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Compiled by Purnima Joshi.
The floods that struck the central city of Zhengzhou in China last week gave urban planners a foretaste of future disasters. Scientists had warned for years that the climate crisis would amplify extreme weather, making it deadlier and more frequent and these latest catastrophes came as a reminder that the threat could hit much closer to home than some may have thought. Growth in recent decades has created urban sprawls that covered floodplains with impermeable concrete. Coping with future calamities will depend on building infrastructure, notably flood prevention and drainage systems. China has also been looking for more natural, low-impact solutions to solve its growing flood vulnerability.
Not only in China, but similar harsh weather conditions with flooding in Philippines and India are covered in this issue as also a 50% increase in deaths expected due to drowning; Singapore is exploring partnerships to capture and store carbon dioxide as part of low-carbon push, with Bank of Japan’s Kuroda calls for 'learning by doing' approach on climate change; and while global warming may limit spread of dengue fever, it also affects the biological control agent for mosquitoes. The recent Asia-Pacific Climate Week concluded that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South-East Asia form the backbone of Asian economies and have a crucial role to play in tackling climate change in the region.
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SE ASIA
Singapore exploring partnerships to capture, store carbon dioxide as part of low-carbon push: Tan See Leng
CNA, 27 July 2021
As Singapore lacks suitable known geological formations needed to store carbon dioxide permanently underground, it is exploring partnerships with companies and other countries to do so .
Vietnam welcomes efforts by UN centre for preventive diplomacy in Central Asia
Vietnam Plus, 27 July 2021
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, has appreciated efforts made by the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and its special representative Natalia Gherman
to promote preventive diplomacy in Central Asia, thus
contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.
ADB climate scheme benefits Kingdom
The Phnom Penh Post, 20 July 2021
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that their six-year pioneering regional technical assistance initiative has helped reduce the threat posed by climate change to public health in Cambodia.
FOOD
Gene editing – A tool to tackle climate change and to achieve food security in Asia Pacific
The Northlines, 26 July 2021
There are about 688 million people undernourished in the world, of which 351 million – more than half — live in the Asia- Pacific region. Further, there are growing concerns that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may have undone whatever gains were achieved towards food security
in the region. Read further ...
INDIA
India: On the frontline of climate change
The Straits Times, 25 July 2021
Swathes of India are battling deadly floods and landslides after heavy monsoon rains, just the latest example of how the vast country is on the frontline of climate change.
CHINA & TAIWAN
'Once in a thousand years' rains devastated central China, but there is little talk of climate change
CNN, 23 July 2021
As record heat waves hit western North America and deadly floods swept Germany, the growing risks associated with climate change have grabbed headlines, and prompted widespread discussions in the West.
Devastation of floods in China are foretaste of a dire future, say climate experts
Independent, 24 July 2021
The catastrophic floods that struck the central city of Zhengzhou during the past week have given China’s urban planners a foretaste of future disasters.
Climate change: US pushes China to make faster carbon cuts
BBC, 20 July 2021
US climate envoy John Kerry has called on China to increase the speed and depth of its efforts to cut carbon.
Without sufficient emissions reductions by China, Mr Kerry said, the global goal of keeping temperatures under 1.5C was "essentially impossible".
Taiwan’s Climate Change Action on Trial for the First Time
The News Lens, 23 July 2021
Taiwan says it wants to do more to contribute to the global fight against climate change, but environmental groups are questioning the government’s resolution in court.. Read further ...
INDUSTRY
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises are Crucial for Climate Action in South-East Asia
Mirage, 21 July 2021
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South-East Asia form the backbone of Asian economies and have a crucial role to play in tackling climate change in the region.
This is the key conclusion of an event recently held in the
context of Asia-Pacific Climate Week, organized by UN
Climate Change and partners.
FINANCE
Fidelity steps up climate and diversity demands on investee companies
CityWireSelector, 26 July 2021
Fidelity has published its sustainable investing voting principles and guidelines document, to introduce new global policies on climate change, the asset manager has announced.
BOJ's Kuroda calls for 'learning by doing' approach on climate change
CAN, 27 July 2021
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Tuesday the central bank will roll out steps deemed important for dealing with climate change, and stand ready to modify them as needed.
ENVIRONMENT
Global Warming May Limit Spread of Dengue Fever, But Also Affect the Biological Control Agent for Mosquitoes: Study
Weather.com. 21 July 2021
Global warming could limit the spread of dengue fever but could also affect Wolbachia as a biological control agent, according to new research.
Researchers, at the Pennsylvania State University in the US, found that infection with the bacterium Wolbachia, which
has recently been used to control viral infections in
mosquitoes, also increases the thermal sensitivity of the
insects. Read further ...
BIODIVERSITY
Food Production Is As Dangerous for the Planet As Fossil Fuels
Brinknews, 19 July 2021
The loss of biodiversity and natural habitats is becoming a major risk for companies. As climate breakdown and forest loss feed off one another, they increase the likelihood of natural disasters and the unleashing of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19. Businesses everywhere are increasingly vulnerable.
EVENTS :
ADDITIONAL READS :
‘We must rise to the biggest economic challenge of our times: creating good jobs for everyone'
Reuters, 15, July 2021
Climate Related Disasters Could Increase Deaths From Drowning By 50%
Forbes, 23 July 2021
Philippines evacuates thousands as monsoon rains flood cities, provinces
mvariety.com, 24 July 2021
Climate change, overfishing threatens food security in poorer countries: study
CTV News, 24 July 2021
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CGM's Asia-Pacific Climate Digest is compiled by communications consultant Purnima Joshi.
With over two decades of experience in corporate communications, Purnima combines her skills in creative and communication along with her passion for working for the community.
She has worked on a multitude of projects in waste management, circular economy, building active citizenship in the community, some of which have won awards.
These also include a project on building climate resilience for UNICEF as well as some award-winning projects. She has been associated with several NGOs in an advisory capacity for over 10 years.