Environment and natural resources
Southeast Asia haze tied to hospitalization for breathing problems
People are more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory disorders during the annual haze season in Southeast Asia, when densely polluted air hovers over the region, than at other times of year, a Malaysian study suggests. Since 2005, Southeast Asia has experienced an annual haze due ...
Call for Asean to work together for low-carbon future
The urgent need for Asean to deal with climate change was highlighted yesterday by two Singapore ministers, who called on the regional bloc to work together for a low-carbon future. Keep reading ...
Transboundary EIAs could reduce conflict over river projects
In the Mekong river basin, massive infrastructure projects – dams, road, high-speed rail and ports – are under construction. While these projects will improve connectivity between countries, harmful environmental impacts need to be minimised. National level environmental impacts assessments that ignore cross border impacts are likely ...
4 megatrends affect Vietnam: WB official
At a national conference on Thursday in Vietnam’s Hanoi capital, Ousmane Dione, country director for the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam discussed four megatrends affecting Vietnam’s sustainable and competitive development. []Meanwhile, climate change poses a significant risk to Vietnam, he said, noting that rising sea-levels expose ...
Mekong delta provinces want more funds to tackle erosion
Ca Mau and Kien Giang Provinces seek greater government assistance for building embankments and planting protective mangrove forests. Keep reading ...
6th GEF Assembly: 4.1 billion USD committed to global environment
The sixth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) concluded on June 28 in the central city of Da Nang with 29 countries pledging to provide 4.1 billion USD for the next four years for numerous global environment-related programmes. Keep reading ...
Poor countries face $168 billion interest bill due to climate change
Poor countries could have to pay up to $168 billion more in interest over the next decade as extreme weather events brought on by climate change affect their credit ratings, a study said on Monday. Nations that rely heavily on agriculture are likely to suffer ...
Scientists seek solutions to landslides in Mekong Delta
Coastal and riverbank landslides are now a hot topic in the Mekong Delta. In May and June, a series of landslide cases occurred in the delta’s provinces, from Ca Mau, Hau Giang and Can Tho to An Giang, Dong Thap and Vinh Long. Keep reading ...
12-day training program on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation opens in Beijing
China and five other countries along the Lancang-Mekong River are continuing to develop joint environmental and economic efforts. And on Wednesday, a training program for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation National Secretariats and Coordination Units is underway in Beijing. Keep reading ...
Experts from Thailand, China clash over the damming of Mekong
Chinese experts who insist that hydropower projects on the Mekong River will benefit all stakeholders met opposition yesterday when a Thai academic argued that locals lose more than they gain since dams impact heavily on every aspect of their lives. Keep reading ...