Shanti Ramchand learned quickly what was expected when she began campaigning in Jakarta for Indonesia’s national parliament – distribute envelopes of cash at a small campaign event, and gift a motorcycle or an airconditioning unit to the community leader. Ramchand, an aspiring politician from the National Democrat Party, part of President Joko Widodo’s coalition, is […]
air pollution south asia
Can earthquakes help South Asia overcome its brick kiln pollution problem?
Below skies darkened by thick black smoke, hundreds of thousands of brick kiln workers endure back-breaking labour and suffocating heat working in almost medieval conditions across South Asia. But in one corner of the region, the need to rebuild after Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake has presented an unexpected opportunity. While much work remains to be […]