Germany's biggest solar park inaugurated

Yahoo News 20 Aug 09;

BERLIN (AFP) – Germany's largest solar park, and the world's second biggest, was inaugurated on Thursday on the site of a former Soviet military training ground in the east of the country.

The Lieberose park south of Berlin covers 162 hectares (400 acres), the equivalent of more than 210 football pitches, and is due to be fully operational later this year, organisers said.

German companies have been at the forefront of solar technology although this year they have begun to suffer heavily at the hands of Asian competitors, particularly from China, who can produce much more cheaply.

Germany is counting on renewable energies like solar and wind to meet its international commitments on reducing carbon emissions and to enable it to stop using nuclear power by 2020.

The amount of power produced at Lieberose shows the scale of the challenge -- it will produce enough for 15,000 homes, compared to the 6.5 million households supplied by the Biblis nuclear plant in western Germany.

The world's largest solar park is in Spain.

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World youth tell leaders to clean up

Reuters 20 Aug 09;

SEOUL (Reuters) - An international gathering of youth and children, billed as the largest ever of its type on climate change, Thursday pressed world leaders to do far more to curb damage to the environment.

"We young people -- 3 billion of the world population -- are very concerned and frustrated that our governments are not doing enough to combat climate change ... we feel that radical and holistic measures are needed urgently from us all," they said in a statement following their conference in Deajeon in South Korea, itself one of the world's fastest growing polluters.

"We now need more actions and less talking."

Organized by the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP), the some 700 people from 10 to 24 years old and from dozens of countries met to discuss their concerns ahead of the U.N. climate conference in December in Copenhagen.

That meeting will try to find an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol and set limits on emissions that are driving up global temperatures.

"We are the generation of tomorrow. The decisions that are made today will define our future and the world we have to live in. So we young people of the world urge governments to commit to a strong post-Kyoto climate regime. It is our lives we are talking about," UNEP quoted 23-year-old delegate Anne Walraven as saying.

The statement also urged governments to impose strict laws on polluters, develop independently-monitored carbon action plans and encourage greater use of green fuels.

"Make engaging environmental education mandatory in schools and universities and promote community environmental awareness -- an informed public is a powerful public."

And they called on ordinary people to use alternative transport, pressure businesses to come up with environmentally-friendly products and push their own governments to act to improve the environment.

UNEP said they pledged to stage large rallies across 100 capitals to urge global leaders to take action on climate change under the U.N.'s "Seal the Deal!" campaign.

(Reporting by Jonathan Thatcher; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

Less Talk, More Action on Climate Change, Young People urge World Leaders
UNEP 20 Aug 09;

Daejeon (Republic of Korea), 20 August 2009 - Young people from around the globe today called on world leaders to take radical measures against climate change.

At the largest-ever truly global youth gathering on climate change, some 700 young people, ranging from 10 to 24 years of age, honed in on their governments' track record in addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for strong vision and leadership.

In a statement, the young delegates - representing three billion of the world's population - expressed their "concern and frustration that their governments are not doing enough to combat climate change", adding that "we now need more actions and less talking".

The declaration was finalized and adopted by the young participants at the Tunza Children and Youth Conference in Daejeon (Republic of Korea), as part of the global UN-wide 'Seal the Deal!' campaign spearheaded by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to galvanize political will and public support for a comprehensive global climate agreement.

"It is very important to include the voice of children and youth in every environmental decision. It is our request to all politicians that they please take this statement into consideration in Copenhagen," said 13-year-old Yugratna Srivastava from India.

The children and youth also addressed the citizens of the planet and urged them to push their governments to create a global green economy. Other recommendations included a call to pressure businesses, producers and governments to promote environmentally friendly products and eco-labeling policies.

"We are the generation of tomorrow. The decisions that are made today will define our future and the world we have to live in. So we young people of the world urge governments to commit to a strong post-Kyoto climate regime. It is our lives we are talking about," said youth delegate, 23-year-old Anne Walraven from the Netherlands.

The statement is the culmination of eight-week-long discussions between young people across the planet using the power of the worldwide web. It was finalized at a Global Town Hall on 20 August in Daejeon, where the 600 participants were joined by over 200 young people in 15 cities around the world including Cuernavaca (Mexico), Nairobi (Kenya), Canberra (Australia), Bangkok (Thailand), Vancouver (Canada) and Athens (Greece), among others.

The Climate Change Statement, entitled 'Listen to Our Voices: The Future Needs Strong Vision and Leadership', comes just four months before the critical climate talks that will take place in Copenhagen in December this year, and just four weeks ahead of the High-Level Summit on Climate Change convened by the UN Secretary-General at the end of September in New York City.

"This global Youth and Children gathering under the Seal the Deal! Campaign is the largest international gathering of young people this year advocating for climate change action. Their voices will and must be heard because they will inherit the outcomes of our actions," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The children and youth are asking governments around the world to:

* Agree on a more fair, just and action oriented post-Kyoto agreement adopted and implemented by all countries

* Have strict laws and enforcement against those who pollute and degrade the environment, coupled with education and incentives to protect the environment

* Develop and implement clearly defined carbon action plans and climate response strategies, which can be monitored and reviewed by an independent multi-national climate facility

* Transition toward a green economy based on renewable energies and offer more incentives for people to buy affordable energy efficient products

* Reduce the number of vehicles and traffic density on our roads, including improved and affordable public and pedestrian transport systems

* Make engaging environmental education mandatory in schools and universities and promote community environmental awareness - an informed public is a powerful public

* Pay attention to the conflicts that have developed throughout the world and the negative impact it has had on the environment and develop conflict resolution strategies

* Make it mandatory to include carbon and ecological footprint information in products

* Implement green energy and industry, including sustainable food production

* Support youth efforts to make a change in the world

The young delegates at the conference pledged they would soon stage large rallies across 100 capitals to urge global leaders to take action on climate change under the banner of the Seal the Deal! campaign.

