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Yes, I think there is a need for something that targets the environmental problems in ASEAN but it does not specifically need a 4th pillar. It can be a main goal of the 3 other pillars, as it is very important, but not that important that there is a need for a 4th whole pillar, which would need a lot of manpower and resources to elect and maintain the representatives of Sustainability for each country, and we would need a lot more of deliberation before actually settling on a decision as for things to be passed in ASEAN, there needs to be a unanimous vote. and there would be more people, leading to more indecisiveness. Although environmental problems are very prominent in ASEAN, like the transboundary haze and plastic waste problems in Indonesia, Philippines etc. which can even affect the rest of the countries. All of the pillars should have a part to play, for example, the Social-cultural Community can spread awareness about anti-plastic use and how it can benefit the people. In conclusion, ASEAN should focus more on environmental issues, but it does not need a 4th pillar.

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We believe that whether or not there is a need to add a fourth pillar is a very controversial question. Although the environment is an increasing important factor nowadays, adding a fourth pillar might not be fully necessary.

Firstly, not caring about the environment might greatly affect people, like how the transboundary haze has spread throughout South-East Asia and caused many residents to develop respiratory issues.

However, being too focused on the environment might be very detrimental to business and finance, especially for Singapore, the major trade hub in South-East Asia, and the resource curse has already made some South-East Asian countries poor.

Overall, the environmental community is an important aspect of South-East Asia, but it should not be added as a fourth pillar.

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P: Yes, there should be a fourth pillar of ASEAN as the Environmental Issues.

E: There are huge amount of haze and plastic wastes are being created for our own gain. If conditions worsen, many pristine SEA conditions are being destroyed. We should all take part in preserving nature. Some people are even being poisoned by their own fishes due to the huge amounts of plastic wastes. The conditions are being reflected on us humans.

E: I once visited a Beach in Singapore and saw the huge amount of plastic waste strewn on the beach. Everywhere I look, I see dead fishes and various wastes strewn across the white beach. Even worse, I saw people picking up the fish to eat! It is frightening that we are eating our own trash.

L: I think that we should add a fourth pillar and the ASEAN government should also help.

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Yes, I do not think there is a need for a fourth pillar specifically targeting environmental issues so ASEAN as an organization is more focused. There are many problems resulted from things like haze since prolonged exposure to the haze can lead to respiratory problems, aggravate existing health conditions, and pose significant health risks, particularly for

vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory

illnesses.

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Yes.

Firstly, people will begin to pay more attention and be more aware of caring for the enviroment. They can practice the 3rs, Reduce, Reus, and Recycle. Coal, palm oil, mining companies might find methods to make their products/the byproducts produced in factories more environmentally friendly. This can preserve the original condition of the countries. It can also slow the speed of global warming, climate change, and pollution, decreasing the impact on Planet Earth.

Secondly, without haze and plastic waste issues due to stricter governmental laws, rules and regulations, the people of the countries will be able to enjoy the cleaner enviroment. The economy will thrive as the haze-less air allows regular activities to happen continuously, without haze interruptions from burning plantations. The people living nearby the regions where plantations used to be burned can benefit as the air they breathe in is cleaner. This causes a decrease in the number of respiratory ailments and health problems, allowing people to lead healthier, happier lifestyles in a cleaner ASEAN.

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Yes. There are some major environmental issues, including air and water pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss, inadequate waste management, and severe vulnerability to climate change impacts.

Most ASEAN countries are positioned near the equator; thus, the countries' temperature is often higher than 35°C. Deforestation and burning of grass could lead to the release of greenhouse gases, which would result in climate change, further increasing the temperature. Crops could die of the heat, and residents might be sick. Water pollution leaves many poorer countries' residents with no water source, leading to illness or even death.

A pillar for the environmental community could solve all of this problem, maybe not immediately, but it will after some time. The government could set laws to prevent factories from releasing oil into rivers and polluting the water source. I could also provide a cheap solution to make space for farmers besides burning. I could also make sure only authorized companies can cut down trees, but also to a certain limit, to prevent deforestation. They could also encourage people to plant more trees, which could provide heat and provide evapotranspiration, which is when trees release water vapor through their leaves, which has a cooling effect on the surrounding air, much like a natural air conditioner.

