NAPSNet 2 June 2011

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NAPSNet 2 June 2011

  1. CLIMATE CHANGE: Global climate change and children’s health: threats and strategies for prevention
  2. ENERGY SECURITY: China’s low-carbon leadership headlines fail to capture the reality
  3. DPRK: DPRK will not deal with Lee Myung Bak: Spokesman for NDC of DPRK
  4. GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: China censors web to curb Inner Mongolia Protests
  5. DETERRENCE: Committee on ‘Nuclear Weapons, Non Proliferation & Contemporary International Law’
  6. AUSTRAL SECURITY: U.S. military buildup in Asia-Pacific region just beginning

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Global climate change and children’s health: threats and strategies for prevention, Environmental Health Perspectives (March 2011) [324 KB, PDF]

Sheffield and Landrigan summarise children’s vulnerability to climate-related environmen­tal hazards, such as: increased temperatures; increasing frequency and severity of weather extremes; and sea level rise. Authors emphasize that the dispropor­tionate impacts will exacerbate existing issues of environmental justice. They argue that the climate change preparedness strategies need to be incorporated into the public health programmes.

ENERGY SECURITY:  China’s low-carbon leadership headlines fail to capture the reality, Guardian (18 April 2011)

In an article in Guardian.co.uk, Jim Watson argues that China’s economic growth has been undeniable and its recent deployment of renewable energy technologies impressive, but it is premature to say that China has assumed a position of technological leadership.  For example, a third of wind power capacity is not connected to the transmission grid, and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers complain of a lack of capabilities in key technologies.

DPRK: DPRK will not deal with Lee Myung Bak: Spokesman for NDC of DPRK, KCNA (30 May 2011)

The DPRK government today noted that it “will never deal” with Lee Myung Bak and halted all contact with the current ROK government. It is worth noting that this statement was released by the National Defence Commission (NDC), a group seen as being under the direct control of Kim Jong-Il himself, rather than one of the military, party, or cabinet aligned mouthpieces. The statement also threatened “physical action” in response to continued ROK leafleting operations.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: China censors web to curb Inner Mongolia Protests, PCWorld (30 May 2011)

Thousands of Inner Mongolian protesters took to the streets in China. The conflict, which is the result of large-scale resource development in the region, hasn’t shown any signs of easing. Chinese government managed media still has not reported on the whole picture of the demonstration.

DETERRENCE: Committee on ‘Nuclear Weapons, Non Proliferation & Contemporary International Law’, International Law Association

The Committee will revisit the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the legality of the threat or use nuclear weapons, and also new legal issues related to uranium enrichment, nuclear capacities, and nuclear testing. It will clarify states’ “right of pre-emptive/anticipatory self defence in response to threats of nuclear weapons development and possession” and the scope and validity of UN Security Council Resolution 1540.

AUSTRAL SECURITY: U.S. military buildup in Asia-Pacific region just beginning, Andrew Burt, Inside Defence, 2011-03-25 [subscription required]

As the United States looks to enhance its security presence in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Oceania, Australia has become the focus of increased security cooperation with the US. The US and Australia are looking into new US basing opportunities in Australia, including a naval base in Perth, Western Australia.

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