Household waste is used to generate cooking gas. Thanks to power from an array of solar panels, electricity bills remain negligible, despite having the air-conditioner on all day. Fine-tuning the demand, a network of 140 thermal sensors hooked to a computer allow Soontorn to adjust the temperatures in different parts of the home. If he were to conserve a bit more energy or add some solar panels, he'd even have enough to power an electric car. Truth to tell, such houses are still far from the norm.
Environmental considerations rate pretty low on the agendas of most Asian developers.
Attitudes are not much better among policy makers. Still, tendrils of green are beginning to poke through. Eco-friendly houses, office towers and developments are sprouting in various locales. And with growing global eco-consciousness, these Asia forerunners may spread as the benefits grow more apparent. It's beginning to take root.