Connect, Learn, and Lead: ASEAN Youth Exchange 2024 Awaits You!

The ASEAN Youth Exchange 2024 is focused on “The Taste and Beauty of ASEAN,” (1) _______ young people from countries like Indonesia and Malaysia together to explore each other's cultures, food, and traditions. This program offers participants the chance (2) _______ local communities and learn about the daily lives of people in these countries. It helps build understanding, empathy, and responsibility (3) _______ the youth.

The program also highlights the value of ASEAN and encourages youth to take action and lead positive changes. It offers a chance to connect, share ideas, and work (4) _______ projects that focus on unity and sustainability. The exchange helps build international networks that can lead to future (5) _______ in diplomacy, business, and innovation. Through art performances, community service, and youth-led discussions, the ASEAN Youth Exchange 2024 gives participants a chance to make a meaningful impact and (6) _______ to the growth and development of the ASEAN community.

Ice Sheets Today

What Are Ice Sheets?

- The Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets (1) _______ more than 99% of Earth's freshwater ice.

- (2) _______ both ice sheets completely melt, sea levels could rise by 67.4 metres (223 feet).

- For most of the 20th century, the ice sheets were stable, contributing very little to sea level rise. However, their stability (3) _______ in recent years.

Why Are Ice Sheets Melting?

- Surface melting is caused by changes in weather and the (4) _______ of solar energy absorbed by the ice.

- (5) _______ such as air temperature, snow quality, and surface dust (like soot and ash) increase solar absorption and cause more melting.

- This melting is an important (6) _______ of climate change and affects the health of the ice sheets.

Melting Seasons

- Greenland Ice Sheet: April 1 to November 1.

- Antarctic Ice Sheet: November 1 to April 1.

El Niño is a climate phenomenon (1) _______ when they observed unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean. Today, scientists study El Niño to understand its effects on global weather and temperatures.

El Niño is most noticeable during the winter months, which usually continue for around a year. (2) _______. In June 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) formally declared the onset of El Niño, which is predicted to last until 2024.

Kieran Hunt, a climate scientist, explains that El Niño is a time (3) _______. It is part of a bigger climate system called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

2023 was the hottest year on record, with extreme temperatures (4) _______. As the Earth continues to warm, hotter weather is expected to become more frequent and intense. (5) _______. Forecasters predict that by late spring or early summer, La Niña conditions may return, changing the climate pattern again.

1. As we look ahead, cities will need to keep changing to meet new environmental and social challenges.

2. Experts predict that future cities will be smarter and more connected. The use of sensors and automation will help manage resources and improve transportation. For example, autonomous vehicles could change how people move around, reducing traffic and making streets safer.

3. Cities will also become more sustainable, using renewable energy, green infrastructure, and efficient technologies. Buildings might be built using 3D printing, which would make construction more eco-friendly and affordable.

4. The role of governments, businesses, and individuals will be key in shaping these future cities. Governments can encourage smart, sustainable development through tax breaks and regulations. Businesses can help by creating and using new sustainable technologies, like investing in energy-efficient systems or renewable infrastructure. Individuals can also contribute by adopting sustainable habits, such as using public transportation or reducing their energy use.

5. Looking to the future, the city of tomorrow will be sustainable, smart, and fair, able to handle growing populations while protecting the environment. By focusing on sustainable and smart urban development, we can build cities that are strong and adaptable. This vision is possible, but it will take everyone working together. Some cities are already making progress. For example, Stockholm aims to be fossil fuel-free by 2040, and Copenhagen plans to be carbon-neutral by 2025 by changing transportation and increasing renewable energy use.

1. [I] Net zero refers to a state where the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere are balanced by those being removed. [II] This is very important for fighting climate change. [III] This effort directly supports the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming well below 2°C. Signed by 196 nations in 2016, the Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. [IV]

2. Businesses can play an active role in removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Nature-based solutions like afforestation, which involves planting new forests, and reforestation, which restores degraded forests, are effective methods to absorb CO2 naturally. Additionally, technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) can help trap CO2 emissions from industrial processes and safely store them underground. These measures ensure that emissions are reduced and balanced over time.

3. Buildings are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and businesses can address this by improving energy efficiency. This can include adding better insulation to keep buildings warm or cool, installing energy-efficient lighting, and doing energy audits to find and fix areas where energy is being wasted. These steps not only reduce emissions but also save money on energy bills.

4. Businesses can use electricity from renewable sources such as solar power, wind energy, hydroelectric power, or geothermal energy. They can install solar panels to produce their own energy or buy green energy through agreements with renewable energy companies.

5. Transportation is another major source of emissions, and businesses can address this by electrifying their vehicle fleets, replacing fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric ones, and installing charging infrastructure. They can also encourage employees to use public transportation, share rides, or choose environmentally friendly commuting options like cycling and walking further reduces emissions.