Researchers at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) have developed a hybrid supercapacitor using carbon derived from Pinus radiata waste.
The lithium-ion capacitor features electrodes made from discarded wood particles, offering a sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solution.
With abundant biomass resources in the Basque Country in Spain, the team utilized environmentally friendly and inexpensive processes to create high-performance electrodes. Their findings highlight the potential of biomass-based materials in producing efficient, eco-friendly energy storage systems.
According to researchers, the innovation could pave the way for greener alternatives in high-power energy storage, reducing reliance on conventional materials and enhancing sustainability in the sector.
Biomass-powered capacitors
Modern society’s growing energy needs necessitate sustainable storage options that don’t fuel global warming. Energy storage is dominated by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), but each has drawbacks: SCs have high power but rapidly self-discharge, while LIBs have high energy but deteriorate with time.
Combining the two technologies, lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) provide high energy, power, and long cycle life, which makes them perfect for uses such as electric vehicles and wind turbines.
The choice of electrode material has a significant impact on LIC performance. Despite its widespread use, graphite is a key raw element and is expensive for the environment. Although alternatives like hard carbons, soft carbons, and nanocarbons have potential, their high cost and complexity prevent their widespread use.
The UPV/EHU team developed a cost-effective LIC using carbon from Pinus radiata waste, an abundant and sustainable resource in Biscay, Spain. They produced high-performance electrodes using carbon sourced from biomass instead of costly chemicals or energy-intensive procedures.
“We develop new materials that can be used to store energy. In this case, to create electrodes we prepared carbon from the wood particles of the insignis pines that are all around us and are used in carpentry workshops,” said Idoia Ruiz de Larramendi, a lecturer at UPV/EHU and member of the research group, in a statement.
Eco-friendly batteries
Batteries and supercapacitors are essential for energy storage, each with distinct advantages. Supercapacitors produce great power output for brief periods of time, whereas batteries retain more energy. Supercapacitors are not suited for long-term energy supply, but they are perfect for applications that need quick energy release.
The research created a hybrid lithium-ion device that combines the advantages of both technologies. It retains the robustness and quick charge-discharge qualities of a supercapacitor while storing high-power energy like a battery. The device’s total performance is improved by combining electrodes of the battery and supercapacitor types.
Various forms of carbon, carefully chosen from biomass sources, were used to create electrodes. Not all biomass provides suitable carbon for energy storage applications, but results demonstrated the effectiveness of carbon derived from insignis pine.
Researchers found that one electrode was composed of hard carbon and the other of activated carbon. Sustainability and cost-effectiveness were given top priority during the production process, which used cost-effective additives and maintained synthesis temperatures below 700°C.
In the new configuration, the positive electrode, which is composed of the same carbon, has a big surface area, while the negative electrode stores a lot of energy without the need for expensive chemicals. The system provides 105 Wh/kg at 700 W/kg and retains 60 percent capacity after 10,000 charge cycles.
The study points to the potential of local biomass as a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative for lithium-ion capacitors. The team highlights that biomass-derived materials offer promising opportunities for high-power energy storage, emphasizing the need for continued research to improve energy storage technologies with sustainable solutions.
The details of the team’s research were published in the Journal of Power Sources.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/sawdust-superpower-wood-waste-battery-breakthrough
When you hear the term “international law,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you picture diplomats in suits, sitting in grand conference halls, signing treaties that seem distant from your daily life. Or maybe you imagine high-stakes cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where nations argue over territorial disputes and human rights violations.
But what if I told you that international law isn’t just something that happens in faraway places, affecting only politicians and legal scholars? It’s actually woven into the fabric of your everyday life—in ways you might not even realize. From the coffee you sip in the morning to the social media platforms you browse before bed, international law is quietly shaping the modern world, ensuring that systems run smoothly and fairly. Let’s take a closer look at how international law shows up in your daily routine.
1. Morning Coffee and Global Trade
Picture this: you wake up, stumble to the kitchen, and make yourself a cup of coffee. That simple act is already tied to international law.
The coffee beans in your cup might have come from Brazil, Ethiopia, or Vietnam. How did they get to your local store? Through a complex network of trade agreements regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO sets the rules on tariffs, trade barriers, and import/export standards, making it possible for those coffee beans to travel across borders without excessive costs or political interference.
Even the logo on your coffee cup is protected by international law. Intellectual property agreements, such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), protect the brand identity and trademarks of coffee companies, ensuring that you know you're drinking the real thing and not a knock-off.
Next time you take a sip of your morning brew, you might want to thank international law for making it possible.
2. Traveling Abroad: Passports and Visas
Planning a trip abroad? Your passport and visa requirements are shaped by international agreements.
Why can you travel to some countries visa-free but need a visa for others? That’s because of bilateral and multilateral agreements between countries, which determine the terms of entry for foreign nationals. The design and security of your passport are also regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The ICAO sets global standards to prevent fraud and ensure smooth border crossings.
The ease of booking a flight and checking in at the airport is also governed by international aviation laws. The Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) established the legal framework for air travel, ensuring that planes from one country can safely land in another.
So, the next time you breeze through passport control, remember that international law helped pave the way.
3. Environmental Protection and Climate Change
Ever wondered why plastic straws have disappeared from your favorite café? Or why countries are switching to renewable energy sources? That’s international law in action.
The Paris Agreement (2015), signed by nearly every country in the world, sets targets for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. This agreement pushes governments to adopt sustainable practices—like banning single-use plastics or investing in green energy—which directly impacts your daily life.
International treaties also protect wildlife and natural resources. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates the global trade of endangered animals and plants, ensuring that species are not exploited to extinction.
Even the beauty industry is influenced by international environmental standards. Take Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty lipstick, for example. A portion of the proceeds from certain shades goes toward coral reef restoration efforts. Coral reefs are essential for marine biodiversity, but they are threatened by ocean warming and pollution. International environmental laws and agreements, like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), aim to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable use of ocean resources.
So next time you apply that perfect shade of coral lipstick, remember that you’re not just enhancing your look—you’re supporting global efforts to protect the planet’s ecosystems.
4. Online Shopping and Consumer Protection
Clicked "Buy Now" on Amazon or Temu recently? Your online purchase is more connected to international law than you think.
