Trends in precipitation and temperature extremes of the Muda River Basin (MRB) in north-western Peninsular Malaysia were analyzed from 1985 to 2015. Daily climate data from eight stations that passed high quality data control and four homogeneity tests (standard normal homogeneity test, Pettitt test, Buishand range test, and von Neumann ratio test) were used to calculate 22 Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) extreme indices. Non-parametric Mann–Kendall, modified Mann–Kendall and Sens’ slope tests were applied to detect the trend and magnitude changes of the climate extremes. Overall, the results indicate that monthly precipitation tended to increase significantly in January (17.01 mm/decade) and December (23.23 mm/decade), but decrease significantly in May (26.21 mm/decade), at a 95% significance level. Monthly precipitation tended to increase in the northeast monsoon, but decrease in the southwest monsoon. Mann–Kendall test detected insignificant trends in most of the annual climate extremes, except the extremely wet days (R99p), mean of maximum temperature (TXmean), mean of minimum temperature (TNmean), cool days (TX10p), cool nights (TN10p), warm days (TX90p) and warm nights (TN90p) indices. The number of heavy (R10mm), very heavy (R20mm), and violent (R50mm) precipitation days changed at magnitudes of 0~2.73, −2.14~3.33, and −1.67~1.29 days/decade, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum 1-day (Rx1d) and 5-day (Rx5d) precipitation amount indices changed from −10.18 to 3.88 mm/decade and −21.09 to 24.69 mm/decade, respectively. At the Ampangan Muda station, TNmean (0.32 °C/decade) increased at a higher rate compared to TXmean (0.22 °C/decade). The number of the cold days and nights tended to decrease, while an opposite trend was found in the warmer days and nights.

Coronavirus (CoVs) is a large group of viruses known to affect birds and mammals including humans. This review aims to present the types of human coronavirus and animal coronavirus studied and displaying the relationships of these coronaviruses to weather, meteorology and climatology. Human coronaviruses (HCoV) in review are namely 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1 and other HCoV which are Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). These HcoV originated as animal infections which then develop and ultimately transmitted to humans. CoV can also be found in animals which are Canine Respiratory Coronavirus (CRCoV), Murine Coronavirus Rat Hepatitis Virus (MHV), Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV), Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV), Feline Coronavirus (FCoV), Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) and Turkey Coronavirus (TCV). CoV has been found to last longer in the atmosphere at lower temperatures and lower relative humidity. Thus, some coronavirus outbreaks can mostly be attributed to cold and dry climates for more effective CoV transmission. Identified CoV are mostly active when the temperature is between 9 °C and 24 °C. Findings in this review can serve as knowledge and guidance for individuals, related organizations and governments to be prepared for the CoV threats that is currently occurring and that is likely to re-emerge in the coming years. It is also intended to provide useful baseline information for policymakers and the public. KEYWORDS: climatology, coronavirus (CoVs), human coronaviruses (HCoV), meteorology, weather

What we do on land will affect the coastal and marine environment and what happens to these environments will affect us in return. Addressing land-based pollution is vital as the terrestrial is connected to the freshwater, the coastal and the marine system. We need to recognize that no one else is responsible for our lives and wellbeing but us. Biodiversity, defined by its genetic, species and ecosystem diversities, need to be conserved for the present and future. Genetic diversity is important for adaptations, species diversity sustains ecosystem equilibriums, and the robust performance of diverse ecosystems is crucial for the mix of life's essentials. Its value extends far beyond fisheries providing natural products and services which life on earth depends on. These resources provide essential economic, environmental, aesthetic, and cultural benefits to humanity. Damage to the reefs due to multitude long term threats, and with the increasing pressure of human population and accelerated demands for food, products, services, and space from these environments, the health of marine biodiversity is becoming huge environmental issue. Globally, we are now left with a daunting prospect of undoing what we have done. Since the ocean and its biodiversity provide livelihoods and a place to live, they are the major contributors to the global economy and fundamental to global wellbeing; through direct and economic activities, provisions of environmental services, and as home to the majority of the world's population. The key issues affecting ocean and biodiversity sustainability have long been ascertained -unsustainable fishing, climate change and ocean acidification, pollution and waste, loss of habitats and biodiversity, and invasive species. Located at the heart of global biodiversity hotspot, the Coral Triangle is a shared marine resource heritage which is a fundamental link between our society, economy, and space. It contributes to the model of sustainability where community's wellbeing and livelihood depend on. A clear understanding of the role of CTI and how it fits into the SDG framework is imperative to see its connections to all the goals. It is also sensitive enough, when interrupted at any given point, to trigger a chain of reactions involving a broad spectrum of consequences to the biodiversity, environment, and the human society.

Several locations representing recreational area, tourist spots and fish landing grounds were selected in the northern coastal region of Peninsular Malaysia for L-Microplastic (L-MP) data collection. Marine litter samples were collected during HWS and LWN tidal regime. Quadrats of 50 cm x 50 cm were used to collect sediment from surface to 5 cm depth for microplastic analyses. A comparison between macroplastic and L-MP showed a significant relationship with R2 =0.9579 where linear regression computed resulted in y = 26.388x + 0.051, where y: microplastic (kg/m3) while x: macroplastic (kg/m3) for Perlis sampling region. The linear regression obtained for Penang island is y = 0.1248x + 0.0854 with R2=0.9036. Both results showed a significant difference where computed P-values were both <0.05. Findings from Penang island region demonstrated possibility of macroplastic and L-MP abundance relating to tidal condition, where during neap tides more plastics are settled on the beach zone as opposed to during spring tides mainly because of the difference in water volume and movement dynamics. Largest marine litter composition was plastic, followed by fabric and rubber. Although recent plastics used are of biodegradable grades meaning it breaks down into smaller sizes through exposure to sun, hydrolysis and microorganism reactions over time, these L-MP might further degrade to nanoplastic in size. The smallest microparticle reportedly detected in the oceans at the present is 1.6 µm in diameter. Further breakdown of microplastics is imminent and will be difficult to detect as these nano-sized plastics enter the food chain resulting in health risks. Based on this, the UN-SDGs directly affected will be SDGs 3, 6, 12, 14 and 15. KEYWORDS: microplastic, plastic, marine litter, marine debris, health risk, biodegradable

Covid-19 is one of the deadliest viruses ever seen in human civilization to date. This paper discusses the relationship between the novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) pandemic and air contaminants namely nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter 10 (PM 10), particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and human health. Exposure to the five contaminants will further intensify the spread of the disease and may contribute to mortality. At the same time, however, Covid-19 has a beneficial effect in minimizing the release of all five contaminants into the air. Second, this paper also analyses the relationship between the impact of Covid-19 on the possible success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ten SDGs most affected by this pandemic are No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Some of the SDGs are negatively impressed, but there are still those that are positively impressed. Emergency responses and strategies, and eventually policies should prioritize the 10 SDGs while addressing the defining elements significantly related to Covid-19 outbreak. This pandemic has taught us an enormous lesson to be vigilant and to set our priorities right for the sake of mankind, and in achieving sustainability.