Bangkok teetering, but Thailand still has chance to lead battle against climate change
By John Draper, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa 
Special to The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Last Friday the Paris Agreement on climate change came into force, three years ahead of schedule, indicating the urgency of the worldwide effort to reduce global warming.

 

The last five years have been the hottest since global records began. Asean countries, notably Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, are vulnerable to climate change-related disasters, especially heat waves and drought, as well as flooding brought by tropical storms. Thailand, as leader of the UN Group of 77 developing nations, must now act to implement an accelerated timetable for building a Paris Agreement fund to protect public health in developing countries and to cap global warming at 1.5C degrees.

According to a World Bank impact assessment, Asean countries are highly vulnerable to the major environmental effects of climate change, namely sea-level rise, increases in temperature ranges, progressively severe tropical storms, ocean warming, and ocean acidification, which destroys the food web. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/30299980

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-11-15

Bangkok is sinking, the same as Ayuthaya before it. Nothing to do with "rising sea levels", or lack of.

some pundits predict that Bangkok will be under water.

1.  Plant trees and stop cutting them down. 

2.  Better mass transit systems cuts down on the use of cars, a huge polluter.

10 minutes ago, Konaboy1 said:

some pundits predict that Bangkok will be under water.

Never mind the pundits, it is fact that in the next 15 to 20 years Bangkok will have sunk sufficiently to start reclaiming its title of "Venice of the East." Gondolas or longtailed boats cruising Sathorn, Silom and Sukhumvit, pleasing the tourists.

With the combination of weak geological base and massive building programmes, it is inevitable. 

http://qz.com/460872/bangkok-is-sinking-and-may-be-underwater-in-15-years/

 

1 hour ago, UnkleMoooose said:

Bangkok is sinking, the same as Ayuthaya before it. Nothing to do with "rising sea levels", or lack of.

double whammy having the same effect. wonder if they will put gates on the river like they had to in london.

But they now have resurrected a 'cunning plan' to cut a channel through the isthmus from the Gulf of Thailand into the Andaman Sea which will allow the seawater in the gulf to drain away and drop to a safe level, thus saving Bangkok.  The surging current will be strong enough to generate hydroelectricity and strong waves on Koh Pha-Ngan attracting world surfers - and as an additional bonus, the sea channel would also allow budget-conscious Indian tourists to reach Bangkok by kayak. 

 

1 hour ago, UnkleMoooose said:

Bangkok is sinking, the same as Ayuthaya before it. Nothing to do with "rising sea levels", or lack of.

 

Correct, Bangkok is sinking.

 

Which makes it (and many other places that are, or are becoming as Bangkok is becoming,"low-lying") vulnerable to sea level rises due to climate change.

 

So it makes sense for Thailand to push for any strategy that could address the issue of rising sea levels.  Even if it would only be "buying time".

 

Clear about that now?

 

 

Edited November 15, 20169 yr by Enoon

I am  looking forward to true global warming , if it means warmer Winters In Canada.

 Sorry , as I know that it will mean more parched areas In the USA and some other

parts of the world.  And of course Leo DiCaprio, Al Gore and Suzuki and a few others

will have made their millions getting people to believe that us Canadians should pay

our carbon tax. ha , ha. I would like to see the following  countries start paying first.

India, China USA, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. However

Canada even has a too green  PM  who would  rather see Canada go bankrupt.

 He even has the Alberta and Ontario premier  believing the carbon cash grab

as well. Of course I am a senior, a voter and can hardly wait for the next

Federal and Provincial elections.

Geezer

 

4 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I am  looking forward to true global warming , if it means warmer Winters In Canada.

 Sorry , as I know that it will mean more parched areas In the USA and some other

parts of the world.  And of course Leo DiCaprio, Al Gore and Suzuki and a few others

will have made their millions getting people to believe that us Canadians should pay

our carbon tax. ha , ha. I would like to see the following  countries start paying first.

