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Environment

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Environment
Latest news and updates about issues impacting the global environment, including climate change, recycling, pollution and sustainable living.
An indigenous villager and farmland in Sheung Shan Kai Wat village in Ping Che, Ta Kwu Ling, New Territories, on March 7, 2018. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis project needn’t neglect agriculture

Traditionally a source of food, agricultural land now plays a far broader and more important role.

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Mainland China

Video | Hundreds evacuated as dam collapses in Guangxi region

China exports

Video | Europeans snap up Chinese-made air conditioners amid heatwave

India

6 killed in Mumbai building collapse as monsoon rains batter India

Heavy rainfall has paralysed parts of the city, with the Meteorological Department recording more than 200mm of rain within 24 hours.

A worker clears a fallen tree after heavy rainfall in Mumbai on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Japan

How a Japanese prefecture is managing rising bear population with microchips

Hyogo prefecture has set a population target of around 800 bears, a level at which it considers they are not at risk of extinction.

Extreme weather

‘Help us’: wildfires ravage France, Spain, Portugal forests as mercury soars

The early fires have already devastated an area twice as big as Manhattan across the three nations. Blazes have also hit Greece.

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India

‘Above ideology’: India eyes more oil exploration after Iran war shortages

The import-heavy nation is looking at huge ‘unexplored’ areas off the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago bordering Thailand and Indonesia.

A motorcyclist and his family drive along in Port Blair, in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago. File photo: AP
China trade

Why is a Chinese-made portable AC selling out across heat-stricken Europe?

Popularity of Midea’s PortaSplit fuels resale mark-ups and expedited shipping as renters favour plug-and-play cooling amid installation barriers.

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Science

Energy scientist Chen Peipei leaves Cambridge to build her own lab in Hong Kong

Chen relocates to gain research autonomy and start-up grants for young scientists, which she says UK universities struggle to afford.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong’s biodiversity successes should spark more action

A recent study on the city’s wild cockatoo population is the latest reminder that balancing development and conservation is possible.

Cockatoos perch on the branch of a blooming cotton tree and feed on flowers in Admiralty on March 18. Photo: Karma Lo
European Union

Italian rice crops suffer in drought, worst European heatwave ever

Italian rice farmers are despondent over the lack of spring rain, while rivers from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea are in ‘critical situation’ because of drought.

Farmer Sharon Angoli, 22, inspects rice plants struggling to grow in a paddy field overrun by weeds during a drought in Torre Beretti, near Pavia, Italy, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Australia

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef avoids ‘in danger’ listing by Unesco

The agency’s draft report says Australia is working on addressing concerns over climate change, water quality and sustainable fisheries management.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | As Europe bakes, how people in China kept cool before air conditioning

As temperatures soar, our columnist takes his cue from premodern Chinese, who used clothing, food and even a Chinese mantra to beat the heat.

China consumption

China unveils recycling push to bolster resource security, shore up green shift

The nation seeks to narrow the gap with regional peers such as Japan and South Korea by establishing a more comprehensive, granular recycling infrastructure.

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Waste batteries are pooled for recycling at a facility in China’s Anhui province. Photo: Xinhua
European Union

Outside In | Hot and bothered Europeans finally warm to air con

People are buying air conditioners despite the political awkwardness of relying on Chinese imports and worsening global warming.

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A woman shields her face with a fan in the Trocadero square near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on June 20, during a heatwave affecting a large part of France. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Bear spray surge in Japan sparks safety concerns after accidental discharge

A Vietnamese man has apologised for accidentally discharging the spray in a Nagoya post office, resulting in five people being hospitalised.

India

India’s toxic crop waste could fuel global airlines, study finds

Airlines are desperate for clean fuel. India has mountains of harvest waste. Connecting the two could net billions, says a new report.

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Climate change

Video | European heatwave sparks scramble for air conditioners

Only 18 to 26 per cent of French households had air conditioning in April.

Only 18 to 26 per cent of French households had air conditioning in April
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Malaysia

No more warnings for litterbugs as Malaysia’s Penang deploys bodycams

Duty officers are empowered to issue a notice to offenders, who could face a maximum fine of US$489 or up to 12 hours of community service.

Singapore

Singapore warns of ‘severe’ haze in August, September from El Nino effect

There is a ‘high risk’ of haze in Southeast Asia as a combination of El Nino and warmer seas raises the danger of forest fires, agency says.

Japan

Tsunami from Japan megaquake could destroy 2 million cars: survey

The government says the probability of a Nankai Trough megaquake occurring within the next 30 years stands at 60 to 90 per cent or higher.

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A man checks a retaining wall that collapsed by the earthquake in Hachinohe, Aomori prefecture, on June 25. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong society

‘Deficiencies’ in maintenance, repairs at Hong Kong parks mar visitor experience

Ombudsman urges authorities to overhaul management of country parks, including addressing delays in repair works and poor cleanliness.

Visitors queuing to use a toilet in Ham Tin, Sai Kung East Country Park. The city’s ombudsman has cited “deficiencies” in repair work and cleaning services in Hong Kong’s country parks. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong eases licensing criteria for rural guest houses and campsites

Home Affairs Department publishes two guides allowing greater flexibility in building and fire safety requirements to encourage rural tourism.

China exports

As Europe sizzles amid extreme heat, the hunt for China’s ACs remains elusive

While Europe sweats its way through torturous temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, China cannot get ACs transported over fast enough.

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Wellness

How often should your air conditioner be cleaned to prevent health risks?

Unclean AC units harbouring mould, fungi, bacteria and worse pose myriad health risks, including triggering allergic rhinitis or asthma.

One expert recommends that air conditioners should be professionally cleaned at least once a year, with twice a year being a better target to prevent significant mould growth, which generally begins around five to six months after cleaning. Photo: Shutterstock
France

French heatwave packs hotels as city dwellers struggle to sleep

French people struggling to beat the heat have booked up hotel rooms for pool and air conditioner access as temperatures hit a record 40.9 degrees celsius.

People cool off in the Trocadero Fountain next to the Eiffel Tower as temperatures rise during a heatwave affecting a large part of the country, in Paris, France, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Burning point: Southeast Asia’s haze fight faces cost test

Indonesia has come under renewed attention after President Prabowo Subianto committed to cracking down on agriculture-linked fires.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong moves to curb flow of high liquid content waste in landfills

Conservationists praise proposal, saying it will protect local waters and coastlines from the risk of toxic leakage.

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