Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 3 - 2015 i ASIAN Geographic

This issue, ASIAN Geographic features the works of three photographers from Photographers Without Borders (www.photographerswithoutborders.org), who have kindly donated their photos in support of the causes they believe in. In Nepal, 63 percent of the population lack access to reliable electricity. Traditional energy sources are highly polluting for the environment. Lack of access to electricity prevents access to quality healthcare, education, water and services that are fundamental to alleviation of poverty and improved quality of life. We all have a fundamental right to reliable energy and clean water. Raising awareness on the issue of energy poverty is photographer Kristin Lau’s main priority and this project's mission. Through a partnership with SunFarmer, a nonprofit initiative focused on delivering solar power to developing countries through the installation of affordable and reliable solar…

The same fossil fuels that power our technological achievements are now known to be altering our Earth’s atmosphere and climate. The organic chemicals – particularly CO – released from burning vegetation, natural gas, coal and oil are now collecting in the atmosphere. The negative consequences of this are now well known, including an overall increase in global temperatures, ocean acidification, melting ice and rising seas. But perhaps the technological skills that helped us to burn these materials can help us to right the atmospheric balance that we are fast tilting. What if we could avoid a climate catastrophe by putting the released greenhouse gases back into the Earth? Is this an irresponsible fantasy, a pathway to salvation, or something in between? How can carbon be removed from the atmosphere? Primarily,…

In 2014, tiger conservationists revealed that despite having the target of doubling the Malaysian tiger population to 1,000 by 2020, all that remained were an estimated 300 tigers. The world over, tiger experts from various sectors have been attempting to devise tiger-saving mechanisms, but with little success. Globally, fewer than 3,000 linger on, down from a 100,000 a mere century ago. But it is undeniable that the tiger might already be extinct in the wild if not for conscious conservation efforts by many. The recent publication MYCAT Tracks: The Malayan Tiger’s Struggle for Existence profiles over a decade of trials and tribulations of Malayan tiger conservation. Published by the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT), it makes a frightening prediction – Malayan tigers will disappear from most forests within the…

In recent decades, the public increasingly wants to be associated with companies that have a desire to give back to society. As a responsible corporate citizen, Changi Airport Group (CAG) is committed to responding to societal needs, channelling resources into helping a slice of Singapore where potential is often overlooked. Over the last two years, CAG’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts have benefitted more than 1,000 disadvantaged youths in Singapore from four main charity partners: Assumption Pathway School, CARE Singapore, NorthLight School and Students Care Service. The Changi Foundation, supported by CAG, has in place a holistic programme to support these youths along their journey of transformation and to address their concerns, and focuses on three key areas: academic education, skills development, and community involvement. Bursaries and book prizes have…

More than a century ago, the French chemist Victor Grignard created organic compounds with magnesium. However, without the use of transition metals as catalysts, his team’s applications were rendered extremely limited. What they lacked was a process to allow objects to be synthesised at will, such that a large variety of organic compounds could be easily generated. Fast forward to 2010. Japanese Professor Ei-ichi Negishi won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his palladium-catalysed cross coupling technique – reactions that allow the linking of two groups of carbon and the synthesising of molecules. Since the discovery 40 years ago, the technique has revolutionised the world of organic chemistry, blazing a trail for fundamental advances in various fields. In addition to its use in the development of cancer treatment, the…

1 AGASTHYAKOODAM BIOSPHERE RESERVE On Kerala’s second-highest peak, Agasthyakoodam, thrives a biosphere reserve of immense importance for its rich biodiversity and rare medicinal plants. Thiruvananthapuram serves as the gateway to this reserve, which is also home to the Kanikkaran tribe. Advance booking is required to trek to the summit. 2 PONMUDI HILL STATION An enchanting hill resort at an altitude of 1,100 metres, Ponmudi, with its spice and tea estates and mist-covered valleys, is a sight to behold. Among its many other attractions are a deer park, captivating mountain flowers and the Ponmudi Waterfalls. 3 VIZHINJAM ROCK CUT CAVE The rock-cut sculptures in this granite cave temple in Vizhinjam date back to the 18th century. The outer wall of the cave depicts relics of the Hindu god Shiva with Goddess…