International trade agreements ensure that goods can be imported and exported across borders efficiently. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) sets the framework for international commerce, ensuring fair trade practices and reducing trade barriers.
Consumer protection laws, including intellectual property agreements, also protect you from counterfeit products and fraud. Cybersecurity agreements between countries work behind the scenes to protect your personal data when you enter your credit card details online.
So next time your package arrives at your door, remember that international law helped make it possible—safely and legally.
5. Health and Global Pandemics
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how interconnected the world is—and how crucial international cooperation is in times of crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a key role in coordinating global health responses. Its regulations on disease reporting and health emergencies ensure that outbreaks are tracked and managed quickly. The WHO also works with governments and pharmaceutical companies to ensure that vaccines and treatments are distributed fairly.
International law also governs medical research and the sharing of scientific data. Agreements like the Nagoya Protocol regulate the use of genetic resources, ensuring that the benefits of medical discoveries are shared globally.
From vaccine rollouts to international travel restrictions, global health law shapes how the world responds to public health emergencies—protecting you and your community.
6. Social Media and Digital Privacy
Scrolling through Facebook or TikTok? Even social media is shaped by international law.
Data privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union set standards for how social media companies collect, store, and use your personal information. Many platforms follow these guidelines globally, which means that your data is protected even if you're not in the EU.
International agreements on cybercrime also regulate how governments respond to hacking, misinformation, and online threats. Your ability to use social media freely and safely is, in part, the result of international legal frameworks that protect online expression and privacy.
Why It Matters
International law isn’t just about treaties and court cases—it’s about the invisible rules that make modern life possible. It ensures that you can trade, travel, shop, and communicate across borders with confidence and security.
The next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, buy something online, or book a flight, or put on a lipstick, remember that international law is working behind the scenes. It’s not just the domain of diplomats and lawyers—it’s part of the rhythm of everyday life.
Understanding international law helps you see the world differently. It shows you how interconnected and interdependent we all are—and why cooperation between nations matters more than ever.
So, the next time someone mentions international law, you’ll know it’s not just about politics and treaties—it’s about the small things that make your world go round.
Reference List:
1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2015). Paris Agreement. [Link to document or website]
2. World Wildlife Fund (WWF). (n.d.). Plastic pollution. Retrieved from [https://www.wwf.org]
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (n.d.). The Role of Environmental Protection. Retrieved from [https://www.epa.gov]
4. Gomez, S. (2021). Selena Gomez's Lipstick and the Environment. [Source or Article Name].
5. International Criminal Court (ICC). (n.d.). International Law and Environmental Protection. Retrieved from [https://www.icc-cpi.int]
6. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis. Retrieved from [https://www.ipcc.ch]
7. International Court of Justice (ICJ). (n.d.). International Law on Environmental Protection. Retrieved from [https://www.icj-cij.org]
8. UN Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). The State of the Environment Report. Retrieved from [https://www.unenvironment.org]
9. The Guardian. (2021). Fashion and Sustainability: What Does the Industry Need to Do?
UNIVERSAL health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious diseases. Overall, public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations. These populations can be as small as a local neighbourhood or as big as a whole country or region.
Public health education refers to the educational process that provides students with knowledge and skills related to various aspects of public health, including biology, environmental factors, communication, data management, epidemiology, health policy, and emergency management. It aims to prepare students for cross-disciplinary roles and to promote a better world by expanding their focus to account for health factors in their future careers.
Public health education plays a critical role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by promoting health literacy, preventative care, and fostering healthier behaviours within populations. The following are a few key points on how public health education contributes to UHC:
Raising Awareness about Health Issues
Public health education helps raise awareness about common health conditions, preventive measures, and available healthcare services. When people are well-informed about health risks, such as the dangers of smoking, unhealthy diet, or lack of exercise, they are more likely to make healthy lifestyle choices, which can reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
Promoting Preventive Healthcare
By educating communities about preventive measures, such as vaccination, screening for diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes), and safe hygiene practices, public health education helps in reducing the incidence of preventable diseases. This not only improves health outcomes but also helps reduce healthcare costs in the long term, aligning with UHC goals of providing equitable and affordable healthcare.Empowering Communities
Public health education empowers individuals and communities to take responsibility for their health. When people understand their rights to healthcare and know how to navigate the healthcare system, they are better able to access services, adhere to medical treatments, and avoid delays in seeking care.Addressing Health Inequalities
Public health education can address health disparities by targeting vulnerable populations, including those in rural areas, low-income groups, and marginalized communities. By providing information tailored to their needs, education can break down barriers to accessing healthcare and ensure that undeserved populations are not left behind in achieving UHC.Improving Health Behaviours
Health education encourages individuals to adopt healthier behaviors, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, engaging in physical activity, and managing stress. These behavioural changes contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of chronic diseases, which can strain healthcare systems and impede UHC efforts.Supporting Mental Health Awareness
Mental health is a critical component of UHC, and public health education can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Educating the public about mental health can help people seek the necessary support, reducing the burden on emergency and acute care services while promoting mental well-being for all.Promoting for Programme Changes
Educating the public can foster an environment where people promote necessary programme changes that support UHC, such as the expansion of healthcare coverage, improved health infrastructure, and equitable distribution of healthcare resources.Improving Health Literacy
Health literacy is essential for individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Public health education improves people’s ability to understand medical information, which is necessary for following treatment plans, understanding prescription instructions, and making health decisions that are aligned with the resources available in their healthcare system.
In summary, public health education serves as a foundation for achieving UHC by promoting informed, health-conscious populations, reducing preventable health issues, and empowering individuals to take control of their health. It creates a more equitable healthcare system and also takes the opportunity to promote a healthy life.
References
- https://www.who.int/health-topics.universal-health-coverage
- https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/public-health-education
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
IT STARTED with a plate of sushi. The delicateslices of raw fish gleamed under the dim lights of a seaside stall, paired with a dab of soya sauce and a curl of ginger. I was at a bustling street market in a small coastal town, the sort where vendors shout over each other and the air hums with life. I didn’t think twice before tucking in. It was delicious – until it wasn’t.
