Search - environment

 
 
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 3, 2022

'They're everywhere': Microplastics in oceans, air and the human body

Millions of tons of plastic produced every year, largely from fossil fuels, make their way into the environment and degrade into smaller and smaller pieces.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 23, 2022

Consumers are racking up rewards in Japan by buying green

People can use points earned at certain shops toward things like online purchases, airline mileage points or even, in some cases, investments.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jun 16, 2022

Overlapping rules to curb 'greenwashing' may only add to company frustration

A coalition of 7,000 global companies is calling on the regulators to converge their definitions, terminology and concepts before finalizing the rules later this year.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 3, 2022

Indian traditions entwine with trees in green drive to revive land

From weddings, births and funerals to festivals such as Holi, plants and trees have become centerpieces of local culture in Rajasthan.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 29, 2022

Seychelles says the rich world is failing on climate

Promises made at COP26 in November have not been met, said President Wavel Ramkalawan, adding that he expects nothing better at this year's event.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 16, 2022

New Zealand to speed up electric car adoption to cut emissions

The government said it will initially allocate 2.9 billion New Zealand dollars over four years to fund a range of measures, from electric car incentives to phasing out coal boilers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Apr 18, 2022

Businesses in Chugoku region making moves toward decarbonization

Despite its higher cost, some businesses are adopting LPG as fuel for their operations.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 5, 2022

Cities driving climate change but are part of the solution, U.N. report says

Many cities around the globe have taken action already, with the banning of things such as plastic bags and diesel cars.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 25, 2022

Microplastics found in blood for the first time, study says

Scientists found 17 out of the 22 healthy people they took samples from had quantifiable amounts of plastic particles in their blood.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 7, 2022

China proposes cutting carbon quotas to help meet climate goals

The existing quotas have been quite lenient to polluters, creating a surplus of allowances that has weighed on prices.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 2, 2022

Thailand farmers fear loss of land to mega industrial zone

Across Asia, governments have embraced so-called special economic zones to spur growth and generate jobs.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 29, 2021

How world leaders can make their COP26 deforestation pledge a reality

More than 100 leaders agreed to halt and reverse harm to forests and land by 2030, but similar zero-deforestation pledges had repeatedly been made and not met.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Nov 11, 2021

The cost of coal in South Africa: Dirty skies and sick kids

A study found that more than 5,000 South Africans die annually in the nation's coal belt because the government has failed to fully enforce its own air quality standards.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Nov 5, 2021

Poor nations 'squeezed' as debt surges and climate adaptation cash falls short

Developing nations alone will need up to $500 billion by 2050 for adaptation, the U.N. has said.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Nov 5, 2021

Push to end oil and gas expansion takes off at COP26, but not everyone keen

Countries, development banks and national groupings have pledged to end financing new fossil fuel projects overseas, but big funders including China, Japan and South Korea have opted out.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 2, 2021

U.S. Nuclear Posture Review poses basic questions for Biden and allies

Modernizing U.S. nuclear policy demands the development of new ways to deter by working creatively with allies to reapportion roles and responsibilities.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 16, 2021

It’s up to Kishida to put Suga’s climate goals in action

Fumio Kishida inherits the lofty climate goals set by his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 11, 2021

Contentious climate debate: Should rich nations pay for damage done to poorer countries?

Developing nations contribute the least to climate change but they are the most affected, leading some to discuss whether or not developed nations should take responsibility for the damage.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 8, 2021

Superpower rivalry and vaccine envy set stage for climate talks

U.S.-China tensions loom over COP26, as does the inequality between rich and poor countries in both COVID-19 response and climate finance.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 5, 2021

Reality check needed on finance to keep people safe in a warming world

International funding has become crucial to help poorer island nations suffering from climate change, but support for crafting national adaption plans is just as important.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 4, 2021

‘Major’ oil spill off California coast threatens wetlands and wildlife

Environmental groups said that the spill underscored the need for the state of California to move away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Sep 12, 2021

China’s poor regions worry about climate justice in net-zero push

Hebei province's Tangshan has grown into the largest steelmaking hub in the world, but it also inherited Beijing's air pollution.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 1, 2021

What Tokyo and Seoul must do to meet their coal pledges

As Japan and South Korea work through policy implementation on ending funding for new coal projects, their decisions will reverberate beyond their borders.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 26, 2021

Extreme weather renews focus on climate change as scientists update forecasts

The list of extremes in just the last few weeks has been startling.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 20, 2021

Tree-huggers know more than you think

Planting trees is good for the environment. The first and most immediate benefit is their ability to remove particulate matter and other forms of air pollution.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 8, 2021

Fines that protect the Amazon systematically obstructed under Jair Bolsonaro

Public records show Brazil's president himself exploited an appeal system, running out a five-year statute of limitation on a fine for illegal fishing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2021

Every roof in Japan could have solar panels in the future

Japan has a long way to go to wean itself off coal and natural gas, which is used to generate more than 70% of its electricity.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 14, 2021

G7 action on climate gets cautious welcome, but activists say more needed

Leaders of the G7 nations have pledged to stop financing new coal plants beyond their borders by the end of this year, but domestic use went unaddressed.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 18, 2021

Teenagers are winning climate battles one court case at a time

Activists are not only challenging governments and their climate plans, but increasingly private companies too.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 12, 2021

A one-Earth balance sheet

The Earth is a single living, self-regulating system, and it demands a single, shared system of accounting that balances at the global level.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear