The Hanoitimes - Vietnam is becoming a hot spot for smuggling and use of wildlife products in Southeast Asia. Businesses in Vietnam pledge to fight illegal wildlife consumption Make short film on illegal wildlife trade and win US$5,000 award Vietnam attachs importance to protecting wildlife Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has recently requested the Ministries of Public Security, National Defense, Finance, and Industry and Trade to intensify preventive measures and strictly handle the illegal smuggling of wild animals and plants. Illustrative photo According to some international experts, Vietnam is becoming a hot spot for smuggling and use of wildlife products in Southeast Asia. In addition, the country is also known as a major transshipment area in the region for wildlife products trading. Many cases of transnational trade in large quantities of wild animal and plant products have been found. The use of ivory, rhino horn and the killing of … [Read more...] about Vietnam gov’t asks for strict handling of wildlife smuggling
Wildlife at risk vietnam
Half the crops in would be lost without pesticides
Glyphosate, which is one of the most popular pesticides. Sourse: Laodong.vn This was suggested by experts at the workshop evaluating the situation and challenges in management and use of pesticides in Vietnam organised by the General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development on August 28. According to information published at the workshop, more people in Vietnam and the globe have access to quality food than ever before because of the improved technology and agricultural practices adopted by farmers. This would not have been possible without crop protection tools such as pesticides, without which more than half of the world’s crops would be lost to insects, diseases, and weeds. Meanwhile, the expenses to develop the organic agricultural sector are 20 times higher than those on pesticides. In Vietnam, a large number of farmers still abuse pesticides, either going beyond the recommended volume or using the chemicals for the wrong purpose. The level of awareness and social … [Read more...] about Half the crops in would be lost without pesticides
Hong Kong’s ivory ban sparks fresh hope for endangered elephants
Smooth white bracelets, intricate carvings of women in flowing gowns, and majestic horses are among the countless items that are disappearing from shop windows in mainland China as the government implements an ivory trading ban for the world’s largest consumer of ivory. Supporters of an ivory ban protest outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China January 31, 2018. REUTERS And now Hong Kong, the largest ivory retail market, is preparing to do the same. Lawmakers voted Jan. 31 to ban the sale of ivory starting in 2021, and increase penalties for wildlife crimes. Both bans include exceptions for certain antiques and cultural relics. Wildlife researchers say the ivory bans in China and Hong Kong are promising steps toward conserving elephant populations, as legal markets often function as a cover for illegal markets. By closing legal markets of ivory, legislators and conservationists hope to further restrict access to ivory and lower prices and demand for ivory … [Read more...] about Hong Kong’s ivory ban sparks fresh hope for endangered elephants
Legal fight over Bali coal power plant illuminates Indonesia energy dilemma
Over the last three years, fisherman Iputu Gede Astawa has watched his daily catch off the northern tip of Indonesia’s Bali island fall at an alarming rate. Having swapped his paddle for an outboard motor in a futile effort to fish further out to sea where waters are more dangerous, Astawa blames a nearby coal power plant for harming his livelihood. “My catch is totally different to what it was before the power plant began operating,” said Astawa, a third-generation fisherman based near the port town of Singaraja who heads a group of about 30 other fishermen. Where once they caught 400 buckets of fish a day, they now net just 10. Astawa is one of three local residents fighting a legal battle to stop the planned expansion of the Celukan Bawang power plant, about 120 km (75 miles) from the main tourism hub of Denpasar, which began operating in 2015. “All the fishermen will be impacted and we will lose our jobs,” said Astawa, 43, who now makes furniture to … [Read more...] about Legal fight over Bali coal power plant illuminates Indonesia energy dilemma
Financial sector helps boost transition for low carbon economy: experts
Vietnam’s financial sector needs to play a key role in the transitional efforts to develop a low-carbon, climate-resilient, economy through re-orienting investment to more sustainable projects, while accounting for environmental and social risks, experts have suggested. VCCI Secretary General Nguyen Quang Vinh at the workshop - Photo: NDO Financial and environmental experts gathered at an international workshop on the theme of “Sustainable Finance on Climate and Energy,” which opened in Hanoi on March 29, to discuss measures to boost the financial sector’s activities in promoting Vietnam’s tangible results on environmental and sustainable policy goals. The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnam Banking Association, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the world’s leading conservation organisation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Vietnam. According to experts, climate change will … [Read more...] about Financial sector helps boost transition for low carbon economy: experts