Green action needed

Re: "Investing in hope for the planet", (Opinion, ).

World Environment Day (WED), observed annually on under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep), serves as the world's largest platform for environmental awareness, advocacy and action.

The observance of World Environment Day 2026 assumes particular significance in the context of escalating global environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production.

As nations strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfil commitments under international environmental agreements, World Environment Day 2026 provides a critical opportunity to strengthen public participation, policy interventions and collective responsibility towards environmental conservation.

From a Thai perspective, the significance of World Environment Day 2026 is multifaceted.

Thailand represents one of the world's richest biodiversity regions, yet faces complex environmental pressures arising from rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, population expansion and climate variability.

Environmental issues such as air pollution, declining groundwater levels, waste management challenges, land degradation and extreme weather events have increasingly affected ecological stability and human well-being. Consequently, World Environment Day acts as a catalyst for promoting environmental stewardship, sustainable development and climate resilience across the country.

Moreover, the event reinforces the importance of integrating traditional Indian ecological values with contemporary environmental management practices. Ancient Thai philosophies emphasising harmony between humans and nature continue to offer valuable insights for sustainable living and resource conservation.

By fostering environmental literacy among youth, promoting green innovation, and encouraging collaborative action among governments, industries, civil society organisations and local communities, World Environment Day 2026 contributes significantly to building a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Saikat Basu

Standing up to US

Re: "A dangerous call to arms for Asean", (Opinion, ).

In response to the opinion piece by political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak, I ask a question: Who on earth is this Pete Hegseth (US defence secretary) to tell Asian allies and partners to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence? In 2025 the EU fell into the same US trap. On top of that they demanded an extra 1.5% for infrastructure and security. Only Spain had the guts to refuse.

Mark Rutte, Nato's secretary-general, said in a 2024 speech in Brussels that the EU must cut social security and healthcare to guarantee military security. Lo and behold, the current Dutch government's policy is just that.

Few people know the US has more than 750 military bases worldwide. Their defence expenditure in 2025 was US$954 billion, which is a whopping 33% of all defence expenditure by the rest of the countries in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Institute (Sipri).

Recently the US announced plans to up that to $1.5 trillion. Sipri says total defence expenditure of China, Russia, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and Ukraine combined was $905 billion (2025).

The EU as a whole spent in 2025 $381 billion and committed themselves to more than $950 billion. Never mind Russia being called a military threat with a defence expenditure of "only" $190 billion. Besides, the Russians have proven they can't punch their way out of a paper bag in the war against Ukraine.

Isn't it time for countries to have the guts and stand up against the US instead of being dictated to as its satellites?

S de Jong

source: Bangkok Post https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/3267348/green-action-needed