Gaia Discovery - Asia's premier independent publication reaching out to readers from more than 100 countries daily
People
Faizal Jamal: Environmental Impacts of Singapore's Future Population and Land Use Proposal
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Singapore Nominated MP Faizal Jamal gives her take on the possible environmental impacts of the proposed Singapore government policies spelt out in the 2013 White Paper on Population and the Land Use Plan. This is the transcript of her speech delivered at a Singapore Parliamentary Debate.
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Deepak Puri, Moser Baer: On India's Renewable Energy Potential
Deepak Puri gives insights on ramping up India's renewable energy adoption with needed changes in the regulatory and financial climate.
Nina van Toulon: Eco Flores Network for Sustainable Future on Indonesian Island
Turning big dreams into reality is never easy particularly when you’re talking about the complex subject of sustainability. One lady who’s not letting this deter her from her mission to build a more sustainable future for Flores, Indonesia is Nina van Toulon. Sam Tyers reveals the story behind this inspirational change-maker.
Jose Ramos-Horta in After Rio+20: Asia Should Lead in Sustainable Development
A commentary by Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace laureate and Gaia Discovery honorary advisor, on how each region and in particular Asia should lead the way to combat climate change while working towards sustainable development.
Hala Ghattas Investigates Obesity and Hunger at the Same Time
Dire Diets! The Third World is slowly escaping poverty. But some regions are seeing bizarre new health trends, according to one woman researcher based in Beirut. By Jeremy Torr.
Places
Philippines Beaches: White Sands, Clear Waters
Getaways are easy with many beaches to explore in the Philippines, and our writer describes his chosen few by Henrylito D. Tacio.
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa Promotes Active Learning
Green Globe certified resort in Bali, Maya Ubud, gets children to learn the right way, which is the fun way of course.
Riau Travels, Tradition and Culture
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Kepri’s seven islands (Bintan and Tanjung Pinang included) offer much cultural discoveries, as Loren Xue encounters as she sips a cup of prenjak.
Riau Islands: Caribbean Adventure Asian-style
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You don’t have to go to the Caribbean for crystal waters, amazing wildlife and talcum sands. Loren Xue explores Riau tropical islands on Singapore’s doorstep.
Langkawi Live 2012 - the River Project
Langkawi will again host Langkawi Live One Earth Music Festival. An important component of this festival is the focus on the local Langkawi environment and in particular the Rivers Project.
Luxury Eco Travel: The Journey That Matters
What are the choices for the newly-affluent traveler? Is it betrayal to admit to loving a little luxury along with sustainability? Kayti Denham thinks not – as long as you understand what to look for.
Planet
Philippine Wildlife Species Declining Rapidly
Lolong - the longest saltwater crocodile in the Philippines - died prematurely earlier this year. Its death triggered many questions. What does it take to save endemic species such as saltwater crocodiles and the Philippine eagle? What factors cause species decline? Henrylito D. Tacio reports.
Bring culture to the people
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Nearly 50 years after peeling away from British hold and influence, Singapore is still trying to paint its own identity and sculpt its destiny in the arts. It is still experimenting with the right mix of matter and gravitas to capture the hearts of its people with culture. Mallika Naguran reports.
Small Scale Farming: Do NGOs Help or Hinder?
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A three-year study of small-scale farming in Africa, Asia and Latin America has prompted calls for a major rethink of approaches that aim to help. By Jeremy Torr.
Climate Change and Social Impact: Economic Development Problem
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Developing nations fear the effects of climate change as much as any of us - but how can they ensure economic development does not aggravate the problem? Jeremy Torr reports on new tools that help measure the impacts.
Land Grab and Conservation Conference
Researchers will meet at London Zoo on 26-27 March to join the dots between large land deals, conservation, land rights and efforts to tackle poverty in poor communities worldwide.
Eight Shifts Needed for Sustainability
A new international alliance of research institutes has identified eight major shifts that must take place for humanity to achieve sustainable development.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
An international effort to ensure good governance of natural resources could do more to improve accountability and sustainability, according to research in the oil- and gas-rich Caspian Sea Region that the International Institute for Environment and Development has published today.
