• Travel Features
  • Global Action
  • Find A Trip
  • Travel Guides
  • Bookshop
  • Podcast
  • About
Menu

CATALYST PLANET

  • Travel Features
  • Global Action
  • Find A Trip
  • Travel Guides
  • Bookshop
  • Podcast
  • About
No results found

Indonesia’s Human Taxis on a Volcanic Mountain

August 12, 2025

A tool once used by sulfur miners on Mount Ijen is now a human-powered trolley taxi, carrying tourists up the steep volcano for a closer look at its acidic crater and blue fire.

Read More
In Asia, Indonesia, Travel Inspiration, World and Travel Tags Asia, Indonesia, Travel

Malaysia is Done with Taking America’s Plastic

August 12, 2025

America can no longer rely on Malaysia to take its plastic, so where will it go now, and what’s next for the global waste trade?

Read More
In Asia, Malaysia, Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action Tags Asia, malaysia, Environment

Kashmir’s Climate Crisis: Where Environmental Stress Meets Political Tension

August 12, 2025

As glaciers melt and weather patterns shift, Kashmir and surrounding regions face increasing risks to water, agriculture and peace. 

Read More
In Asia, Environment and Sustainability, India, News and Social Action Tags Asia, Climate Change, india

Dhobi Ghat: The World’s Largest Open-Air Laundry

August 5, 2025

This massive outdoor wash yard continues to serve Mumbai’s hotels, hospitals and homes after more than a century of operation.

Read More
In Asia, India, Art Food & Culture, World and Travel Tags Arts and Culture, india, Asia

Thailand’s Smog Problem

August 1, 2025

With gray, smog-covered skylines, the tropical country and its citizens are facing serious pollution issues. 

Read More
In Asia, Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, Thailand Tags Asia, thailand, Climate Change

Will Recognizing the Taliban Ultimately Help The Afghan People?

August 1, 2025

Although Russia’s official decision to recognize the Taliban came as a surprise, many countries already unofficially acknowledge the de facto government, and some argue that Western recognition may be the best way to help the Afghan people.

Read More
In Afghanistan, Asia, Human Rights, News and Social Action Tags Asia, Afghanistan, Human Rights

The Human Cost of Illegal Fishing in Thailand

July 31, 2025

The global seafood industry’s demand has fueled illegal fishing practices, like forced labor and human trafficking, with Thailand being a hotspot of these illicit affairs.

Read More
In Asia, Human Rights, News and Social Action, Thailand Tags Asia, thailand, Human Rights

The Dire State of Education and Health Care in Syria

July 31, 2025

Education and health support are increasingly important in Syria's present and future for the over two million children without education. 

Read More
In Asia, Education and Empowerment, News and Social Action, Syria Tags Asia, syria, Education

The Dalai Lama Announces His Succession Plan

July 31, 2025

The long-exiled Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor, defending that “no one else” has authority in this matter.

Read More
In Asia, News and Social Action, Global Politics, Tibet Tags Asia, International Affairs, Tibet

Gaza’s Starvation Has Made Giving Birth a Death Sentence

July 30, 2025

A United Nations agency warns that malnutrition in Gaza risks the loss of an entire generation, highlighting the threat it poses to women’s healthcare.

Read More
In News and Social Action, Palestine, Global Health, Asia Tags Human Rights, Global Health, Asia, palestine

Why is Israel Targeting Syria Again?

July 22, 2025

Analysts say Israel’s recent strikes on Syria aim not only to protect the Druze minority but also to serve its goals of geopolitical influence. 

Read More
In Asia, Israel, News and Social Action, Global Politics, Syria Tags Asia, Syria, Israel, War and Conflict

China’s Waste Revolution: Turning Garbage into Energy

July 21, 2025

With waste-to-energy plants booming, the nation faces an unexpected garbage shortage.

Read More
In Asia, Environment and Sustainability, China, News and Social Action Tags Asia, China, Sustainability

Overcommercialization Drives Ethical Dilemmas on Mount Everest

July 15, 2025

Summiting Mount Everest has long been the ultimate challenge for mountaineers, but rising death rates and visitor congestion have put a spotlight on its ethics. 

Read More
In Asia, World and Travel, Nepal, Outdoor Adventure and Wildlife Tags Outdoor, Asia, Nepal

Thai Prime Minister’s Suspension Reveals Gender Bias Pattern

July 8, 2025

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended its second woman prime minister, just like it did to its first, raising concerns about democracy and gender biases in Thai politics. 

Read More
In Asia, Global Politics, News and Social Action, Thailand Tags Asia, International Affairs, thailand

Vanishing Archives: Hong Kong Artists Resurrect Protest

July 2, 2025

In the wake of censorship and arrests, Hong Kong’s artists are quietly preserving protest materials through informal and digital means.

Read More
In Asia, Global Politics, China, News and Social Action Tags Asia, China, International Affairs

Understanding Mecca’s Sacred Symbol: The Kaaba

July 1, 2025

Here is how the sacred site of Mecca in Saudi Arabia shapes faith, identity and worship in Islam.

Read More
In Asia, Art Food & Culture, Saudi Arabia, World and Travel Tags Asia, Saudi Arabia, Arts and Culture

Singapore: The Green Metropolis

July 1, 2025

This ultra-modern city has become Asia’s most sustainable oasis.

Read More
In Asia, Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, Singapore Tags Asia, Singapore, Sustainability

At The Frontlines of Climate Change: The Middle East

June 23, 2025

The Middle East is bearing the brunt of climate change, heating up at twice the global rate and navigating devastating fallout from droughts, displacement and conflict.

Read More
In Asia, Global, Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action Tags Asia, Global, Climate Change

Pod Culture in Japan: Exploring the Quiet World of Capsule Hotels

June 23, 2025

A close-up tour of Japan’s high-tech sleep culture across three iconic cities.

Read More
In Asia, Japan, Travel Inspiration, World and Travel Tags Travel, Asia, Japan

The Cage Home Crisis in Hong Kong

June 23, 2025

Hong Kong's reputation as one of the most expensive housing markets in the world has led to more than 200,000 people living in cage homes, bedspace apartments likened to coffins for the living.

Read More
In Asia, China, Global Health & Crisis, News and Social Action Tags Asia, China, Global Poverty
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

Also check out...

Featured
Vietnam’s Floating Markets Are Disappearing
Vietnam’s Floating Markets Are Disappearing
The Supernatural Role of Masks in Nigeria’s Yoruba Tribal Culture
The Supernatural Role of Masks in Nigeria’s Yoruba Tribal Culture
Opening the World to Deaf Travelers with Lily Yu
Opening the World to Deaf Travelers with Lily Yu

Featured trips

Featured
Travel From Phnom Penh to Bangkok
Travel From Phnom Penh to Bangkok
See the Best of Uganda and Its Mountain Gorillas
See the Best of Uganda and Its Mountain Gorillas
Experience Life as a Mongolian Nomad
Experience Life as a Mongolian Nomad

Sign up for the CATALYST newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get the scoop on international travel, global social impact insights, our latest podcast releases, and more from around the world, all delivered right to your inbox!

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!
Newsletter Sign Up | Advertise | Careers + Internships | Privacy Policy | Submissions | Contact Us

Copyright © 2025, MISSION MEDIA LLC. All rights reserved.