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-People will take taking care of their environment more seriously when ASEAN creates a environmental pillar

-ASEAN countries will work together to solve environmental issues, strengthening teamwork between countries

-Environmental issues are serious right now

-It would create a cleaner environment for ppl to live in:]

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Yes, there is a need for a fourth 'Enviromental Community' pillar. Because the environmental problem in Southeast Asia is getting from bad to worse. When people in Indonesia are cutting down the trees, there are haze. And the haze may cause lung issues, and also affects the economic sector, as less people will visit these countries. And the Political sector will deteorate too. :D by Kevin

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There might be a need of the environmental pillar because climate change has been a big issue around the world and ASEAN has also been facing such issues such as haze, water pollution and rising temperatures, especially when global temperatures have been on the rise. The environmental pillar may target environmental issues by posing strict rules to be a waste free ASEAN like forcing people to recycle and throw trash into bins, allowing people to know that this is is a big issue and start reducing, reusing and recycle. Banning the burning of land for palm oil production, allow less respiration issues and breathing difficulty, making the air cleaner. This also highlights the importance of our environment and how many of us, like I, should start actually considering doing something for the environment. This can be helpful as climate change becomes a bigger issue year after year.

However, the environmental pillar may also not be needed as the police can create big events to educate the public community to recycle, reuse and reduce to address the issue of plastic waste, causing citizens to be more aware and throw trash respectively to create a waste free nation. The people burning land for palm oil production will have more haze, choking them and have respiration issues, breathing difficulty, causing them to want to quit burning as it will cause them to suffer. This also would affect nearby neighbours which will remind each other to stop burning land, allowing them to stop without any pillars to force them to do this, do that so the haze problem may be solved.

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1)These four pillars help to remind the countries to be environmentally friendly. when they look at the pillars, they can have hope to recycle, reuse and reduce. They can use the fourth pillars to stop the transboundary haze in south east Asia.

2)It would also strengthen the coordination, ensure balanced growth in tackling climate challenges.

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Yes, as if they have a fourth pillar for environmental issues, the countries will be more focused on targeting these issues, and the issues will be resolved faster as there are more countries working together to come up with solutions. Teamwork makes the dreamwork.

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If they focus and be more like a team, they will not need to have a 4th pillar. However, their children needs to live in a good environment

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1. environmental issues are now critical and it affects the other pillars too.

2. the world will get gobal warmed and will no longer support the pillars.

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Firstly, most of the rural countries in ASEAN may look somewhat clean and trash-free at first sight, but soon, we would notice that in reality, they are actually much worse and more polluted than they seem.

Secondly, SEA's situation of pollution and low recycling rate is currently trapped in a vicious cycle, and that will result in many more animal habitats being lost to deforestation and forest fires, just to suit our growing needs.

Thirdly, it is no longer oblivious, and now obvious, that ASEAN's haze conditions, even in some SEA countries' capitals, are progressively getting worse, from 'low risk' of severe transboundary haze in 2024 to 'medium risk' as of now.

Lastly, adding this pillar could encourage ASEAN to pay more attention and add more emphasis on countering environmental problems, and although that may not help to maintain and revive the ecosystem entirely, but would at least would help slow down the gradually increasing imbalance between our needs and the demands and the ecosystem.

With the implementations for the fourth chamber in place,

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Yes, I think we need an environmental pillar.

When the news spreads, people will start taking the 3Rs and environmental care more seriously. Otherwise, many people like my mother will feel that recycling is too complicated and not worth their time (we need to wash the plastic bottles ourselves) But families can also help by even just bringing their own bags to grocery stores to carry their stuff or reuse the plastic bags by using them as trash bags.

With an environmental pillar, the whole of ASEAN will start tackling the haze problem together, making it more efficient. For example, more advanced countries could send some machines to cut down the forests instead of burning them and causing a trans-boundary haze problem.

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Answer the following question as a pair.

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Answer the following question as a pair.

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Is there a need for a 4th pillar specifically targeting at environmental issues so ASEAN as an organization, is more focused?

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Write your answer as a pair here. - one combined answer.

Be clear and specific. Give at least 2 reasons.