1 HANDICRAFTS A short drive from Tacloban City, Basey, Samar is where locals practise the traditional craft of banig weaving. The intricate, vibrantly coloured handwoven banig mats – typically a product of buri (palm or seagrass leaves) – are now being transformed into other products like bags, wallets and slippers, which can be found in Tacloban’s public market. 2 LECHON Tacloban is upheld as the quintessential barbecue city, with the enticing smell of newly roasted lechon (roast pig) permeating the streets. Celebrated for its peerless tenderness and tastiness, this delicacy is good to enjoy on its own – although locals love pairing it with a traditional condiment comprising soy sauce and a light vinegar mixture. 3 TUBA Also known as coconut wine, tuba is the regional drink in the islands…

We did not stray far from home this time around. ASIAN Geographic has always had a strong thread of humanitarianism in our DNA, as well as that of eco mindedness. This is our 2015 edition that pays homage to where we come from, our greatest source of inspiration and passion. As human beings, it is familiar ground to have affinity towards a fellow being. From there, it naturally branches out en route for the lives that surround us and make our own existence that much richer. This has been a soul-satisfying edition, where our more-often-than-not efforts in vain, show some positive effects. It lends greater motivation to continue the work. May you find inspiration as well to make your place here on Earth a significant one. Salam, shalom, om shanti……

CHINA An early form of the abacus, used to keep track of larger sums, was built circa 3000 BC using beads strung on wires. In the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC), chips of different sizes representing different values were widely used by the visually impaired to count – they were placed in lines and columns to perform arithmetic calculations. The Chinese abacus (suan pan) was first described in 190 AD in a book called Supplementary Notes on the Art of Figures, by mathematician Xu Yue. In 300 AD, the Chinese began development of the abacus as a mathematical device for merchants. China’s trade relations with Rome enabled the spread of the idea to Europe, where the abacus began to be used around 500 AD. The most sophisticated form of…

On June 16, 1963, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, planted his first tender sapling – envisioning that a clean and green garden city would sprout endless socioeconomic advantages. Today, almost 50 percent of the island is covered with lush greenery. More than two million trees have flourished in a well-tended city that continually sends signals to investors about our orderly nature and productivity. A cool canopy with shade trees has helped reduced air temperatures while civic beautification and protected biodiversity have improved the quality of urban living. As a result, Singapore’s eco-rich environment allowed us to meet the lifestyle requirements of an increasingly affluent population and enhanced Singapore’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign businesses – echoing Mr Lee’s sentiments that “greening is the most cost-effective project”…

Deprived of the basic essentials for survival, children – viscerally afraid of an uncertain reality – can easily be led by the false promises of food, a decent wage, or even security and affecion. Anna Malika, fashion designer and survivor of child sex trafficking, recollecs her powerful and inspirational journey… Eac tme I was sexually abused, I died a little inside. Iwas a homeless teenager when my nightmare unfolded. The whispers of love and protection, followed by the seemingly innocent request to be involved in an exclusive “art project”, eventually led to my being forced by my 40-year-old trafficker – on a daily basis – to do unthinkable things while he recorded it all on camera. I would often wake up suddenly and not know what had happened to me.…

The consumption of shark fin is a very unusual phenomenon in the history of China. Ancient Chinese appreciated the art of cooking other parts of sharks, in particular the skin and lips of certain species. It became famed throughout the culinary world. Mei Yaochen, a renowned poet of the Song dynasty (960–1279) once wrote a poem on the practice of shredding shark skin and its unique taste. For a long time, people mistook the dish’s appearance for shark fin. In actual fact, shark fin soup originated from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). It was first written about in the Compendium of Materia Medica , by – as succulent, and was hugely well-received by royalty. History has it that the Tianqi Emperor, who ruled from 1620 to 1627, made shark fin popular…

