WebLog Journal of Environmental Sciences

Deforestation and the consequent loss of biodiversity represent two of the most pressing and interlinked environmental crises of the twenty-first century. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the global patterns of forest loss, the mechanisms through which deforestation drives species extinction, and the cascading ecological, climatic, and socioeconomic consequences that ensue. Drawing upon recent empirical data, satellite analyses, and peer reviewed literature, this study…

This reflective note explores the profound spiritual and symbolic role of Mount Fuji in shaping my academic and personal journey. From an obscured view during a professional trip in 2014 to awe inspiring full views in 2017, Mount Fuji became more than a natural landmark; it evolved into a sacred guide during moments of professional hardship. Faced with rejection, academic politics, and delayed promotion, I found renewed purpose and motivation through the recurring appearance of the mountain…

Teaching practicum constitutes one of the most important components of teacher education because it provides opportunities for pre-service teachers to translate educational theories into authentic classroom practice. Through direct engagement with students, teachers, administrators, and school communities, pre-service teachers develop pedagogical competence, classroom management skills, professional communication, and reflective thinking that cannot be fully acquired through university…

Coastal ecosystems are among the world's most productive environments, supporting fisheries, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, shoreline stabilization, and numerous ecosystem services essential for human well-being. However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, land reclamation, agricultural expansion, aquaculture, tourism development, and climate change have accelerated habitat degradation and pollution across coastal regions. These pressures have highlighted the need…

Biomonitoring is a fundamental component of ecotoxicology, providing insights into environmental quality through the responses of living organisms to pollution and habitat degradation. Traditionally, biomonitoring programmes have focused on species that accumulate contaminants or exhibit measurable physiological responses to environmental stress. In Malaysia, the invasive Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.), commonly known as ikan bandaraya, has become widespread in urban and…

This paper is a reflective synthesis of long-term environmental monitoring and personal experience from two of Malaysia’s most polluted coastal ecosystems: Kuala Juru in Penang and Kg. Pasir Puteh in Southern Johore. Drawing upon empirical evidence collected in 2004 and 2005 on elevated levels of heavy metals in mussels (Perna viridis) and surface sediments, this narrative integrates ecological data with moral teachings expressed through proverbs from Hindu, Malay, Chinese, and English…

Planetary health emphasizes that the health of human civilization depends fundamentally on the stability of Earth's natural systems. While discussions surrounding planetary health have traditionally focused on medicine, ecology, environmental sciences, and public health, the contributions of electrical engineering have received comparatively less attention despite underpinning nearly every aspect of modern society. Reliable electricity enables healthcare delivery, clean water supply,…

The global burden of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) continues to rise at an alarming pace, now complicating an estimated 14-25% of pregnancies worldwide [1]. While traditional risk factors - maternal obesity, advanced age, family history of type 2 diabetes - have long guided clinical vigilance, a growing and compelling body of epidemiological and experimental evidence points toward ambient air pollution as an underappreciated yet modifiable contributor to GDM pathogenesis. We write to…

Marine mussels have long served as reliable sentinel organisms for assessing trace metal contamination in coastal ecosystems because they efficiently accumulate contaminants from surrounding waters and suspended particulates over time. Classical biomonitoring initiatives such as the Mussel Watch programme established the foundation for long term environmental surveillance and generated comparable records of coastal pollution across geographical regions. However, increasing environmental…

Coastal wetlands and estuarine mudflats along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF) are critical for migratory waders and resident waterbirds, yet many sites in Southeast Asia remain poorly documented despite intense anthropogenic pressure. This study presents opportunistic photographic observations of waterbirds, migratory waders, and predatory birds in two heavily industrialised estuarine systems along Malaysia’s west coast: Kuala Juru, Penang, and Port Klang, Selangor. Surveys were…