US Sec-Gen Ban makes his move on energy and global climate

 It did not concern the Cambodia-Thailand conflict over the Hindu temple Preah Vihear, health conditions of people in Africa, or violence in the Middle East. Rather, the directive zoomed straight in on the most dangerous diseases to mankind - the merciless rise of global energy prices and climate change.

From now on, the air-conditioning temperature at the UN's New York headquarters for the month of August will rise from a crisp 22 degrees Celsius to a balmy 25. The air-conditioning in the 39-floor Secretariat building will be turned off on weekends. During the winter, the process will be reversed and the thermostat lowered. Lighter attire is recommended rather than business suits.

In a year, the "Cool UN" initiative could save US$1 million (Bt33.7 million) in energy costs and reduce the building's annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2,800 tonnes.  

Due to rising energy bills and environmental concerns, several companies have resorted to renewable energy.

Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser beer, announced last week that one in seven of its beers brewed in the US would be made using renewable fuel by the end of 2009. Under a new agreement, St Louis-based Anheuser-Busch will buy biogas from a landfill in Houston.

Procter & Gamble (Thailand) will also convert its Bt18-billion regional manufacturing plant for skin and haircare products to natural gas by the end of next year, to save Bt10 million a year in energy costs.

Vietnam is to increase car registration fees from 5 per cent of the purchase price to 15 per cent. Though this is mainly to reduce traffic jams and the country's ballooning trade deficit from vehicle imports, it would effectively cut fuel consumption as well as CO2 emission.

It was reported that so far this year, Vietnam-based auto-makers have sold over 68,000 units, a 141 per cent year-on-year increase. In the first six months, cars worth $812 million were imported.

Some Thai farmers and provincial hotels are also implementing projects to generate power from biogas.

Talks have been going on for years on how we should use energy wisely, but sky high oil prices have been a wake-up call.

Still, I think we need to congratulate all those showing their determination to change. And Ban should be commended for saying: "We must lead by example and if we are to ask others to take action, we must do so as well."

What should Thailand do? I guess floating the price of cooking gas is now a no no.