Film screenings provide Thai food for thought:

A key element of sustainable living today is educating yourself about the important issues of the day.  This in mind, I’ve always been a fan of those campaign-style documentary films. Some, like Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, work well globally.  However, with so many of these ‘stupid-white-men supersize-me’ type films originating from the U.S., I’m often left with the question of whether things are quite the same elsewhere in the world. Globalisation means that events in one community may well have affects on the other side of the globe. Therefore, in a sense, these films are relevant everywhere. But we should not ignore more local contexts which may shape the issues in unique ways. 

So, I was interested to discover that the Sasin Centre for Sustainability Management at Chulalongkorn University regularly screens ‘issues’ films accompanied by panel discussions, attempting to make links to the Thai context.  The Sasin Centre is a business school that focuses on combining sustainable development with corporate social responsibility and His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy. The last screening was of Robert Kenner’s Food Inc. (2008) which dissects industrial food production in the US and argues that it is unhealthy for the consumer, environmentally harmful, and abusive of employees and animals.

It is a convincing film which left me less than comfortable as well as wondering, ‘What about Thailand?’  After the film, panel-guests with an interest in the Thai food industry were introduced, and a brief but fascinating Q & A session followed. The panel included Bill Marinelli, a ‘seafood guru,’ Dylan Jones, chef and founder of Bo-Lan restaurant and Charkrit Direkwattanachai of Tesco Lotus.  

And what was there to say about issues of food and sustainability in Thailand?

The first question was whether Thailand has similar problems to those highlighted.  Answers ranged from Marinelli’s optimistic view that Thailand is in a fortunate position and still has time to learn from and avoid US mistakes, to Dylan’s comment about the lack of questioning of food production and the issues around consumer information: reminding us of the absence of labelling in our soi food. Direkwattanachai felt that individual eating habits are key to tackling the problems, and outlined a series of measures Tesco were taking to promote healthy lifestyles and provide consumers with information.  Asked to comment on how Thailand might move forward, the panel saw awareness raising amongst consumers and subsequent use of purchasing power as crucial. 

The idea that consumer purchasing power can curb undesirable trends in industrial food production was an echo from the film. Essentially, if we demand more sustainable options by choosing carefully what we buy, the supply side of the market will respond and food production will change accordingly. To this end, stalls showcasing organic and slow food products were set up at the event, allowing the audience to exercise their own purchasing power.  I ‘did my bit’ by leaving with a kilo of fragrant passion fruit and a jar of coffee blossom honey.  

The stalls illustrated the opportunities for some folks in Bangkok to choose to step a little way out of the industrial food system. Delicious fruit and honey, but this consumer-driven approach is dependent on accurate, transparent information about the foods on offer.  Although the panel did touch on this, questions remain for me around the labelling of products we buy in Thailand. I've noticed a whole array of 'organic' logos on products available here. What do these labels actually mean?  What obligations does Thai law put on companies to provide information needed to make more sustainable choices? How can the public get answers if the information provided is unclear? 

I was struck when the point was made that the best solution might be to personally visit the farms. A tall order, given today’s frenetic lifestyles.  It is a measure of the success of the event, that I was left with more questions than answers, but with my desire to consider the issues in a Thai context was a little more satisfied. I recommend the Sasin film screenings (previously they’ve shown Tapped- about the impact of bottled water, and Disruption- concerning climate change) as great contributions to the sustainability debate in Thailand. I hope they continue into 2016. Keep an eye out here for future screenings. Well worth checking out if you’ve an appetite for Thai food for thought. 

Bangkok's global climate march? Thailand contributes to climate action?

Image from avaaz.org 

Bangkok's Climate March?

Living sustainably means changing how we live our lives, and potentially includes speaking out on the big issue of climate change. Not usually very committed to this kind of thing, I was intrigued to see plans online for Bangkokians to join the Global People’s Climate March, marking the opening of the Paris COP21 Climate Summit. Signing up through online campaign group Avaaz was simple until I revisited the event page to discover it no longer existed. It seemed that Bangkok would not be included in the 2404 events happening worldwide. Further searches and an email to Avaaz themselves revealed little information as to what happened. 

But I guess, given that over 100 people had signed up, such a gathering would not have been wise at the present time. So, what to do? Events were still listed for Phitsanulok and for Koh Lanta, the latter linked to a campaign against a coal fired power station. Both were way too far for a Sunday afternoon.  Knowing the rough Bangkok location and start time, the adventurous side of me wondered about going along anyway to look for anything impromptu.  However, the more sedate, ‘let’s stay in the air-con’ side of me wondered about Thailand’s role in the upcoming Paris meeting and I began googling around.   

Firstly some background: writing in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, Fiona Harvey highlights scientific warnings ‘that if emissions continue to rise we will pass the threshold beyond which global warming becomes catastrophic and irreversible.’  We are currently on target for a 5°C temperature rise but the threshold to avoid the ‘catastrophic and irreversible’ is set at  a 2°C rise, indicating a clear problem.  Harvey emphasises that the science consistently confirms ‘rising greenhouse gas emissions, linked to the use of fossil fuels, lead to higher temperatures.’ 

The Paris conference is therefore crucial as it aims for a new global agreement to tackle emissions. Its approach is different from previous conferences in that the EU, the US and China have already made emissions pledges. In fact all attending governments have submitted ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ (INDCs), which state their intentions to act. Given that the Thai Prime Minister will also be in Paris, what commitments has this country made? 