"In many ways this process of coming to an agreement on this final text mirrors what will take place in December in Copenhagen. This statement is the fruit of a diversity of views and voices from young people of different ages and cultures. We very much hope the spirit set by these young people will be reflected in the negotiations that will take place in December," said Achim Steiner, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

All the worlds leaders, from President Barack Obama Chinese premier Wen Jia Bao will over the coming days receive a personal letter from representatives of the globe's three billion young people urging them to Seal a meaningful Deal on climate change in just over 100 days time. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia were on the delegates' mailing list, along with leaders in countries like Zimbabwe, Colombia, Venezuela, Lebanon, Haiti, Pakistan, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, Japan and Germany.

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Global pact to push China to low-carbon economy: Blair

Yahoo News 20 Aug 09;

BEIJING (AFP) – China's efforts to build a low-carbon economy would accelerate if world powers agree to a "practical" global climate change pact later this year, former British prime minister Tony Blair said Thursday.

Blair was speaking ahead of key UN talks in Denmark in December aimed at securing a new global climate change pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

"What we need is getting a solution in Copenhagen that is practical, realistic and objective," Blair told journalists in Beijing.

"If we get an agreement that actually launches the world on a new path, then I think we will find that progress (in China and elsewhere) in developing the science and technology accelerates."

Blair -- who is working with the non-profit Climate Group to try to push for an agreement in Copenhagen -- helped unveil the group's new report on Thursday entitled "China's Clean Revolution II".

He said China, which is competing with the United States for the title of world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, has made great strides in its efforts to develop clean fuel technology in recent years.

The country has become a world leader in electric vehicle production, with homegrown manufacturers aiming to produce 500,000 such cars by 2011, he said. China is Asia's largest wind power generator, and ranked fourth in the world.

The world's most populous nation is on track to meet goals to cut energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 20 percent from 2006-2010 and is preparing new targets for 2011-2015, the former British leader said.

Blair welcomed a recent report by a government panel of experts that said China's carbon emissions could slow by 2020 and begin to fall in or about 2030, all while the country maintains economic growth, if reduction targets are set.

"That is what people want to see, the (emissions) peaking as soon as possible," Blair said.

"I expect China will come out with its position, America will come out with its position and so on ... the agenda for (Copenhagen), I think, is on a completely different level of credibility than previous negotiations."

As a developing nation with low per-capita emissions, China is not required to set emissions cuts under the UN Framework on Climate Change, and it has so far appeared reluctant to accept any formal caps for the future.

China seen looking to bigger climate change steps
Reuters 20 Aug 09;

BEIJING (Reuters) - China appears committed to stronger steps to contain swelling greenhouse gas emissions, the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said after meetings in Beijing, urging practical hopes of climate treaty negotiations.

Blair said on Thursday that his talks with Premier Wen Jiabao indicated that climate change had moved closer to the heart of Chinese policy-setting.

China, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases from human activity, is starting to explore goals for its next five-year development plan starting from 2011. Blair said China was likely to adopt stronger measures to rein in emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas from burning fossil fuel.

"I think the single most important thing is to understand that in its development plans -- in other words, how the Chinese economy grows over the coming years -- low-carbon growth is at the heart of those plans," Blair told a news conference.

The former British leader's comments add to recent signs that Beijing wants to seize some initiative in negotiations for a new global climate change treaty.

With its fast-rising greenhouse gas emissions, China's stance will be crucial in efforts to create a successor to the current Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of 2012.

Western nations have pressed Beijing to set specific goals on slowing emissions growth in coming years, leading to early cuts in absolute volumes as part of a new pact that governments hope to seal in Copenhagen by the end of 2009.

But Beijing says rich countries must lead the way with big emissions cuts, since they are responsible for most of the greenhouse gases from human activity that have accumulated in the atmosphere, retaining rising amounts of solar radiation.

China has already set a domestic goal of cutting energy intensity by 20 percent over the five years to 2010.

Some Chinese experts have said the nation should also set goals for improving carbon intensity, cutting the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to create each unit of economic value.

A recent study by some of the nation's top climate change policy advisers also said China should set targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions so they peak around 2030, a departure from Beijing's reluctance to discuss specific peaks and goals.

(Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by Ken Wills)

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Best of our wild blogs: 20 Aug 09

Scene City: Singapore - Wednesdays 8.30pm on Channel News Asia from Deadpoet's Cave

East Coast - Worms in the walls
from Singapore Nature and wild shores of singapore and wonderful creations and the annotated budak blog

Tiny Beauties @ UPR
from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature

Someone Dumped Bullfrogs Into The Stream
from Life's Indulgences

Nesting Laced Woodpecker
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Hunters & Collectors – The Origins of The SouthEast Asian Collection from My Itchy Fingers

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Otters just out to have fun

Jogger spots otters frolicking in sun at Pasir Ris Park
Teh Jen Lee, The New Paper 20 Aug 09;

HE HAD never seen wild otters before but jogger Dawson Lee knew what they were, thanks to nature documentaries on TV.

