ALSA MAGAZINE 2022 | ISSUE 01 | APRIL
Legal Affairs
THE ISLAND OF MISSING TREES ALSA Events 2022: What's Next?
PRINCESS MONONOKE & SPIRITED AWAY 'We love the Earth, it is Our Planet'
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alsainternational.org | II
In every walk in with
nature,
one will find MORE than he seeks John Muir
III | Editorial
About this Edition
From the Editor-In-Chief
Speaking about sustaining the Earth always hits close to home for me as a Malaysian (or an Asian). The elders from our community have always done or created something out of nature itself. Our Malay proverbs or old sayings had been mostly illustrated and interpreted from how nature works and wonders. Our cultures and traditions have never failed to prove how much we depend on and reason with the environment. Be it the older or the newer generation, respecting and sustaining our nature is something that is rooted in our community, which I believe my friends from a lot of parts of Asia can relate with. Hence, we at ALSA Magazine are grateful to hear and learn a lot more about this from the Contributors, and we hope that the readers can also be enlightened about it. Because by continuing to speak about our environment, we are indeed doing something about it.
Umar Danial bin Nasarudin
Vice President of External Affairs and Marketing ALSA International Board 2021/2022
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Editorial Board
"Success is best when it's shared" Junior Executive Editors ALSA International 2021/2022
Sirisay Vongsamphanh
Nurul Iffah Hj Puasa
Angelle Cing
Our Contributors "Knowledge increases by sharing but not by saving"
Hear ts &
Aziezul Safwan Zakaria | Hong Jungyhun | Izzati Barudin Melisa PHOMSAVANG | Mikhail Alvindra Sembiring | Muhd Nasmi bin Abdullah Nasar Nasya Ayudianti Ramadhani | Phonepaseuth VONGPHASITH | Sirisay Vongsamphanh Xaypaseuth SOUNTHAVONG
Always Be One!
a tions to ll of them a i c ! pre Ap
1 | Content
content III IV 1
Foreword Editorial Board & Contributors
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CULTURE & ARTS
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Earth Song: Michael's Jackson Gift to Nature by Sirisay Vongsamphanh
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'We love the Earth, It's Our Planet': Earth by Lil Dicky by Aziezul Safwan Zakaria
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Princess Mononoke & Spirited Away: Hayao Miyazaki’s Come to Terms with Environmental Issues by Izzati Barudin
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More on ALSA!
Table of Content
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GLOBAL AFFAIRS
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ASEAN Countries Must Act Together to Prevent Global Warming by Mikhail Alvindra Sembiring
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Lao PDR Experienced Tropical Storm Koguma during Covid-19 by Melisa PHOMSAVANG
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Ramification of Global Warming by Muhd Nasmi bin Abdullah Nasar
Nature Never Mercy by Phonepaseuth VONGPHASITH
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The Effect on the Demand of Single-Used Plastics Amidst Covid-19 by Xaypaseuth SOUNTHAVONG
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LEGAL AFFAIRS
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Lessons from the Healing of the Ozone Layer: Is Zero-Waste Lifestyle Really Effective in Handling Environmental Issues? by Nasya Ayudianti Ramadhani
Legal Suggestions for the Breathing Earth by Hong Jungyhun
'The Island of Missing Trees': If Trees could Speak, They would have Many Stories to Tell by Izzati Barudin
Global Affairs | 2
Global Affairs
"There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth, we are all crew"
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Background Stepping up into the year 2020, life has advanced to another level. Everything in society has changed, even our lifestyle. This is due to the pandemic outbreak of the Covid-19, the number of infected cases has increased to more than hundreds of cases today. Therefore, the lockdown measure has been implemented to protect individuals. Amid the global lockdown, human activities have been stagnant and it may seem like the environment has not been disturbed. However, this is not the case, as, in reality, we have to cope with both the pandemic and also climate changes, particularly natural disasters. The topic of natural disasters has been discussed for a long-time ago. There have been many attempts by humankind to find an aligned resolution between having a sustainable environment and also meeting human demands in order to make a balance. At the same time, coping with natural disasters can be really challenging, particularly during the period of the Covid19 pandemic. Issues While we are in the middle of facing the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters are becoming a threat to our life security as well. Experiencing both the pandemic and disaster is a nightmare that has awakened people. This is because it reminds us to live with awareness and take responsibility for our behavior. In Lao PDR, the aftermath of the Tropical storm has destroyed houses and also the important landmark of The Orange Bridge in Vung Vieng, Vientiane Province. Tropical Storm Koguma occurred around June 2021. The cause of the storm was the depression in China, which went through Vietnam before reaching Lao PDR. In Laos, many provinces in Northern and Central such as Vientiane Province, Xayaburi, Xieng Kuang, and Bo Keo were dealing with floods, affecting agricultural areas, and houses, and the people found it difficult to overcome. Houses were swept in Bokeo. Similarly, the entire city of Xayabulli was flooded. Unfortunately, the Orange Bridge or "Khua Som" in Lao, which is a significant
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to sustain humans’ living. Unfortunately, it is hard for us to realize the long-term effects of doing so. For example, using gas to mobilize transportation or industries will release greenhouse gas, and collectively, it will cause global warming. Then it leads to climate change. Therefore, making a balance between keeping and taking natural resources could possibly avoid natural disasters, if we are collectively aware of the impacts that will happen if there is excessive use of it. Conclusion Natural disasters amid the COVID-19 outbreak are challenging to be managed because of the limited access to necessary preparation and assistance for it. Alongside that, the pandemic which has been spreading makes it more difficult for the relevant sectors to respond accordingly. In my opinion, natural disasters are unpredictable and have been a huge problem from the past to the present and they are caused by various kinds of factors. However, the government should have a disaster prevention plan and is able to supply the necessary information to the individuals in order to ensure prior preparation for disaster can be done and will be able to provide immediate assistance.
