In The News

Computer recycling is meant to keep hazardous materials out of incinerators and landfills, reusing components to avoid the pollution and energy use required to obtain new materials. But recycling is also expensive and hazardous. So many companies, rather than disassemble the machines, chose to export them to developing nations, where they are not repaired or sold, but dumped. Each month, 400,...

Since China gained control of Hong Kong in the 1997 handover from Britain, international observers have wondered whether Beijing would allow the island to retain its separate identity. In many ways, Beijing has indeed followed its promise of "one country, two systems," recognizing that Hong Kong's property rights and entrepreneurial spirit do much to fuel the economic growth of...

Amidst rising energy demand and a growing concern about environmental degradation, Australia is emerging as the new leader in the effort to combat global warming in the Asia-Pacific. At a meeting in Sydney last week, Australia along with India, China, South Korea, Japan and the US mapped out practical solutions to eliminate deficiencies of the Kyoto Protocol. The participants – who together...