As part of the commemoration and celebration of the 47th Anniversary of the founding of official diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China, and the 21st Anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-China Friendship Day, the formal Award Ceremony of the Award for Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) this year (2022) was held on 10 June. It was attended by not only the Board Members of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) led by its Chairman Emeritus

Extreme heat is having its moment in the sun. This year’s headlines have been as relentless as the temperatures: “Spain endures record heatwave,” “Devastating heatwave in South Asia,” “Texas shatters heat record,” “Can you even call deadly heat ‘extreme’ anymore?”This worldwide coverage has called attention to a massive challenge that will only grow in scope and seriousness.

Just as one generation gives way to the next, global challenges are superseded by a new cohort. The once-in-a-century COVID-19 pandemic – and the risk that other dangerous new viruses may emerge at any time – is far from the only example. Extreme weather events resulting from climate change are having catastrophic consequences. Information technology and data are sometimes used maliciously or for cyberwarfare.

Earlier this year, world leaders began the process of committing to and endorsing the Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Nuclear power has been in decline since the Fukushima disaster in Japan more than a decade ago, but it may be poised for a comeback. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and soaring natural-gas prices have led some to argue that nuclear energy can help solve the twin challenges of energy security and climate change. Is the industry back in business, or will this prove to be another false dawn? Until recently, nuclear power’s prospects seemed poor.

After 100 days of intense fighting, it is difficult to begin thinking about rebuilding Ukraine when Russian bombs are still raining down on innocent civilians. But it is precisely during times of crisis and disaster that we must consider what comes next.

Although nearly all heat-related deaths are preventable, heatwaves kill thousands of people worldwide every year. At this very moment, an extreme heatwave in India and Pakistan, affecting about one billion people, is “testing the limits of human survivability,” warns Chandni Singh, a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report.

The Senate’s last session under the 18th Congress came to a close on 1 June, 2022 with no mention, deliberation, and ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In its most recent assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) offered a comprehensive outline of what it will take to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, relative to pre-industrial levels, in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The bottom line is simple: Greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions must peak by 2025. To achieve that goal, financial flows must rapidly be redirected from fossil fuels toward renewable energy.

Our planet is facing a triple crisis of climate, nature, and pollution, with one common cause: the fossil-fuel economy. Oil, gas, and coal are at the root of runaway climate disruption, widespread biodiversity loss, and pervasive plastic pollution. The conclusion is clear and must be paramount when political leaders gather in Stockholm this week to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment.