The days of simply sticking a pipe in the ground and tapping a pool of easy-to-handle — and profitable — crude oil is fading. Maximising the planet’s oil reserves will challenge traditional thinking in order to harness technical know-how in a way that will have minimal impact on climate.
Category: Opinion
Collection of opinions relevant to the Mekong environment published in media outlets across the globe.
Pak Beng Consultation Process Improved, But To What End?
The recent Pak Beng public forum illustrates regional engagement in the basin, especially about dam planning. But will the improved process translated into a more community and environmentally conscious project?
Myanmar media in a regional context
Five years ago, Myanmar’s media scene was very oppressive and pathetic, both by international and ASEAN standards. Since then, with the end of news censorship and mandatory printing license, the overall freedom of expression has improved significantly. Now the country’s press freedom index is rising for overall openness in comparison with other ASEAN members.
Tourism can be made sustainable
On the surface, the Andaman sea off Phi Phi Island is calm and clear, its emerald green colour is ever attractive. Yet, the underwater situation with an extensive area of bleached coral reef make this popular world-class dive site a red-alert tourism spot.
‘They Do Not Count Us’: Resisting the Myitsone Dam Beyond China, the US, and Big Geopolitics
In autumn 2011, waterways took on an unprecedented prominence in Burmese thinking, thanks to the great Myitsone Dam controversy.
Study Shows Impacts of ELCs on Forest and Livelihoods
While ELCs do have some positive impacts, like employment opportunities, new technologies, access to health and improved infrastructure, the negative impacts outweigh these and local communities as well as forest and wildlife are threatened by loss of land, culture and traditions.
Decision-Makers Must Recognize Irreversible Impacts of Dams on Mekong River and People’s Lives
International Rivers believes that recent comments attributed in the media to the CEO of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) raise serious concerns about the role and positioning of the MRC Secretariat and the future of decision-making over hydropower development in the Mekong.
Hydropower threatens peace in Myanmar — but it doesn’t have to
Dialogue, transparency and foreign support could help rebuild local trust
Rebuttal to MRC CEO Statement: “Hydropower Development Will Not Kill the Mekong River”
US-based Viet Ecology Foundation responds to MRC CEO recent media interview on the future of the Pak Beng dam project.
Elites are threatening Cambodia’s forests
Large-scale plantations have resulted in Cambodia exhibiting one of the world’s highest rates of deforestation. The major driver of forest policy during the 1990s, and now, concerns elites who deploy the state to manage and exploit Cambodia’s natural resources.