The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday it has secured 190 million U.S. dollars in total funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its climate change projects in Cambodia, Mongolia, and Tajikistan, shoring up the bank's efforts to increase its climate financing for the Asia and Pacific region.

Read more: ADB projects in Cambodia, Mongolia, Tajikistan get "green" funding

Cambodia's forests are being felled at a shocking rate, as poachers and corrupt officials profit from the black market trade in rare wood species, which is being exported to Vietnam — and beyond.

The Aoral Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Speu province is just a three-hour drive from Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. But the scenery here couldn't be more different than in the sprawling metropolis — even a military outpost in the reserve is peaceful and picturesque. A traditional stilt house has hammocks, chickens, and ice-cold beer. Outside, a few soldiers are playing pétanque as a black pig snuffles the earth.

Read more: Corruption fueling deforestation in Cambodia

Grown in floods and thriving without pesticides, floating rice offers Cambodia a sustainable alternative for its eco-friendly food production amid threats from climate change.

KAMPONG THOM, Cambodia- The sky is pitch black when Than Bunthorn leaves home for the paddy field. His body sways atop an old oxcart as it bumps along a small dirt track. Dawn is still some hours away. But for the farmer, work begins as early as 3am.

Read more: Floating rice: The climate-resilient alternative for Cambodia’s food production

EARTH Hour 2018 switch-off will take place on March 24 at 8.30pm.

Earth Hour, WWF’s landmark movement, is set to again unite millions of people around the world to show their commitment to the planet. As our one shared home faces the dual challenge of climate change and plummeting biodiversity, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment aims to mobilize individuals, businesses and governments to be a part of the conversation and solutions needed to build a healthy, sustainable future – and planet – for all.

In Brunei Darussalam, Earth Hour goes back to the grassroots and spread the awareness among the public on the initiative that has been implemented by other NGOs as well as the government. In particular, we will be focussing on the forests by connecting the dots between biodiversity and climate change.

“Coastal area such as mangroves forest can store up to five times more carbon than tropical forests. Not only they are able to protect us from flood, they also provide an ecosystem for other species like proboscis monkey, which I believe can contribute to eco-tourism. Brunei also has varieties of plant species that need to be protected as they contain elements for medical purposes that need to be developed and researched even further,” said Mohd RimeyHaji Osman, Country Manager, Earth Hour in Brunei.

Read more: Earth Hour to spark global awareness, action for healthy planet

Malaysia continues to be one of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters in ASEAN. What can Kuala Lumpur do?

More than two years after a historic agreement was reached in Paris under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Malaysia continues to be one of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With an average of 7.7 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita, Malaysia is, in fact, second only to Brunei Darussalam in this measure, which itself emits 22.9 metric tons of CO2 per capita. If Malaysia is to meet its international commitments, a lot of work must be done to reduce the carbon intensity of the country’s industry.

Read more: How to Green Malaysian Electricity

Department of Energy and Industry outlines plan to bring down greenhouse gas emissions, mulls 'feed-in tariff' programme.

The “minimal effort” of only switching on alternating street lights, as well as energy efficiency measures in government buildings, has led to nearly $10 million in savings annually, the minister of Energy and Industry disclosed.

Read more: $10M saved annually through energy conservation measures

The Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility (TLFF) has issued a landmark USD95 million sustainability bond to help finance a sustainable natural rubber plantation on heavily degraded land in two provinces in Indonesia.

The project incorporates extensive social and environmental objectives and safeguards. The planted areas will serve as a buffer zone to protect a threatened national park from encroachment.

Read more: Asia's first corporate sustainability bond issued by TLFF Indonesia

Armed with new research, a team of scientists has been working with Indonesian governments on conservation management.

Jellyfish are a common sight in ocean waters, but they also live in rare marine lakes, like this one, recently discovered in West Papua, Indonesia. Marine lakes are small bodies of seawater that are completely landlocked. There are about 200 marine lakes in the world, and less than twenty are known to contain jellyfish.On recent expeditions in Indonesia, National Geographic Explorer Lisa Becking documented four new lakes containing the sea creatures. Due to their isolated nature, each lake is a unique ecosystem. They are also warmer and saltier than the ocean, providing a glimpse into how climate change and warming waters might affect sea life in the future.

Click here to read Rare Saltwater Lakes Filled with Jellyfish Found in Indonesia.

Source: National Geographic | 28 February 2018

It is critical to protect the environment so as to reduce the destruction of eco-systems caused by countless anthropogenic activities. It is more of a moral obligation for humans to protect the environment, from pollution and other activities that lead to environmental degradation. Importantly, environmental degradation is harmful since it threatens the long-term health of animals, humans, and plants.

Air and water pollution, global warming, smog, acid rain, deforestation, wildfires are just a few of the environmental issues that we are facing right now. It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of the environment to make this planet a wonderful place to live in. Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) recognizes this need and have always been committed to protect the environment, respect their neighbors, cause no harm to people and help the world move towards a lower carbon future.

Read more: BSP commits to protecting the environment

A free app on farmer San San Hla's smartphone is her new weapon in the war against the dreaded stem borer moth that blighted her rice paddy in southern Myanmar for the last two years.

Read more: Myanmar farmers going against the grain with apps