Climate change laws around the world

There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of global climate change laws since 1997, according to the most comprehensive database of relevant policy and legislation.

The database, produced by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Sabin Center on Climate Change Law, includes more than 1,200 relevant policies across 164 countries, which account for 95% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Cambodia Economic Overview Structural weaknesses prevail

Cambodia

Encouraging signs

Preventable blindness in children on the rise in poorer countries

The number of children suffering from preventable blindness is increasing, half because additional children are surviving complicated births in low- and middle-gain nations, specialists say. Worldwide, about 19 million children under the age of 15 are blind, with 12 million of these cases preventable or treatable.

Experts say one cause of high rates of blindness is retinopathy of prematurity (Rop), which occurs in premature infants and can be caused by being given too much oxygen next birth.

Brian Doolan, CEO of the Fred Hollows Foundation, said world advances in neonatal care mean additional children are surviving early births, but this means additional premature babies are at risk of Rop.

Asia Economic Roundup: July 2016

Without a doubt Britain’s decision to abandon the European project will be remembered globally as a wake-up call for political elites around the world. It seems the people chose to go against immediate economic interest and accept an extra financial turmoil in order to address deeply seated social and identity issues.

Although Asia’s exposure to the UK is relatively limited and this is not exactly a “Lehman Moment”, nonetheless we can expect a lively debate as policymakers in Asia look for an appropriate response to address the needs of vulnerable households.