India, China USA, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. However

Canada even has a too green  PM  who would  rather see Canada go bankrupt.

 He even has the Alberta and Ontario premier  believing the carbon cash grab

as well. Of course I am a senior, a voter and can hardly wait for the next

Federal and Provincial elections.

Geezer

 

 

It "means" Chaos.

 

The "looking forward to warmer winters" comment was sufficient to identify you as a "senior".

 

Very 90's.

 

 

Edited November 15, 20169 yr by Enoon

Still possible for Thailand to lead the battle against climate change. Yeah right!

 

Only 2.5 million new cars/trucks/motorcycles hit the Thai roads in the last 10 months. And the're only the registered ones.

 

Keep up the good work Thailand.

Until India, China, USA  actually do something themselves about their habits, rather than tell everyone else what they should be doing, then nothing will improve. India and China's track records of actually doing anything are piss pore whilst the US has always seen making some kind of trading market for renewals certificates as some sort of miracle cure. Now they have a POTUS elect who thinks it's all a big con and that the scientists are all wrong. 

Doesn't bode well. 

 

Still, our Isaan land could be beachfront property soon!

I do enjoy a good chuckle in the morning: Thailand leading the charge.... ha! When shopping malls use more power than entire provinces, seems might be room for some savings. Air con so cold feel as if in walk in freezer. Having to take coat if going to the movies. Selling comforters for those who turn bedroom into fridge at night. Shops running full blast air con with whole storefront open to the outdoors. There are so many simple ways to reduce power consumption here that do not require big, or often any, investment. But they just can't be bothered

Edited November 15, 20169 yr by Emster23

I cannot think why so  called intelligent people still believe in climate change. The same people most likely believed in the YK2 crap. It would make more sense just to tackle pollution, CO2 is the main supporter of life and not the killer its made out to be. Crazy world and BKK has no hope of leading any charge.

I think there are some problems here in Thailand that should rank way above this climate change myth.  But as a guest I shall leave thailand to the Thai's I am just happy to be here.  

 

 

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

 

Correct, Bangkok is sinking.

 

Which makes it (and many other places that are, or are becoming as Bangkok is becoming,"low-lying") vulnerable to sea level rises due to climate change.

 

So it makes sense for Thailand to push for any strategy that could address the issue of rising sea levels.  Even if it would only be "buying time".

 

Clear about that now?

 

 

I have been visiting and living on koh Samui for 20 years, quite close to the sea. Any sea level changes other than tides over that period have been imperceptible. When should I start to panic?

All this climate change twaddle is a phoney science, invented to justify an army of lefty holier than though types who try to tell the rest of us what to do . 

"  Thailand, as leader of the UN Group of 77 developing nations".  

 

Well, I believe Thailand is "chair" for a year or so, but "leader" suggests it is actually doing some leading of those 77 very important nations.  Does anyone have any good examples of that leadership, since that is a commodity which seems to be a bit lacking in its own country?

4 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

It "means" Chaos.

 

The "looking forward to warmer winters" comment was sufficient to identify you as a "senior".

 

Very 90's.

 

 

 

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

 

Does anyone honestly believe that the same folks who ran the 2016 Election Polls could organize anything more complicated than a lemonade stand, let alone try and control global weather?

 

Vote Hilarious 2016 - Stronger Incarcerated.

 

King Canute must be looking down, laughing his nuts off.

 

 

 

 

 

Has a chance to lead........................what the total destruction!! They dont give a  sh**e about  "their" country.

8 minutes ago, donkeykong said:

 

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

 

Does anyone honestly believe that the same folks who ran the 2016 Election Polls could organize anything more complicated than a lemonade stand, let alone try and control global weather?

 

Vote Hilarious 2016 - Stronger Incarcerated.

 

King Canute must be looking down, laughing his nuts off.

 

 

 

 

 

a lemonade stand where you "bring your own" then "maybe"

3 hours ago, dbrenn said:

All this climate change twaddle is a phoney science, invented to justify an army of lefty holier than though types who try to tell the rest of us what to do . 

