Glimmers of green hope for Asian cities
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File photo shows electric tricycles on parade in Manila. The air
in most Asian cities is get-ting more polluted and the rivers
filthier, but experts say there are many reasons to believe in a
green vision for the region as urbanisation powers ahead. From
the putrid, ever-expanding slums in megalopolises such as Manila
to the new Chinese indus-trial boomtowns, examples of
environmen-tal anarchy appear to be exploding across the region.
AFP |
PHILIPPINES: The air in most Asian cities is getting more polluted
and the rivers filthier, but experts say there are many reasons to
believe in a green vision for the region as urbanisation powers ahead.
From the putrid, ever-expanding slums in megalopolises such as Manila
to the new Chinese industrial boomtowns, examples of environmental
anarchy appear to be exploding across the region.
Air pollution, already above World Health Organization standards in
most cities, is worsening as car ownership surges, while factories
required to drive unprecedented economic growth pump increasing amounts
of waste into waterways.
Meanwhile, the carbon and resource footprints of Asian cities are
ballooning as hundreds of millions of people grow richer, consume more
and depend largely on fossil-fuel driven economies to drive wealth
creation.
Nevertheless, urban planners and green activists point to many
environmental success stories throughout Asia, as well as a growing
awareness about the need to develop sustainably, as justification for
hope. “Many big picture trends in regards to the environment are getting
worse but I also see the trends that are offering solutions,” said. AFP
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