Mr Lee, 50, a cafe owner, was jogging with his brother at Pasir Ris Beach Park yesterday morning at about 10am when he spotted a group of otters sunbathing on the sandy bank of Sungei Api Api.

The river is one of the two that cut through the park.

He said: 'From the bridge across the river, I often look at the water and see monitor lizards as there are many of them there.

'When I saw the otters, I recognised them immediately because I like to watch (nature documentary) Animal Planet.

'There were six to seven of them. When I took a closer look, they went into the water and swam to the other side.'

He watched them for about 15 minutes, mesmerised by their playful antics.

'I wonder if the Government could gazette the place as protected for them to stay there because it's quite interesting.

'I think people who fish and have barbecues there may frighten them away,' said Mr Lee, who is married with two children.

'I will probably take my family to see the otters.'

Mr Lee, who lives in Tampines and jogs at the park three times a week, called The New Paper about his rare wildlife encounter.

Mr N Sivasothi, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore's department of biological sciences, looked at our photographs and identified the species as the smooth otter (Lutrogale perspicillata).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the species vulnerable because of habitat loss, poaching and contamination of waterways by pesticides.

Seen elsewhere

Mr Sivasothi had received a photo of a smooth otter spotted at Pasir Ris Park early last year from a friend who works there, but it is not known whether the photograph is of one of the otters spotted yesterday.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said smooth otters have also been seen at Chek Jawa and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

There have been regular sightings of these mammals at Sungei Buloh since 2000.

Mr Sivasothi, 43, who used to study otters, said otters have also been seen at Punggol.

He said: 'It's not uncommon but it is the luck of the draw. In protected parks (like Pasir Ris), people can't go into the water and interfere with them so they may ignore the presence of people up to a certain distance.

'There's a better chance of seeing them now than in the past, say in the late 1990s, because they have returned to several areas.'

And with more people visiting nature areas, the chances of spotting otters are higher.

Thanks to better camera equipment and the prevalence of blogs, more people are also communicating about these animal encounters, said Mr Sivasothi.

'It's great that people are seeing this because when they realise we have this rich biodiversity, the motivation to help protect natural habitats will increase,' he added.

Mr Nick Baker, 51, from the Singapore Nature Society vertebrate study group, said otters are indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

He said: 'They feed on fish mainly so if there's a lot of fish there, there will be top-level predators like crocodiles and otters.

'These otters are quite wide-ranging and will move along the coast a lot. One sighting doesn't mean it has taken up residence.

'They could just be passing through.'

Otters are not known to be a nuisance and they play a crucial role as predators in maintaining the health of ecosystems.

As for Mr Lee's suggestion of restricting human activities, Mr Baker thinks it's more important to preserve the mangrove system at the park so that there are healthy fish populations to attract the otters.

A spokesman for NParks said the smooth otter has been sighted in Pasir Ris Park since last year.

Said the spokesman: 'We are pleased that our efforts to conserve the mangroves in Pasir Ris Park are bearing fruit.

'We seek the cooperation of the public not to disturb the animals.'

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Green week gets pedal power

Liaw Wy-Cin, Straits Times 20 Aug 09;

EAST will meet West on Saturday when about 100 cyclists push off from opposite ends of the island to meet in the city.

The riders, starting from East Coast Park and West Coast Park, will converge on the Singapore Management University campus in Bras Basah, to kick off this year's Green Transport Week.

The campaign, organised by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), will be launched by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Amy Khor.

First launched in 2006, the campaign aims to encourage people to form a car pool and to use public transport, green cars and alternative means of transport such as walking or cycling, said SEC executive director Howard Shaw.

Since then, more people have taken to environmentally friendly hybrid cars - from about 300 to more than 1,000 now, he added.

The focus on public transport will give individuals the power to make a difference in fighting climate change.

Said Mr Shaw: 'Many people think climate change is such a big problem - 'I'm so small, Singapore is so small'. People become apathetic and lose hope. But transport is something we have to do on a day-to-day basis.'

He added: 'If you take the train to work instead of a private car, you use 12 times less energy. And if you form a car pool to work, you reduce your carbon footprint by half.'

This year's launch will feature a concert and a showcase of hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) cars, as well as electric scooters.

Singapore's two major public transport operators are also taking part.

SMRT will hold an exhibition at the launch, showcasing its CNG-powered taxis. It will also hold a lucky draw where participants stand to win one year's worth of free travel on SMRT trains, LRT and buses.

SBS Transit will give away a limited supply of free bags at its North East Line's Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and the Toa Payoh bus interchange tomorrow at 8am and 12.30pm.

It's time to go public
Esther Ng, Today Online 20 Aug 09;

DITCH that car, take a bus or a train and help save the environment.

This is one of several ways to show your support for the Green Transport Week - back after a three-year break due to funding issues - which kicks off on Saturday.

The campaign began in 2000 as Car-Free Day, in which Singaporeans were encouraged to not use their cars for a day.

Over the years, the message has evolved to encourage Singaporeans to look at all the transport options available, such as car pooling and public transport, including taxis.

"The taxi service is green in the sense that it provides an alternative to private car ownership," said Mr Howard Shaw, executive director of the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), the campaign organiser.

When asked if the SEC has compromised its green message over the years, Mr Shaw disagreed: "I wouldn't call it compromise but adaptation. When we first did Car-Free Day, it was a simple message. What we did learn is that Singaporeans do love their cars and there is no one silver bullet for Singapore's urban transport system to be sustainable."

Instead, a more effective way, he argued, is a balanced mix of different transport solutions. "Since motor vehicles can't be eliminated, the solution would be to encourage responsible use in order to minimise their environmental impact," Mr Shaw said.

