Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. At the COP27 climate talks here in Egypt, a key focus is how to help poorer, more vulnerable nations cope with increasingly extreme weather events that threaten their homes, their jobs and the food they grow.  Adapting to climate impacts has become an urgent need for billions of people around the globe, yet the money to help them is a fraction of what's needed.  Wealthy nations are under pressure at COP27 to give more climate cash since they are most responsible for the emissions that are making the world's weather more dangerous. And few places are more vulnerable to climate impacts than Africa.  In this episode, ST's climate change editor David Fogarty speaks with Dr Debra Roberts, a leading scientist with the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and a global expert on adaptation and urban resilience. Dr Roberts is also head of the Sustainable and Resilient City Initiatives Unit in Durban, South Africa.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:43 Why has adapting to climate change become so important? 3:19 “Africa’s biggest adaptation need is basic development” 6:09 Why is it important to also look at how nature is being affected by climate change? 11:58 Is it possible to make cities climate-proof? 14:39 Is there a limit to adapting to climate change? Produced by: David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) & Audrey Tan, Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulse

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Governments are at the heart of global climate action, setting the policies and direction for businesses and the public. And their influence will be on full display at this year’s COP27 climate talks in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Delegates from nearly 200 nations are tasked with accelerating action on climate change and boosting finance for poorer countries.  But many governments have been too slow to act, leading to rising greenhouse gas emissions and global temperatures. What can be done to get them to act? In this episode, ST's climate change editor David Fogarty and co-host Audrey Tan speak with Ms Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute and coordinator of the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme, to discuss the key role of governments and what steps they can take to accelerate climate action, especially in South-east Asia. Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:28 Why are governments so important in speeding up climate change action? 2:34 What are some of the tools governments can use to increase green investments? 5:25  Why are governments so slow to act? 9:57 What are the kinds of climate actions people in Asean expect from their governments? 14:00 "We need a major transformation of economies. We need a price on carbon." Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulse

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. South-east Asia is a region hungry for power. But a February 2022 report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) showed that over 66 per cent of installed power capacity in Asean in 2020 were fossil fuel plants. But what are the renewable energy options available to the region and what is holding back its green transition?  In this episode, The Straits Times’ environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty discuss these issues with Mr Mark Hutchinson, chair of the South-east Asian Task Force at the Global Wind Energy Council.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:53 What renewable energy options in South-east Asia have yet to reach their full potential?  4:38 Is lack of funding an obstacle to scaling up renewable energy in this region? Where the challenges lie 9:28 Key changes that must be made to a traditional grid to make it flexible 12:13 Renewable energy projects are not without environmental impact. How can this tension be eased? Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh and Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Eden Soh and Fa'izah Sani Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulse

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. The COP27 climate change conference (Nov 6-18) is just two months away, and delegates from almost 200 nations are expected to gather in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt to work out how the world can avoid the harshest impacts of climate change. This year’s conference will take place on the back of a spate of extreme weather events that have played out around the world, including South-east Asia. In this episode, environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty speak with Mr Sandeep Rai, a senior advisor for Global Climate Adaptation Policy from WWF Singapore, an environmental non-profit, on three topics on the table at COP27 that are especially relevant for South-east Asia. This includes how the region can adapt better to climate change, where money to adapt would come from, and what happens when climate change causes losses and damages despite adaptation efforts.  Highlights (click/tap above): 2:49 What do recent disasters tell us about South-east Asia’s ability to handle climate-driven disasters?  7:30 Adaptation can be costly. Where will the money come from? 9:47 Five reasons why adaptation financing is so contentious 16:25 Key contentious issues on loss and damage at COP27 Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulse

