Schools close and crops wither as ‘historic’ heatwave hits south-east Asia

Thousands of schools in the Philippines have stopped in-person classes due to unbearable heat. In Indonesia, prolonged dry weather has caused rice prices to soar. In Thailand’s waters, temperatures…Continue readingSchools close and crops wither as ‘historic’ heatwave hits south-east Asia

Hanoi chokes as Vietnam capital tops most polluted cities list

Vietnamese capital Hanoi was blanketed by a thick haze of pollution on Tuesday that obscured high-rise buildings and left the city’s nearly nine million people breathing toxic air. The…Continue readingHanoi chokes as Vietnam capital tops most polluted cities list

A large percentage of European plastic sent to Vietnam ends up in nature

Despite strict EU regulations on plastic recycling, there is little oversight on plastic waste shipped from the EU to Vietnam. About half of Europe’s plastic waste is exported to…Continue readingA large percentage of European plastic sent to Vietnam ends up in nature

‘There is nothing for me’: Vietnam drought dries up income

After a series of heatwaves, including a record high in May, and an unprecedented drought, rivers and reservoirs in northern Vietnam are running dry, pulling locals who survive off…Continue reading‘There is nothing for me’: Vietnam drought dries up income

Heatwave prompts Hanoi to reduce street lights as power cuts loom

Parks in the city of eight million people are now plunged into total darkness after 11 pm, while two-thirds of street lights are also switched off at the same…Continue readingHeatwave prompts Hanoi to reduce street lights as power cuts loom

More than 90% of identifiable trash in North Pacific Garbage Patch comes from just six countries

The researchers were able to identify the country of origin for 232 objects, with the largest percentage being from Japan at 33.6%. China was next at 32.3% followed by…Continue readingMore than 90% of identifiable trash in North Pacific Garbage Patch comes from just six countries

Vietnam battles plastic blight in idyllic Ha Long Bay

Rapid economic growth, urbanisation and changing lifestyles in communist Vietnam have led to a “plastic pollution crisis”, according to the World Bank. A report in 2022 estimated 3.1 million…Continue readingVietnam battles plastic blight in idyllic Ha Long Bay

Vietnam records highest ever temperature of 44.1˚C

Continue readingVietnam records highest ever temperature of 44.1˚C

Many countries continue to invest in coal

To understand why it is proving so hard to break up with coal, we worked with an international team of around 35 researchers to investigate the political economy drivers…Continue readingMany countries continue to invest in coal