Tuesday’s news-April 30

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  • Deforestation in Thailand: challenges and solutions for forest conservation
  • Thailand’s Coral Reefs Face Severe Damage from Climate Change
  • Which sector in Thailand is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Air quality in Chiang Mai continues to deteriorate
  • Coca-Cola ranked world No 1 plastic polluter amid Thai trash tsunami
  • Menace of toxic waste lingers on
  • Hazardous waste begins journey from Bangkok to Tak landfill
  • True launches green platform to reduce companies’ costs

Deforestation in Thailand: challenges and solutions for forest conservation

Thailand is currently facing a significant environmental challenge that has garnered widespread concern, particularly among conservationists: deforestation. This issue is more severe in Thailand than in many other Southeast Asian countries, primarily due to the rapid clearance of forests to accommodate agricultural expansion necessitated by population growth and the country’s focus on exporting agricultural products.

Furthermore, the logging industry and the demand for fuel wood significantly contribute to the reduction of forested areas. This situation has raised alarms not only among environmentalists but also among those assessing the severity of these activities on Thailand’s ecological balance. Continued … 

Thailand’s Coral Reefs Face Severe Damage from Climate Change

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, an experienced marine biologist, reports the severe changes happening in Thailand’s coral reefs due to climate change. Thon warned about the extensive harm caused by global warming over the past six years.

Increasing sea temperatures have resulted in unusually low tides and high sunlight intensity, consequently causing widespread coral bleaching. Despite attempts to recover, ongoing heat and solar exposure have caused significant coral death. Under normal conditions, recovery could happen within 7-8 years, but current environmental hazards have made it difficult. Continued … 

Which sector in Thailand is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions?

Greenhouse gases are generated both naturally and through human activities. Naturally, they arise from processes like respiration and volcanic eruptions. Human activities, however, contribute significantly to their emissions, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.

When fossil fuels are burned, greenhouse gases are emitted, forming a blanket-like layer around the Earth. This layer traps heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space and leading to an increase in temperature. Continued … 

Air quality in Chiang Mai continues to deteriorate

The air quality in Chiang Mai has continued to deteriorate over the past several days due to wildfires spreading in the province, according to local authorities.

The province has the most hotspots in the northern region and is ranked among the cities with the poorest air quality in the world. The city’s downtown area has been shrouded by heavy smog every day over the past month. Continued … 

Coca-Cola ranked world No 1 plastic polluter amid Thai trash tsunami

Coca-Cola has been identified as the world’s largest plastic polluter, contributing to Thailand’s ranking as the fifth-largest contributor to plastic trash in the ocean.

More than half of the world’s branded plastic pollution comes from 56 companies, according to a new study published by 12 international organizations. The study found that Coca-Cola is the brand responsible for the highest level of plastic pollution worldwide at 11% of the total. Continued … 

Menace of toxic waste lingers on

Recent blazes in hazardous waste storage plants in Rayong and Ayutthaya, and smuggling of cadmium tailings from Tak to several provinces in Thailand have raised questions about hazardous waste management.

According to the Department of Pollution Control, the country produces 36 million tons of hazardous waste per year. Continued … 

Hazardous waste begins journey from Bangkok to Tak landfill

The initial batch of hazardous waste, illicitly relocated from a landfill in Tak, began its journey back yesterday, with the complete transfer set to be accomplished by June, disclosed an insider at the Industry Ministry.

The insider reported that the inaugural batch of cadmium and zinc tailings, comprising 270 tons out of the 13,000 tons discovered by the authorities at various sites in and around the capital, were successfully transported from warehouses owned by J&B Metal in Samut Sakhon and LLT Metal Co. in Bangkok to pits owned by Bound & Beyond Plc in tambon Nong Bua Tai in Tak’s Muang district yesterday. Continued … 

True launches green platform to reduce companies’ costs

True Digital Group, a subsidiary of True Corp., has launched a new platform-as-a-service called a climate tech platform by leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven sustainability solution to cash in on the green transition of Thai businesses.

The company aims to help Thai businesses reduce energy expenses by 300 million baht within the next three years, according to Ekaraj Panjavinin, chief digital officer of True Corp. Continued … 

Latest news updates about Thailand's environment, including reports regarding renewable energy, air pollution, water pollution, environmentally related wildlife issues, recycling, electric vehicles, plastic pollution, and more.