Book Review: Chinese Global Environmentalism
Alex Wang’s concise 100‑page volume, Chinese Global Environmentalism, maps China’s evolution from a notorious polluter to a self‑styled climate leader. He frames the shift through four lenses—ideology, diplomacy, economic statecraft, and international cooperation—coined as “Chinese global environmentalism.” The book highlights China’s push for ecological civilization, its expanding green diplomacy, and the mixed reception of its Belt‑and‑Road‑linked renewable projects. While the analysis deepens understanding, it stops short of declaring China a universal model for the world.
Millions of Dead Bees Spark Pesticides Debate in Uruguay
In late 2025 Uruguay’s beekeepers reported a sudden loss of roughly 15,000 hives, with 85 beekeepers confirming the crisis and fears the true toll could be double. Researchers identified chemical poisoning from complex pesticide cocktails—mixes of herbicides and desiccants—as the...
How Poland Incentivises Clean Heating, and What China Could Learn
China’s Beijing‑Tianjin‑Hebei region has switched 83% of rural homes to gas or electric heating, yet households like Hebei farmer Liu Li now face quarterly bills of CNY 4,000‑5,000 (≈$590‑$730) after subsidies ended. Early policy focused on rapid coal‑to‑gas swaps, neglecting affordability, supply...
Q&A: As Thailand Bets on EVs, What Will Happen to the Spent Batteries?
Thailand is positioning itself as a regional EV hub, with Chinese manufacturers like BYD establishing large plants and a national target that 30% of new vehicles be electric by 2030. The rapid rollout will generate roughly 200,000 tonnes of spent...
As Indian Cities Struggle to Plan for Heat, the Most Vulnerable Suffer
Early March saw Delhi breach 35 °C, the earliest such spike since 2011, while Mumbai warned of 40 °C temperatures. Experts link these extremes to the urban heat‑island effect, which can make city surfaces up to 45 % hotter than surrounding rural areas....
Q&A: ‘If You Are in the Business of Peace, You Must Talk to Those Who Are at War’
Argentina has formally nominated IAEA chief Rafael Grossi to succeed António Guterres as UN secretary‑general for the 2027‑2031 term. Grossi argues that his record of negotiating cease‑fires in Ukraine and maintaining dialogue with Iran, Russia, and Israel proves he can...
The Fight to Save India’s Ancient Aravallis From Rampant Mining
The Aravalli mountain range, a two‑billion‑year‑old ecological barrier in north‑western India, faces severe degradation from commercial and illegal mining, with 29,209 violations recorded between 2018 and 2023. Over 65 minerals—including lead, zinc, marble and limestone—are being extracted, driving groundwater depletion,...
Pregnancy and Heat in Pakistan: Researchers Seek to Fill Dangerous Knowledge Gaps
Researchers in Karachi are launching a large‑scale study to quantify how extreme heat harms pregnant women and newborns in Pakistan, a country with high maternal and neonatal mortality. The project, led by Aga Khan University and funded by Wellcome, has...
‘My Body Feels Like Lead’: Heat Is Making Pregnancy a Nightmare in Karachi
Pregnant women in Karachi are confronting life‑threatening heat as temperatures regularly top 40°C with humidity above 70%, especially in dense informal settlements like Lyari and Baba Island. Overcrowded clinics, frequent power cuts, and poor ventilation leave expectant mothers vulnerable to...