Tag - pollution

 
 

POLLUTION

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Nov 28, 2019
South Korea to close up to 15 coal-fired power plants over winter to limit pollution
South Korea will idle up to a quarter of its coal-fired power plants between December and February to help limit air pollution, and the remaining plants should be enough to supply power over the winter, the country's energy ministry said on Thursday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 25, 2019
European Union's EV greenwash
Are EVs really as climate-friendly and effective as their promoters claim?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Nov 22, 2019
Massive increase in concentration of microplastics seen on beach facing Japan's Ise Bay
Some 60,000 particles of microplastics per square meter — meaning one particle per 16 square millimeters — are estimated to exist at Nasanohama beach on Toshi Island in Toba, Mie Prefecture, a study by Yokkaichi University professor Satoshi Chiba has revealed.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Nov 22, 2019
As climate concerns mount, China set for massive coal expansion
China has enough coal-fired power plants in the pipeline to match the entire capacity of the European Union, driving the expansion in global coal power and confounding the movement against the polluting fossil fuel, according to a report.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 12, 2019
Why the plastic crisis matters
Humankind must find ways to get by without laying waste to the planet.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Nov 4, 2019
India's smog-bound capital suffers worst air pollution so far this year
Air pollution in New Delhi and its surrounding towns reached the worst levels so far this year Sunday, with authorities in the world's most polluted capital city having already declared a public health emergency and ordered schools closed.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 4, 2019
Brazil's mystery oil spill hits breeding grounds for humpback whales
The mysterious oil spill that hit Brazil's coastline two months ago has reached the archipelago of Abrolhos, a national marine park that's home to the greatest biodiversity in the southern Atlantic Ocean — the waters where humpback whales migrate to breed.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 1, 2019
Brazil's navy scrambles to save Abrolhos coral reefs from mystery oil spill
With mystery oil slicks still moving down Brazil's coast, the Brazilian Navy sent more ships on Thursday to try to prevent the pollution of unique coral reefs of the Abrolhos Archipelago marine park, a haven of South Atlantic Ocean biodiversity.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 30, 2019
Oil spill may be worst environmental 'attack' in Brazil's history, says Petrobras CEO
Oil slicks washing up on beaches along more than 2,000 km (1,240 miles) of Brazil's northeast coastline could be the worst environmental "attack" in the country's history, the chief executive of state-run oil giant Petrobras said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 24, 2019
China's targets for reducing winter smog are not enough, data shows
A new winter plan to curb emissions in northern China will not be enough to reverse last year's sharp increase, official data shows, raising concerns that a weakening economy is eroding Beijing's resolve to tackle pollution.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 22, 2019
Companies slow to disclose financial costs of climate change, Moody's says
U.S. and European companies in polluting industries rarely disclose the financial risks they face related to climate change even though a global task force called on them to do so two years ago, according to Moody's Investors Service.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 21, 2019
Global renewable power capacity to rise by 50% in five years, says International Energy Agency
Global renewable energy capacity is set to rise by 50 percent in five years' time, driven by solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on homes, buildings and industry, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 21, 2019
A crude performance: Semi-naked climate activists protest BP art sponsorship
Visitors to a London portrait gallery were treated to an impromptu performance on Sunday when three semi-naked climate activists were doused with mock crude oil in a protest against arts sponsorship by British oil company BP.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 18, 2019
Bottled water sellers ponder aluminum cans over plastic
Global bottled water giants are ramping up trials of easily recyclable aluminum cans to replace plastic that pollutes the world's seas. Sound like a slam-dunk for the environment? Not entirely.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2019
Malaysia working to clear hundreds of plastic waste shipments at ports, officials say
Malaysia is negotiating with countries sending their plastic waste to the Southeast Asian nation to take back the trash and is waiving storage fees to clear hundreds of containers of scrap stranded at ports across the country for months, officials say.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2019
Greenpeace activists climb Shell North Sea platforms and hang 'clean up your mess' sign
Greenpeace activists boarded two Royal Dutch Shell oil platforms in the British North Sea on Monday in protest against plans to leave parts of the giant structures in place after production shuts down.
BUSINESS
Oct 14, 2019
India investing $60 billion on gas grid to link up nation by 2024
India, one of the world's largest consumers of oil and coal, is investing $60 billion to build a national gas grid and import terminals by 2024 in a bid to cut its carbon emissions, the oil minister said on Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Oct 11, 2019
Gifu women turn plastic waste found on beaches into accessories
Four women in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, are creating accessories made from plastic fragments collected at beaches in Aichi Prefecture, selling them amid growing global concerns over the microplastic waste in the ocean.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 10, 2019
New app MyMizu aims to reduce plastic waste in Japan, one drink at a time
In a country drowning itself in plastic, the creators of a new app called MyMizu are attempting to change seemingly entrenched views and cultural norms regarding sustainability.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2019
Hyogo to relax wastewater controls amid fears Seto Inland Sea is 'too clean' for fish
Hyogo Prefecture, which is suffering from poor catches of some fish, has decided to allow greater quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater discharged into the Seto Inland Sea, after deeming its water too clean for fish to live in, officials said Monday.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals