time feedback from trainers, creating an interactive pitching session that helped participants refine their angles, strengthen their evidence, clarity and impact of their proposed stories.
Panel Discussion: Shifting The Climate Narrative Beyond The Doom-and-Gloom
The day culminated in a 45-minute panel discussion moderated by Satpal Kaler (The Fourth) exploring how climate storytelling can be firmly grounded in evidence, inclusive narratives, and local lived realities.
Panel speakers included:
- Aidil Iman (Kolektif Iklim / WWF-Malaysia)
- Dr Marieanne Leong (UK Alumni Climate Action Grantee, Climate Action Sabah)
- Florence Lambert (Head of Arts and Creative Industries, British Council Malaysia)
Together, the panelists reflected on the role of media, civil society, and the creative sector in shaping climate narratives that are locally grounded, socially inclusive, and solutions-oriented.
🎥 Watch the full panel discussion recording below.
Grant Competition & Mentorship
Following a round of pitching competition, 8 participants were selected for story development in either English or Bahasa Malaysia. Each grantee received RM1,500 and mentorship to finalise their story within one month. These stories highlight community resilience and offer grounded insights into Malaysia’s climate realities through a solutions-oriented lens. Completed written stories are being pitched to mainstream media outlets, while video stories are being promoted across digital platforms.
GRANTEE CLIMATE STORIES
| Flood-Prone Ipoh Seeks To Go Back To Nature The flood retention pond at Taman Rekreasi MADANI (Sungai Pinji) in Tambun is also known as the Sungai Pinji Sponge Basin. Once a tin mine, this site has been transformed into a “living infrastructure” that naturally absorbs and manages heavy rainfall. Beyond its role in flood mitigation, it serves as a vital public park and a primary green lung for Ipoh and its surrounding communities. This story explores how Sungai Pinji Sponge Basin is being used as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) to prevent and mitigate floods. Nina Muslim is a journalist with BERNAMA and various international media organisations, specialising in human rights. Her reporting is grounded in the conviction that environmental protections and human rights are inextricably linked. She advocates for the perspective that every individual possesses a fundamental right to a safe, clean, and healthy environment, viewing ecological preservation as a prerequisite for human dignity. Published on BERNAMA: [ENG] Flood-Prone Ipoh Seeks To Go Back To Nature [BM] Cenderung Banjir, Ipoh Mahu Kembali Ke Alam Semulajadi Sebagai Penyelesaian |
| How Malacca flat residents co-designed heat solution How Malacca flat residents co-designed heat solution At a low-cost flat in Melaka, residents are confronting rising temperatures not with air-conditioners, but with reflective paint and collective action. What began as a pilot project has evolved into a co-designed approach that blends passive cooling, behavioural change, and community ownership. Drawing on residents’ lived experiences and early monitoring data, this story explores how a modest intervention could reshape heat-adaptation strategies for B40 housing across Malaysia. Ainun Jariah is a full-time journalist and a recent CNN Academy Fellow and Malaysiakini Young Creator Fellow. Earlier this year, she worked as a remote writer for Wiki Impact, producing data-driven, human-centric stories on social and environmental issues. She previously interned at the New Straits Times, covering local news, crime, politics, and public policy. Passionate about investigative journalism and documentary filmmaking, Ainun gravitates toward stories on social injustice, environmental inequity, and vulnerable communities. She hopes to one day become a foreign correspondent, using storytelling to expose systemic failures and amplify voices often left unheard. Published on Malaysia Kini: [ENG] How Malacca flat residents co-designed heat solution |
| Are lockable bins a solution to human-wildlife conflict? In Bukit Gasing, a simple bin latch is becoming a vital tool for peaceful coexistence between residents and Long-tailed macaques. As habitat loss and climate change drive primates into residential areas in search of food, tensions often rise. This piece highlights the Animal Neighbours Project (ANP), showing how science-based mitigation and community awareness can transform a perceived nuisance into a sustainable balance between humans and wildlife. Uvakumar Mosiz is a Biotechnology graduate with strong experience in conservation, community engagement, and project coordination. He currently serves as a Project Assistant at Animal Neighbours Project, where he develops education programmes, leads community outreach, creates digital content, and supports human–macaque conflict mitigation efforts across Malaysia. With previous roles in marine conservation, urban farming, and youth education, Uvakumar brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge, field experience, and communication skills. He is passionate about fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife, promoting sustainable practices, and empowering communities through meaningful environmental education. Published on Free Malaysia Today: [ENG] Are lockable bins a solution to human-wildlife conflict? |
| Pengimarahan masjid melalui aktiviti kelestarian alam di Kedah While Islam emphasises stewardship of the Earth, environmental responsibility is rarely the focus of religious education in Malaysia. In Muslim-majority regions like Kedah, mosques and Islamic schools hold significant influence over daily life and community habits. This story examines how these institutions interpret faith in the face of a climate crisis, translating principles like khalifah (stewardship) and mizan (balance) into practical sustainability efforts and community resilience. Nurfatin Zulkipli is an environmental researcher and writer with a background in conservation biology. She is interested in how social values, particularly Islamic teachings on the stewardship and preservation of nature, can support community-led responses to climate change. Through her writing, she explores the connection between social and environmental challenges and highlights the importance of locally grounded, inclusive solutions. Published on Astro AWANI: [BM] Pengimarahan masjid melalui aktiviti kelestarian alam di Kedah |
