NEW DELHI: Flight and rail services in India’s capital city of New Delhi were disrupted on Tuesday (Dec 26) morning as a thick layer of fog enveloped the region, reducing visibility to barely 50m in some areas. “Very dense fog” was observed in the city, where the temperature was justContinue Reading
BEIJING: China – grappling with one of its coldest Decembers on record – will likely have to brace for another round of scorching heat and an increase in extreme weather next year due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, a senior climate expert said. This year has seen China lurchContinue Reading
However, the warmer weather may fluctuate due to interspersing cold air, CCTV said, advising the public need heed forecasts and dress accordingly. Eastern province Shandong’s observatory warned on Friday of temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius in some mountainous areas in the province’s northwest. This week, China’s north includingContinue Reading
In the southwest, sections of many national and provincial highways in Tibetan cities such as Shigatse and Nyingchi were blocked due to snow, ice and low visibility as the skies have dumped snow since Monday. The local government has mobilised 2,400 personnel, more than 3,300 metric tonnes of snow meltingContinue Reading
In the southwest, sections of many national and provincial highways in Tibetan cities such as Shigatse and Nyingchi were blocked due to snow, ice and low visibility as the skies have dumped snow since Monday. The local government has mobilised 2,400 personnel, more than 3,300 metric tons of snow-melting agent,Continue Reading
However, Mr Seiji Saeki, senior managing director at Japan Marine Industry Association, noted that gasoline remains the most practical way of generating power for boats currently.
Nevertheless, Japanese marine engine manufacturers are turning their attention to greening the industry as it continues to expand.
Maritime trade is expected to grow 2.4 per cent in 2023 and more than 2 per cent between 2024 and 2028, according to the UNCTAD report.
Yamaha and Honda are focusing their efforts on developing electric parts while Suzuki is attempting to clean up the environment with its outboard motor that can collect micro plastic waste, said Mr Saeki.
However, challenges remain in electrifying motor boats, which requires a large battery and takes 10 times more energy than electrifying vehicles that travel on land.
These batteries could also take up much space in an already confined area, especially on small boats. Another issue is that electrified boats have yet to be able to sail as fast as their fuel-guzzling counterparts.
Aside from electrification, experiments with other sources of energy are also taking place.
Yamaha Motor’s Mr Ibata said these include hydrogen engines, electro-fuel and hybrid projects that his firm is examining together with automotive maker Toyota for both land and sea use.
” MOON SNIPER” The” Moon Sniper” mission of Japan’s area agency JAXA was launched in September, but the industry has been plagued by issues in recent years with two unsuccessful expeditions, one people and one private. Japan has also experienced problems with its build rockets, including mishaps following the launchContinue Reading
Experts expect China to continue walking a fine line between the developed and developing world. It remains reluctant to take on a more intermediary role, they said.
It is a position that deflects calls for Beijing to take on a more assertive role in climate leadership, yet maintains its position of economic influence among countries calling for more financial assistance from the West.
“They are unwilling to agree to developed country obligations, such as contributing to a loss and damage fund, because they see this as a slippery slope to broader obligations. So it seems they are often selective and strategic in how they portray climate leadership,” Ms Hsu said.
This “special” role could come under more pressure from nations feeling restless about the lack of progress on loss and damage in particular.
Beijing will again likely speak in solidarity with those calling for the mobilisation of assistance funds, another possible flash point with Washington, which has been a consistent drag on the concept.
“China should leverage its ‘in-between’ position to align the (Global) South and North. Its unique status could be the source of an identity crisis, but could also be an asset for Beijing to be a trusted friend with both sides,” Mr Li said.
“The world is anxiously waiting for China to redefine itself,” he said.
China has kept up its breathtaking levels of installing solar and wind power infrastructure and remains crucial to the value chain of green technologies like solar cells, thermal heating and electric vehicles.
But its levels of international engagement have not been fully revived post COVID-19.
Overseas development spending that has been ostensibly frozen under the Belt and Road Initiative has yet to resume in any form under the country’s new project, the Global Development Initiative. A key potential plank of China’s green leadership remains unfulfilled.
For two years, no overseas energy sector lending has been recorded from China’s two development finance institutions to foreign governments, according to research by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center.
“Now is the time for China to use its scale and experience to redirect development finance towards greener goals,” Dr Cecilia Springer, a non-resident fellow with the centre’s Global China Initiative, said in a statement.
But China has remained steadfast about not bowing to outside pressures, a position unlikely to yield at the negotiating tables at COP28.Continue Reading
BANGKOK: Luscious greens, egg-yolk yellows and delicate oranges flickered across waterways in the Thai capital Bangkok, as virtual projections of the Loy Krathong festival’s traditional offerings reduced waste at the popular event. The annual festival, celebrated on Monday (Nov 27), sees millions ask forgiveness from the river goddess Khongkha byContinue Reading
The Silkyara tunnel is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s infrastructure project aimed at cutting travel times between some of the most popular Hindu temples in the country. The 4.5km passage is meant to connect Uttarkashi and Yamunotri, two of the holiest sites. For Modi, leader of the Hindu-nationalist BharatiyaContinue Reading