Hike in public transport use sought - Taipei Times

Hike in public transport use sought - Taipei Times: "Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) yesterday said the ministry aims to increase the public transport usage rate from about 14 percent to 30 percent, with a goal of a 5 percent increase annually.
Mao made the statement at a transportation service seminar held by the ministry, where he delivered a speech titled “Vision of a Low Carbon Emission, Sustainable Transport Development.”"

'via Blog this'

1.2 million flee as Typhoon Roke hits Japan

Damage from Typhoon Roke is evident in Kasugai, central Japan, as the 130 mph storm swept across the country, halting business, causing mass evacuations and leaving 13 dead or missing.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/21/MN8O1L7ODG.DTL#ixzz1YfmslggQ

A powerful typhoon cut a path through Japan's main island on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 1.2 million from the area and causing the deaths or disappearance of at least 13 people.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/21/MN8O1L7ODG.DTL#ixzz1Yfmjyn6v

New Taipei City promotes tourism with Car-Free Day - The China Post

New Taipei City promotes tourism with Car-Free Day - The China Post: "The China Post news staff--New Taipei City blocked vehicles from the streets of riverside Danshui's favorite tourist spots as it marked Car-Free Day yesterday.

The areas around Danshui's old street were closed to traffic starting 10 a.m., giving pedestrians a car-free environment to enjoy its famous foods and river scenes. They were also entertained by street performers.

Mayor Eric Chu urged tourists to take the MRT and other public transportation to Danshui.

Chu boarded a ferry at the nearby Kuandu pier for a ride down the river to Danshui. He then took a walk in the car-free zone, greeting and chatting with tourists before leaving by MRT."

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How Biofuels Are Destroying Indigenous Communities in Malaysia - James Whitlow Delano - International - The Atlantic

How Biofuels Are Destroying Indigenous Communities in Malaysia - James Whitlow Delano - International - The Atlantic: "Bio-fuel is not always 'green' or sustainable as an alternative energy. Logging and then palm oil plantations have cost two indigenous Malaysian 'little peoples' -- the Batek and the Penan, so-called in reference to both physical stature and political clout -- much of their rainforest homelands. Malaysia is now the world's second largest producer of palm oil after its larger neighbor, Indonesia, while logging companies in the country have grown into multi-national corporations, increasing the wealth of their foreign owners at the expense of the forest peoples whose homes they destroy."

Congested Jakarta Must Embrace Public Transportation: Fauzi | The Jakarta Globe

Congested Jakarta Must Embrace Public Transportation: Fauzi | The Jakarta Globe: "As the Indonesian capital enters the ripe old age of 484 years, its governor stated the obvious on Tuesday: Jakarta has an acute shortage of public transport.

Governor Fauzi Bowo said there were 7.34 million vehicles in the city, but public transport only accounted for just 2 percent of them."

Free public transport, please - The Malaysian Insider

Free public transport, please - The Malaysian Insider: "We need to think outside the box. Give a great public transport system for free within the urban areas and you don’t have to subsidise the fuel price. You don’t have to build an MRT system for RM40 billion. You don’t have to burden any income group in the city. Transport costs are zero if they take public transport."

Thousands rally for labor rights march in Taipei

China Post Online - Taiwan, News, Breaking News, World News, and News from Taiwan │英文報紙│英文時事│英文新聞-英文中國郵報: "Taiwan's laborers yesterday took to the streets, along with women's rights activists, environmentalists, youths, and people representing other social welfare groups, to call for better rights in a May Day parade that saw at least 5,000 participants."