Showing 1 - 10 of 325
Improving the region's food safety
Oped, Published on 07/06/2024
» In a region with poor food safety standards, policy makers, the private sector and consumers in Asia and the Pacific must do better.
Green push needs united approach
News, Published on 20/05/2024
» Bridging the divide between agriculture and forestry is imperative for climate action. The global and national race is on to steeply reduce emissions over the next six years. According to the watershed Global Stocktake report, released ahead of COP28 in Dubai, we face the daunting task of reducing emissions by 43% by 2030 to retain the possibility of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, and 27% to stabilise at a 2-degree temperature increase. Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, we have managed only to be on track for a 2% reduction in emissions against 2019 baselines. Each subsequent year, we collectively feel the impacts of a hotter, more volatile climate as new records are set for temperature and natural disasters.
Migrant workers face heatwave risks
News, Published on 15/05/2024
» As extreme heat becomes more common, Thailand needs a comprehensive labour protection law to safeguard at-risk migrant workers from the hotter climate.
Ensuring safety and health at work
Oped, Published on 26/04/2024
» Climate change is having serious impacts on the safety and health of workers in the Asia-Pacific region.
We need climate adaptation now
Oped, Published on 05/04/2024
» The announcement made by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is a grim warning of record-high temperatures. The entire nation is bracing for scorching hot weather this month, with forecasters saying temperatures look set to reach 44.5 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. For example, the mercury level in the Thoen district of the northern Lampang province reached 42C on Monday and yesterday, the hottest temperatures for this year’s summer so far. Meanwhile, the TMD reported the temperature of Muang district was not far behind at 41.8C.
Making exports for a low-carbon era
Oped, Published on 27/03/2024
» Exports have been Thailand's important growth engine for many decades. A number of Thailand's export destinations have shown increasing interest in and support for low-carbon products. Failure to meet global demand for low-carbon products risks Thailand's competitiveness in international trade.
Myanmar as interim 'non-state' state
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 01/03/2024
» Myanmar, also known as Burma, has become a de facto state that is dominated by non-state entities. Contrary to facile claims, Myanmar is not a failed state like some that beset parts of Africa and the Middle East. The ethnically diverse country of 55 million still functions despite widespread violence in an ongoing civil war. Unless and until Myanmar is understood and re-conceptualised as an interim state comprising non-state entities, it will be difficult to move forward to remake and reconstitute a new country after the civil war and the passing of the military junta that seized power on Feb 1, 2021, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Thailand digital wallet dilemma
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/02/2024
» A warning from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on the pitfalls of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme is not music to the ears of the Srettha government.
Rich world raids development funds for climate
Oped, Bjorn Lomborg, Published on 27/01/2024
» Too many rich-world politicians and climate campaigners forget that much of the world remains mired in poverty and hunger. Yet, rich countries are increasingly replacing their development aid with climate spending. The World Bank, whose primary goal is to help people out of poverty, has now announced it will divert 45% of its funding toward climate change, shifting some US$40 billion annually away from poverty and hunger.
Eruption is a warning to others
News, Published on 23/01/2024
» Volcanic eruptions are mesmerising. The glowing red lava, explosive power and widening fissures serve as reminders that we stand and build not on static ground, but on a very dynamic Earth. For the Icelandic port of Grindavik, the escaping magma is less of a marvel and more of a nightmare. For the rest of the world, it should be a lesson that preparing for natural disasters is ever more important during the climate crisis.