We have a great new episode discussing the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty from the view of Break Free from Plastic advocates here in Asia.  Our guests today have been working for decades to reduce plastic pollution at its source.  Just a brief tip though… if you haven’t tuned into previous episodes in this SEASON you might want to … it will catch you up on where we are at  with the plastic treaty negotiations! Well, the third meeting of the Global Plastics Treaty - otherwise called INC3 - ended last November and the Revised Zero Draft of the treaty is out… But there wasn ..read more

Hey Sustainable Asia Listeners!   We have some upcoming episodes discussing the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty negotiations that I think you are really going to find interesting.   This bonus episode is from one of my favorite podcasts called Plastisphere.  It’s run by Anja Krieger in Berlin.  Over three episodes, Anja Krieger and Magnus Løvold shed light on how politics can influence the negotiations of a UN Global Plastics Treaty..I am replaying the first episode here…but if you want to hear more just head over to the Plastisphere Podcast.   We ..read more

The second meeting of the International Negotiations Committee (INC-2) had lofty ambitions.  But the first three days of these Plastics Treaty negotiations were mired in political antics…making many representatives from Asia feel as though they were back to square one of just talk and no action on dealing with the plastic crisis.   And it seems that two camps have surfaced in these negotiations:  Those that want the treaty to be voluntary commitments like the climate change Paris agreement, and those who want a treaty with more teeth and regulations.   Any commitments ..read more

A bonus episode about the Global Plastics Treaty from one of my favorite podcasts called Plastisphere. It’s run by Anja Krieger in Berlin, and like Sustainable Asia, Plastisphere really looks at the science behind this plastic waste crisis. I thought listeners would appreciate this episode, as it gives a great background to the Global Plastics Treaty. In the past months, Anja asked scientists and experts to send her their thoughts and demands. In this episode, you’ll get to hear messages from Richard Thompson, Bethany Carney Almroth, Sonia Dias, Tridibesh Dey, Martin Wagner, Tri ..read more

We need other solutions to the plastic waste crisis.  Solutions that involve reduce, reuse, refill and repair here in Asia.  And those types of solutions…need to be included in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.  The Global Plastics Treaty agreement is not a mechanism to control plastic waste. It is a roadmap for the world to control  the life cycle of plastics that have come to dominate our natural environment and impact our health in ways we still don’t fully understand. So that’s what we are going to talk about in this episode.  Luckily, I had the opportunity ..read more

The Global Plastics Treaty negotiations kicked off! This is a historic moment for Asia, because after decades of plastic waste washing up on their shores…finally..there may be a path forward. Join us as we talk to BFFP members and other experts about each INC meeting, to find out what YOU can do to support their work at the treaty negotiations. Production credits: Host: Marcy Trent Long Producer: Carol Mang Contributing Editor:  Jill Baxter Intro/outro music:  Alex Mauboussin Sign up to find out when new Sustainable Asia seasons are launched! Resources: We have partnered ..read more

Over half of the world’s population eats rice as its staple food. But did you know that rice production also contributes to about 10% of the world's methane emissions?  And that methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the planet?  Reining in rice methane is a sticky problem. Different rice types and growing strategies to limit methane often create other problems like lower farming yields. An innovative SRI method developed in Madagascar in the 1960s increases yields and has the promise of reducing greenhouse gas emissions  And if that’s not good enough new ..read more

Are you aware of the critical role soil plays in the battle against climate change? But 75% of soil is already degraded from unsustainable farming practices...so earth's “living skin” is suffering from a “diet problem,” we are feeding it the wrong menu. In a world of growing political tensions, can the US and China work together to restore this balance?  Guests (in order of appearance):  Rattan Lal, Ohio State University Kevin Mo, iGDP China Jessica D’Ambrosio, The Nature Conservancy Fan Mingsheng, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Production credits: Executive Producer ..read more

Chermaine and Khoa’s journey continues onto Jakarta, Indonesia where they meet with environmentalists who shed light on the health concerns surrounding the heavy air pollution there. Lack of government response to the problem prompted advocates to sue the government for its failure to rein in the dirty air there. The landmark lawsuit was won, but will it force the government to take the steps necessary to bring back breathable air to the city? Guests:  Yuyun Ismawati, Nexus3 Foundation Elisa Sutanudjaja, Rujak Center for Urban Studies Leonard Simanjuntak, Greenpeace Indonesia Jolene ..read more

In their first stop across Asia’s megacities, environmental journalists Chermaine Lee and Khoa Tran head to Bangkok, Thailand. The government’s blind eye towards pollution has left Bangkok’s air quality in shambles. Will efforts by environmental advocates lead to changes in the environmental laws there or is the government’s lack of action taking Bangkok down a path of toxic air for the foreseeable future? Guests (in order of appearance):  Weenarin Lulitanonda, Thailand Clean Air Network Dr. Surat Bualert, Kasetsart University Lynn Ocharoenchai, Youth Climate Activist Sign up to find ou ..read more