Thailand's INDC:

Thailand’s central commitment is for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, from projected business as usual levels, by 2030. This would be achieved through a series of initiatives including: renewable generation of 20-30% of Thailand’s power by 2036; a shift from road to rail transportation; a revised system of car tax linked to emissions, and improved public buses in Bangkok. 

Thailand has seen a 0.95°C increase in average temperature from 1955 to 2005, and is thought to be at ‘extreme risk’ of the negative impacts of climate change over the next 30 years. It is likely that wetter parts of the country will see increased rainfall, while drier areas may see more pronounced droughts. The INDC highlights that 68% of the country’s climate change budget is going towards adapting to this situation.  

But this is a country which contributes just 0.84% of global emissions, and here we come to the heart of the matter: if Thailand’s contribution to global emissions is relatively small but the impacts of climate change significant: shouldn’t the richer/bigger emitters provide the cash to make investments for countries like Thailand to cut emissions and adapt? Especially as we all stand to benefit from such actions. 

The Thai INDC states that high cost is a major barrier to successful implementation of its plans. The document explains that both adapting to, and acting to slow, climate change creates ‘extra burden’ on the ‘already scarce government fiscal budgets of many developing countries including Thailand.’  Fiona Harvey reminds us of the last summit in Copenhagen, where richer countries promised $100 billion in support would be available annually by 2020. Those at the Paris conference need to ensure this pledge is met and sorting this out in the current ‘age of austerity’ remains a key challenge. As does spending the money wisely once it becomes available. 

And what of the Global Climate March? Well, although the public have not been able to show their support for Thailand’s climate change commitments, with a little effort online, I did find a glimmer of hope: there are actually some significant proposals on the table. 

Sources:

The Guardian Everything you need to know about the Paris climate summit and UN talks.

Thailand’s INDC

Whale Watching? Bangkok?

Whale Watching? Bangkok?

Surprised to learn that ChomWhales, part of the NGO LoveWildlife, runs whale watching trips leaving from Bangkok, my wife and I went along in hope of a glimpse of one (or more) of the 35 strong pod, which live and possibly breed in the Gulf of Thailand. Here, 30 of these Bryde’s (pronounced broo-dus) whales have been identified and named; one is perhaps 50 years old.

A Bryde's Whale.
Image from www.whales.org.au 

Although not the only group in operation, ChomWhales seemed a wise choice because of their emphasis on education and promise to follow strict guidelines so as not to disturb these majestic creatures. 

Bryde’s whales are under-researched internationally, making Thailand lucky to have such a pod close at hand. Traditionally, local people respected these mammals as ‘Gods of the Sea,’ and often bury the bodies of breeched whales with Buddhist ceremony.  Some Thai temples even contain revered whale bones. 

Bryde’s whales feed on mackerel, anchovy and krill; attracted to the Gulf by the nutrients deposited by 4 nearby rivers.  Unfortunately, the rivers bring problems, with discharges from industrial plants inland, flowing out as well. There are accusations that some factories ask ships transporting their goods to take their waste-water and dump it out at sea. Experts at Chulalongkorn University state that an 11-metre carcass washed up in Samut Prakan in 2014 died after being caught in a fishing dragnet.  

To raise awareness about their plight, the Marine and Coastal Resources Centre has published a cutely illustrated and informative picture book entitled ‘Little Eden and the Happy Sea’ (available here - in English, reasonably translated).  And there are calls for Bryde’s Whales to be protected as part of the government’s upcoming Animal Preservation and Protection Act. Let’s hope this goes through and has teeth.

We left early from the Chomwhales office with a band of friendly and excited potential whale-watchers. Arriving at the peaceful Bangtaboon pier, we grabbed the reuseable water bottles which we were given at the start (nice touch) and boarded the boat.  We set off, in calm waters, straight out to sea.  Our guide, Maria, gave an informative talk and we began to scan the horizon for seabirds. Seabirds? 

Circling gulls are key when spotting Bryde’s Whales because of their strange feeding method. These whales bring their heads up at right angles to the water’s surface, opening their jaws almost 180 degrees, letting water, krill and fish rush in, before snapping their mouths shut, filtering out the water and leaving their meal behind. The seabirds flock around looking for an easy meal. We looked around, no whales yet.

Whale Spotting.

Lunch was served in a re-useable container (further nice touch), but still no sightings. Our boat continued its voyage and a crew member chucked a Red-Bull bottle overboard (not so nice a touch). Then the engine cut and wouldn’t start again. We were stranded at sea. The captain radioed for help; still no whales.  

On the horizon dramatic storm clouds appeared, the wind picked up. We watched the clouds change and move round us and there were no whales.  Six other tour boats were at sea that day and after waiting a while longer, a boat came to our rescue. We were towed back to port as the Sun set. We had avoided the storm, been rescued, but did not get a glimpse of a Bryde’s Whale. Had the whale watchers on the rescue boat seen one? No, they eluded us all. 

Being Rescued.
Photo Courtesy of Maythira Kasemsant 

Back to Port.

But it was a great adventure and a welcome  break from the busyness of Bangkok. Invigorating in a way a glitzy mall simply isn’t. Overall ChomWhales are making a valid attempt at educating day-trippers about the wildlife in the Gulf. If you don’t see a whale, you can book your next trip for half the price. Because of the breakdown, ChomWhales offered us a free trip so we’ve got a second chance to catch sight of these mysterious beings.  

More details at http://chomwhales.org

Sources:

Thai PBS - Bryde's Whales to be protected 

Bangkok Post - Whales in the Gulf of Thailand 

Animal Welfare Institute - Scientists study Bryde's Whales in Gulf of Thailand