So, consider walking or other modes of transport if you're travelling less than 2km and choose a fuel-efficient model if you have to own a car, he suggested. Mr Shaw hopes Singaporeans will not use their cars at least one day during this year's Green Transport Week, which is backed by some 20 sponsors, including SMRT.

Financial consultant Melissa Wang, 28, will not use her car during the campaign. She will take a train to Orchard Road or the Central Business District to meet clients.

But property agent Freddie Teo, 48, said it would be too "troublesome" as he has to meet clients all over the island.

The Green Transport Week will be launched at the Singapore Management University with an exhibition of green cars and a rock concert. Those who pledge to go green on www.greentransportweek.sg can win $1,000 and a Biomega bicycle.

Those who make their pledge on the SMRT website can win a year's free travel on its network.

Meanwhile, SBS Transit will hand out eco-bags at Dhoby Ghaut Station and Toa Payoh Interchange tomorrow from 8am to noon.

More about the event on the Green Transport Week website and wildsingapore happenings.

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Rehashing plan for 49 km Malacca,-Sumatra bridge

But prospect of bridge linking Malacca, Sumatra still doubtful
S Jayasankaran, Business Times 20 Aug 09;

A 14-year old plan to build a US$12.5 billion, 49 kilometre bridge between Malacca and Sumatra has been dusted off and resubmitted to both governments by a private Malaysian firm for approval. But now, as it was then, its feasibility remains in doubt.

Yesterday, businessman Ibrahim Zain was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying that his private Straits of Malacca Partners had submitted its proposals to both capitals and hoped to start work 'by the end of the year or early 2010'.

He said that the project would cost US$12.5 billion and was based on traffic projections of at least 15,000 vehicles a day. He also said that toll charges would be around US$75-US$85 per vehicle based on current ferry charges of RM100 (S$40) per person one way.

According to Mr Ibrahim, funding was also no problem with his firm generating 15 per cent (RM6.64 billion) and an official from China's Exim Bank being quoted as saying that his bank could provide 'up to 85 per cent funding for such infrastructure projects'.

The plan seems to suggest a return to the Think Big credo that former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad suggested should be the operational philosophy of Malaysia's business community. During the go-go 1990s, all sorts of grandiose projects - including, memorably, a planned city-on-a-river - suggested by the private sector were endorsed by him.

In any case, the plan does reinforce a suggestion in 1995 by Dr Mahathir to build a similar bridge to enhance greater connectivity between Malaysia and the region's largest economy.

At the time, the plan was embraced with enthusiasm by the Renong conglomerate, then no stranger to grandiose projects, which came up with a feasibility study. But the project ran up against the Asian financial crisis and nothing was heard about it again.

The project presupposes that Malaysian businessmen would use the facility and invest in Sumatra in a big way, thus creating enough jobs there to stem the influx of Indonesian immigrants to Malaysia looking for work. It also is based on a belief that trade and tourism between Malacca and Sumatra would boom - at least 7 per cent of Sumatra's 70 million people are middle class.

But some maritime analysts argue that the Straits of Malacca is one of the world's busiest waterways and building a bridge across it could be a hazard looking ahead. Last year, shipping volume grew at 7 per cent and that's been a continuous process.

Indeed, a recent study by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia estimated that the waterway would be at near-peak capacity by 2024. 'Given that the bridge would be spanning 48 kilometres, its pylons could pose a danger to ships especially in stormy weather,' one analyst told BT.

It also isn't clear if permission for such a bridge would be needed from the waterway's users epitomised by the International Maritime Organisation. It also isn't clear if Singapore's wishes must be heeded. Maritime law stipulates that the permission from littoral states must be obtained, but some maritime analysts argue that Singapore's littoral status is confined to the Singapore straits and not the Malacca straits.

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Sugar stocks hit by weather woes

Shortfalls in India and Brazil pushing up prices for commodity globally
Ravi Velloor, Straits Times 20 Aug 09;

NEW DELHI: The unpredictable weather is playing havoc with people who have a sweet tooth or get a sugar rush whenever a festive occasion is around the corner.

Drought in parts of India and excess rainfall in Brazil - two major world producers - are causing shortfalls in sugar cane crops and pushing up prices worldwide to unseen heights.

The international price of raw sugar hit a nearly three-decade high of 23 US cents (33 Singapore cents) a pound last week, compared with 11.8 US cents at the end of last year.

India, the world's biggest consumer of the sweetener, is feeling the pangs.

The world shortage is also poised to cut into the bottom lines of food companies such as Cadbury, Nestle and Danone.

What all this means for the consumer, whether in India, Singapore or the United States, is that the next sugar fix will cost much more.

In India, the demand for sugar, like gold, tends to peak at festive times. The country has a series of festivals starting this weekend, and ending with Deepavali in November. Therefore, one reason for surging global prices is that speculators are eyeing the prospect of India importing vast amounts of sugar.

'Last year, many farmers moved out of sugar cane because of low prices,' Mr Vinay Kumar, president of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories, told The Straits Times.

'This year, the drought has added a new issue. Sugar production may not go beyond 15 million tonnes,' he said. India produced a little more than 26 million tonnes of sugar in the 2007-2008 season.

As food prices tend to be politically sensitive, the Indian government has moved to quickly free up sugar imports in order to try hold prices down. With India looking set to buy at least five million tonnes of sugar, or about twice what was initially expected, an international scramble to sell to the country has broken out, often with hilarious consequences.