Green Pulse Ep 65: Grace Fu says clear communication with citizens key in Singapore's COP26 climate pledges 9:47 mins Synopsis: At the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty were with the Singapore media delegation at COP26, as Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu gave her take on the outcome of the United Nations climate talks. 0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 0:45 While there was no total happiness all round, COP26 was a good foundation to "operationalise" the Paris Agreement 1:08 More still needs to be done for small island states; adaptation and loss and damage remain hurdles 2:10 Overall reaction of AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) to COP26 outcome; Singapore is also a member of AOSIS 3:00 Climate crisis effects in Singapore include more intense rainfall; must convince and encourage Singaporeans to take collective action 4:33 Ms Fu on the pledges Singapore made, in reference to the Singapore Green Plan 2030 that charts the country's pathways to cut emissions, and how the Government intends to communicate plans clearly with citizens 6:00 Ms Fu reveals COP presidency's direction to make this process as inclusive and transparent as possible Revisit our COP26 coverage here: https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/playlists/green-pulse-at-cop26-glasgow Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and ST Video team Edited by: ST Video team & Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 64: Climate advocate Xuan Zihan on youth in global climate policy-making 3:15 min Synopsis: At the ongoing COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty speak with climate advocate Mr Xuan Zihan, a University College of London student union representative and its co-chair of Conference of the Youth at COP26 in Glasgow. They discuss the following points: Why youths should be involved in national and global policy-making starting at COP26 (1:10) Calling for more ambitious climate governance proposals (1:42) Using climate finance to hold countries more accountable (2:15) Read also: Singapore youth give 18 recommendations for tackling environmental crisis: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/singapore-youth-give-18-recommendations-for-tackling-environmental-crisis Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and ST Video team Edited by: ST Video team & Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 63: Palau President on why climate justice is needed for countries that continue to use more carbon 17:14 min Synopsis: At the ongoing COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty speak with the President of the Pacific island state of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. He is representing AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States), which, since 1990, has represented the interests of the 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states in international climate change, sustainable development negotiations and processes. Singapore is also a member of AOSIS. This alliance closely resembles the countries it represents on the global stage, but often punches far above its weight, negotiating historic global commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions, among other achievements. They discuss the following points: Why a number of islands, whole cultures, will disappear like the dinosaurs if the world does not achieve the COP26 aim to cap global warming at 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels (2:13) Why it's critical for countries not to operate in silos, but share green technologies (3:40) Why the world is suffering a slow death now, with ports and farms overrun with water, crops destroyed, corals dying, more frequent storms seen in Palau and Singapore (4:58) Helping small islands go with renewable energy and with infrastructure to cope with rising sea levels (8:23) Supporting the climate justice issue: Why countries should be held accountable and pay compensation for using more carbon and for damage they're causing (10:27) Climate finance issue: Are developed countries willing to cough up the US$100 billion needed for the climate adaptation costs of developing countries (12:08) Is AOSIS' voice finally being heard at the COP climate conference? (13:25) Mr Whipps Jr recounts the story of the Palau legend and why there is hope for the world to change its ways now (14:24) 6 key issues at COP26: https://str.sg/3pT7 Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 62: Much ado over carbon markets, credits and COP26 negotiations 14:13 min Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. One of the key issues negotiators will discuss at the UN climate conference COP26 (from Oct 31 to Nov 12) is on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This relates to carbon markets, and whether countries can trade carbon credits to meet their climate pledges — known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). It will also establish rules on who emissions savings accrue to, if one nation pays to set up a green initiative - say a wind farm instead of a coal plant - in another country. In this second of a two-part series on what COP26 means for the Asean region, ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty speak with Ms Melissa Low, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute, about this contentious issue.  