Earth

How environmental change is shaping Southeast Asia.

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 29, 2020 • 11 min read

Conservation Drone’s-eye view

By Samantha McCabe • Jan 29, 2020
In a rapidly transforming world, how can researchers and policy-makers combat increasing rates of wildfires and wildlife crime? Some conservationists are turning to technology, providing those on the front-line with a much-needed boost in the fight

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 09, 2020 • 14 min read

Extreme weather High water mark

By Paul Brisby • Jan 09, 2020
Top Read: 13 years ago, we asked the question – what might the weather bring us fifty years from now? Back in 2007, Cambodia was witnessing super cyclones one year, drought the next. Today, with extreme weather a yearly reality and the environmental tipping point drawing ever closer, the situation is showing few signs of improvement

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 07, 2020 • 11 min read

The year ahead Watch this space

By Alastair McCready • Jan 07, 2020
As a new decade dawns, Southeast Asia is a region on the brink of dramatic growth and change. Looking at our four pillars – Power, Money, Life and Earth – Southeast Asia Globe outlines some of the biggest stories, trends and events to watch out for in the region in the coming year

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 06, 2020 • 6 min read

Bangkok's gentrification The many faces of Khlongtoey

By Tim Russell • Jan 06, 2020
Bangkok's fabled Khlongtoey slum has long been regarded as a 'no-go zone' in the city by many. But now, facing destruction as the latest victim of the government's city-wide sanitising project, British photographer Tim Russell shines a light on the much-maligned community's vibrant characters and warm spirit

Earth • Dec 31, 2019 • 9 min read
Community action

Award-winning farming

In late November, Battambang rice farmer Roeum Socheat received international acclaim for his work empowering Raingkesei agricultural community since 2017. Can his model provide hope for farmers across the Kingdom?
By Thim Rachna • Dec 31, 2019

Earth • Dec 26, 2019 • 8 min read
2004 tsunami

The big wave

Fifteen years after the devastating tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, Southeast Asia Globe looks back at the tragedy, examining its lasting impact and how the region is addressing the issue of disaster preparedness today.
By Samantha McCabe • Dec 26, 2019

Earth • Dec 25, 2019 • 10 min read
The Kingdom in 2040

Cambodia’s green revolution?

In the fourth installment of our eight-week series in conjunction with Future Forum looking at Cambodia in 2040, we turn to the future of energy and the environment in the Kingdom. While deforestation is currently rampant, does Cambodia have the capacity to transform itself into a green beacon in the region?
By Andrew Haffner • Dec 25, 2019

Earth • Dec 23, 2019 • 8 min read
Green dollars

The eco-option

Top read: With the number of visitors to Angkor Wat severely dropping this year, Cambodia’s tourism industry, so vital to the economy, is in danger of becoming reliant on Chinese gambling dollars in Sihanoukville. In search of alternatives, we return to a piece from 2009 looking at Cambodia's then budding ecotourism industry. Could green be the answer to the Kingdom's tourism woes?
By Sam Campbell • Dec 23, 2019

FROM THE PRINT ARCHIVE
Earth • Dec 18, 2019 • 10 min read
Farming and food

Hungry for change

In the third installment of our eight-week series looking at Cambodia in 2040, we examine how the next two decades will see the Kingdom's food production and farming face a mix of challenges posed by technology, drought and trade. How will a country so reliant on its agricultural sector manage to adapt and survive?
By Simon Roughneen • Dec 18, 2019

Earth • Dec 17, 2019 • 15 min read
Communities on the river

Currents of time

In 1991, National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita traversed the length of the Mekong, from source to sea, in a groundbreaking trip documenting the communities for which the river was so central to life. The Globe sat down with Yamashita to reflect on his journey almost three decades on, as well as hear his thoughts on the dams and environmental degradation blighting the river today
By Andrew Haffner • Dec 17, 2019

Earth • Dec 16, 2019 • 9 min read
Urban development

The grass is never greener

As Phnom Penh’s construction sector booms, communities suffer as public recreational areas are sacrificed for never-ending new developments. In an economic environment where money trumps all, who will preserve vital green spaces for the capital's residents?
By Julija Veljkovic • Dec 16, 2019

Earth • Nov 21, 2019 • 11 min read
Hydropower dam protests

Don’t poke the nest

Activists from the Sa-iab Village in northern Thailand have successfully campaigned against the construction of a dam for three decades. With hydropower dams springing up across Asia, what can local communities learn from their struggle?
By Skylar Lindsay • Nov 21, 2019