Earlier this month, Indian naval boats intercepted a North Korean vessel anchored suspiciously at a remote area close to the Little Andaman Island. Its crew was arrested and the cargo seized, sparking speculation that it could be linked to an illegal nuclear trade with Myanmar.

Interrogation of the crew later revealed that the hold contained 16,500 tonnes of Thai sugar bound for Iraq. But after the ship's charterers heard that New Delhi had allowed duty-free sugar imports, they decided to divert the cargo to an Indian port instead. So, as the captain waited for the official notification to reach customs officials, he dropped anchor off the Andamans, sparking an alert.

Late last week, large US food companies warned that the country could 'virtually run out of sugar' unless the government eased import curbs, the Wall Street Journal reported.

In a letter to the Agriculture Secretary, the companies - including Kraft Foods, General Mills, Hershey and Mars - said there could be a severe shortage of sugar used in chocolate bars, breakfast cereal, cookies, chewing gum and thousands of other products, the paper reported.

They also reportedly warned that they would raise consumer prices and lay off workers if the Agriculture Department did not allow them to import more tariff-free sugar. Current import quotas limit the amount of tariff-free sugar the food companies can import in a given year.

Consumers are complaining of sugar stocks running low in Malaysia, where the Ramadan fasting month starts on Saturday, and ends on Sept 19, the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The shortage, which has hit sundry shops, has forced consumers to buy from hypermarkets and supermarkets, Malaysia's The Star daily reported this week. Shoppers are limited to 2kg each time.

To prevent panic buying, the Perak state government has allowed sugar to be sold temporarily at petrol stations, The Star reported yesterday.

'The Hari Raya celebration is just around the corner, and many people, especially those making foodstuff, are hoarding sugar in fear of shortages and price hikes,' said an official of the Perak Sundry Shops Guild, Mr Diong Khek Chai.

In Singapore, prices holding but for how long?
Straits Times 20 Aug 09;

AS WORLD sugar prices soar on falling yields, suppliers and retailers here are starting to feel the pinch.

A source from a major industry player said that suppliers' wholesale pricing decisions are closely tied to world prices of sugar futures, which have been climbing steadily since the start of the year.

Recent developments, such as unfavourable climatic conditions in the sugar-exporting countries of India and Brazil, are likely to exacerbate the situation and drive prices up further.

Retailers have been absorbing the increases so far. Data from the Department of Statistics indicates that the average retail price of 2kg of white sugar has remained within the range of $2.63 to $2.66 between January and June this year.

Mrs Mui-Kok Kah Wei, deputy director of integrated purchasing at NTUC FairPrice, said the supermarket chain would be keeping sugar prices stable in the next few months, despite recent developments.

'As we have longstanding contracts with our suppliers, we have been able to hold prices and will not be increasing the prices for most of our sugar products in the short run,' she said.

But retailers, including those who make use of sugar in their production processes, are facing mounting costs.

The chairman of the Singapore Bakery and Confectionery Trade Association, Mr Liow Kian Huat, said that while most bakeries will not be raising the price of bread and other baked goods in the near future, he could not rule out price increases should the cost of sugar continue to rise.

According to Mr Liow, a 50kg bag of imported baking sugar used to cost $38 just a month ago, but now costs $46.

'Most bakeries have been absorbing rising ingredient costs - we didn't raise prices when the cost of eggs and butter went up recently as well,' said Mr Liow.

He said that if sugar prices went up by another 50 per cent to 100 per cent, bakeries and confectioneries might be forced to raise prices to cover costs.

CHIA YAN MIN

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Suckling pig imports hit by disease in China

Wendy Hui, Straits Times 20 Aug 09;

DINERS might have to give suckling pig the chop if a severe shortage of imports forces up the price of the delicacy.

Stocks have been badly hit by an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in China.

Around 600 tonnes of suckling pigs were imported into Singapore last year from five farms in various Chinese provinces, according to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

But only 191 tonnes came in from January to July this year, after the disease led to the suspension of imports from Hunan, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces in recent months.

A farm in Zhejiang province is now the lone approved exporter, but The Straits Times understands that this outlet deals mostly with the domestic market. Its last export was made in 2005.

'Our last consignment was in July, when we imported about 6,000 suckling pigs,' said Mr Liew Yew Fah, managing director of Pin Corporation, which used to handle almost 20,000 suckling pigs a month when supplies were readily available.

'We have no choice but to wait the suspension out,' added Mr Liew.

Some importers blame the shortage on tough AVA criteria for meat imports, which include strict hygiene and sanitary requirements, and stringent inspections. 'Some of the farms are not interested (in exporting to Singapore) because they need to spend money upgrading (their facilities) to meet AVA standards; they'd rather cater to domestic demand,' said one importer.

A check with five restaurants found that while orders for suckling pigs are still being taken, two are considering raising prices if supplies stay tight.

The dish is costly, with prices starting from around $128, and is normally eaten at Chinese wedding banquets or Chinese New Year. It is often used as an offering during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Said the manager of a well-known Chinese restaurant in Orchard Road: 'Different importers are saying different things. Ours has been quite honest, saying he has stocks for now, but we expect prices to go up.'

A spokesman for Tiong Bahru Roasted Pig Specialist said they are selling the dish at the same price despite a 10 per cent increase in cost. 'It depends on our supplier - if he raises the cost, we're going to have to raise the price of our suckling pigs too.'

Some suppliers and restaurants are turning to alternatives, such as golden pigs - small pigs that weigh between 5kg and 25kg - of which about 275 tonnes were imported between January and July.

