Spread a blue message around the world! Be part of the massive celebration of the Coral Triangle - the world's centre of marine life - as individuals, organizations, and establishments come together on this special day, carrying one message: to protect the oceans that connects us all.

Visit the website: http://www.thecoraltriangle.com/day/

While almost 85 percent of people from developing countries are struggling to cope with natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruption, typhoons, floods and droughts, funding for risk reduction, including preparedness, is insufficient with only $3.7 billion (1 percent) out of $363-billion total aid spent on disaster reduction in the poorest countries, according to United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster-Risk Reduction Margareta Wahlstrom.

Read more: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/26114-funding-for-disaste...

CNN's Kyung Lah reports on how the Philippines hopes to reduce pollution, one ecofriendly motorbike at a time.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2012/04/30/lah-phill-e-trikes...

How will climate change impact on the ability of Asia to produce food? The Centre for Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security has found that rising temperatures and severe weather like floods could halve agricultural productivity in Asia over the next 30 years.

Read more: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asi...

In Lao People's Democratic Republic, an ADB-supported project is bringing clean water to households and creating opportunities for women.

Mangroves grow along the ocean coasts of 118 countries – with a quarter of the world's 40m hectares being in south-east Asia – but with widespread deforestation due to population pressure, expansion of shrimp farms and development, scientists fear mangroves may disappear altogether in as little as 100 years. At their best, mangroves form a vast coastal barrier of trunks and roots against the sea, controlling erosion, protecting communities from storms, and providing an environment for greater fish diversity.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/apr/24/vietnam-mangrove-deforesta...

As part of ADB’s ongoing mission to promote solar investment across the region, experts and investors have gathered in Jodhpur, Rajasthan for the 4th Asia Solar Energy Forum to explore the latest trends and issues.

ADB.org speaks with S.Chander, Director-General of the Regional and Sustainable Development Department about the quest to kick start the use of this clean, virtually inexhaustible power supply in the region.

Read more: http://www.adb.org/features/powering-ahead-solar

Manila's Pasig River continues to play an important social, cultural, historical and political role. Its restoration, which began with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program in 1989, aims to reverse the effects of years of negligence, uncontrolled development, and unabated pollution. Various initiatives and projects were undertaken in collaboration with international donors, national government agencies, local governments, civil society groups, and the private sector. In 1999, a presidential mandate established the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) with the clear goal of restoring the Pasig River from a biologically dead river to Class "C" level—that which can sustain life—by 2014.

Read more: http://www.adb.org/news/events/pasig-river-forum

By creating the world's first long-term record of ecosystem health, Chinese and UK researchers have identified where specific social and economic policies have damaged the environment in eastern China.

The work shows that wealth generation over recent decades is damaging essential ecosystem services on which the poorest rely - things like food, fuel, and clean water.

What makes this approach different is the historical perspective. By revealing trends over decades researchers can separate natural causes of change from man-made ones, and set benchmarks for ecosystem health that will inform environmental and social policies.

Read more: http://phys.org/news/2012-04-environmental-index-rural.html

India has had some success in reducing poverty, but a staggering 350 million people still live below the poverty line.

And discontent is rising, with the middle income feeling the pinch from soaring food prices.

Industry experts said it's time the government introduce new reforms to spur the country's economy.

Read more: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/1195200/1/.html