Tag - pollution

 
 

POLLUTION

Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 23, 2015
Volkswagen needs to explain away software to avoid criminal charges, experts say
Volkswagen AG will probably have to show there was some legitimate reason to install software that led to false vehicle emissions tests if it is to avoid U.S. criminal charges, lawyers said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Sep 15, 2015
As Southeast Asia wheezes in haze, Indonesia cracks down on slash-and-burn deforestation
A worsening haze across northern Indonesia, neighboring Singapore and parts of Malaysia on Tuesday forced some schools to close and airlines to delay flights, while Indonesia ordered a crackdown against lighting fires to clear forested land.
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 12, 2015
Burning all fossil fuels could thaw Antarctica, raise sea level almost 60 meters: study
Burning all the world's fossil fuel reserves could thaw the entire Antarctic ice sheet and push up sea levels by nearly 60 meters (200 feet), an international study said on Friday.
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 4, 2015
Plants may one day fight back against toxic TNT pollution: researchers
Scientists have discovered why TNT is so toxic to plants and intend to use the knowledge to tackle the problem of cleaning up the many sites worldwide contaminated by the commonly used explosive.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 13, 2015
Who's behind the 96 million 'shade balls' rolled into LA's reservoirs?
Shade balls?
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 3, 2015
Beijing to limit cars, factories to ensure clean air for war anniversary
Beijing will limit the number of vehicles on the streets and shut factories to ensure clean air during a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the government and media said Monday.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 3, 2015
Obama's power plan won't save the world, but may save climate talks
On Monday, the administration of President Barack Obama was to release a plan to curb greenhouse-gas emissions from U.S. power plants by almost a third over the next 15 years.
WORLD
Aug 3, 2015
Obama's climate legacy takes shape with move on power plants
The Obama administration on Monday was to issue rules to cut carbon emissions from U.S. power plants, a move designed to secure the president's legacy on climate and one which has already influenced the campaigns of those who want to succeed him.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 11, 2015
New U.S. plan to trim aviation emissions satisfies industry, worries greens
For two years, President Barack Obama has used his executive power to impose new rules to cut carbon emissions, targeting cars and power plants, buoying environmentalists and infuriating industry.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 25, 2015
Arctic nations vow to fight climate-changing emissions of black carbon, methane
The eight Arctic Council nations pledged on Friday to do more to combat climate change, which is shrinking the vast frigid region, and tried to put aside disputes over issues like Russia's intervention in Ukraine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 24, 2015
For the sake of the future, make 2015 Earth Year
Just as we demand that our governments address risks associated with terrorism or epidemics, we should put concerted pressure on them to act now to preserve our natural environment and curb climate change.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Apr 2, 2015
China to toughen inspection on air quality data
China's vice minister for environmental protection has announced a two-year inspection campaign to root out fake air quality data and accused some local governments of manipulating the data to meet national standards, state media said.
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 8, 2015
Europe submits U.N. climate pledge, urges U.S., China to follow
The European Union has submitted its formal promise on how much it will cut greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations ahead of climate change talks starting in November, and called on the United States and China to follow its lead.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2015
High levels of yellow sand, PM2.5 heading in from China
High levels of yellow sand and particle-laden smog known as PM2.5 are now being registered in some parts of the nation, creating misery for allergy sufferers and posing a potential hazard from prolonged exposure.
BUSINESS
Feb 18, 2015
Britain approves world's largest offshore wind farm
Britain's energy ministry has approved the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck offshore wind project, the world's biggest offshore wind park, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 13, 2015
U.N. climate deal to rely on persuasion, not coercion
A U.N. deal due this year to fight global warming is set to avoid tough penalties for nations that fail to keep their promises, relying instead on persuasion and peer pressure, delegates at climate talks said Thursday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health / FOCUS
Feb 12, 2015
In China, legal fight to save forest tests toughened anti-pollution law
A lawsuit filed against four Chinese mining executives accused of destroying a stretch of forest is shaping up as a test of China's strengthened environmental law and the ability of green groups to make companies more accountable for their actions.
ENVIRONMENT
Feb 12, 2015
Rich world helping bankroll export of coal technology
Rich nations provided nearly $15 billion over a decade from 2003 to 2013 to fund exports of coal-fired power plant and coal mining technology, data seen by Reuters show, defying calls to end subsidies for the most polluting of the fossil fuels.
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 10, 2015
Nevada dust blamed for mystery 'milky' rain in U.S. Pacific Northwest
Unusual rain that deposited a mysterious residue across a swath of the U.S. Pacific Northwest appears to be a byproduct of dust storms hundreds of kilometers away in Nevada, although volcanic ash from Japan cannot be ruled out, the National Weather Service said on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 2, 2015
90% of cities failed to meet air standards in 2014: China
Nearly 90 percent of China's big cities failed to meet air quality standards in 2014, but that was still an improvement on 2013 as the country's "war on pollution" began to take effect, the environment ministry said on Monday.

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.