Global Sustainability in 2021: Situation After Covid-19

Thomas Clark
Climate Accords Goals

Back in 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that the world had only until 2030 to drastically reduce greenhouse gases or face irreversible damage. Now that we’re in 2021, we only have nine years left to meet that guideline and because the world’s response to COVID-19 took precedence over the environment in 2020, many people have entirely forgotten about the IPCC guideline from 2018.

A Year of Climate Breakdown: 2020

Although it wasn’t front and center, the climate and weather patterns of 2020 were markedly different than any year before. New temperature records were set in multiple regions across the world. There were unimaginably devastating fires on the west coast of the United States, Siberia saw permafrost melting at an unprecedented rate, there were floods in China and other countries in Asia, and there were hurricanes and …

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Businesses Play An Important Role in Sustainable Development

Thomas Clark
How Businesses Can Help With Sustainable Development

What’s Global Sustainable Development?

Global Sustainable Development is a contested notion with many different meanings. Regardless of the diversity of definitions that the term has generated, everybody involved in addressing the effects of development, the chances for a sustainable lifestyle, and the complex moral and ethical debates around globalization agrees that we’ve reached a stage where business as usual is no longer an alternative.

The most commonly cited definition of Sustainable Development is from the Brundtland Report: “Sustainable development is a development that meets the requirements of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own requirements” (United Nations Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, 1987).…

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Surviving Today’s Covid-19 Coronavirus Environment

Thomas Clark
Covid-19 Coronavirus and our environment

The rapid onset and spread of the new COVID-19 coronavirus is proving to be a big challenge for public health officials throughout the world.  Coronaviruses are a family of viruses. Some cause infection in people, and other infect animals.

Animals infected with coronaviruses can rarely spread the infection to humans. This jump to humans is what happened with the new virus, which has led to the worldwide outbreak of “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2”, called SARS-CoV-2. This is how the new virus got the name COVID-19, 19 is for 2019 when it was discovered.…

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Benefit Of The Coronavirus For Asia And The World’s Sustainability

Thomas Clark
Coronavirus

Need to know about the benefit of the coronavirus for Asia? The sustainability journey of China has been one of ‘two steps forward, one step back.’ While lauded for the progress it has made in areas like renewable energy and poverty alleviation, the developmental pathway of China has been riddled with challenges.

The country may be famous for ‘China speed,’ but when it comes to realizing its ambitious development targets, the size and complexity of China can mean change doesn’t come quickly.

Perhaps, such as the ‘airpocalyptic’ days before the authorities scrambled to manage air pollution, what China requires is a shock to the system, a motive that forces fast action.…

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UN Environment Department Is Prepared To Help Guide Asia

Thomas Clark
UN Environment guidelines

In the Asia Pacific, UN Environment works at the regional, sub-regional, and federal levels. There are five sub-regions: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and South Pacific.

Work is concentrated on the six cross-cutting thematic priorities of UN Environment:

Climate Change

Asia-Pacific is among the most vulnerable regions to climate change, and impacts are projected to become more intense in the future. It accounts for almost half of global greenhouse gas emissions. UN Environment helps nations face the challenge of adjusting to a dynamic climate at the same time as handling greenhouse gas emissions.

In the Asia Pacific, UN Environment focuses on:

  • Improving understanding and sharing knowledge on science, policies and best practices
  • Assessing technology needs and facilitating technology transfer for adaptation and mitigation
  • Integrating climate change into national and sectoral systems and strategies
  • Facilitating willingness for and access
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Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide To Data And Development

Thomas Clark

We are happy to share the 2018 Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With over 180 maps and graphs, the new publication indicates the advanced societies are making towards the 17 SDGs.

It’s full of interpreted data visualizations, which can be reproducibly produced from data and source code. You can watch the SDG Atlas online, download the PDF book (30Mb), and get the data and source code behind the figures.

This Atlas would not be viable without the efforts of information scientists and statisticians working in global and national agencies around the globe. It’s produced in collaboration with the professionals across the World Bank’s data and research teams, and our international sectoral practices.

The Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals 2018 shows maps, graphs, and stories regarding the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It addresses trends, correlations, and measurement problems …

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Environmental Issues Are Being Tackled in Singapore in 2019

Thomas Clark
students working together in Singapore

In every nation, there are different environmental challenges that affect the welfare of the people and the economy in various ways. Like other countries, Singapore is not spared from various environmental issues. However, the good news is that it promotes good practices toward environmental protection by all stakeholders.

Likewise, Singapore also aims to deliver the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs by 2030. Against this background, Singapore hosts Ecosperity Conferences annually, and these consist of global leaders committed to sustainability. The conference focuses on various key themes every year.

In 2019, Ecosperity conference aims to explore new approaches to water, energy as well as material flow to achieve low carbon. The other area of focus is to promote sustainability by building a resource-efficient future. As such the upcoming Ecosperity Conference in Singapore tackles different issues about sustainability.…

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What Can Humans Do To Help Protect Our Environment?

Thomas Clark
City At Night in Asia

The environment sustains all aspects of life, but there is growing concern that the impact of human activities and urban developments are responsible for environmental degradation. We depend on the environment for all our needs that include the following: water, food, clean air, and various commodities that are processed from natural resources extracted from the earth.