Mr Darren Toh, director of Yan Chuan Roaster, said he encourages clients to order golden pigs instead, given the dwindling suckling pig supplies. 'Although the taste and texture of suckling pigs cannot be replaced, golden pigs are bigger so even though they cost more, customers are getting more for their money,' he said. So far, he has secured about 200 to 300 orders for golden pigs this month.

But some connoisseurs of suckling pigs are unfazed by the current shortage. Student Low Sin Yee, 20, said: 'I will continue to eat suckling pig if the price goes up marginally, but if it gets too expensive, I'll just eat roast pork.'

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Chances of escaping bad haze are slim

Ministers of affected nations to strengthen efforts to fight the fires
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 20 Aug 09;

THE chances of the region being shrouded in a bad haze this year have gone up a notch.
This is because the El Nino weather pattern, which brings sustained dry weather, will hit harder than expected, it was revealed yesterday at a regional ministerial meeting on the haze.

Previous predictions were for a mild to moderate El Nino, but the weatherman has since revised the forecast to 'moderate to strong'.

The continuing practice by farmers in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sarawak of setting forests and scrub land ablaze to clear land for planting amid the drought will create a smoky pall.

That this is the period of the south-west monsoon will not help. The prevailing winds will blow the haze into South-east Asia, and each time this has happened in the past decade, the region's economies have suffered, as has the health of its people.

Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, ruling out the possibility of 'zero haze' this year, said: 'Let's prepare for the worst, do what we can.'

He was at the 8th meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution, attended by representatives from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Asean Secretariat.

With El Nino expected to make a stronger stamp in the coming months, the ministers at the meeting agreed to renew efforts to outlaw all open burning in the region and to step up enforcement.

To date, such bans have been called for, but have gone largely unenforced.

Other measures agreed on include suspending permits for prescribed burning activities in fire-prone areas in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia, an epicentre of raging forest fires for much of the past decade, unveiled a slew of new initiatives at the meeting. Key among them is its ban on open burning, which took effect this month in Kalimantan, and will be extended to other areas.

Malaysia, on its part, said it had stepped up enforcement on companies in Sarawak, where wildfires consuming more than 1,000ha sent the Air Pollutant Index to unhealthy levels last week.

The ministers noted the efforts made in the past three years to raise awareness of the problem and to share technical expertise and equipment. Indonesia's collaborations with Singapore and Malaysia were highlighted as having played a role in cutting the number of hot spots.

Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar was asked during the conference to respond to the controversial comment made recently by his forestry counterpart M.S. Kaban: that Jakarta would intervene in the slash-and-burn activities only if neighbouring nations protest and regional flights are disrupted.

Mr Witoelar said Mr Kaban's remarks were his own opinion and probably made for 'sexy' quotes in the media, but were not reflective of the work done on the ground to douse the fires. But he said results will take time to show, given that the task involved changing the outdated farming techniques of 240 million people.

At the meeting, Dr Yaacob later made a call for a concerted war by the region on the problem.

The 1997 haze, also during a severe El Nino year, wrought more than $9 billion in damage to the region's tourism, transport and farming.

Dr Yaacob said that cost aside, the haze issue was hurting the regional grouping's international credibility in tackling climate change: 'If we are able to tackle this, then we can gain some credibility in our ability to preserve forests as a contribution to climate change.'

The next MSC forum, to be held here in October, at the same time as the 11th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, will involve the local authorities of MSC countries and international groups sharing strategies against forest fires.

Said Dr Yaacob: 'The urgency is there, and the ministers recognise that if the situation deteriorates as in 2006, it will not be good for the region.'

Mr Afdhal Mahyuddin of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature in Indonesia's Riau, a fire-prone province, said it was now important to walk the talk: 'What is needed is to make things happen in the field. If the government can mobilise all the stakeholders at the district, village and provincial level, then the talks will not be in vain.'

New initiatives launched by Indonesia
Straits Times 20 Aug 09;

INDONESIA announced yesterday that it would take the following measures to curb the practice of slash-and-burn farming:

# Issue warning letters to local government officials and plantations against slash-and-burn farming. This move has been implemented and is expected to gain pace.

# Douse fires with water bombs launched from military planes.

# Beef up firefighting. This now includes mobilising the Forestry Ministry's Forest Fire Prevention Brigade, known as Manggala Agni, in places that are ablaze. This brigade is responsible for disseminating information, improving early-warning systems and fighting forest fires.

# Train 600 oil palm farmers and 240 other villagers and provincial officials in the nine areas supervised by Manggala Agni.

# Launch a pilot project to encourage zero burning in five provinces covering eight districts.

# Revise an environmental management law to give the Environment Ministry powers to take to task companies which start the fires and regional governments which slacken in their efforts to stop the burning.

# Step up enforcement against offenders in the fire-prone provinces of Riau and Kalimantan.

# Supply poor communities with mechanical land-clearing equipment so that they do not practise slash-and-burn agriculture.

# Ban open burning. The ban took effect in central Kalimantan this month and will be extended to other fire-prone areas.

INDONESIAN Forestry Minister M.S. Kaban, in comments made earlier this month, said the haze issue 'was being exaggerated domestically'. He was quoted as having said: 'Why should we care about domestic affairs? Our international image is what's important.'

Asked about this later by The Straits Times, he had said: 'What I said was that this haze issue was being exaggerated domestically. Why are we ourselves making the noise? Even they (Singapore, Malaysia and other neighbours) are keeping quiet.'