Two weeks later, my skin turned a sickly yellow, my energy drained away like water through a sieve, and I found myself staring at a doctor who said three words that flipped my world upside down: “You have Hepatitis A.”
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is one of the most common types of hepatitis viruses that cause liver inflammation and jaundice. This type has been around for a long time – longer than we have been alive, lurking in the shadows of human history. In recent years, its increase has been largely linked to unclean water and food, overcrowding, and poor sanitation, especially concerning toilets. If you think about it, you may have noticed that the number of infectious diseases has increased in recent years. I certainly didn’t – until it hit me personally. My story isn’t just about bad sushi; it’s about how an invisible enemy travel, how it hides in plain sight, and how I fought it off with lessons I’ll never forget.
Hepatitis A spreads mainly through consuming water or food contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Yes, it’s as grim as it sounds. The virus doesn’t need a handshake or a sneeze – it hitches a ride on something as innocent as a piece of sushi or a sip from a glass. That’s why people are often urged to avoid eating street food that isn’t prepared or cooked hygienically. But it’s not just street food – even in large restaurants, if food isn’t prepared cleanly, it can still pose a risk. My sushi came from a vendor with a weathered wooden stall and a grin, but I didn’t notice the flies buzzing nearby or ask how the fish was washed. I didn’t know then that HAV thrives in places where cleanliness takes a back seat.
Back home, I’d always prided myself on being careful – washing my hands, boiling water when camping, avoiding dubious roadside stalls. But travelling? That’s when my guard slipped.
The town I visited wasn’t dirty by any stretch—just busy, crowded, and alive. Yet, behind the scenes, overcrowding and poor sanitation were brewing a perfect storm. A single infected person, a poorly washed hand, a bucket of unboiled water – it only takes one weak link. And I was the unlucky domino that fell.
When the doctor explained how I’d got sick, I started replaying every bite I’d taken on that trip. Since the spread is reportedly high right now, you should be cautious about these types of food, he warned me:
• Foods that flies have landed on (those buzzing pests around my sushi were a red flag I ignored).
• Foods left uncovered and exposed (the fish sat out, absorbing more than just the salty air).
• Foods that aren’t fully cooked (raw seafood and half-cooked skewers were staples that week).
• Foods handled or prepared without clean hands (who knew where those hands had been?).
• Raw foods like seafood, fruit, or vegetables (my beloved sushi was the smoking gun).
It was astonishing to realize how vulnerable we are to what we eat. I’d always thought of food as fuel, a source of joy – not a po-
tential assassin. But HAV doesn’t care about our love for sushi or our trust in a friendly vendor. It’s a stowaway, sneaking into our
system through the simplest of mistakes. I learned the hard way that flies aren’t just annoying – they’re couriers for a virus that can knock us flat.
The symptoms crept up like a thief in the night. As the name suggests, Hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). That was the first clue – my reflection in the mirror started looking like a stranger with a sickly glow. Then came the pale stools and dark urine, a bizarre duo I’d never noticed before. My abdomen ached on the upper right side, where my liver was silently screaming for help. Other symptoms were typical of viral infections: fever that left me shivering under blankets, fatigue that made lifting a spoon feel heroic, muscle aches that turned my body into a battlefield, and a loss of appetite paired with nausea that made food my enemy.
I didn’t connect the dots at first. I thought it was jet lag or a stomach bug from the trip. But when my friends started joking about my “new tan,” I knew something was wrong. The doctor’s diagnosis was a gut punch — not just because I was ill, but because it was preventable. If I’d known what to look for, if I’d been more cautious, I might have dodged this bullet.
Hepatitis A is highly contagious, but it can be easily controlled. It spreads primarily through eating or drinking something contaminated with the virus. If we focus on keeping four things clean – food, water, hands, and toilets – we can prevent this disease. That’s it. Four simple rules I’d broken without realizing.
The science is astonishingly straightforward. At 85°C for just one minute, the virus dies. Boiling water reaches 100°C, so cooking food thoroughly or boiling it already acts as prevention.
If bottled water isn’t available, boil our drinking water – drinking it after boiling is safe. I wish I’d insisted on bottled water that day or checked if the ice in my drink was clean. Wash our hands regularly. Even if we haven’t used the toilet, we could touch something handled by an infected person who didn’t wash their hands, and it could end up in our mouth.
So, wash our hands thoroughly before eating every time. I’d scrubbed my hands before meals at home, but on the road? I got lazy. Big mistake.
To stop the virus from spreading via toilets, make sure ours is fly-proof and clean. Doing this can prevent infection. The guesthouse I stayed at had an open latrine with flies buzzing in and out – another clue I overlooked. Prevention isn’t rocket science; it’s about discipline. And I’d let mine slip.
Since it’s a virus, there’s no definitive cure. Treatment involves plenty of rest, eating a nutritious diet, and using medication to relieve symptoms.
With rest, hydration, and proper nutrition, our immune system can fight off the virus. My doctor sent me home with a prescription for rest – literal bed rest – and a stern warning: avoid alcohol entirely – it can further damage the liver. That part was easy; I didn’t even want to look at a glass of anything.
Recovery was slow. I spent weeks on the sofa, sipping water and nibbling bland crackers while my body waged war. My mum brought me broth, and my friends sent memes to cheer me up, but mostly, I slept. The fatigue was crushing – like someone had unplugged my battery. But little by little, the yellow faded from my skin, my appetite crept back, and the pain in my side dulled to a memory.
Months later, I’m back to normal. My skin’s its usual shade, my energy’s returned, and I can eat sushi again (though I inspect it like a detective now). But Hepatitis A left its mark – not on my liver, which healed, but on my habits. I boil water obsessively when I travel. I wash my hands until they’re raw. I ask vendors questions that make them blink – Where’s your water from? How’s
this prepared? I’ve become that person, and I’m fine with it.
So, here’s my plea: don’t wait for the yellow skin to wake you up. Check your water. Scrub your hands. Cook your food. It’s not glamorous, but it’s powerful.
Because the next time I bite into a piece of sushi, I’ll know I’m the one in control – not the invisible enemy.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
At the phrase ‘Emergency Department’, everyone will surely feel formidable.
