Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Global coral collapse a neglected crisis
News, Imran Khalid, Published on 16/08/2025
» Before the crack of dawn on Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, Somsak Chaisri paddles his wooden boat over waters that used to shimmer with life. A once-vibrant coral garden below the water surface now consists of dead skeleton-like structures. According to this fisherman, the bleached coral skeletons are the only things he pulls from the water after his father showed him how to fish in living coral reefs. "Now, I drag up ghosts," he murmured. His lament echoes across the tropics. From the Maldives to Mozambique, the once-thriving reefs of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans are being scoured of life.
Study sheds light on log coffins
News, Apinya Wipatayotin, Published on 11/02/2024
» DNA decoding from 33 pieces of ancient human bones and teeth found at Iron Age Log Coffin sites in Mae Hong Son province is showing a link between prehistoric communities and modern ethnic groups in the region, according to an expert.
Transform development finance
News, Mia Mottley & Werner Hoyer, Published on 27/06/2023
» In a world beset by rising temperatures, extreme weather patterns, and escalating natural disasters, the urgency of decisive action on climate change and the threat of future pandemics has never been more apparent. Both threats will affect us all. But the countries between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn -- including the Caribbean and Pacific states, and parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia where another 40% of the global population lives -- are currently experiencing loss and damage four times greater than elsewhere.
What shall we do with climate refugees?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 29/08/2022
» You wait ages for the bus, and then three come along at once. Books are a bit like that, too, although in this case it's only a pair of them, both tackling the question of what to do about all the "climate refugees". (The United Nations' International Organization for Migration estimates that 1.5 billion people may be forced to move in the next thirty years alone.)
Far-right politicians seek to make gains during pandemic
News, Federico Finchelstein & Jason Stanley, Published on 09/05/2020
» In stark contrast to the effective leadership shown by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Singapore's autocratic technocracy, the world's far-right nationalists have met the Covid-19 crisis with something not seen in decades: the fascist politics of disease. And no one typifies this brand of politics better than Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro.
Missing all exits on Highway to Hell
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 19/12/2019
» 'The point of no return is no longer over the horizon," warned UN secretary general Antonio Guterres as the 25th climate summit (COP25) opened in Madrid two weeks ago, and the multitude of delegates from more than a hundred countries presumably understood what he meant. But they ignored it anyway.
In the Land of the Midnight Sun
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/08/2019
» Living in the tropics probably explains why I tend to enjoy reading books and watching films set in places where really cold weather prevails. It must be that perverse, but comforting, feeling that once you step outside the cinema or put down the book you are immediately back in the more friendly temperatures of the tropics again.
Elton, a madman and a ghetto blaster
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/07/2019
» During the early 1970s, my main source of recorded music in Bangkok was a little shop called Rex Records on Phetchaburi Road. In addition to having a decent collection of vinyl albums, it also provided a useful service by transposing albums onto cassette tapes which was then the most common form of listening to music.
Summertime, and the livin' ain't easy
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/02/2019
» According to the Meteorological Department, Thailand's summer officially began last Thursday, amidst warnings that this year it will be even more torrid than ever. So you can put away your fur coats, scarves, snow boots and thermal underwear for the time being. While sweltering heat is not exactly welcome news, it hardly comes as a surprise. It is a trifle absurd to complain about the heat in Thailand. After all, that's what happens in the tropics -- it gets a bit steamy.
Warming in the Arctic at tipping point?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 25/05/2018
» Here are two interesting facts. One is that the winter temperatures in the Arctic this year were the highest ever recorded. On two days in February, it was actually warmer at the North Pole than it was in Zurich, Switzerland. At one location in Greenland, the temperature was 36C higher than the usual average for that time of year.