Earth

How environmental change is shaping Southeast Asia.

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Dec 18, 2018 • 15 min read

Belt and Road Operation Mekong

By Bernhard Zand • Dec 18, 2018
China is exercising a level of economic influence on the Mekong states not seen since the height of its imperial might

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Nov 30, 2018 • 5 min read

Sustainable tourism Turning shark hunters around

By Lily Hess • Nov 30, 2018
A Singaporean schoolteacher-turned-social entrepreneur is fighting to save sharks from extinction in a unique way: by working with the shark hunters

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Nov 12, 2018 • 17 min read

Cambodia's building blocks Blood bricks

By Janelle Retka and Leng Len • Nov 12, 2018
Cambodia's construction boom has demand for clay bricks climbing. But a transformation to Cambodia’s rural economy feeds some of the most vulnerable into the growing brick sector and its toxic debt bondage

Earth • STORY OF THE DAY • Oct 25, 2018 • 6 min read

Ancient cities The fall of Angkor

By Robin Spiess • Oct 25, 2018
Top stories: Researchers now believe they know why the ancient city of Angkor was abandoned – and warn that modern-day cities could fall victim to the same fate

Earth • Oct 23, 2018 • 4 min read
Thailand

The marine biologist on a mission to save Koh Samui’s coral reefs

In a region where so much of life and livelihood relies on a healthy coastline, the efforts of marine biologists to protect, preserve and educate are especially needed. Thepsuda Loyjiw uses her position as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) manager at Banyan Tree resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, to introduce tourists and locals to the area’s aquatic wonders and to spread the word on how to sustain them for the next generation
By Janelle Retka

Earth • Oct 16, 2018 • 5 min read
Natural disasters

Flooded out

Several Southeast Asian countries have this year been heavily impacted by natural disasters, and according to recent reports, the onslaught of extreme weather in the region is expected to continue for the foreseeable future
By Robin Spiess

Earth • Oct 11, 2018 • 12 min read
Sustainable development

Vietnam’s good life

Vietnam performed the best of 151 countries in a study that assessed quality of life versus environmental sustainability
By Michael Tatarski

Earth • Sep 24, 2018 • 6 min read
Climate Change

How committed are developed nations?

Developing countries claim that Australia, Japan and the US have failed to contribute their fair share to the Green Climate Fund of the 2015 Paris Agreement
By Lesly Lotha

Earth • Sep 12, 2018 • 11 min read
Waste and recycling

The plastic tide

As Southeast Asia buckles beneath the weight of the world's redirected refuse, experts say sustainable waste management can only come by abandoning our throwaway culture
By Paul Millar

Earth • Sep 10, 2018 • 18 min read
Cambodia's building blocks

How sand dredging bled a fishing community dry

After a decade of heavy sand dredging in the waterways of Cambodia's Koh Kong province, a fishing community once recognised for its rich ecosystem is struggling to fill its nets.
By Janelle Retka and Leng Len

Earth • Sep 10, 2018 • 3 min read
Kem Sokha

Cambodia's opposition leader released to home detention

The release of Cambodia's opposition leader comes during the week that the European Parliament are set to discuss the country's human rights record, leaving many critics sceptical of the government’s intentions
By Tom O'Connell