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Today’s news
- Strategic environmental assessment of Thai river basins
- High PM2.5 levels make Chiang Mai world’s 3rd worst polluted city
- Thais’ methods for fighting plastic pollution
- Navigating Thailand’s energy transition – with nuclear
- Sustainability ratings just a gimmick?
- Solar giants seek high US tariffs on ASEAN panels
- Scientists see link between loss of marine life and disappearing seagrass
Strategic environmental assessment of Thai river basins
It is globally recognized that climate change is increasingly affecting sustainable development. Given these challenges, it is imperative to incorporate climate change considerations as part of strategic environmental assessment (SEA), a tool used for sustainable development and planning strategies.
The Thai government is in the process of developing river basin management schemes and updating SEA for all the river basins in the country. Considering climate change in future development planning processes would ensure that the outcomes enable more sustainable development. Continued …
High PM2.5 levels make Chiang Mai world’s 3rd worst polluted city
Chiang Mai was ranked for a time on Wednesday as the third-worst major city in the world for air quality, due to high levels of PM2.5 ultrafine dust, according to the Swiss firm IQAir. It reported that Chiang Mai’s air quality index was 166 on Wednesday morning, which was in the dangerous or red zone. It was ranked third after Kolkata in India and Cairo in Egypt.
But by noon, Chiang Mai’s AQI fell to 158 and its rank dropped to No 5 after Kolkata (165 AQI), Kathmandu, Nepal (162 AQI), Tehran, Iran (159 AQI), and Hanoi, Vietnam (158 AQI). Continued …
Thais’ methods for fighting plastic pollution
Thailand, celebrated for its stunning beaches and vibrant natural landscapes, faces a significant challenge with plastic pollution. This issue has become critical, as recycling efforts are not sufficient to manage waste accumulation, which includes contributions from both domestic and international sources.
However, there is an encouraging aspect to this scenario: individuals in Thailand are devising ingenious solutions to combat this environmental problem. These initiatives are not only beneficial for ecological sustainability but also provide employment opportunities for individuals seeking meaningful work. Continued …
Navigating Thailand’s energy transition – with nuclear
In Thailand’s National Energy Plan (NEP) — a blueprint outlining the country’s energy strategy from 2023 to 2037 — a small portion of nuclear energy is included as one form of alternative energy.
The NEP has set the goal that 50% of energy for consumption must come from clean and renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, biomass and small modular reactors (SMRs), according to Prasert Sinsukprasert, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Energy. Continued …
Sustainability ratings just a gimmick?
Amid mounting criticism of business operations’ environmental and social impacts, businesses are proudly showcasing their sustainability ratings and awards to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development. Yet, do these accolades credibly reflect such commitment, or are they just a public relations tool?
This skepticism resurfaced recently when a prominent Thai conglomerate was named one of the world’s most ethical companies in 2024, despite public criticism about their operations. Continued …
Solar giants seek high US tariffs on ASEAN panels
Some of the world’s largest solar equipment makers are asking the U.S. government to impose steep tariffs on panels and cells from four Asian countries — Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand — as they seek to protect billions of dollars in investments in U.S. manufacturing.
The group, calling itself the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, is accusing Chinese companies with factories in the four Southeast Asian countries of flooding the U.S. market with panels priced below their cost of production. Continued …
Scientists see link between loss of marine life and disappearing seagrass
Marine researchers are drawing attention to the loss of seagrass beds, and their findings indicate a correlation with loss of marine life, according to a panel of regional marine scientists.
Seagrass grows underwater in the ocean, forming thick underwater meadows that sea creatures live on and depend on as a source of food. Seagrass acts like a barrier along the coast, stopping waves and erosion. Coastal seabeds can store up to 83,000 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer in the soil beneath them. Continued …