Responding to these comments yesterday, Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar (below) said: 'Every official is free to comment...on this. It is his position. If he were to highlight the difference of our opinions, then my opinion and his opinion are two opinions.

'I do not want to enter into a debate with the foreign press. As I say, we will both adhere to the law as it is addressed...

'He is just setting a timeline for his ministry and, in fact, his actions do not reflect what he is saying, as we are, in fact, dousing the fires...

'The Environment Ministry does not put out fires. We prevent and try to institute new measures as well as conduct negotiations with other countries.

'But the ones fighting the fire are Jakarta - I mean his department, and there is more power given to him for doing it.

'Maybe these comments are sexy for you to quote, but they do not really reflect what we are doing. We are fighting the fires.'

ASEAN countries pledge to ban all open-air burning activities
Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia 19 Aug 09;

SINGAPORE: Environment ministers from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have agreed to ban all open-air burning activities in a bid to combat the recurrent haze.

Open-air burning activities like slash-and-burn agriculture are the biggest culprits of the region's haze problem.

Permits for burning activities at fire-prone hotspots will also be suspended and ministers have promised a quicker emergency response to fight fires should the need arise.

In addition, Indonesia revealed that it is introducing a law next week that will impose penalties for open-air burning.

These measures were announced at a news conference on Wednesday, following the eighth meeting of the sub-regional ministerial steering committee (MSC) formed in 2006, which was tasked to look into the haze situation in the region.

But while the political will is strong, how it translates into action is another matter.

Indonesia, which has been blamed for causing the pollution, hopes that its new law will give it more teeth to punish offenders. The law is expected to be passed on September 8.

Singapore's Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Yaacob Ibrahim, said: "I appreciate the difficulty that Pak Rachmat has on the ground, because enforcing it (the law) is not easy. But at least there is a movement by the Indonesian government to enforce this, and now that Pak Rahmat's ministry has the power to penalise (offenders), I think that's a very major move."

Indonesia also played down recent comments by its Forestry Minister, M S Kaban, who was earlier reported to have said that the Indonesian government will not take firm action against those setting fires in Sumatra, unless flights are disrupted and protests break out in neighbouring countries.

Indonesian State Minister of Environment, Rachmat Witoelar, said: "These comments are maybe sexy for you to quote, but does not really reflect what we're doing. We are fighting fires."

The ministers also said the measures by the ASEAN MSC had helped to reduce the haze in their own countries.

Thailand's Supat Wangwonwatana, director general of pollution control at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said southern Thailand had not experienced any haze for the past three years.

Brunei's Environment Minister, Abdullah Baker, summed it up by saying, "If the MSC had not been there, the situation would have been worse."

The ministers noted that the haze situation had improved in recent years as a result of joint efforts, but said it would be impractical to aim for a "zero-haze situation".

They also cautioned that with a stronger El Nino event predicted this year, haze pollution may become worse in the next few months as dryer weather will lead to more hotspots and fires.

- CNA/yt
End to slash-and-burn practice in sight?
Indonesia pledges to introduce tougher laws to combat offenders
Zul Othman, Today Online 20 Aug 09;

THE region's haze problems would be solved if an agreement between environment ministers from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia to ban all open-air burning activities is put into effect.

For the first time, these ministers have collectively decided that practices like the slash-and-burn agricultural methods used in fire-prone areas in the region must be stopped.

They also agreed to step up enforcement measures and to promote public awareness to control fires.

Announcing this yesterday at a news conference following the 8th meeting of the sub-regional ministerial steering committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution, the ministers also noted that the situation has improved.

The commission, formed in 2006, was tasked to look into the haze problem.

However, the ministers also said that it would be impractical to aim for a "zero-haze situation", which might worsen in the coming months.

A strong El Nino event is predicted this year, prolonging the current dry season till October and increasing hotspot activities in fire-prone areas in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sarawak.

Forest fires occur regularly during the dry season but the situation is made worse by farmers and palm oil plantation firms in Indonesia who start fires to clear their land.

Perhaps with this in mind, Indonesian State Minister of Environment Rachmat Witoelar told reporters that his country is in the process of introducing tougher laws to combat offenders.

The proposals will be tabled to the Indonesian Parliament next week and could be passed as early as next month, he added.

But with its vast territory and millions of farmers, Indonesia would need a longer time to reduce the hotspots and curb the haze pollution. In the last three years, the Indonesian authorities have undertaken preventive efforts such as promoting awareness, as well as training, providing equipment and technical assistance to farmers - all of which have helped bring down the number of fires in the country's hotspots.

Mr Rachmat also downplayed recent comments by Indonesia's Forestry Minister M S Kaban, who reportedly said his government will not take firm action against those starting fires in Sumatra, unless flights are disrupted and protests break out in neighbouring countries.

He added: "These comments are maybe sexy ... to quote, but does not really reflect what we're doing. We are fighting fires."

The plan is definitely a step in the right direction but observers told Today "corruption and resistance by the big companies" might hamper that implementation.

Chief among the hurdles would be the simple issue of cost, said Associate Professor Victor Savage from the department of geography at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

"It would cost only US$5 ($7) to slash and burn plantations while more eco-friendly methods would set these companies back by US$250 per hectare," he noted.

"Given those costs, obviously many would still opt for the cheaper solution. As such, farmers who tend to smaller plots of land need to be taught to look for alternative methods."

Assoc Prof Matthias Roth, who is also from NUS' department of geography, said it is good that the affected countries have come together to discuss the issue and "apparently have come with some agreements and put in place an action plan".