They discuss the following points: What is Article 6 of the Paris Agreement? (0:48) Singapore has also announced plans to build a carbon credit exchange: what is the issue of the double counting of carbon credits (4:04) Use of units generated before 2020 to meet nationally determined contribution targets, also known as the Clean Development Mechanism transition (7:30) Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu has been invited to co-facilitate discussions on this contentious topic: What this means and why choose Singapore? (10:18) What if countries fail to sort out Article 6 negotiations at COP26? (11:40) Listen to Part 1 - What COP26 means for Asean: https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/implications-for-asean-at-cop26-green-pulse-ep-61 6 key issues at COP26: https://str.sg/3pT7 Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 61: Implications for Asean at COP26 16:27 min Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Nations are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, for two weeks from Oct 31 to hammer out key details of how the 2015 Paris Agreement can be implemented. The meeting, called COP26, is touted as a key one in helping to set the world on the right track in reducing the impacts of climate change. Key issues to hammer out include those related to climate finance and urging countries to set more ambitious climate pledges, called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to do more to reduce emissions.  In this first of a two-part series on what COP26 means for Asean, ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty talk to Ms Melissa Low, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute, on key issues for the region that will be discussed at the climate conference.  They discuss the following points: What does the call for more ambitious climate targets mean for the region? (1:28)  What kinds of help do countries in Asean need to build greener economies? (3:40)  Which countries in the region are most impacted by the loss and damage wreaked by climate change? (7:25)  Beyond climate targets and net-zero pledges, what else matters in the effort to reduce emissions to avert climate change? (11:43)  How high are the stakes for South-east Asia at COP26? (13:25)  Listen to Pt 2 - Much ado over carbon markets, credits and COP26 negotiations: https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/much-ado-over-carbon-markets-credits-and-cop26-neg 6 key issues at UN climate conference COP26: https://str.sg/3pT7 Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 60: Saving biodiversity: It should be in our nature 17:36 min Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. The world is full of amazing plant and animal life, without which humans could not survive. Nature, from forests to coral reefs, to soils and grasslands, provides humanity with food and materials to live. Yet nature is under great threat from our rush for resources to grow our economies and cities. About one million species are now threatened with extinction, the United Nations’ biodiversity panel says, with three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66 per cent of the marine environment significantly altered by human actions. This week, delegates from around the world met virtually to discuss a new global deal for nature to limit the damage caused by environmental destruction, pollution and climate change.  In this episode, ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty talk to Dr David Cooper, who is deputy executive secretary, for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Dr Cooper is speaking to us from Kunming in China, which has been hosting this week’s talks, the first round of discussions before a major in-person meeting in Kunming from April 25 to May 8, 2022. They discuss the following points: What is the aim of the in-person COP15 biodiversity talks next year, and how will this month’s virtual meet help in establishing a global deal for nature? (1:22)  What are the threats confronting biodiversity on land and in the sea today? (3:30) How bad is the situation now? (4:48)  Why biodiversity conservation needs to involve more than just environment ministers (7:20) What are the links between biodiversity and climate? (9:45) A carbon price is one policy tool to dealing with the climate crisis. What about putting a price on nature to help with biodiversity conservation? (13:07) What can individuals do to help tackle the climate and biodiversity crises? (15:28)  Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 59: COP26 @ Glasgow, the last chance climate saloon? 18:04 min Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. In less than two months, delegates from around the world will gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for one of the most important climate conferences ever held. Called COP26, the meeting aims to agree an ambitious global deal to step up the fight against climate change -- from deeper emissions cuts to more climate cash for poorer nations.  A deal in Glasgow is urgent. Recent extreme weather events have shown no nation can escape nature’s wrath, but poorer nations remain the most vulnerable because they have the least defences and cash to rebuild. So what are the chances COP26 will be a success? And will poorer nations finally get the resources they need?  In this episode, ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty talk to Dr Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), who is a leading climate scientist from Bangladesh and has many years experience with the UN climate talks process. He is also an expert on the impacts of climate change on poorer nations and the urgent needs they face to adapt, and build resilience, to more extreme weather and rising sea levels. They discuss the following points: Key issues to be discussed at this year’s COP26 in November (2:30) What bearing will recent extreme weather events have on the international negotiations? (5:30) The evolution of climate talks and the key issues that came up at each stage. (7:21) The concept of loss and damage has gained prominence recently. What does this mean exactly? (8:48)  What is the controversy surrounding climate finance, and why is this important? (11:07)  What are the concerns from climate activists about the participation of developing countries at COP26? (15:18) Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 58: Overcoming obstacles to pricing carbon right (Pt 2) 17:36 mins Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Climate scientists have sounded the alarm bells. Now, it is time for policy makers to act. One strategy to reduce emissions of planet-warming gases is by putting a price on carbon. By making emitters pay to pollute, the hope is that they take serious action to curb their release of carbon dioxide. But how effective have carbon pricing schemes been, and will they result in higher costs for the rest of society?  