Asian Correspondent Environment News

New management named for Fukushima nuclear plant

By AP News Tue, May 08, 2012 6:20PM UTC

TOKYO (AP) — The utility in charge of the Japanese nuclear plant that suffered multiple meltdowns has named an outside candidate as its new chairman. Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Tuesday that lawyer and corporate restructuring expert Kazuhiko Shimokoube was appointed chairman. It promoted Naomi Hirose, a managing director overseeing

Burma’s environment pays price of development

By AP News Mon, May 07, 2012 4:53PM UTC

As many as 40,000 gorgeously plumed birds known as the Gurney’s pitta thrive in the lowland rainforests of economically backward Burma. Across the border, Thailand’s last five pairs are guarded around the clock against snakes and human predators. The bird’s status is among many reasons Burma is regarded as one

Emissions rise as Japan shuts down nuclear power

By AP News Fri, May 04, 2012 6:09PM UTC

TOKYO (AP) — The Fukushima crisis is eroding years of Japanese efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, as power plants running on oil and natural gas fill the electricity gap left by now-shuttered nuclear reactors. Before last year’s devastating tsunami triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi

Asia’s sugar blues: Grim realities leave a bitter aftertaste

By Graham Land Thu, May 03, 2012 8:03AM UTC

Sugar cultivation has a pretty grim history. The sweet stuff contributed to the colonization of tropical lands by European powers, fueling the slave trade, forced migration and indentured servitude that forever changed the face of the world. Refined sugars, which are commonly consumed by most people around the world, are

Philippines: Sarangani town wants more power

By Edwin Espejo Thu, May 03, 2012 5:53AM UTC

The municipal council of Alabel on Tuesday asked the Department of Energy (DoE) to order the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to give it priority in the dispatch of the electricity generated by the 55-megawatt Southern Philippine Power Corporation (SPPC) in the