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 continues 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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The Issue of Consumer Air Conditioning in the Greater Asia-Pacific Region

Thomas Clark
Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning

The increasing heat of the summer season, the overpopulation of major cities, and the hectic schedules of citizens means an increased need for consumer air conditioning.

There are growing concerns in the Asia Pacific region, where the A/C systems are starting to be more common, accessible, and necessary than ever before. There is a strong need for reliable air conditioning in the region, where it was once limited. This means a need to provide comfortable living conditions in the height of summer for the consumer housing market.

The ideal solution here is to provide the very best in green air conditioning solutions for rooms that require them, as described in CoolAndPortable.com’s buying guide, “How to Select the Best Portable Air Conditioner“.  Ineffective, out-dated machines will make the problem considerably worse when it comes to power wasted and chemicals …

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Some Of the Biggest Environmental Challenges Faced by Southeast Asia

Thomas Clark
Environmental Challenges Southeast Asia

Global warming is “global” for a reason. While there is sometimes a tendency to focus in on the bigger stories, or the effects that hit close to home, this is multinational. Every sea is heating up and rising. Every region is struggling with sustainability and urbanization.

Species are disappearing on every continent. The region of Southeast Asia is no different. This biologically diverse, beautiful area is now struggling with issues of increased pollution, poor resource management, and species and habitat loss.

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The Need For A Multi-Modal Sustainable Transport Network In Asia Pacific

Thomas Clark
Sustainable Transport Network In Asia

Sustainability within the Asia-Pacific region is essential for its economic development. Many now feel that this can only be fully improved and maintained with a reliable transport system in place. There have been measures in place to develop this for some years.

More recently, UN ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) organized a joint Ministerial Conference on Transport with Russia in 2016. The aim here was to help develop a new five-year regional action program for sustainable transport.

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An Overview Of Japan’s Environmental Issues And Policies

Thomas Clark
Japan Environment Issues

Japan is an East Asian Country comprising of four main islands and thousands of other small islands. This sovereign island nation is located on the Northern Coast of Pacific Asia. Surprisingly, only 18 % of Japans’ land is suitable for settlement, a reason the population of this great nation is clustered in the central cities.

One major reason as to why Japan will always remain in our minds and tongues is because of Tokyo; World’s Largest Urban Center in the entire world. More unbelievable is that, Tokyo, which happens to be the capital city of Japan, is also the home to 36 million people. That is real incredible! It is more than the total population of several other nations.

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Why Should Japan Be A Global Leader In Sustainable Development?

Thomas Clark
Japan Sustainable Development

There are increasing concerns over the future of the world regarding global health, environmental catastrophe, social injustice, and poverty. The need for increased sustainable development is evident.

Climate change hits hard, poverty gaps increase, and some communities face disaster. The UN, among others, have made it clear that developed countries and economic leaders need to take control.

Nations with the wealth, power, and technology to make a difference have a responsibility to do so. One of the nations with the spotlight thrust upon them here is Japan. Many feel that Japan is best positioned to make a considerable difference.

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How To Keep Cool When Travelling to Southeast Asia

Thomas Clark
Southeast Asia water security

Southeast Asia is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking regions in the world. However, given the tropical climate of the area, it is also among the hottest regions in the world.

For example, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia temperatures during the day can reach 35 degree Celsius while in Chuping (which is in the northernmost state) temperatures have even reached 40 degree Celsius on some occasions.

On the other hand, the World Meteorological Organization named Bangkok, Thailand the hottest city in the world in 2016. The situation is further compounded by the fact that it is humid and temperatures are high all through the year except later January and early February when they drop a bit.

What’s more, temperatures remain high even in the night. This heat is bound to worry anyone with intentions to visit or even live in …

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Sustainable Community Building In Japan

Thomas Clark
Sustainable Community Building In Japan

There is a Japanese community in Higashi-Okitama County, Yamagata Prefecture working to a different kind of developmental plan. Here there is a focus on a new form of sustainability and development through community effort. The project covers areas from education and local consumption to the environment and disaster prevention.

There is a clear need for a new type of sustainability in Yamagata Prefecture. There is a declining population, and it is up to the residents to take care of themselves and their resources. This is precisely what is happening with the Kirari Yoshijima Network

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China Builds Biggest Solar Power Farm

Thomas Clark
China Solar Farm

The phrase “Chinese Solar Farm” is something that many environmentalists never expected to hear. There is now a massive development in Longyangxia and more on the way. The farm sits behind a big poster of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping with the slogan “Promote green development! Develop clean energy!”

It is an impressive 27 sq./km solar farm that signals a significant change in attitudes in China. They want to help the fight against global warming after decades of bad decisions, emissions and refusals to sign treaties.

The question is, why now? What has to trigger this new change in attitude and such a bold exclamation of promotion and development? Is it money, environmental pressure, Trump or something else?

This new solar farm is a big step forward for China, who once turned their backs entirely on the prospect.

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