References: 1-https://laotiantimes.com/2021/06/13/tropical-storm-koguma-sees-heavyrainfall-hit-laos/ 2-https://laotiantimes.com/2021/06/14/laos-sees-widespread-flooding-inwake-of-tropical-storm-koguma/ 3-https://laoedaily.com.la/2021/06/15/96780/ 4-https://mgronline.com/indochina/detail/9640000057477 5-https://websitelaos.com/1921/ 6-http://mod.gov.la/18062021_2.php 7-The Law on Disaster Management, 2019, Lao PDR.
Photos: 8-The Star Online 9-IFRC
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activation of strange pathogens and outbreaks of infectious diseases are no doubt detrimental to human society and there would be a question mark on the survival of the population, especially in Africa, Asia, and even developed parts of the world. Continuous heatwaves have marked dangerous health-related susceptibilities and in the future, such vulnerabilities may reach beyond manageable levels. In the past, widespread diseases had been a cause of the extermination of human societies. Therefore, the swiftness and rate of recurrence of ecological disasters have seriously challenged the defense experts with new realities and demanded new lines of proactive ecological security. They may initiate serious analysis of horrific impacts associated with global warming because human existence is at stake, and ecological issues have remained common to humanity. A collective response through an honest and trusted global mechanism is the need of time. Indeed, the UN and the developed world have the moral reasonability to support vulnerable developing states as they lack the capacity to deal with hazardous changes in climate. Although the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) has provided a mechanism of green climate fund to cope with financial losses and budgetary deficits due to ecological havoc, there is a dire need for an effective global defense mechanism to deal with the security ramifications of global warming. Through climate security initiatives, developing nations would achieve sustainable development. Besides UNFCCC and IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), UNSC (United Nations Security Council) should put effort and extensive deliberations on climate security issues and their tactical ramifications. The global forums having adequate knowledge and capacity must play an effective role in
securing world peace and security. Their pragmatic contributions will allow climate alliances, joint roles, and bringing together member states for critical scenarios of defending and facing the global warming havoc.
Indeed, the UN and the developed world have the moral reasonability to support vulnerable developing states as they lack the capacity to deal with hazardous changes in climate. More relevantly, the tackling of environmental harms through law has traditionally focused on the degradation of the quality of environmental media, particularly air, water, and land, especially where there are threats to human health, with limited incursions into other aspects of natural resource protection including conservation and biodiversity. It has encompassed tasks such as the management and control of pollution, toxic wastes, and activities that are a nuisance or prejudicial to health. It has moved on to address more complex harms, often byproducts of technological development: such as the chemical impacts of lead ingestion on the neurological functions of organisms; and of CFCs in producing ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere. Today, particularly in policy debates discussing the urgency of global warming, there are the more intractable problems that follow in the wake of the atmospheric build-up of greenhouse gasses (especially carbon dioxide and methane). Here, whilst doubts persist as to the rate of global temperature increase, the serious nature of resulting threats (likely within the lifetimes of many living today) for current forms of planetary life, ourselves included, are now accepted nearunanimously in scientific circles. Yet, policy
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and law in this area has thus far made only limited contributions towards countering the grave risks involved. We need from the outset a working definition for an environment that lies at the heart of our lives and our cultural and physical survival on the planet Earth. Global warming as a threat multiplier is continuously causing extraordinary mega-disasters and remains destructive beyond human ingenuity. With its catastrophic complexities, it has become a direct threat to the human survival and security of the nations, which is based on the human scarcity on the global level other than improving security threats. It has made world leaders think and devise policies that create global resilience to cope with unusual security challenges. Numerous ways of reducing global warming effects and adaptation drives can help green growth. Experts are trying various ways for effective climate change adaptations and these are possible only via the cooperation of all stakeholders. Mutual pacification of interregional problems and transboundary issues would contribute to global peace and development and help tackle the issues of global warming.