In this episode, environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty discuss the issue with Dr Vinod Thomas, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore who was a former World Bank vice-president.  They discuss the following points:  How effective are existing carbon pricing schemes? (1:24)  How buying climate credits from nature-based solutions can benefit more than just climate (5:50)  What are the obstacles to pricing carbon right? (9:00)  How feasible is it for Singapore to implement schemes, such as the carbon fee and dividend, which channel revenue from carbon pricing back to people? (13:05) Listen to Pt 1: Taking climate action by putting a price on carbon - https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/taking-climate-action-by-putting-a-price-on-carbon Understand more about a carbon price floor: https://blogs.imf.org/2021/06/18/a-proposal-to-scale-up-global-carbon-pricing/ Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 57: Taking climate action by putting a price on carbon (Pt 1) 18:52 mins Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Climate scientists have sounded the alarm bells for humanity. Now, it is time for policy makers to act. One strategy to reduce emissions of planet-warming gases is to put a price on carbon. By making emitters pay to pollute, the hope is that they take serious action to curb their release of planet-warming carbon dioxide. In this episode, environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty discuss the issue with Dr Vinod Thomas, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore who was a former World Bank vice-president.  They discuss the following points:  What does it mean to put a price on something as intangible as carbon dioxide? (1:12) What are the three main mechanisms through which carbon is priced? (3:10)  Singapore is reviewing its current carbon tax rate and wants to open a carbon credit exchange. How significant are Singapore’s efforts to price carbon? (10:33)  What are obstacles to pricing carbon right? (15:16)  Listen to Pt 1: Overcoming obstacles to pricing carbon right - https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/overcoming-obstacles-to-pricing-carbon-right-pt-2 Understand more about a carbon price floor: https://blogs.imf.org/2021/06/18/a-proposal-to-scale-up-global-carbon-pricing/ Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 56: IPCC rings alarm bells for humanity  18:13 mins Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Recent extreme weather events, from heat waves and fires in North America, Greece and Turkey to deadly record floods in China have caused global alarm. Scientists say man-made climate change made all of them possible and it is just a taste of the future unless all nations take stronger action and cut greenhouse emissions.  The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has just released a major assessment on climate science that also looks into the future. The findings by IPCC’s Working Group 1 are alarming. Climate change is accelerating and nowhere is untouched by changing weather patterns. The world is also on course to breach a key temperature threshold of 1.5 deg C during the 2030s.  In this episode, ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty talk to one scientist who was involved in the latest report, Dr Gregory Flato. Dr Flato is from the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis at Environment and Climate Change Canada.  They discuss the following points: Why the IPCC’s latest report card on the climate is so significant, and key takeaways from it. (2:09)  Why limiting global warming to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels is so important, and what happens if this threshold is breached. (6:25)  Climate projections made in the latest report are based on emissions scenarios, which differ from previous IPCC reports. What are these differences? (11:20) The latest report is just one part out of a series that will make up the IPCC’s sixth assessment report. Two more reports are expected next year. What will they be about? (15:14) Also listen to:  Ep 34 - The climate change detectives: https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/the-climate-change-detectives-green-pulse-ep-34 Ep 11 - A meeting of climate minds: https://omny.fm/shows/green-pulse-1/a-meeting-of-climate-minds-green-pulse-ep-11 Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu Read ST's Climate Code Red site: https://str.sg/3pSz --- Discover more ST podcast series: Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Green Pulse Ep 1: Why the UN climate meeting in Poland is so important 13:51 mins Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times takes a close look at key news talking points. COP24, the United Nations (UN) climate change talks in the Polish city of Katowice is touted as being one of the most important since COP21 in Paris, when the Paris Agreement was drawn up. The Straits Times' environment correspondent Audrey Tan speaks with National University of Singapore research fellow Melissa Low in Poland to get the lowdown on why these talks are considered so pivotal. Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis Edited by: Adam Azlee Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2 --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulse