Asia

Linking Air Pollution and Climate Change in Nepal

Poor air quality and climate change are major challenges facing Nepal. Air pollution poses the second highest risk factor for death and disability in the country, behind only malnutrition. Meanwhile, scientists predict that Nepal will be especially vulnerable to climate change over the next century, with… Read More

Catalyzing Action for Clean Air and the Climate

This blog is cross-posted from ClimateLinks. After its success with improving solid waste and water management, the city of Indore, India has consistently been ranked the cleanest city in that country by the government’s annual Swachh Survekshan survey. Now, Indore is focused… Read More

USAID Municipal Waste Recycling Program Zero Waste Roundtable

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), a USAID grantee and leader in the approach, defines “zero waste” as “significantly reducing — and eventually completely eliminating—the amount of resources that we send to disposal.” Mike Alino with GAIA says zero waste is a goal, “something we should aspire to.” This… Read More

Three Lessons from USAID’s Ocean Plastics Pollution Work in Indonesia

Indonesia is on the forefront of the global ocean plastic pollution challenge. The country produces 6.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, largely driven by rising demand for single-use plastics such as straws, bottles, sachets, and food containers that meet the needs of a rapidly urbanizing population. To date, only… Read More

Identifying Childhood Lead Poisoning in the Philippines

Larah Ibañez was preparing a report on childhood lead poisoning for the government of the Philippines earlier this year when she discovered that the country’s Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), conducted every three years, included the collection of blood samples.  “I knew immediately that we had to seize this tremendous… Read More