Turtle-friendly hooks will be introduced to coastal and deep-sea fishermen in Malaysia this year in a bid to save more turtles. The Fisheries Department wants fishermen to replace the "J-Hook" with the "Circle-Hook" as experiments and studies showed that the latter would not harm the reptile. Once the use of the Circle-Hook becomes widespread, the department plans to ban the use of the J-Hook. More here.

Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday called on the nation to redouble its efforts to tackle pollution and global warming, according to a statement posted on the government's website. "Cutting energy consumption and pollutant emissions and dealing with climate change are urgent, critically important tasks," Wen said. The creation of a task force on energy saving, pollution reduction and response to climate change by the Chinese government was one response to the situation, he said.

The Bangkok Post reports that a new environment tax expected to be approved by the end of the year will help generate additional annual tax revenues of 20 billion baht (nearly US$700,000). According to the Fiscal Policy Office, a tax rate of 2% was judged suitable and comparable to other countries. The tax would likely be phased in over a period of time to allow local companies time to adjust. Final rates and other details would be left to the government to set under a separate decree. Factories with water discharge that exceeded state quality standards for instance could qualify for lower tax rates under supplementary decrees based on the parent law.

Greenpeace is facing allegations that it disseminated false information about a port project in eastern India. The Greenpeace report dubbed Dhamra Port in the state of Orissa as an "ecological blunder". It recommended that the Tata conglomerate, which has major share in the project, should abandon it. However, the university which prepared information used by Greenpeace, alleges the group has "doctored" its document. More here.

One of the largest media events to hit the world took place last weekend in locations in the UK, America, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan and South Africa to rally mass support to tackle climate change. Up to 150 acts played at the Al Gore inspired Live Earth concert, which had an estimated broadcast audience of 2 billion. The concerts aimed to set a 'green example' for other music events by using measures such as eco-friendly electricity, sustainable lighting and carbon-neutral travel, but UK and US media has been critical of the use of private jets, leftover trash and the lack of efforts to provide concertgoers with more educational materials. Here at CSR Asia there’s a debate to whether using celebrities such as Madonna, Razorlight, Kasabian, Keane, Beastie Boys and the like to send out important messages about climate change will actually have any long term impact. For articles covering the event see here and here. For the seven-point pledge that the crowds were asked to support see below the fold. The seven-point pledge 1 To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next two years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth 2 To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become 'carbon neutral' 3 To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coals without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2 4 To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home workplace, school, place of worship and means of transportation 5 To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal 6 To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests 7 To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just and prosperous world for the 21st century.