Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 170

‘Over half of Tibetan Plateau’s glaciers may melt by 2100’

Chinese scientists have warned that some low-elevation glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau may disappear permanently, which could significantly impact the plateau’s ecosystem. In fact, by the end of the current, 21st century, the loss of glacial mass in some regions of the Tibetan Plateau will exceed 50%, according to the scientists’ model predictions cited by China’s official Xinhua news agency Aug

Opinion: Why Tibet Matters?

Tibet is the “Roof of the World,” “the Water Tower of Asia,” and the “Third Pole.” Despite these facts, Tibet does not garner the same attention and concerns as Ukraine and the Middle East Crisis in today’s news. Understandably, the Ukraine and the Middle East Crisis are houses on fire, and Tibet is apparently not. However, while the world is duly concerned about and attending to the houses on

Chinese, Philippine Vessels Collide For Second Time at Sabina Shoal

Chinese and Philippine vessels have once again collided close to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the latest sign of continuing maritime tensions between the two sides.As has now become routine, the two governments each issued statements detailing yesterday’s incident and assigning blame in the opposite direction. In a statement, a Philippine government task force accused the China Coast

Mao Zedong, 1962: «It is now ten o’clock. The meeting is in session»

In 1958 Chairman Mao launched the Great Leap Forward. By mobilizing the «masses» Mao wanted to take a shortcut to communism and overtake the U.S., the Soviet Union and everyone else. The leap ended three years later with millions and millions dead. At a Central Committee meeting in 1962, Mao admitted his shortcomings: «The situation in our country has not been very good for the past few years,

Mao Zedong, 1962: « It is now ten o’clock. The meeting is in session»

In 1958 Chairman Mao launched the Great Leap Forward. By mobilizing the «masses» Mao wanted to take a shortcut to communism and overtake the U.S., the Soviet Union and everyone else. The leap ended three years later with millions and millions dead. At a Central Committee meeting in 1962, Mao admitted his shortcomings: «The situation in our country has not been very good for the past few years,

Can China Curb the Online Harrassment of Women?

Online violence and coordinated troll campaigns are not exactly new, but the just-concluded Paris Olympics offer a powerful reminder that no one is safe from keyboard warriors. Just to name one high-profile incident, the toxicity surrounding a judging controversy involving American gymnast Jordan Chiles and Romanian Ana Bărbosu drove both athletes off social media.China’s Olympic team was hardly

Western airlines were excited about returning to China after Covid. But not anymore

When China finally reopened its borders after years of Covid restrictions, Western airlines seemed poised to return to the once bustling market. Last year, foreign carriers scrambled to reinstate direct routes to the world’s second biggest economy, previously known for its export of lavishly spending tourists. Some even touted plans to boost flight schedules.But fast forward a year, the mood

“THEY’LL STOOP TO ANYTHING TO REDUCE THE DIVORCE RATE”

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs has unveiled a revised draft law that would make it simpler to register marriages and potentially more difficult to divorce. The proposed changes, billed as helping to create a “family friendly society,” are generally viewed as an attempt to address a looming demographic crisis partly fueled by the nation’s plummeting birth rate. The draft law, which is open

Extreme Weather Sends Food Prices Soaring in China

Vegetable prices have soared to their highest level in nearly a decade in China, after a summer of extreme weather that has battered the country’s farming heartlands. According to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the country’s average daily vegetable price rose over 40% between June 16 and Aug. 15, from 4.27 yuan ($0.60) per kilogram to 6.01 yuan ($0.84). In some areas,

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Is Turning Into a Vast Grassland, Study Finds

A major Chinese study has found that climate change is already causing profound environmental changes on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, transforming the mountainous region into a vast grassland. Scientists have been worried about the potential impact of a warming planet on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau for decades. The area — which stretches from the Himalayas to the Kunlun Mountains in western China —