LNG is seeing great growth prospects in 2021 Though marginal, the increase in volume reflects the resilience and flexibility of the global LNG market in 2020, a year which saw losses to global GDP of several trillion dollars as economies large and small struggled to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Demand in 2019 stood at 358 million tonnes. Global LNG prices hit a record low early in the year but ended the 12-month period at a six-year high as demand in parts of Asia recovered and winter buying increased against tightened supply. “LNG provided flexible energy which the world needed during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its resilience and ability to power people’s lives in these unprecedented times,” said Maarten Wetselaar, Integrated Gas, Renewables and Energy Solutions director at Shell. “Around the world countries and companies, including Shell, are adopting net-zero emissions targets and seeking to create lower-carbon energy systems. As the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, natural gas, and LNG have a central role to play in delivering the energy the world needs and helping power progress towards these targets.” Natural gas emits between 45 and 55 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less than one-tenth of the air pollutants than coal when used to generate electricity. Demand rebounds in Asia China and India led the recovery in demand for LNG following the outbreak of the pandemic. China increased its LNG imports by 7 million to 67 million tonnes, an 11 per cent increase for the year. China’s announcement of a target to become carbon neutral by 2060 is expected to continue driving up its LNG demand through the key role gas can play in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, namely buildings, heavy industry, shipping, and heavy-duty road transport. India increased imports by 11 per cent in 2020 as it took advantage of lower-priced LNG to supplement its domestic gas production. Two other major Asian LNG-importing countries – Japan and …
Air pollution
Businesspeople spend big money to get back to nature
After a period of working hard and making large fortunes, many businesspeople have chosen to leave the market and get back to nature where they can lead quiet lives. Growing vegetables, raising fish and living in peace Nguyen Hoang Nam in Ba Dinh district in Hanoi had never thought of leaving the capital city, where he had been living for 50 years, until he took a trekking tour on a motorbike to the highlands. During the trip, Nam discovered the quietness in the mountains and forests, and the wonderful environment with pristine nature and fresh air. After that, he began thinking about abandoning everything and living in the forests. He hinted at his intention during family dinners, but his plan was not supported by other family members. In 2017, Nam decided to buy a 5 hectare land plot in Hoa Binh to settle down there. He began building a house, improved the soil, and grew vegetables on the land. After two years of development with the total cost of VND1.5 billion, he is going to reap fruit from organic gardening. His garden area increased by two hectares after he bought land plots nearby. He is proud of what he has: a house in the middle of green plants. “I am used to life here. Our family members like to live here more than in the city. I only return to Hanoi when I have to attend meetings,” he said. More and more big businesspeople and high income earners like Nam are willing to spend big money to be able to have peaceful lives in places that are not flashy and bustling and where they can enjoy organic food. They are seeking sustainable values for health, both physical and mental, and the experiences of connecting with nature. Do Manh Thang in Hoang Mai district in Hanoi spent billions of dong to develop a farm in Hoa Binh, but it was not enough for him. Five years ago, after a trip to Thailand, Thang came up with an idea of building a house in the forest. He began looking for a land plot which could satisfy his requirements to become …
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Noodle soup with signature crab meatball in Saigon
Located at 4 Phan Boi Chau Street, adjacent to Ben Thanh Market, the food stall was well known as the stomping ground of many foreign visitors, overseas Vietnamese and artists prior to the pandemic. Unlike other versions of crab noodle soup, or bun rieu , the dish here consists of a big chunk of fried tofu, congealed duck blood, a slice of tomato and its huge, signature crab meatball instead of the typically lumpy crab meat with small bite-size pieces on top. It would seem the cook aims to preserve all original flavors pertaining to this dish, allowing guests to enjoy the rich and soft tofu, chewy blood jelly and firm, tasty crab meatball and thin rice vermicelli. The dish is served with a plate of special fish sauce, chili, shrimp paste and tamarind dipping and a plate of fresh split morning glory, mung bean sprouts, thin strips of banana blossom, cilantro and basil leaves. A bowl of noodle soup at "Bun Rieu Ganh" in Saigon. Photo by VnExpress/Huynh Nhi. Mai Thi Lien, 60-year-old owner of "Bun Rieu Ganh", has always been loyal to the traditional soup taste for over 40 years with her mother’s recipe. "The noodle soup is well seasoned. To add sourness, we do not use lime or kumquat juice but tamarind instead," Lien said. Even though the price per serving is VND55,000 ($2.4), considered higher than at other stalls in the city, Lien claims she is not thrifty when spending money on ingredients since when it came to good food, it was quality that counted. Besides, inner-city rent further explains the higher price. "In the past, it used to be a street vending business, my customers had to borrow seats from nearby stalls. So seven years ago, I started to rent a fully equipped place with seats and air conditioners and needless to say, the fee is exorbitant," she said. Special crab meatballs in a bun rieu pot at the shop. Photo by VnExpress/Huynh Nhi. Nguyen Nhat Huy from District 4 first visited the food stall thanks to word …
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