Patients and their family members, in particular, will be chilled to the bones. It will be repellent even to the hospital staff for its 24-hour service provision and overburdening nature. In contrast, the negative phrase ‘Emergency Department’ bears a positive sense to a patient afflicted with serious diseases or traumatic injuries and to the philanthropic hospital staff who relish saving the lives of the patients wrestling with death.
The Emergency Department is the first point of contact for many patients with a hospital. Delivering immediate, life-saving, high-quality care, it acts as an oasis for the patients experiencing life- threatening medical, surgical or orthopedic emergencies such as severe heart attack, hypertensive crisis, stroke, perforated ulcers of duodenum and stomach, perforated appendix, traumatic head injuries and fractures of bones. Moreover, it is instrumental in fighting against public health emergencies - disasters, epidemic outbreaks and mass casualty incidents.
It will be safest for a patient, if he or she is transported to the hospital in an ambulance equipped with the advanced life-support devices and staffed with a paramedic who provides pre- hospital care to the patients on the way. When a patient and his or her accompanying family members arrive at the Emergency Department, they will have to meet the hospital staff of various sorts - security staff, general workers, receptionists, medical record staff, a triage team including doctors and nurses, an emergency team comprising emergency physicians and nurses, an orthopedic team consisting of orthopedic surgeons and nurses, a medical team composed of general physicians and nurses, a surgical team formed of general surgeons and nurses, radiologists, imaging technicians and lab technicians.
On reaching the entrance to the Emergency department, the patient and his or her family members will be greeted by the security staff, who create a safe environment for all comers. Then, they will meet the general workers, who usher them into the department and take their patient in a wheel- chair or a trolley. As they take some steps into it, they will meet the receptionists, who welcome them from the reception counter, respond to their enquiries and direct them to the triage area. On the way to the triage area, throwing a sweeping glance around the department, they will find the atmosphere charged with a sense of stress and urgency: the family members of the patients waiting nervously at the waiting areas, doctors and nurses hurrying from room to room for treating the patients, some attendants comforting their patients in front of the lab and imaging rooms, and some patients being cautiously taken to the admitted wards.
When this patient and the family members get to the triage area, they will meet the triage team including doctors and nurses, who quickly assess the severity of their patient’s condition by evaluating the chief complaints, the history of the present illness, underlying diseases, vital signs measurements and then, prioritize care for him or her. Meanwhile, one of the family members will have to rush to the medical record counter to meet the medical record staff, who register the patient and issue an emergency patient record booklet. At the triage area, if the condition of the patient under examination does not require resuscitation, he or she will be sent to the medical assessment unit or the surgical observation unit for further treatment.
But, if this patient’s condition demands emergency resuscitation, he or she will be unhesitatingly taken into the resuscitation room. There, the family members of the patient will meet the emergency physicians and nurses. The emergency physicians, very important actors in saving the lives of emergency patients, will carry out all the necessary resuscitative measures including cardiopulmonary resuscitation to reverse the patient’s deteriorating condition. If the use of a ventilator or a defibrillator or both is needed, it will be upon these physicians. The emergency nurses will follow their instructions and assist them by providing the patient with the medications, intravenous infusions, oxygen therapy, using patient monitor devices and doing ECG drawings. The emergency team will coordinate and cooperate with many other specialists if necessary.
If the patient is a victim of a disaster, a road traffic accident or a mass casualty incident, the orthopedic team, in league with the emergency one, will treat his or her traumatic injuries and bone fractures. If the severity of the patient’s condition calls for an emergency operation, the surgeons on duty will perform it urgently in the operation theatre of the department. If the patient contracts the illness from an epidemic outbreak, he or she will be kept under surveillance and then provided with necessary treatment.
Now, if the condition of the patient in the emergency room has stabilized, he or she will be transferred to the medical assessment unit or the surgical observation unit. There, the family members of the patient will meet a medical team headed by general physicians or a surgical team led by general surgeons, who monitor the patient’s situation and instruct him or her to get necessary investigations. So, the patient and the family members will have to scurry to the imaging rooms, where the radiologists and the imaging technicians take and interpret the radiological images of the patient, and to the lab, where the lab technicians, under the guidance of a pathologist or a microbiologist, carry out the lab tests for him or her. Indeed, the role of investigations is of paramount importance for arriving at a confirmed diagnosis and administering the most effective treatment to a patient.
At the medical assessment unit or the surgical observation unit, if the condition of the patient being investigated and treated is improving satisfactorily, the doctors will discharge him or her home, with their guidance on the follow-up care. Now, to everyone’s delight, the patient and the family members experience a happy ending here. But, if his or her situation is stagnant or worsening, he or she will be admitted to a suitable ward in the hospital for further treatment.
If the patient is poor, the family members will have to meet the medical social staff, who can help the patient by making contact with the social welfare organizations and seeking the necessary support for him or her. Moreover, these staff will involve in the discharge planning of the patient and counsel him or her for further support after leaving the hospital.
In fact, the family members of a patient arriving at the Emergency Department are overcome with their untold social problems and immense concern for the patient. Therefore, all the staff of the department should understand their emotional outbursts and treat them kindly and forgivingly. The staff should be endowed with good public relation skill and foster social harmony with the family members. The staff should practise patience, sympathy and empathy towards them. The staff should respect the patient’s dignity and keep his or her confidentiality. The treatment team should engage the family members in making decision on how to treat the patient.
In conclusion, it is generally found that the staff of the Emergency Department in a hospital offer timely, comprehensive, efficient services to the patients as much as they can, that they can, in most cases, save the lives of the patients on death-bed, and that they can thus enhance the image of the hospital. Hence, the Emergency Department can be, undoubtedly, supposed to be a haven for a patient attending it, but not a scary place. However, it should be made more easily accessible to the patients and turned into a safer and more secure and relaxing atmosphere for them. On the other hand, there should be enough efficient staffing and up-to-date physical facilities in the Emergency Department because this can prevent the burn-out or collapse of the staff caused by overwork and, at the same time, help it operate successfully.
A dramatic day of high stakes diplomacy at the United Nations has exposed growing cracks in the transatlantic alliance since President Donald Trump returned to the global stage and massively shifted US foreign policy.
When Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, Europe had no stronger partner than the United States.
But this week, in the halls of the General Assembly and at the Security Council, the US worked against its closest allies and sided with Russia, Belarus and North Korea to pass resolutions on the conflict in Ukraine.
To mark the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion, Ukraine sought a symbolic General Assembly resolution that would require the 193-member body to reaffirm Kyiv's territorial integrity and call for Russia to withdraw its forces in line with the UN charter.
That resolution did pass on Monday, but with less support than in past years. Many members abstained to avoid a tricky tension created by the US.
Washington's diplomats had urged other countries to vote against the measure and to instead support their "forward looking resolution" that was only three short paragraphs. It took a neutral stance on the war, without blaming Russia, and called for a swift end with a lasting peace to follow.
Washington not only introduced their measure in the General Assembly where every nation's vote is equal, but also in the more powerful Security Council. Resolutions there are legally binding - though sometimes hard to enforce - and there had never been council action on Ukraine because of Russia's veto power as a permanent member.
The move caught Europe off guard. One European diplomat told the BBC that the US behaved like a bully and did not take into account their stance on their continent's security.
Another who sits on the Security Council, Slovenia's ambassador Samuel Zbogar, told the BBC that Europe is struggling to adjust to the 180-degree change in the US position - and the speed at which Washington is moving.
He said the European Union will need to do some reflecting at the body's council meeting next week.
"Leaders will have to develop a plan on how the EU can actively be involved in finding peace, rather than reacting to what others are doing. It's up to us now in Europe to come forward," he told the BBC.
There were plenty of reactions in the halls of UN headquarters in New York, as European leaders worked to reconcile with the latest US position.
OUR way of life has caused many serious environmental problems such as global warming and climate change. As a result, the world’s ecosystems are changing faster than ever before. Take a moment and look at our surroundings - the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. Millions of people are now inhaling polluted air, drinking impure water, and consuming contaminated foods. This means that we are experiencing many environmentally hazardous conditions. These issues are a result of pollution, which is now seen as a major hazard to our environment.
A link between pollution and the greenhouse effect Pollution is directly linked to the greenhouse effect, which is actually responsible for life on Earth. The earth’s atmosphere contains some minor gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone,
fluorinated compounds, and water vapour. These gases are called ‘greenhouse gases’ because they operate like the glass of a greenhouse. In other words, these gases act as a blanket in trapping some of the sun’s heat and preventing it from escaping back into space. In this way, the planet’s temperature is kept at a safe level (around 15.5° C). The problem is that the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is increasing because of human activities. As a result, the greenhouse effect is becoming stronger, and this in turn is making our planet warmer than usual. Thus, pollution is mainly responsible for many environmental problems, such as global warming and climate change.
Environmental pollution can be classified into five major types: air, water, soil, noise, and light pollution.
Air pollution
Air pollution can be defined as ‘the introduction of harmful substances into the air’. It occurs due to human activities such as fuel burning, logging, farming, mining, manufacturing, and construction of roads and buildings. It can also be caused by natural events such as wildfires and volcanic eruptions. All these sources of air pollution result in a rise in the amount of greenhouse gases. This leads to an increase in global temperature, which brings about many environmental problems such as floods, acid rain, and ozone depletion.
With the rise in global temperature, the ice at the poles melts and sea levels rise, flooding many coastal regions and leading to loss of property and life. Acid rain is one of the consequences of air pollution. It occurs when smoke and fumes from traffic and factories mix with the water in the atmosphere. When this mixture falls back to the ground, it harms not only humans and wildlife but also buildings. The ozone layer is part of the earth’s atmosphere that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Ozone depletion occurs when some greenhouse gases like CFCs are released into the atmosphere, moreover, air pollutants can cause many severe health problems such as eye irritation, allergies, asthma, and lung cancer.
Water pollution Water pollution is ‘the addition of undesirable substances in water’. We use huge amounts of natural resources and produce too much waste, like mining waste, agricultural and industrial runoff, and human and animal waste. Water pollution occurs when these different types of waste are dumped into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans. Polluted water includes toxic chemicals, bacteria, and sites, which can devastate the ecosystems of aquatic life. Water pollutants also cause some harmful diseases such as dysentery, diarrhoea, and cholera. According to the United Nations Programme, nearly 4000 children die every day from drinking impure water.
Soil pollution
Soil pollution means ‘the process of making the earth’s topsoil contaminated with hazardous substances, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and wastes.
The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture leads to soil degradation. Moreover, many factories are disposing of their chemical wastes, which leak soil layers. Consequently, the fertility of the earth’s soil is being degraded gradually.
These chemicals contaminate the underground water, which will pose a serious risk to human health. Digital waste and rubbish from landfills are other causes of soil pollution. Deforestation is another significant factor that causes soil erosion. As a result of this, our planet loses millions of tons of topsoil each year. Trees keep the land fertile, but with fewer and fewer trees, the soil will be blown away by the wind or washed away by rain. And, unhealthy soil will intensify the existing threat of food and nutritional insecurity.
Noise pollution
Noise, commonly defined as ‘unwanted or excessive sound’ is another environmental pollutant. Noise pollution is born of urbanization, industrialization, and technological advances.
The primary sources of noise pollution include construction sites, industrial areas, forms of transport such as automobiles, trains, aeroplanes, and cultural activities like festivals. Noise causes physical and psychological harm, and reduces the quality of life for those who are exposed to it. In response to loud noise, heartbeat, and respiration accelerate, blood vessels constrict, the skin pales and muscles tense.
In the long run, noise can cause hypertension, hearing loss, and emotional problems such as depression, aggression, irritation, ration, and anxiety.
Light pollution
Light pollution is the overuse or under-use of artificial outdoor light, and it causes problems to all living things. To understand this better, we need to be familiar with three terms: diurnal, nocturnal, and crepuscular. Diurnal means active during daytime; nocturnal means active during nighttime; and crepuscular means active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk.
For example, some people find that they can work better during the day than during the night. Such people are diurnal.