As such, Environmental Management (EM) deserves due attention to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of future generations. Everyone has a responsibility to play a role to protect our environment, and this extends to animals as well. However, certain individuals should play a leading role in promoting the EM initiative.

What Is Environmental Management?

Environmental Management is primarily concerned with offering research and different views on the use and conservation of the environment. The field of environmental management encompasses the protection of habitat and …

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The Support of UNCRD In Sustainable Development Communities

Thomas Clark
UNCRD in Sustainable Development

The United Nations Center for Regional Development, UNCRD, began in 1971. This organization came about from an agreement between the United Nations and the Japanese government to promote sustainable development regionally for its communities. It works to deal with issues of globalization, decentralization and major environmental concerns.

One of the key aims is to enhance the visibility of the UNCRD as a center of excellence. However, there is much more to the arrangement than that.

It all starts with the idea of bringing key UN ideals and an international approach to the local communities.…

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Southeast Asia Needs Improved Data To Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Thomas Clark
Sustainable Development Goals Asia

Sustainable development goals are essential for the Asia Pacific region if it is to ensure the health and safety of the populations of each nation. Resources are becoming increasingly strained as populations grow. Access to clean water, food resources, energy, healthcare and more are under threat.

The situation is critical, and that is what makes the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so important. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the region, with 169 separate targets. While this sounds like a great step forward, there is an obstacle in the way.

There is no way to achieve these goals in a direct, efficient manner without the right data and funding.

The decision to implement new sustainable development goals is perfect for the ongoing evolution of the region. The problem is that to create the right goals with good starting

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How The ASEAN Can Help Southeast Asia’s Oceans

Thomas Clark
ASEAN Can Help Southeast Asia's Oceans

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is an organization that brings together ten coastal countries in the region. Their shared goal is to aid the economic and social development of the region broadly, with each country working together. As of 2017, the chair of the ASEAN is the Philippines – having formerly been Laos.

It up to the Philippine government to take control on leading issues, one of which is the health and protection of the region’s oceans. ASEAN needs to lead the way on new measures for the conservation of these vital habitats. There are many threats to contend with, but also many potential solutions.

One of the many charms of this Southeast Asian region is the rich biodiversity of its vast oceans. However, this is increasingly under threat.

Part of the reason that the oceans are so important …

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Central Air Conditioning May Not Be The Best Choice for New Urban Development

Thomas Clark
High Rise HVAC Systems

Air conditioning is a necessity in some parts of the world and not a luxury. There are regions of Asia Pacific struggling with the rising temperatures as the climate changes. Many major cities continue to rise with urbanization but lack the best HVAC solutions for tenants.

Many people in this region need a better, updated solution for their heating and cooling needs. Old-fashioned large build-in systems may not be the best choice anymore. Improved systems could transform apartment living for millions across the Asia Pacific. Tenants just need to know what is better to use. Did you know that for example, using small portable air conditioners in single rooms can consume far less electricity each month, according to CoolAndPortable.com, than running a large central A/C system all day long?…

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Dominance Of China In Global Renewable Energy Technology

Thomas Clark
Renewable Energy in China

When it comes to China renewable energy sources and investment, no country can surpass China. They were already the world large domestic investors in renewable energy in 2015 spending some $102 billion.

Since then, they have only gone further to cement their world dominance and lead the likes of US, Australia, and the UK who are now at the risk of missing out on this rapidly expanding market.

According to IEEFA (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis), China’s dominance is no longer restricted to domestic investment but is fast spreading overseas. They have accelerated their foreign investment and continue to acquire renewable energy sources and supporting technologies around the world.

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Does Home-based Solar Power Generation Really Threaten Electric Utilities?

Thomas Clark
Solar Power Generation

Green energy is not a passing fad in the world.  More and more families are interested in improving their carbon footprint, and solar power generation systems are an obvious first step.  Solar power panels can be installed on rooftops for continuous use or using solar power generators on an as-needed basis.  Click the link to read more on the best backup solar generators, according to SolarGenerator.guide.

A clearer picture of the damage to the environment and the recent first-hand experiences of climate change via hurricanes help to deliver a further blow for fossil fuels and traditional energy supplies. Many countries have seen a divide between solar and grid energy for a while. The question is, is this divide irreparable with solar power finally winning? Or, is there still some fight left in these traditional utilities?…

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Kitakyushu – The World Capital of Sustainability

Thomas Clark
World Capital of Sustainability

Japan achieved significant economic growth and development in the 1960s. More important was Kitakyushu World Capital which became one of the largest industrial zones in the history of Japan.

The only challenge that faced the capital was air and water pollution. For instance, Dokai Bay was suffering from both domestic and industrial water pollution.

The pollution worsened with time and reached the point where Dokai Bay was labeled as the “Sea of Death.” However, research institutes, enterprises, residents and governmental agencies combined their effort in a move to curb the issue.

The city of Kitakyushu established the Environmental Pollution Control Bureau (EPCB) which today, is commonly known as the Environmental Bureau. This had taken place before the government formed the Environmental Agency.…

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