Asia sees environmental improvement<\/p>\n
HONG KONG (AFP): The environment in Asia has improved
\nsignificantly following the financial crisis, but longer term the
\nturmoil could set back clean-up efforts, the World Bank said
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
Sharp declines in income and industrial output have reduced
\nair and water pollution, while a collapse in world commodity
\nprices has slowed the pace of logging, it said in a report.<\/p>\n
The World Bank estimates there will be a 17 percent reduction
\nin the emission of particulates by the year 2000 and a 20 percent
\nreduction in lead particulates in the air.<\/p>\n
Water pollution due to particulates will drop by 5.0 percent,
\nwhile the demand for plywood in South Korea and Japan has dropped
\n30 percent, sharply reducing deforestation in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
But the report warned longer term the crisis could set back
\nefforts to improve Asia's environment as governments focus on
\nrestoring growth rather than developing environmental policies.<\/p>\n
\"Long term initiatives are stalled by a political reluctance
\nto adjust fuel prices and insist on changes in behavior by
\nvehicle operators, even though such changes could general
\nsignificant fiscal savings in the medium to long term,\" it said.<\/p>\n
The crisis will also delay investment in new plants and
\ntechnology that use more environmentally friendly, it said.<\/p>\n
Another possible scenario is that governments begin to fall
\nback on natural resources to boost economic growth resulting in
\nsevere depletion of fish stocks and forests and mineral
\nresources.<\/p>\n
The bank warned the social consequences of ignoring
\nenvironmental pollution will be high, adding Asian countries are
\nwell behind the achievements made 80 to 100 years ago by
\ndeveloped nations.<\/p>\n
Many households will lack clean water and sanitation while
\nurban air quality will deteriorate in smaller Chinese cities as
\nwell as the current pollution hot spots of Bangkok, Manila and
\nJakarta, it said.<\/p>\n
The bank recommended a slow but steady implementation of
\npolicies to protect the environment.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asia-sees-environmental-improvement-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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