Animals such as lions, tigers, cows, deer, and birds such as crows, sparrows, kites, and eagles also are diurnal because they hunt for food during the day. On the other hand, there are some people who find that they work better during the night than during the day. Such people are nocturnal. So are leopards, cats, snakes, bats, and owls, because they are active during nighttime.
Moths, some species of honey bees, and a few species of bats and owls are active only during the hours of dawn or dusk. They are crepuscular.
The ill effects of light pollution are many. For instance, light that is too bright can damage our vision; so, does insufficient light.
A bright light has been found to cause sleep disorders such as sleep deprivation which in turn causes stress, headaches, and increasing anxiety. Bright artificial night light has been found upset the food-hunting pattern of many nocturnal and crepuscular creatures.
To minimize the effects of environmental pollution, what should we do? What are the possible solutions to some environmental problems that come about as a result of pollution? We must reduce our use of fossil fuels and promote the use of friendly sources of energy like the sun, wind, and water. Although it is impossible to shut down factories, there should be stricter laws to prevent them from polluting the environment. Forests must be protected because trees take in carbon dioxide. Fewer fertilizers and pesticides should be used in agriculture. We should also try to produce less waste and recycle lots of things that we throw away.
And we should be judicious in using light during the night as well as day. If we do not do something to combat pollution: a hazard to our environment, we will all be losers - with dire consequences to face.
Additional Considerations
Another important aspect of pollution is its economic impact. The rising cost of healthcare due to pollution-related illnesses places a heavy burden on governments and individuals. The damage caused to infrastructure by acid rain and flooding also leads to financial losses. Furthermore, pollution affects agriculture, reducing crop yields and leading to food insecurity.
Public awareness and education play a crucial role in combating pollution. Schools and communities should take part in environmental education programs to inform people about the dangers of pollution and the benefits of sustainable practices.
Citizens should be encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly habits such as reducing waste, conserving water, and using en-
ergy-efficient appliances.
The role of technology in reducing pollution is also significant. Innovations such as electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and biodegradable materials can help minimize pollution levels. Governments and industries should invest in research and development to create greener alternatives to conventional processes that harm the environment.
Solutions to Environmental
Pollution
To address environmental pollution, individuals, communities, and governments must take collective action. Here are some key solutions:
Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Stricter Environmental Laws: Governments should enforce regulations that limit industrial pollution and promote sustainable practices.
Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting more trees can help absorb carbon dioxide and improve air quality.
Waste Management: Recycling and proper disposal of waste can minimize soil and water pollution.
Sustainable Agriculture: Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can prevent soil degradation.
Public Awareness: Educating people about the dangers of pollution and encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors can lead to positive change.
If we fail to take immediate action against pollution, the consequences will be dire for future generations. Protecting the environment is not just an option – it is a necessity for the survival of our planet and all living beings.
I am now concluding my article. In fact, it is humans who build and develop the world of mankind. At the same time, it is also humans who destroy it.
This is truly astonishing. Tigers and elephants are not the ones destroying the world, but rather, it is us humans who are responsible for its destruction. This realization is truly saddening.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
Mass media is broadly used to raise awareness and appreciation of Myanmar’s Thanaka cultural practice and concerted efforts are being exerted to submit nomination proposal of Myanmar’s Thanaka cultural practice by March 2025 to be inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
I was so ecstatic when I heard about those cultural awareness campaigns of Myanmar’s Thanaka that is the legacy of intangible attributes of Myanmar people to safeguard it for future generations and to be submitted for UNESCO’s cultural heritage inscription. I have been a big fan of Thanka who traditionally applies Thanaka to the face since I was young. Therefore, I was overwhelmed by delight. I will be carried away with euphoria when UNESCO adds it to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Myanmar’s Thanaka culture has been passed down from past generations. It can be profoundly traced in the murals of temples in Gyubyaukgyi Temple founded in AD 1113 in Bagan ancient cultural heritage site and Sulamani Temple founded in AD 1183 and murals of other temples.
Additionally, Thanaka applying tradition passing down through generations can be remarkably found in earliest works of literature, stories, poems and folk songs, including mawgun, eigyin, pyo, kagyin, maunghtaung, Lamai peasant girls’ poem and songs, representing deeper symbolic meaning related to the cultural value and tradition rooted for thousand years.
Myanmar people annually celebrate the Thanaka Festival from the full moon of Thadingyut to the full moon of Tazaungdine (31 October to 29 November) beyond the 12-month festival traditions.
Village girls and ladies from Khetthin village in the north of Singu town, Mandalay Region apply Thanaka and Thanaka powder put in bronze cup to pilgrims who flock to Shwe Taung Oo mountain pagoda during the full moon of Thadingyut, signifying unique and beautiful Myanmar’s Thanaka culture.
The word Thanaka, previously called Thana-ka, is derived from Thana (dirt) and Ka (clearing or removing), meaning removing the dirt. Thanaka is a paste made from ground bark which commonly applies to Myanmar people for sun protection, perfume and beauty purposes. It is believed to show a distinct feature of Myanmar people. This natural cosmetic has cooling and soothing effects with good properties for skin. Thanaka is highly admired by Myanmar’s royal courts to peasant ladies nowadays. Other parts of Thanaka tree also have medicinal effects.
Thanaka is credited with medicinal benefits with a warm effect in winter and cooling sensation during hot winter to reduce body heat. This traditional product is highly appreciated and cherished by the whole nation regardless of ages and genders.
Myanmar elder people usually talks about the three basic values (Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), paying respect to parents and teachers and fostering patriotism towards one’s nation and other inspirational and motivational messages while applying Thanaka to younger people, passing down traditions to younger generations and representing signs of the devotion, respect and love.
Moreover, Thanaka incense is offered to Buddha during ritual face washing ceremonies at Mandalay MahaMyatmuni Temple and Aungtawmu Pagoda in the early morning, unifying symbols of cultural pride and drawing a daily crowd of devotees.
Thanaka can be found in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Myanmar and Pakistan. Myanmar’s Thanaka is of premium quality with pleasant and unique fragrance. Shinmataung and Shwebo Thanaka varieties are the most popular among them. Applying Shwebo Thanaka gives one smooth skin and yellowish beauty unlike Shinmataung Thanaka having a sweet and pleasant smell.