References: 1- Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, Shaheen Akhtar, and Fozia Bibi (2021). GLOBAL WARMING CHALLENGES AND TACTICAL RAMIFICATIONS: ADDRESSING ECOLOGICAL SECURITY CONCERNS. Margalla Papers2021 (Issue-I). Page 12-21. 2- Dennis Jaynes and Dr. Preston (June 1, 2010). Global Warming: Myths & Realities. Page 4-33. 3Pijush Kanti Bhattacharjee, Member, IACSIT. (August 2010). Global Warming Impact on the Earth. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 1, No. 3. ISSN: 2010-0264. Page 219-220. 4- Mark Stallworthy. Understanding Environmental Law. First edition. Thomson and Sweet Maxwell. Page 4-9.
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The Effect on the Demand of Single-Used Plastics Amidst Covid-19
“87,4% of the excess waste was from hospitals, rather than from Individual use. PPE usage by Individuals contributed only 7.6% of the total, while packaging and test kits accounted for 4.7% and 3% respectively” (Laville.S, 2021)
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Specifically in Laos, the need of proper waste management is required to cope with medical and PPE waste from different fields. As Dr. Bouakham Tounnalom, the Deputy Director of Hygiene Management Division, Ministry of Health has stated, the concern of the Covid-19 waste management system such as having “waste collection, treatment, transport and disposal systems have limited capacity. Waste collection companies have to ensure proper use of PPE, and preventive measures and need to increase their frequency of picking up waste every week. Protocols and Contracts have been signed to ensure safety measures are put into place for such services”. (Somvorachit, A., et al., 2021). In 2020, Lao PDR also adopted the state guidance in managing infected waste from hygiene centers, hospitals, quarantine facilities, and so on. The guidance consists of the process of collecting waste from each different place, the waste container, transportation, and the infected waste disposal. For example, in infected waste transportation, it is to be ensured that the waste would not be befallen in the time of transporting between the route of transportation between the building and the garbage stock point by using the garbage cart for carrying the dangerous waste only and spray the chlorine 0.5 % along the way Recommendation Plastic is designed to serve the convenience of individuals and it is undeniable that plastic is a part of our life e. Citizens prioritize convenience, rather than considering the long-term effect on the community. This is why, on a global scale, the message of reducing plastic is being spread in order to raise an eco-conscious generation. In terms of waste from the Covid-19 outbreak, the basic guideline of waste management from home is required. However, this will be easier i f we have a
guide to advise how to throw or manage the waste in proper ways. The Covid-19 basic waste management guide should be published on social media platforms or made available as Posters to the public so it can be easily accessible. Furthermore, incorporating creativity like including colors, animations and graphics should be done in the guide as it would make it more comprehensible and eye-catching to the general public. In my perspective, sometimes, we might throw face masks or gloves in the general waste but having a waste separate bin between general and hazardous waste will reduce the risk of spreading infection. In addition to that, wearing a cotton face mask could save our environment and it would be more economical as well. However, a cotton mask costs more than general masks, but by buying it, it can be used long-term as it can be washed after using it all day, as advised. Conclusion The pandemic outbreak has been proof that the demand for single-use plastic is increasing because plastic materials can reduce the risk of being infected with Covid19. However, having a proper waste management system would help in making the environment more sustainable. Thus, as a global citizens, being a voice alongside taking action are our fundamental responsibilities in order to make a balance to the environment as well as secure our lives in the future ahead.
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LEGAL affairs
Environmental Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are
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References: 1-KBS documentary (2021), https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=0a7y1DEuASM&t=494s 2- "Brazil's Bolsonaro accused of crimes against humanity as Amazon felled", Reuters, Fabio Teixeria, Web. 10/12/2021. 3- United Nations Charter, Chapter VII 4- “South Korea selected to host Green Climate Fund”, Climate Change News, John Parnell, Web. 20/10/2012.