The Maldives is ground zero when it comes to climate change. It is the lowest-lying country in the world, with an average elevation of just 1.5 metres above sea level. If global carbon emissions continue unchecked, much of the 1,200-island archipelago – famed for its white-sand beaches and azure-blue waters – could be submerged by the end of this century. Diesel engines drive almost everything in the Maldives, from the ferries that run between the country’s islands to the electric generators that provide power for its 350,000 citizens. This island nation spends a good 15 percent of its GDP on diesel (the standard benchmark being at 4 percent of GDP, the amount the US spends on petroleum). However, the government is determined to change that. Research and investment into renewable…

Most researchers rely on observation as the fundamental first step in the scientific process. For Israeli crystallographer Professor Ada Yonath, however, it was the lack of satisfactory observational techniques that spurred a career-long search. Within every living cell on Earth lie protein-manufacturing units. These units, called ribosomes, synthesise amino acids to form chains of proteins, making it possible for cells – and by extension, life – to function. In 2009, she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her studies on the complex structures of the ribosome via X-ray crystallography – a method initially deemed hopeless by scientific experts. While the first electron microscopic image of ribosomes was obtained by the 1970s, the two-dimensional image was insufficient to analyse their inner mechanics. It took years of travel and experiment before…

Born to a peasant family in a small village called Taktser in northeastern Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama. Far from smooth sailing, Tenzin’s life journey mirrors the connotation of his family name Gyatso, derived from the Tibetan word for “ocean” – turbulent yet embracing. With 80,000 Tibetan refugees in tow, Tenzin escaped to India, attaining political asylum in March 1959, following brutal suppression by the Chinese government. The most pressing task was to save these Tibetan exiles and their local culture. So Tenzin founded 53 large-scale agricultural settlements for Tibetan refugees to live on and oversaw the creation of an autonomous Tibetan school system to raise and educate refugee children with…

As a musician, travelling is very much a part of my life. From the age of nine, I have travelled to many locations across the world with my violin, from the Middle East to Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Singapore. But still, for me, Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most beautiful cities I know. It being my homeland makes this city even more special. The rich tapestry woven by its heritage and glorious cultural past renders Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital of Kerala, elegant and oftentimes stunning. Kerala boasts of a rich aesthetic acumen and sense of appreciation when it comes to art, irrespective of form, be it music, poetry, dance or sculpture. The geographical insularity of Thiruvananthapuram (and Kerala) from the rest of India has resulted in its culture composition…

Have you ever heard of the southern hairy-nosed wombat? What about the little long-tailed dunnart? The western pygmy possum? As luck would have it, they exist side by side with the likes of the barking gecko and crested dragon. And sometimes, the striated pardalote and yellow-rumped thornbill swing by for a visit. But you needn’t kick yourself if such curious names mean nothing to you. These magical creatures exist within South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. And these are just a few examples of what can be found in one of the most biodiverse regions of Australia. Here, the wildlife both on land and in the surrounding waters is as abundant as it is special. Thrilling one-on-one interactions with the gifts of Nature are the norm, not the exception. Flying from Adelaide…

Petrichor. The smell of rain on dry earth. Nothing quite like it. While the intensely green landscape feeds the visual senses, the world seems in balance once again. Despite Man’s affinity towards the ocean, there is an equally strong attraction for earthy quintessence. No better news then, that despite the constant gloomy reports of deforestation and habitat loss, recent research suggests the world has actually become greener over the past decade. The study, carried out by Yi Liu, ARC DECRA Fellow in Earth Observation at the University of New South Wales, Australia; Albert Van Dijk, Professor of Water Science and Management, Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University; and Pep Canadell, Executive director, Global Carbon Project at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, noted that…

