News

The Nation 25 July 2017 | Chularat Saengpassa

CONCERN OVER PUBLIC HEARINGS AFTER BIOMASS PLANT OPPONENTS SHUT OUT

THE PEOPLE’S Network for Sustainable Development has demanded a better law on environmental quality after identifying several perceived flaws in a crucial environment bill. 

Radio Free Asia 24 July 2017 | Michael Lelyveld

As China scales back plans to build new coal-fired power plants for its domestic market, it is adding dozens more to the world total with similar projects abroad, environmental monitors say.

The building binge of overseas projects threatens to offset the environmental benefits from curbing expansion of coal power at home, according to recent reports.

As the world's biggest carbon emitter, China is also the leading contributor to the boom in new coal power projects in developing countries.

The Irrawaddy 21 July 2017 | Hintharnee

MOULMEIN, Mon State — More than 2,000 locals from villages in Kyaikmayaw and Moulmein townships staged a protest march in Moulmein on Friday against a cement factory’s coal-fired power plant.

This is the second protest against the US$400 million, 500-ton cement factory, run by Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL) – a joint venture between Thai firm Siam Cement Group (SCG) and Pacific Link Cement Industries.

21-23 July 2017 at TOT Academy, Thailand

Co-organized by EARTH (Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand), Arnika Association.

Sponsored by European Union and Thai Health Foundation Promotion.

CITIZEN SCIENCE Workshop #1 participated by nearly 100 local people.

The Guardian 20 July 2017 | Michael Slezak

The vast majority of newly built stations in Indonesia relied on export credits agencies or development banks, says study by Market Forces

The much-discussed boom in coal-fired power in south-east Asia is being bankrolled by foreign governments and banks, with the vast majority of projects apparently too risky for the private sector.

IDEA TED 20 July 2017 | Kate Torgovnick May

Not all plastic is evil, but our world could probably do with a whole lot less of it. Check out these great ideas — from a googly-eyed trash catcher to a styrofoam substitute made from mushrooms — and learn some small steps you can take right now.

The New York Times 19 July 2017 | TATIANA SCHLOSSBERG 

Scientists have estimated that between 5 million and 13 million metric tons of plastic are put into the ocean each year. Credit Guillermo Cervera

If human civilization were to be destroyed and its cities wiped off the map, there would be an easy way for future intelligent life-forms to know when the mid-20th century began: plastic.

The Irrawaddy 14 July 2017 | Nyein Nyein

YANGON – Experts urged the government to consider including renewable energy sources in the national energy plan at a talk concerning a “clean energy vision for Myanmar” in Yangon on Thursday.

U Aung Myint, the director of Renewable Energy Association Myanmar (REAM) said that they had expected that the National League for Democracy government would implement a sustainable policy approach for the new energy sector. However, he noted that this has not been the case.

Myanmar Times 13 July 2017 | Su Phyo Win

An inadequate legal framework, poor implementation process, absence of accountabilities and the lack of transparency lead to violations of human rights and environmental disruption in Myanmar’s Special Economic Zones, speakers at the Myanmar Special Economic Zones Forum highlighted.

Karen News 12 July 2017 | S'Phan Shaung

Over 1,000 signatures have so far been collected on a petition against building a coal-fired power plant in Karen State, according to local activists.

Saw Aung Than Htwe from Htone Taung village said that around 1,300 signatures have been collected in 20 villages in Hpa-an township, as well as in Ta Kaung Boe and U Daung village tracts in Hlaingbwe township since June 28.