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Lessons from the Healing of the Ozone Layer: Is Zero-Waste Lifestyle Really Effective in Handling Environmental Issues? by Nasya Ayudianti Ramadhani
The ozone layer is a protective layer made up of a high concentration of ozone located in the Earth’s stratosphere. The ozone layer has the important function of absorbing 9399% of ultraviolet light produced by the sun which is damaging to life on Earth. Despite the protective nature of the layer, the layer is quite fragile. In 1985, scientists found that high exposures of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) have damaged the layer, creating a rupture, and predicted that the layer will be completely depleted by 2050. Depletion of the ozone layer would cause ultraviolet radiation to directly impact Earth and pose multiple problems from higher exposure to skin cancer to climate change. To combat the depletion of the ozone layer, concrete actions were done which centered around public awareness, practical solutions, and cooperation of leaders around the world to implement laws suppressing CFCs and other chemicals posing threat to the ozone layer. The most significant of those laws is the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The protocol is a multilateral environmental agreement signed by 198 United Nations Member States which regulates the ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Essentially, the protocol functions to globally reduce the usage of ODS substances using collaborative measures and split. responsibilities on the basis of
of equity. Fortunate to such actions, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) found that there is a 20% depletion of the ozone layer from 1985 to 2005. With such a rate, it is predicted that the layer might fully recover by 2050-2060.
Despite the healing of the ozone layer, environmental issues continue to occur. Pollution, microplastics, deforestation, and threat to biodiversity are just some of the environmental issues happening in recent years. Due to these occurrences, many people are more aware of the importance of sustainable living and a zero-waste lifestyle. Instead of plastic bags and straws, restaurants, as well as individuals, are using reusable straws made from various materials including metals and wood, bringing their own tumblers, and tote bags instead of single-use plastic bags. In many places, these zero-waste lifestyles are not an option more than they are compulsory. However, considering the significance of the environmental issues and the small time frame we have to recover them, the effectiveness of zero-waste lifestyles becomes a question of its own.
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Learning from the efforts to heal the ozone layer, holistic participation must be taken to solve an environmental issue. In order to tackle the root cause of it, consumer-focused efforts need to also be balanced with producer-focused measures. Oftentimes, the focus on zero-waste lifestyles and its advocation puts pressure on individuals to adapt without balancing pressure from the government to producers in finding alternatives to plastic bags and other non-degradable materials. Without regulations to push the producers, the effort to reduce single-use items will not be as effective as it aims to be. In recent years, natural-based inventions such as biodegradable plastic bags made from cassava, banana leave plates, and bamboo straws have gradually been used to replace their non-degradable counterparts. If such efforts continue followed by balanced measures from the producer, the effectiveness of sustainable and zero-waste lifestyles in handling environmental issues might increase.
Overall, every member of society must take part in handling environmental issues. At the end of the day, caring for the planet is not only an obligation for the life of today but for the future. Aside from adapting to zero-waste lifestyles, it is also important to acknowledge the role of law in creating regulations to serve as a legal basis for such zero-waste lifestyles and furthermore, the structural handling of environmental issues. Hopefully, world leaders manage to implement the substance of the Paris Agreement and carry a scientific approach to policies surrounding environmental issues.
References: 1- Sivasakthivel.T and K.K.Siva Kumar Reddy, “Ozone Layer Depletion and Its Effects: A Review”, International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol.2, No.1, February 2011 2- Bitesize, “Why don’t we talk about the ozone layer anymore?”, retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrcw47h
23 | Culture & Arts
culture & arts
A culture disconnected from wild nature, becomes insane
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THE ISLAND OF MISSING TREES If Trees could speak, they would have many stories to tell by Izzati Barudin
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References: 1- Shafak, E. (2021). The Island of Missing Trees. Penguin Random House UK.
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EARTH SONG
Michael Jackson's gift to nature by Sirisay Vongsamphanh
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'We love the Earth, it is Our Planet' Earth by Lil Dicky
written by Aziezul Safwan Zakaria
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References: 1- Global Warming 101 written by Amanda MacMillan and Jeff Turrentine on 7th April 2022, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101 2- Lyrics of the Song: Earth by Lil Dicky, https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Lil-Dicky/Earth 3- 11 Facts About Earth Day, published on 19th April 2021 https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11facts-about-earth 4- Chart Achievements - Earth by Lil Dicky, https://popnable.com/usa/songs/173925-lil-dickyearth/charts 5Earth by Lil Dicky, https://www.songfacts.com/facts/lil-dicky/earth 6- Global Warming 101 written by Amanda MacMillan and Jeff Turrentine on 7th April 2022, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101
yes! It's Leo!
Source: Earth's Music Video
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Princess Mononoke & Spirited Away:
Hayao Miyazaki’s come to terms with environmental issues by Izzati Barudin
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References: 1- https://www.iucn.org/resources/issuesbriefs/marine-plastic-pollution 2- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245429/ plotsummary Info: Studio Ghibli's movies including Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away are available on Netflix in most Asian countries.
Always Be One!
ALSA MAGAZINE 2022 | ISSUE 01 | APRIL