Beyond beauty purposes, the whole Thanaka trees (fruits, root, stem, leaves) have good properties and medicinal benefits. Shwepyinan Company established Thanaka museum in NyaungU city in order to disseminate information of Thanaka culture among young communities and conserve cultural heritage. Myanmar Thanaka Planters and Producers Association was formed on 11 November 2017 in order to safeguard cultural heritage and penetrate Thanaka to international markets and raise public awareness in cooperation with non-governmental organization Helvetas Myanmar.
The association organizes Thanaka beauty pageants, Thanaka trade fair and Myanmar Thanaka Day events to pass Thanaka culture on to the next generation and increase admiration for Thanaka.
Thanaka Day was marked on the full moon day of Tabodwe, connecting Buddhist’s tradition of offering light and Thanaka incense to Buddha. Events related to Thanaka including talk shows, distributing pamphlets, donation and offering Thanaka paste to Buddha are held in the precinct of Pagoda on the Thanaka Day.
The association’s statistics indicated that there are 323,000 acres of Thanaka in Myanmar. The association comprises growers and traders from Ayartaw, Shwebo, Kantbalu, Monywa, Myinmu, Butalin, Kanni, Yinmabin, Pakokku, Myaing, Yesagyo, Pauk, Sittway and Langkho areas and companies from big cities like Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Stakeholders involved in the Thanaka supply chain are exerting continuous efforts to produce value-added Thanaka products that were commercially valued in international markets and preserving this heritage and passing it on to future generations through documentation, education, community engagement and revitalization maintaining core values and cultural identity.
Myanmar Thanaka culture has existed for thousands of years. The earliest discovery of applying the Thanaka tradition is back in the Bagan Dynasty. The poems written by King Yazadariz’s sprouse (poet) in 14th century and Shin Ratthasara, monk and prominent poet in 15th century invoked Thanaka culture in literary work.
Furthermore, some communities have traditions of holding the Thanaka Grinding Festival on the first day of the Thingyan Festival and Buddha statues are washed by Thanaka paste, preserving universal value.
Literary works in Bagan, Pyu dynasties captured the essence of Myanmar Thanaka culture, providing a rich source of Thanaka value and traditions of Myanmar people wearing it throughout history.
Inscriptions on Kyaukpyin stone slab note the name of King Bayintnaung’s daughter Princess Dartukalaya, placed at Shwemadaw Pagoda, revealing the solid culture of Thanaka in Taungoo dynasty.
Thanaka supplied to court in King Alaungpaya Dynasty were sourced from Kaput village two miles away from the south of Thihataw Pagoda in KhinU Township, Shwebo District, indicating a notable history of Thanaka again.
Consequently, Myanmar Thanaka that people of all ages and gender cherish and apply to face and body portrayed the significance of the heritage throughout history. Myanmar people are committed to preserving and promoting its culture by holding festivals stimulating community engagement and keeping inventory of Thanaka heritage passing through generations. Literary works and social events describing Myanmar Thanaka tradition act as a window to Myanmar’s intangible cultural heritage. I would like to express my deep respect to those endeavouring to submit nomination of Thanaka as a cultural element by March 2025 to be inscribed on the UNESCO’s list.
If Myanmar’s Thanaka culture and tradition that has dominated for thousand years is recognized and listed by UNESCO, it will be national pride and identity. I hereby would like to appreciate their genuine and continuous efforts with Myanmar Thanaka promotion and cultural awareness campaigns. I am praying from my heart for Myanmar Thanaka to move forward to achieve UNESCO’s inscription.
Translated by KK
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
It's a story I've heard many times before. A woman in her mid-fifties, who we'll call Jess, has long struggled with her weight and last year decided to start taking a revolutionary weight-loss drug.
These appetite suppressing injections originally an off-label use of the diabetes treatment Ozempic and later including Wegovy and Mounjaro – help patients lose up to a fifth of their bodyweight in just over a year. It can also be a massive boost to their overall health, lowering their risk of long-term conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's.
But Jess is not seeing the dramatic weight loss she hoped for. Understandably, she is distraught. She worries that she is destined to be overweight for ever.
There is also the financial cost to consider. The NHS can currently only prescribe these drugs to the most overweight and unwell patients. Going private means paying as much as £300 a month.
For that, you would expect to see results. But, as I tell Jess, there is always hope. As dieticians and nutritionists for the healthy lifestyle coaching company Liva Healthcare, it's our job to consider what other factors might be behind this lack of progress.
We are one of seven digitally led weight-management services recommended by health chiefs to help support patients prescribed weight-loss drugs on the NHS.
We also support those accessing these medicines privately through Boots' online service – called Boots Online Doctor. And, in these situations, there is always one question I ask first: what are you eating?
These drugs, also known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), trick the body into feeling full. However, while GLP-1s may cause patients to eat less, they do not make patients eat more healthily.
Many on the drugs say that, most of the day, they will go without food, but when the urge to eat strikes they turn to comfort items such as biscuits or crisps.
There are many reasons for this – it might be habit, that cooking can be time-consuming, or because such foods are just so tasty.
However, the reason these foods are so pleasing to eat is because they are packed with sugar and fat. And this means that just a few biscuits can often have as many calories as a proper meal.
It's important to remember it's not just about weight loss. There is also a concern that patients on GLP-1s can become malnourished. Most of us do not get enough fibre, while millions have diets deficient in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, as well as vitamins A, B, and C.
To get these nutrients, we need to eat a varied diet, which includes a spread of vegetables, fruit, pulses and – in moderate amounts – protein sources such as meat and eggs.
Studies show that, over time, malnutrition can have serious consequences, including raising the risk of bone breaks, digestive problems and serious infections.
Malnutrition can be an issue among overweight people too, because many – but not all – have poor diets. If people with full appetites struggle to get adequate nutrition, just imagine how hard it is for someone on an appetite-suppressing drug? Many patients also tell us they plan to use the drug to aid initial weight loss and then, once they've lost enough, they will stop the injections.
However, unless a patient ensures their diet really is healthy, they run the risk of putting the weight back on. Research shows that more than half who come off the drugs regain at least two thirds of the weight they lost.
