When one thinks about traditional Vietnamese architecture now, one might think bamboo is the archetypal material used. If one were to have a quick look at projects highlighted in recent years from Vietnam, one could be forgiven for this assumption. This is perhaps contributed in no small part by architects such as Vo Trong Nghia […]
Without a doubt, technology has been pushed to the forefront and put to the test as the world scrambled to deal with the pandemic. Economies and travel grinded to a halt, as lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing measures were implemented. As the number of people under self-quarantine increases, the variety of digital services for entertainment […]
A transformative change in the global approach to dealing with infectious diseases is needed. Failing that, future pandemics will emerge more often, spread more rapidly, do more damage to the world economy and kill more people than COVID-19, warns a report on biodiversity and pandemics by 22 leading experts from around the world (Intergovernmental Science-Policy […]
Read More… from Land use and climate change as drivers of pandemic risk and biodiversity loss
The Coalition for Urban Transitions released a new report Seizing the Urban Opportunity on 17 March 2021. The report focuses on emerging economies as they face particularly complex challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The six key countries — China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa — produce about a third of […]
Over the past year, Indonesia’s energy policy teams have devoted new resources to a plan focused on efforts to extend the life of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara’s (PLN’s) coal-fired power fleet by switching to biomass cofiring. The plan focuses on leveraging PLN’s existing 18 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power plant capacity. The planners are betting […]
Read More… from Switching coal plants to biomass cofiring is no magic bullet
Save nature, save money: A commercial case. Scientists have once again made the commercial case for conserving wilderness. They have demonstrated that in its pristine state—mangrove swamps, wetlands, savannahs, forests, etc.—nature left alone is of more value to humankind than as exploited real estate. “People go on getting richer, and the planet pays a mounting price. “ The […]
Read More… from Nature left alone offers more than if we exploit it
Employees returning to the office might find fewer desks and more room to chat over coffee, as companies offer more space for interaction. Lockdowns that have taken hold since March last year have forced millions of people to work from home — a shift that has been embraced by many companies as a possible long-term […]
Read More… from Fewer desks, more coffee: Possible changes in offices after COVID-19
After a decade filled with disappointments from the fossil fuel industry, Vietnamese planners successfully tested the dynamism of renewable energy in Vietnam’s fast-growing market, as they began work on the country’s power development plan for 2021–2030 (PDP8). Read the Vietnamese translated report here. Many conventional coal and gas-power projects failed to progress during the development […]
Read More… from Renewables should be focus of Vietnam’s Draft PDP8, not coal and gas
Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are at record levels and continue to increase. Emissions are heading in the direction of pre-pandemic levels following a temporary decline caused by the lockdown and economic slowdown. The world is set to see its warmest five years on record. United in Science 2020 The world is set to […]
Greta Thunberg calls for urgent action to address the climate and ecological crisis. The proposals being discussed and presented at the moment are “very far from being enough”. Below is an excerpt of her speech. Photo courtesy of World Economic Forum My name is Greta Thunberg and I’m not here to make deals. You see, […]
Read More… from Davos Agenda 2021: Greta Thunberg’s message to world leaders
The need to transform the relationship between cities and nature has become ever more urgent. Over half of the world’s population lives in cities, with an estimated 1.5 million additional people per week expected to migrate to cities until 2030. While cities make up to 80% of global GDP, they are also responsible for 75% of carbon dioxide emissions and are […]
Scientists have looked at conditions in nine of the world’s 200 nations. They found that if the world keeps its promises in the Paris Agreement, of containing global heating to “well below 2 degrees Celsius (°C) by 2100″, millions of lives could be saved. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change says in the journal Lancet […]
Read More… from Millions will die if world fails on climate promises
