The Third Pole explores how the military coup will affect Chinese-backed dams along Southeast Asia’s last free-flowing river
Category: Article
Myanmar junta to sell more timber in search for hard currency
Myanmar’s military regime will hold further timber auctions on June 23 and 24 as it seeks to raise hard currency to fund its coup. Three separate auctions were held in late May in which nearly 10,300 tons of timber were sold for around US$5 million (8.2 billion kyats).
Last great forest in Oddar Meanchey under attack, more resources needed
Sang Rukhavoan Community Forest in Oddar Meanchey province is under attack by poachers and tree-grabbers who have increased their criminal activity since February, according to Bun Saluth, a forest protector appointed by the government and former monk.
Vietnam takes action to clean out ocean environs
Vietnam is determined to reduce marine plastic litter by 50 per cent. The country also aims to collect 50 per cent of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, such as fishing nets, and to prevent the use of single-use plastics and non-biodegradable plastic bags in 80 per cent of coastal tourism areas, tourist attractions and accommodations, and other coastal tourism service areas.
Disparity worsens ocean pollution
Ocean plastic pollution is threatening humanity and Thailand cannot escape the blame as one of the world’s worst marine polluters. Although the government has pledged to tackle marine pollution, one thing is certain. Success is out of reach if the state authorities fail to engage local communities as equal partners.
Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries
We encourage all the six member countries to intensify their efforts and step up the coordination and collaboration at drainage basin level to address water-related issues of common concern, such as to improve conditions for local water supply, protect the ecosystem of the Lancang-Mekong River, address the adverse impacts of floods and droughts, and other extreme weather events caused by climate change.
Thai coal major Banpu aims for 6-fold solar growth with Aussie deal
Banpu, Thailand’s largest coal company, has moved to acquire two solar farms in Australia as it seeks to boost capacity in this field of renewable energy roughly sixfold by 2025.
The move comes as coal, which accounts for 80% of Banpu’s revenue, faces a global backlash from industry and investors seeking to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
Time for a wind-power push: firm
Even if the 2030 target of 17,677MW total installed electrical generation capacity set in 2019 for the country were to be revised down by 30 per cent following the pandemic, the wind power share would only represent a mere 0.64 per cent of Cambodia’s total capacity installed in 2030.
China Is turning Its water-scarcity crisis into a weapon
The PRC is flexing its hegemony in its region, putting other countries at a disadvantage, and making them beholden to PRC consideration for a vital resource. Some say that Beijing is weaponizing water. This is a real danger. On closer inspection, though, Beijing’s actions reflect the government’s recognition that extreme measures are needed. Water scarcity for human consumption, power, and irrigation is a significant source of potential instability. China’s water problem is serious.