| Bila iklim menggugat kopi kita, mampukah Liberica buatan tempatan jadi penyelamat? Climate change is reshaping the global coffee supply, threatening to make 50% of traditional growing areas unsuitable by 2050. For Malaysia, a nation heavily reliant on imports, this crisis presents a unique local opportunity. This story explores how cultivating heat-tolerant varieties like Liberica can shield the domestic industry from global volatility, offering farmers higher incomes while building a uniquely Malaysian, climate-resilient coffee identity. Azib Zikry is a green journalist and media practitioner who is endlessly curious and rarely satisfied with the first answer. Trained in broadcast journalism, he once thought appearing on TV would be enough until he wandered into the intersection of data, science, and society stories, areas rarely discussed together. He recently completed postgrad studies in data visualisation and enjoys turning complex charts and research into stories people want to read and understand. By exploring freely rather than relying on algorithms, Azib seeks to uncover stories that have yet to be told. This drives his divergent approach, covering public issues and unexpected narratives to keep journalism engaging. Published on TVS: [BM] Bila iklim menggugat kopi kita, mampukah Liberica buatan tempatan jadi penyelamat? |
| Threading Change: Tackling Malaysia’s Textile Crisis Textile waste is a staggering global problem, and in Malaysia, over 430,000 tonnes of fabric ended up in landfills in 2021 alone. Left to degrade, these materials release microplastics and greenhouse gases, threatening to fill the nation’s landfills within just 15 years. This video explores how the initiative Greater Action upcycles pre-loved fabrics to combat this crisis. By involving women refugees as key actors in climate action, the project supports SDG5 and SDG12, promoting a circular economy while empowering vulnerable communities. Patrick Lee is a journalist, producer, and environmental storyteller with over 15 years of experience. He is the face of Critical2, a multi-platform video network built on local people telling local stories with a global understanding, with the aim of getting people to care about a world drowning in doom and gloom. Patrick believes stories are the lifeblood of the human race and that if we are to get anywhere to solving the world’s problems, it would be through stories. View via these platforms: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklee_msia/video/7605425526391590162 IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmY_K_AbTx/ FB: https://web.facebook.com/reel/1304184851731977 |
| The Green Shield: Balik Pulau’s Mangrove Resilience Climate adaptation doesn’t always require high-tech solutions; in Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang, the answer lies in the roots of the mangrove forest. As a nature-based response to coastal risks, these mangroves are being protected and replanted through the collaboration of communities, NGOs, and students. This video explores how this grounded approach to climate change builds long-term resilience where it matters most. By involving those who live with the coast every day, the project demonstrates that reducing harm and building resilience is a collective, evidence-based effort. Nor Alya Khairina is a storyteller who can’t resist a good climate narrative. She first entered the environmental storytelling world as the National YRE Winner in 2023. Two years later, she now leads the YRE Malaysia programme at Green Growth Asia Foundation and produces multimedia content across YRE Malaysia, Eco-Schools Malaysia and Climate Ready Classrooms. Whether she’s running nationwide workshops or filming on the ground; Alya centres young people in every story she tells. She believes climate communication should be accessible, creative and youth-driven. Her storytelling work also earned her 3rd place in the Malaysiakini Young Creator Fellowship 2025. View videos via these platforms: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwfmalaysia/video/7606259872442748181 IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqAfhokkvT/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14bPFK273KG/?mibextid=wwXIfr |
| Guardians of the Canopy: Protecting the Tualang Bee Deep in the forest, on the tallest trees, Tualang bees quietly maintain the balance of our ecosystem. Despite their crucial role in protecting food chains and forests, their populations are declining, and they are frequently misunderstood or harmed when they migrate near residential areas during monsoon seasons. This video explores the vital role these bees play in our environment and the urgent need to protect their habitats. Produced as part of the PANAS! initiative, it highlights why safeguarding these pollinators is essential for our collective future. Irene Yap is a traveler who explores the world with her folding bicycle, unhurriedly. Loves visual documentaries and records human interest stories on the people she meets on her journeys. Works as a freelancer in still and movement visual documentation and behind-the-scenes prop wizard to pay her bills. Always on the lookout for telepathic connections with minds on the same frequency. View videos via these platforms: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwfmalaysia/video/7605820739052227861 IG https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUo-tQhkz7g/?igsh=bTJ1Nzk0YW9oNms4 FB https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RHhDNG3xu/ |
TESTIMONIALS
What Participants Said
“Learning about Solutions Journalism and its four pillars was especially enlightening for me.”
