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Rice, the Staple Food of ASEAN
By_‌Yang Hyang-ja, Food Researcher, Ph. D. in Dining Space Design

Environmental issues, such as environmental degradation and lack of resources, are a threat to national security as well as human existence. The situation is quite dire in ASEAN countries, which are more vulnerable to natural disasters. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand are ranked in the world’s top 10 countries vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. Damages caused by rising sea levels such as coral reef bleaching and flooding have a profound impact on infrastructures and industrial structures which are further exacerbated by climate change./p>

As economic losses from natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods are beginning to accumulate, ASEAN countries are contemplating how to respond at the national level. It appears that countries are establishingtwo-track policies with disaster response and recovery in the short-term and reducing pollutants in the long-term. Such policies are expected to be strengthened in the future. In November 2020, ASEAN member states held a ministerial meeting to respond jointly to natural disasters and decided to adopt a new ASEAN Disaster Management Framework which will be implemented between 2021 and 2025.

In order to mitigate the impact of climate change and natural disasters, ASEAN countries are reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and promoting environmental friendly policies such as renewable energy and electric vehicles. Production of 2,400 electric vehicles in 2019 is expected to increase to 340,000 in 2025, and the share of electric vehicles in ASEAN countries is expected to grow to 35%.

The contents of all articles may differ from the editorial direction of the ASEAN Culture House Monthly.