NAPSNet 23 June 2011

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet 23 June 2011", NAPSNet Weekly Report, June 23, 2011, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/napsnet-23-june-2011/

NAPSNet 23 June 2011

AUSTRAL SECURITY: China’s ascent may prompt shift of Defence bases, Age (23 June 2011)

Dan Oakes reports that a defence posture review currently being undertaken under order from the Australian government could result in the reposition of Australia’s fighting capability to northern Australia in order to protect Australia’s energy resources and counter the growing threat China poses in the region.  This comes as the Lowy Institute’s Alan Dupont has released a report emphasising the need for a clearer Australian strategy to deal with China and its resource concerns.

DETERRENCE: South Korea shooting mishap highlights heightened tensions with North, Christian Science Monitor (19 June 2011)

South Korean marines fired K2 rifles at but did not hit an Asiana passenger jet flying its normal route.  They mistook it for a North Korean fighter jet above Gyodong Island (about a mile from the North).  This incident raises issues of rules of engagement, inadvertent escalation, and loss of control of nuclear weapons.

ENERGY SECURITY:  Statement to IAEA ministerial conference on nuclear safety, IAEA (20 June 2011)

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano noted the impacts of the Fukushima accident on public confidence in nuclear power safety.  He called for reviews of IAEA safety standards and their implementation, of the safety of all nuclear plants, and of the independence and effectiveness of national nuclear regulators, as well as strengthening of global emergency preparedness and response, and enhancement of the IAEA’s information-sharing function.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Chinese military moves on restive Guangzhou Suburb, Epoch Times (14 June 2011)

Thousands of migrant workers turned out protesting discrimination in the southern city of Xintang, China sparking riots and highlighting the growing frustration of migrant and low income communities. Demonstrators destroyed vehicles and public facilities; at least 25 people were arrested, and over 5,000 police and soldiers were mobilized. Meanwhile, thousands protested in Yangxunqiau after 500 adults and 100 children were infected with lead poisoning.

DPRK: N. Korea’s deforestation proceeding rapidly: report, Yonhap (17 June 2011)

The Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) reported that the chronic energy shortage in the DPRK is driving deforestation. North Koreans are increasingly using biomass for food and fuel due to the lack of coal and electricity. Approximately 127,000 hectares of forest in North Korea has been destroyed every year for the last two decades. The loss of forest cover makes the DPRK increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters such as mudslides.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Urban climate change adaptation in the context of transformation: lessons from Vietnam, Resilient Cities, Local Sustainability (2011) [subscription required]

The need to adapt to climate related impacts creates new and unprecedented challenges for local governments, often exceeding their current capacities. Matthias Garschagen and Frauke Kraas analyse challenges local urban governments/cities face with respect to formulating and implementing their climate adaptation strategies in the context of numerous emerging political and economic transformations. They focus particularly on coastal and delta cities in Vietnam.       

 

 

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