So we have heard the talks. But what is happening on the active side of conservation? What are people in this region doing about the perishing coral reefs? It is a puzzling question, as conservationists and scientists are working hand in hand to create effective solutions. Indeed, a monumental effort has been invested by local governments, individuals and enterprises to restore damaged coral reefs. Here, we’ll look into the approaches and concepts of coral conservation in the region. We’ll examine the pros and cons of coral restoration campaigns and how people are empowered to take an active role. We shall also explore levels of expertise within coral restoration and consider the obstacles to establishing successful programmes. To accomplish coral reef restoration on a scale of the extent required, we need…

Beyond the technological expertise to build sustainably, there is a pressing need for more skilled professionals to step forward and cover a distressed minority whom even governments cannot reach. March 11, 2011: The world watched in horror as lives and property were wrecked when 40-metre-high tsunami waves ruthlessly pounded the Pacific coast of Tohoku following the Great East Japan earthquake. Authorities later confirmed that almost 16,000 people perished that day. As many as 400,000 buildings collapsed, either fully or partially, and a further 750,000 sustained damage. Stepping off the plane at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport half a world away, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban received news of the disaster in his homeland. He knew at once that there was no time for despair. Plans began materialising in his head. The…

Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan – As the teacher led his ninth-grade students through a Dari lesson one summer morning, everyone in the classroom heard and felt the rumbling. The students and teacher looked up, then out of the windows facing the Hindu Kush mountains behind DeGhulaman High School. Earthquake? Not exacly. Within seconds, a herd of huge, burly yaks stampeded past the school, thundering toward the river. The yaks’ hoof beats shook the ground and momentarily drowned out the voices in the classroom. As the yaks thinned out, the students turned their attention back to the teacher and did not notice the young boy in threadbare clothes and Chinese rubber boots rounding up the stray yaks. The boy should be in school. But like millions of children in Pakistan and Afghanistan,…

“Where do your therapists get their training?” I asked inquisitively to the black silk-attired woman sitting behind the teak desk. “Prison,” she answered, with a serene smile. “Prison?” I grinned, waiting expectantly for some form of reassuring laughter. None was offered. It wasn’t quite the reply I anticipated as I stepped through the tropical floral entrance of the Thai spa. Soft music, scented candles and a multitude of benign Buddha statues embellished its interior as I contemplated the unique recruiting policy. Warning signals started flashing as I attempted to appear unconcerned while making furtive glances and slowly edging towards the door, but my Thai host could read me like a well-creased tourist map. “Please. You’re most welcome here… any support will help these women,” she implored, as her glistening eyes…

The results, which were soon corrobo- rated by another team, constituted a massive scientific breakthrough that would alter the “weight” of the Universe: the observations led to the idea that, rather than matter, the observable Universe was mostly made up of a mysterious component called “dark energy”. The groundbreaking effort earned Professor Schmidt, along with two colleagues, the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Professor Schmidt remains passionate about the importance of the kind of fundamental research that led to his team’s pioneering work. Today, as a high-profile scientist, he recognises that he has an even greater role in bridging the divide between scientists and policy-makers to find solutions to global problems such as pollution, climate change, and unchecked population growth. He is adamant that if peace and sustainable development should…

1 SANTO NINO SHRINE One of the 29 presidential rest houses built by the late President Ferdinand Marcos, this shrine is embellished with paintings of the 14 stations of the cross – brainchilds of famous Filipino artists. The tastefully decorated guestrooms also boast unique motifs, including an image of the Holy Child. 2 LEYTE LANDING MEMORIAL The Leyte Landing Memorial in Red Beach, Palo, marks the spot where American liberation forces of General Douglas MacArthur landed. Behold the famed statues of the liberators standing in the lagoon. Also the site of the 50th Leyte Landing Anniversary Commemorative Rock Garden of Peace, there is a beautiful beach in the vicinity. 3 FORMER PRICE MANSION This American-style mansion built by Walter Price in 1910 was used as the headquarters and official residence…