Short News – Asia
End of painful bear breeding
South Korea has stopped breeding bears kept in miserable conditions in order to extract their bile for use in traditional Asian medicine.
Getting India on track
India has begun building a huge new railroad net, where freight trains will be able to get up to speed instead of clogging up the rails for passenger trains.
Price of ivory slashed
In just three years, the market price of ivory has been halved. This impacts the poachers’ profits and may give new hope for the endangered African elephant.
China shuts down ivory factories
China has now shut down one-third of officially sanctioned ivory workshops and retailers in the first move towards a ban on the domestic trade in ivory.
China cancels 103 coal plants
In an effort to clean up extreme air pollution and decrease CO2 emissions, China has cancelled the plans to build 103 new coal-fired power plants.
New method saves vaccine
Countries in Asia have started to give two small injections of polio vaccine instead of one big one. This saves valuable vaccine and offers the same protection.
Fewer sharks in Chinese skies
As the first carrier ever, Air China now bans all transport of shark fins on their planes. This happens to help save the world’s sharks from extinction.
China bans ivory trade
China has banned trade and crafting of ivory by the end of 2017, in order to help save the world’s elephants. Conservation groups have praised the decision.
Bake for a better climate
A power plant in India has started using a new way to convert CO2 into products such as baking powder. You can have your cake and fight climate change, too.
Indonesia protects endangered jungle
The Indonesian President has banned any activity that destroys the country's peatlands, where orangutans and other animals live.
Indonesia to protect nature
The president of Indonesia has declared a stop for destruction of the country’s valuable peat bog forests, where many animals live, including orangutans.