It's Easy Being Green

Thailand might not have any melting glaciers, but there are signs that it’s starting to feel the heat. Though studies have yet to decisively pin the blame for recent storms and droughts on climate change, scientists say their increased frequency is probably linked to global warming.

For instance, before 1975, southern Thailand saw an average of one tropical storm every seven years, says Dr. Anond Snidvongse, a climate expert at Chulalongkorn University. Since 1975, it’s one tropical storm every three years. And while average rainfall hasn’t changed much, the number of extreme weather events, including massive downpours, has risen in recent years, he adds. Witness to this are the horrendous flooding and landslides in the country’s north this year.

Conversely, many regions in the country have experienced severe drought, Dr. Anond notes. The drought that gripped Thailand in 2004-2005 ended up costing B7.2 billion, mostly in damaged crops, says Greenpeace.

So what’s in store? First, temperatures will keep climbing. Average temperatures may increase from a range of 21.5-27.5 degrees Celsius to 25-32 degrees Celsius, according to Greenpeace. More to the point, the number of days when the mercury rises above 36 degrees Celsius is going to increase, says Dr. Anond. Meanwhile, the number of cool days is going to fall.

Thailand is probably also going to see more bad weather, including droughts, tropical storms and stronger monsoons, warns Dr. Anond. We’re also in for higher sea levels and higher sea temperatures, both of which are going to hurt Thailand’s economy, the World Bank says in a recent report.

Environmental Wish List

Here’s what we’ve seen in other places and we’d love to have here. Most of these things are up to the government to regulate, but it’s up to us as democratic citizens to demand it from them. It’s our country after all!
• A clean river like Singapore’s

• A ban on non-recyclable plastic

• A total ban on CVCs (the particles coming out of aerosol cans that destroy the ozone layer)

• Tax breaks for those who own hybrid cars or solar panels

• More energy-efficient appliances

• Real enforcement of laws regulating air and water pollution

• Electric buses, or at the very least more strictly enforced emission standards for automobiles

• A hotline for blowing the whistle on flagrant offenders and a lab where citizens can send samples (air, water, etc.) for testing.

Where to start?

There are more ways to go green in Bangkok than you might think. Here are a few to get you started.

Bangchak Petroleum Public Co., Ltd. (www.bangchak.co.th). Since its inception, this company has been caring for the environment with interesting projects. One of them is recycling used vegetable oil. Just drop by at one of their five main stations (Ekkamai-Ramintra, Soi Mahatthai, Nawamin, Permsin or Prachauthit) and trade used vegetable oil from your kitchen for a voucher you can use for gasoline (B12/kg). The vouchers are also good in their convenience stores and at Intanin Coffee shops. For more info call 02-745-2444.

Ministry of Energy (www.energy.go.th). This site provides lots of information on how to preserve energy wisely. Find out how to make your car as fuel-efficient as possible, run your computer in energy-save mode and even use vegetable oil with a diesel engine.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia (www.greenpeace.or.th). You don’t have to be an activist to participate in one of Greenpeace’s many Earth-friendly campaigns. Currently, they are trying to push mobile phone companies in Thailand to take back and recycle old mobile phones and batteries. Go Greenpeace!

Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (www.pcd.go.th). The name says it all—if you want to help decrease pollution in the city, visit this site. There is a lot of information about pollution problems in Bangkok and Thailand, as well as details of what you can do about it. One interesting project is fluorescent light disposal. Simply fill out the form online and the PCD will pick up and dispose old fluorescents from your place twice a year for free. For more info call 02-298-2436/8.

Conservation International (www.conservation.org). This non-profit organization works on conserving spaces for wildlife worldwide, but they also have a special division devoted to addressing global warming. Visit the “Climate Change” section for more info on global initiatives and how you can get involved. Go here also to calculate what your total carbon dioxide emissions are.