World News by Wild Rose

Paper straws, widely promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, may actually have a greater environmental impact than conventional plastic straws, according to a South Korean government-commissioned study that has renewed debate over whether switching materials truly reduces waste. The Comprehensive Study on Single-Use Straws, commissioned by South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, was disclosed on Wednesday by opposition People Power Party lawmaker Kim Wi-sang, The...

ASEAN's consensus-driven approach and a lack of enforcement mechanisms make legal action difficult, experts say.

Runners in Malaysia are swapping their usual routes through parks and city streets for laps around shopping malls, commandeering air-conditioned corridors to keep up their training as a stubborn blanket of haze makes exercising outdoors increasingly hazardous. The switch comes as smoke from forest and peatland fires continues to foul the air across parts of Southeast Asia, with Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding districts among the hardest-hit areas. By 9am on Thursday, 15 of...

Indonesia’s president railed against “countries that like to insult” his nation over wildfires that have razed vast areas, spewing toxic haze into neighbouring countries. The Southeast Asian giant has for months struggled to contain fires that Nusantara Atlas, an independent monitor analysing satellite data, said had consumed more than 1.9 million hectares (4.7 million acres) in the nine months to September. The haze has sent air pollution levels surging to dangerous levels not only at home, but...

Samiti warns that airstrip would displace more than 1,000 families, destroy around 500 acres of paddy fields and threaten water security in Wayanad and adjoining areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

Singapore has warned it will go after companies responsible for the forest fires in Indonesia causing the regional haze, but cross-border challenges remain stumbling blocks to solving a problem that has plagued the city state for decades. Analysts point to long-standing obstacles hampering the country’s decade-old haze legislation, such as complex corporate ownership and opaque transboundary supply chains. To date, no company has been prosecuted under the law. Beyond legal threats, greater...

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) restrained the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) from felling any trees till the hearing in the case challenging tree felling for the project is completed

Fires in Indonesia have burned through more than 1.9 million hectares of land, according to new data, as the country battles its worst wildfire season in a decade. The blazes have sent toxic smoke across much of Southeast Asia, forcing schools to close and fuelling a rise in respiratory illnesses. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more.

Society for the Protection of the Environment, Kerala (SPEK) says though the govt decision has been presented as a flood mitigation step, no environmental impact assessment appears to have been conducted. Activists also point out that this may serve as a pretext for indiscriminate extraction of sand from all rivers and streams

Hong Kong tourism authorities have pledged to review the roll-out of a lighting project along a trail on The Peak after mounting complaints that flowers and trees were chopped down to make way for the installations. But the Tourism Board defended the project, saying it had consulted local residents and sought advice from tree experts to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment. In a statement on Sunday, the board said it valued residents’ views and would now “conduct broader...

The municipality has installed a 12-foot Spider-Man-like sculpture, crafted entirely from plastic bottles and other recyclable materials collected from bottle booths, in front its office

The Andhra Pradesh government’s efforts to recognise Gandikota’s tourism potential have put this geologically significant site back in the spotlight. However, with renewed activity and growing popularity, the site is experiencing poor waste management that takes a heavy toll on the environment. Furthermore, it continues to struggle with heavy foot traffic, natural weathering, and systemic neglect

Singapore has identified seven companies it says were involved in wildfires in Indonesia that are choking the city state with haze, and plans to issue notices requiring them to take preventive measures, the Business Times reported. The companies will receive notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act requiring them to stop or refrain from burning and submit plans to prevent a recurrence, the newspaper reported, citing Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu at a Friday press...

Singapore is looking into which companies may be responsible for the forest and peatland fires in Indonesia that have caused the worsening haze, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday. “Where warranted, we will take action under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, and explore joint action with other countries,” he said in a social media post. The haze situation was worsened by the extended dry period, Wong added. Singapore had offered its assistance to Indonesia and would...

Anger is mounting at the companies accused of burning land in Indonesia and the authorities who have failed to stop them.

Forest officials said that a request was made to the District Collector by the Forest Department to remove accumulated wastes in the forest land along the path