However, he said: "The question really is about the implementation and effectiveness as discussed."

Singapore's Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Yaacob Ibrahim, noted that Indonesia is taking "a very major move" to penalise offenders.

"We must acknowledge the fact that Indonesia is trying to do something to bring down the fires, but as to whether or not their plan of action is on target ... this is best left to Indonesia to review,"

Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand have also offered Indonesia assistance in combating outbreaks of fire but no concrete details on fundings or measures have been disclosed.

"Indonesia has expressed gratitude for that and we will wait for Indonesia as and when to mobilise," said Mr Yaacob.

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Indonesia tight-lipped as SE Asia braces for worsening haze

Reuters 19 Aug 09;

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Indonesia appeared to bat away offers from other Southeast Asian countries to help stop haze pollution on Wednesday, leaving the region facing worsening skies as a result of a brewing El Nino weather pattern.

Worried about the potential impact, environment ministers of the region met on Wednesday in Singapore to discuss ways to mitigate the haze, which cost over $9 billion in damage to the region's tourism, transport and farming during an El Nino weather pattern in 1997/98.

"Recognizing the situation will be drier than normal, the ministers now agree that: 'Let us prepare for the worst, do what we can,'" Singapore Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim told a news conference after the one-day meeting in the city-state.

Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand offered help to Jakarta to combat outbreaks of fire, but gave no details of concrete funding or measures such as providing fire-fighters.

Asked at a news conference if other Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members had offered Indonesia help in fighting the fires, Indonesian State Minister for Environment Rachmat Witoelar did not respond.

But Singapore's Yaacob said there had been such a discussion. "Indonesia has expressed gratitude for that and we will wait for Indonesia as and when to mobilize," he said.

Ministers and senior officials from the five countries agreed to ban all open burning and to suspend permits for burning in fire-prone areas, but the region's track record in combating fires that lead to international pollution has been weak.

Regional grouping ASEAN has a policy of non-interference in its members' domestic affairs and is seen by some as a talking shop.

Forest fires are a regular occurrence during the dry season in Indonesian regions such as Sumatra and Borneo, but the situation has been aggravated in recent decades as farmers, paper and palm oil plantation firms start fires to clear land.

The result is smog-like haze in cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Thailand's Hat Yai, reducing visibility and increasing health problems. The ministers said Indonesia had made progress in the past three years to reduce fires.

Indonesian environmental groups said the government of President-elect Yudhoyono should put forest protection at the top of its agenda, ahead of a international meeting in Copenhagen in December to agree action against climate change.

"Every day more precious forest and peatland is being destroyed, burned and cleared by climate and forest criminals ... leading to an exponential increase in greenhouse gas emissions that is causing climate change," Greenpeace said in a statement.

(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by Neil Chatterjee and Jeremy Laurence)

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Johor: Nurture this natural treasure

The Star 20 Aug 09;

JOHOR is among the most developed states and the richness of the diverse biodi­versity is still there as seen in the several parks and protected areas.

Mt Belumut, Sedili, River, Mt Ledang (Ophir) and the islands off Mersing coast are some of them, among which Panti forest reserve is a definite “hidden natural treasure”.

The mountain range of Panti, in the Kota Tinggi district, may be only about 1,500 feet but the richness of the biodiversity is unequalled, offering an array of rich fauna and flora. It can compete with any of the parks in Malaysia of a similar size.

Fresh sightings of leopards, wild boars and elephant dung are common.

Birding, with more than 320 species recorded, is one of the main activities.

Many Singaporeans and foreigners visit this forest reserve during weekends and public holidays. They are aware of this place as it is regularly featured in foreign bird forums and also in several blogs and foreign Internet bird sites. Birds such as hornbills, pittas, the Malaysian Rail-babbler, Eagle-owl and Rufous-backed Kingfisher are found here.

The second most important activity is trekking up the mountain. It is a three-hour challenging walk with manageable obstacles that are popular with day-trippers. The view from the top is breathtaking and unobstructed. A camp at the peak is a must for nature enthusiasts.

It hurts when villagers indicate that poaching and the removal of rare orchids and birds are common.

These poachers seek wild game including deer, porcupines, ant-eaters and snakes. Some of the wildlife are sent to neighbouring countries.

The modus operandi is to approach from the west side of Panti and do a lot of damage, including illegal harvesting of gaharu, to be sold for direct export.

Bullet pellets are a common sight, especially at the foothills. It could be from the hunters or army personnel who use the reserve as a training ground.

Demarcation here is vital to ensure the safety of visitors. The army must be reminded about the proper upkeep of the environment as army leftovers are often seen.

After doing some Internet research, I gather that the Panti mountain range was designated as a potential state park in 2003. This was announced by Freddie Long, who was in charge of the Environment and Tourism portfolio then.

Why does it take so long to gazette it? The state government needs to act fast to protect this beautiful area, which is only an hour’s drive from Johor Baru and Singapore.

If properly managed, it can be a boon to tourism and research. Imagine schoolkids coming to appreciate and learn about nature.

My trekking friends and fellow naturalists from Thailand, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore appeal to the Johor state government to quickly protect this area and gazette it immediately as a state park.

By doing this it will also promote eco-tourism, agro-tourism and local culture under the home-stay programme.

The Johor Tourism Ministry has long complained that the state needs new products – this can be a potential source of revenue.

The possible income generated is enormous considering that it is close to Desaru and Singapore.

Such activities would correspondingly generate employment and create more spin-offs for the local tourism related industries.

MOHD HANIPAH SALLEH,

Kluang.

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