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Vinod Thomas
For Vinod Thomas's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2020
With rising emissions, intense storms and floods could double in 13 years
There is a strong case for investing substantially and urgently in decarbonizing the Japanese economy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 23, 2019
Can the United Nations put out the fires?
Allowing forests to burn is a crime against humanity.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 30, 2019
Climate crisis should top the agenda at global forums
Unless the world's leaders can engineer a reversal of global warming, little else will matter.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 24, 2019
Japan and the World Bank's new direction
to stay relevant, the World Bank needs to blend financing with its expertise in problems of rapid urbanization, alarming demographic shifts and rising income disparities.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 27, 2018
Japan's high stakes in climate action
Japan's stakes in a low carbon world economy is among the highest as it is on the front line of climate disasters and also a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 24, 2018
Extreme weather at the ballot box
It's time for voters everywhere to hold leaders accountable for their failure to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 17, 2018
When financiers can be agents of positive change
With Strategy 2030, the Asian Development Bank has a crucial chance to make a difference in achieving a better quality of growth in the region.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 13, 2018
Why fast economic growth is not enough
Tackling widening income disparities needs to be a greater economic and social priority in most Asian economies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2017
Floods, fires and climate crisis in the Pacific
Runaway global warming is proving to be a tipping point for catastrophes.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 12, 2017
Being better prepared for the spike in floods and storms
Just as governments try to cushion financial shocks, so they must invest in reducing disaster risk.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 10, 2017
Growth prospects under a changing climate
Climate-related natural disasters are no longer one-off occurrences, rather they are systemic events that need preventive action.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 20, 2016
How climate action can make America great
Trump already wants to invest in energy and infrastructure. If he does so in a climate-friendly way, the U.S. will reap enormous benefits — and so will the rest of the world.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 27, 2016
Immigration: a plus if root problems are tackled
The global economic gains from migration will lose their luster unless many of the factors that propel people to leave their countries for better opportunities abroad are addressed.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 27, 2015
Climate — the new danger to our well-being
The world needs much stronger emission cuts than whatever comes out of the upcoming Paris talks on climate change.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 9, 2015
Aim for green infrastructure expansion in Asia
Infrastructure projects in Asia must be accompanied by protective safeguards to avoid damaging the environment, climate and communities — and slowing economic growth.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 9, 2015
Global accord on climate won't be enough
As a new global agreement on reducing carbon emissions won't come into effect until 2020, a global stand must be bolstered by country initiatives to help address the socioeconomic effects of climate change that are already being felt.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 15, 2011
The environmental link to economic growth
WASHINGTON — The worldwide drive for higher incomes in the face of mounting environmental destruction has heightened the tension between growth and the environment.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world