 

If only this were true. 97% of scientists now agree that the earth is warming, 84% believe that humans are contributing to it and 74% believe this is substantiated by scientific evidence. It's tough to deny at this point.

 

That doesn't mean that misinformed citizens, companies who are looking to keep their profit margin high or to stay afloat, or politicians who are want the support of those companies to deny its existance. But riddle me this, what would be the point of all this money and research being spent on this threat if they didn't believe it were true? It requires serious changes on our part and that will be expensive. 

 

Global warming is happening. While some could argue that we are in between an ice age and it would happen with or without human industrialization), even if that were the case... it is still a serious issue that we can take steps to improve upon and which will affect the human species moving forward. If we don't many coastline areas are headed for disaster that will cost far more money than the preventative measures we are taking now. Beyond that life on earth will also be seriously affected, species will go extinct. This is a serious issue. It needs to be addressed.

 

Trump is also well aware of the risk here, though he will deny it publicly. He himself has applied for a permit to build a sea wall himself to combat the effects of global warming and rising sea levels. It's a serious issue. 

 

So why would a guy like Trump deny climate change is occurring when it's clear as day to most scientists? Why would he not support moves into cleaner forms of energy? Well that's simple. Money. There are companies who will spend a ton of money to lobbying to prevent these measures from taking place. Nobody wants to see coal miners out of work for example, but there is a lot more at stake here than their jobs long term. Their grandchildren won't be able to vote for Trump as he'll be long gone.  

Edited November 15, 20169 yr by jcsmith

14 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand still has chance to lead battle against climate change

Thirty seven million vehicles on the roads, no such thing as an MoT test, morons smoking out mosquitoes and generating more smog than nature ... Thailand will be where it should expect to be - in the rearguard of the battle.

8 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

India and China's track records of actually doing anything are piss pore ...'

Poor, not pore. But I think pore says it much more eloquently.

Lungnorm

 

 next time you have a code blue, maybe the paramedics should just give you CO2?

 

in LOS, well I guess the EMTs will have to do....

I do get tired of this huge scam.

In the OP it says they are trying to keep the rise to 1.5 degrees C and that seems to be the generally accepted allowable change.

The pictures they use to "prove" climate change is of melting glaciers etc. Water freezes at 0 degrees C. I am sure that the temperature where glaciers etc were was lower than 1.5 degrees below freezing. Ergo, either temperatures have risen more than 1.5 degrees ( a lot more ), or there is something else going on that they are not telling us.

Either way, as long as the population continues to increase, there is nothing, zero that they can do to change it.

It's just an excuse to control us and raise taxes while they carry on the same as always.

 

BTW, Iceland has discovered a way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, permanently, so why is more investment not being made into that technology?

8 hours ago, lungnorm said:

I cannot think why so  called intelligent people still believe in climate change. The same people most likely believed in the YK2 crap. It would make more sense just to tackle pollution, CO2 is the main supporter of life and not the killer its made out to be. Crazy world and BKK has no hope of leading any charge.

oy, that is a sad comment... are you certain that you should be counted among the "intelligent people"??

And all the jokers buying property in Bangkok at massively over inflated prices So funny!


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Watch the show Cowspiracy, its an eye opener. Its about climate change and other things.

14 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Never mind the pundits, it is fact that in the next 15 to 20 years Bangkok will have sunk sufficiently to start reclaiming its title of "Venice of the East." Gondolas or longtailed boats cruising Sathorn, Silom and Sukhumvit, pleasing the tourists.

With the combination of weak geological base and massive building programmes, it is inevitable. 

http://qz.com/460872/bangkok-is-sinking-and-may-be-underwater-in-15-years/

 

 

That's not a fact at all, it's a speculative opinion that carries no more authority than another opinion, "no one can predict how long it will take for Bangkok to be flooded and how the process will evolve."