— Nurul Hasanah Awang, Communicator
“I also gained insights into balancing scientific accuracy with emotional engagement to make climate communication more impactful and relatable.”
— Azib Zikry, Journalist
“I learned that climate storytelling is not just about presenting real, science-based evidence… if we are going to reach the audience’s heart, build the emotional connection and make it local.”
— Alya Khairina, Content Creator
“I learned how important preserving the nature is for the Orang Asal community as it not only serves as their main source of livelihoods but their identity as well.”
— Ainun Jariah, Journalist
“Saya mempelajari tentang cara membina cerita yang lebih berkesan, termasuk teknik mencari sudut cerita, kaedah temu bual, dan cara menyampaikan isu dengan lebih jelas.”
— Fedelia Lazarus, Content Creator
“Got a better understanding of how to structure a story for a short video format. I would like to implement this in my multimedia storytelling work.”
— Hannan Azmir, Journalist
PANAS! CLIMATE STORYTELLING MEMBERS
The PANAS! Climate Storytelling Project is funded by the British Council under the Alumni UK Climate Action Grant Projects 2025, and is implemented by Science Media Centre Malaysia in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia. The project is led by Tan Su Lin, co-founder of SMC Malaysia, and supported by a core team comprising Alumni UK members Kevin Bathman and Natasha Joibi, alongside collaborator Deborah Lawrence Aduk from WWF-Malaysia.
Tan Su Lin is a media and communications specialist with over 18 years of experience in journalism and environmental communication. A 2014 CNN Journalism Fellow and an award-winning journalist, Su Lin co-founded the Science Media Centre (SMC) Malaysia in 2020 to champion effective science communication and evidence-based reporting. SMC is Malaysia’s first information resource centre of its kind, supporting journalists in reporting complex science topics that make the headlines. A Chevening Alumni with an MA in Environment, Culture and Society from Lancaster University, UK, she aspires to increase the environmental journalism pool and bridge the science communication gap in Malaysia. |
| Kevin Bathman is a creative producer passionate about using the arts to drive social change and community transformation. His work brings together artists and creatives whose practice deepens cultural identity, sparks dialogue, and strengthens collective agency. A Chevening scholar with an MA in Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths, Kevin’s work examines how identity, social movements, and postcolonial histories shape cultural and environmental justice. He is committed to collaboration, inclusivity, and supporting socially-engaged artists to work across disciplines. Through the arts, Kevin aims to challenge entrenched norms and inspire meaningful, long-term change within communities. |
| Natasha Joibi started her career as a journalist with The Star, covering disasters and breaking news across Malaysia – including floods she experienced firsthand growing up in the Kadazandusun heartland of Penampang, Sabah. This Chevening Scholar holds an MSc in Equality & Human Rights from the University of Glasgow, where she wrote for The Glasgow Guardian. She later completed a BBC World Service placement in London and contributed to Yahoo! News Southeast Asia. She works at WWF-Malaysia, moving from corporate communications to sustainable markets and now strategic initiatives. She focuses on sustainability and innovation, with plans to one day retire into farming. |
| Deborah Lawrence Aduk is the Communications Manager at WWF-Malaysia, where she leads communications to support climate change and policy efforts. With a Master’s in Creative Multimedia and a degree in Environmental Engineering, she brings together science and creativity to make complex climate issues more relatable and engaging. Her work spans media, digital platforms, and content development, helping to amplify impactful stories and drive public awareness. Passionate about the power of storytelling, Deborah is committed to inspiring action and elevating voices that champion a more sustainable and resilient future. |
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