Tracking Climate Change Adaptation and Development
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Developing countries - Africa and South Asia - especially will benefit from the new systems that track the social impacts of efforts to adapt to climate change.
Marine Life
Semporna Shark Sanctuary Soon
Fiona Childs reports on the proposed Semporna Shark Sanctuary that is designed to increase eco-tourism opportunities while protecting sharks and rays. A Gaia Discovery exclusive.
Whale Shark Stars at ADEX
Whale sharks. Fiona Childs finds a unique way to tell others about these gentle beasts by making a whopper of a structure for display at ADEX 2013.
Palau's President Proposes New Marine Sanctuary
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Palau's President has proposed banning all commercial fishing in the Pacific nation's waters to create one of the world's largest marine reserves, covering an area roughly the size of France.
Saving Endangered Marine Turtles in Sarangani
Some 107 kilometers away from General Santos City going to the west is the quaint town of Maitum, Sarangani. In its coastal areas, where mangroves still abound, you can find endangered marine turtles hatching their eggs. Henrylito D. Tacio reports.
Coral Bleaching Likely To Intensify - ICRS Consensus Statement
Rising ocean temperatures - a symptom and result of man-made climate change - are causing corals to lose their colour. Henrylito D. Tacio reports that some 2600 scientists are calling for immediate global and local action to preserve these fragile ecosystems.
Coral Triangle Under Threat
The Coral Triangle - an area from The Philippines to the Solomon Islands that contains thirty pecent of the world's coral reefs and which is known by some as an "Eden Beneath the Waves" -- may vanish without a trace, writes Henrylito D. Tacio, unless the governments and the people of the region work together.
Adventures
Dive Timor-Leste to Support Woman's Cooperative Ai-Funan
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Give to charity and take back a wealth of Timorese culture. That's the motive behind this unique dive trip put together by two social enterprises that aims to give soap makers in Timor-Leste a better chance of earning a livelihood.
Andaman Freediving Championship 2012
Fifteen divers from ten countries travel to Koh Lanta in southern Thailand to compete for top honours in the Southeast Asia Freediving Competition. Walter Johnson holds his breath in this first-hand account.
Review of Panglao Island Diving with SeaQuest: Balicasag and Coastal Dives
There is more to Panglao island than Balicasag - a famed dive destination in the Philippines that has earned honorable mention in most dive guides, even clinching top ten rankings in reviews. Mallika Naguran explores the underwater world.
Wicked Diving on Ethics, Responsible Tourism and Organic Products
Divers may be pleased to know that dive centres are going big on ethics and translating their principles into action. Mallika Naguran travels to Thailand to meet Wicked Diving.
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Timor-Leste First Adventure Race Through Dili, Christu Rei, Dare to Comoro – with Sweat!
Timor-Leste’s first Adventure Race in December 2010 was an odd mix of dashes, dunks and dirt. But the one-day race offered sights, sounds and smells that were uniquely Timorese. Mallika Naguran reports from a dry, respectable distance.
Festivals
Penang World Music Festival 2013: Heritage Set to Tune
More than just musical acts, the Penang World Music Festival brings audiences closer to seasoned musicians and their precious heritage in afternoon workshops and nightly concerts, reports Mallika Naguran.
ASIABEAT Anthology Launch in Aid of Orang Asli in Malaysia
ASIABEAT Anthology - upholding roots, culture and heritage by way of music and charity - launches on 14th and 15th of December 2012 at Hakka Republic, Kuala Lumpur. Mallika Naguran checks in to find out the story behind the positive vibes.
Langkawi Live One Earth Music Festival 2012 Review
An innovative and exciting music festival featuring some of Malaysia’s most prominent musicians - Langkawi Live One Earth Music Festival 2012. While music is the main attraction, the festival's underlying message is to preserve the island’s environment. Mallika Naguran reviews the festival.
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Travel responsibly - Read Gaia Guide 2011/2012 (download the ecotravel Gaia Guide here and view Gaia Guide on SlideShare here).