Nearly one in five put all the weight – or more – back on.
We find that patients who focus on eating in a balanced way on the jabs put less weight back on once they stop. This is because, usually, they continue to eat like this. Of course, diet is not the only thing to consider when trying to lose weight on GLP-1s. At Liva Healthcare we also guide patients on how to create an exercise routine – another crucial factor.
So too is exploring why people eat. Do patients eat out of boredom or sadness? What can be done to change these habits?
We are able to guide people through these challenges. But diet is almost always the most important factor in weight loss.
The good news is GLP-1 drugs give patients the chance to reset their diet: some describe them as taking away the constant 'noise' of food. Our advice tends to follow a few simple rules. Half the plate should be made up of vegetables – and the more colourful the better. A quarter should be carbohydrates, such as potatoes or pasta; if it's wholegrain even better.
And the final quarter should be protein, such as meat or plant-based products like tofu. Meat should be lean, such as chicken or white fish, rather than fatty red meat, pork, or processed meat.
The goal is to make each meal packed with nutrients so, even when eating small portions, patients are getting all they need. Meals should also be easy to cook and packed with flavour. If someone has a reduced appetite, they want meals to look forward to.
With all this in mind, I have created four recipes exclusively for Mail readers who are taking a weight-loss drug. For breakfast, I recommend a berry and vanilla protein parfait. This yogurt-based meal has multiple sources of protein – crucial for building muscle in place of fat.
The berries and seeds provide plenty of fibre, which is needed for a healthy gut. It is also packed with calcium, a bone-health nutrient which many GLP-1 patients are deficient in.
Our lunch option is a green shakshuka, a twist on the classic Middle Eastern egg dish, which contains plenty of iron-rich spinach. Iron is vital for the transport of oxygen around the body, as well as maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails. The eggs and feta provide high-quality protein.
I've also created a snack, to graze on throughout the day. This is a roasted chickpeas, seeds and cashew mix, which contains protein, zinc and iron.
Finally, for dinner, I've suggested a chipotle-lime chicken bowl. The smoky chipotle flavour enhances the taste, the pickled onions help digestion and the avocado provides healthy fats for energy. The chicken is the protein that should keep patients satiated until the morning.
I'm not saying you should consume only these, but it gives a flavour of the tasty and healthy meals it's possible to eat while losing weight.
The Hindu Kush Himalayas – the largest store of ice after Antarctica and the Arctic – are warming three times faster than the global average. Development institutions must take urgent action to avert the disastrous effects of accelerating glacial melt, which would devastate local economies and fuel instability worldwide.
The United Nations has declared 2025 to be the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, making it a fitting moment to confront the stark reality that the world’s ice sheets are melting. Climate change is accelerating this trend, particularly in the Hindu Kush Himalayas – a region known as the Earth’s Third Pole because it contains the largest volume of ice outside of the Arctic and Antarctica.
This mountain range, which stretches across 3,500 kilometers and spans eight countries, from Afghanistan to Myanmar, is warming roughly three times faster than the global average. If temperatures rise by 3° Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, up to 75% of the region’s glaciers will melt, reducing water availability, undermining food and energy security, and exacerbating biodiversity loss.
Glacial melt thus threatens irreversible damage to nearby communities and local economies. But it would also fuel instability around the globe by increasing migration, disrupting trade, and causing food prices to rise.
The 2021 flood disaster in Nepal’s Melamchi River offers a glimpse of what is to come. Unusually heavy monsoon rains, coupled with excessive snowmelt, triggered a debris flow that wiped out thousands of hectares of agricultural land and destroyed critical infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without access to water.
As the glaciers retreat, there will be too little water – a problem that is projected to afflict the Hindu Kush Himalayas by 2050. Dwindling river flows would make it more difficult to irrigate crops in an area that produces around one-third of the world’s rice and one-quarter of its wheat. Water-supply and sanitation systems will become difficult to maintain, adding to the one billion people who already lack access to basic sanitation in the region. Food insecurity will almost surely worsen as well, while communities and even entire industries will likely need to migrate in search of fresh water. Asia’s poorest and most vulnerable populations will be hit the hardest.
The world must take urgent action to avert the disastrous effects of accelerating glacial melt in this region. That means deepening our knowledge by investing in multi-hazard risk assessment, because the extent of the damage will largely depend on whether global temperatures rise by 1.5°, 1.8°, 2°, or 3°C. We must also strengthen integrated river-basin management by enhancing data collection, facilitating knowledge sharing, optimizing water management, and coordinating among people and communities living upstream and downstream.
Ensuring that new and existing infrastructure is climate-resilient is essential for maintaining access to safe drinking water and energy security, as well as sanitation, irrigation, and transport systems. It is equally important to protect ecosystems and promote nature-based solutions such as afforestation, reforestation, wetland preservation, and flood-plain restoration.
Every component of this strategy requires more financing. Development institutions must continue to scale up investment in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, and to work together to recast this glacial region and its river basins as a global public good, especially given their importance for agricultural and industrial activities.
Lastly, the international community must advance the equitable use of shared glacial resources through cooperation and diplomacy. This would help defuse potential tensions and promote sustainable development, ensuring that the region’s glaciers serve as a force for peace rather than conflict.
The Asian Development Bank (of which I am president) has taken steps to meet some of these goals. Together with the Green Climate Fund and country partners, ADB recently launched the Glaciers to Farms program, which will mobilize $3.5 billion to strengthen climate resilience in agriculture in Central and West Asia. Meanwhile, its Building Adaptation and Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalayas-Bhutan and Nepal initiative is helping plan and design climate-resilient infrastructure and services. And ADB is also piloting new financing instruments, such as eco-compensation mechanisms, carbon markets and water trading, and sustainability-linked bonds.
When UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation last month, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said that it should serve as “a wake-up call to the world.” The global community must do everything in its power – from building climate resilience to accelerating the green transition and promoting regional cooperation – to ensure a sustainable future for the billions of people who depend on glaciers and their related ecosystems. Failure to act now would have catastrophic consequences for us all.
Masatsugu Asakawa is President of the Asian Development Bank.
Source: https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/meltdown-at-the-top-of-the-world/