Climate change is transforming the South China Sea into a human security frontier, displacing vulnerable coastal communities and driving irregular maritime movement across borders. ASEAN’s current maritime governance overlooks climate mobility and integrating it into regional rules and institutions is essential to prevent escalating humanitarian crises from devolving into strategic instability.

Professor William Michael Hanemann is one the world’s preeminent scholars on water economics, climate change impacts, and the policy implications of both. He designed the water rates for Los Angeles California that have been used successfully for 25 years and has consulted state and federal water agencies. His lecture, “The Limits to (Conventional) Economics as a Guide to Managing Water,” part of the Lim Tiam Seng Lecture Series, was well attended by an alert and engaged audience.

Singapore’s smart traffic policies and integrated mobility offer lessons for Southeast Asian cities tackling congestion, pollution, and urban sustainability.

Trump 2.0’s climate policy reversals challenge global efforts, but Southeast Asia and China seize opportunities in clean tech and green growth.