Will Brown

Miranda Johnson, Southeast Asia correspondent for The Economist, and Will Brown, West Africa correspondent, delve into pressing global issues. They discuss Asia's alarming coal dependence, with China and India weighing economic growth against climate obligations. Johnson highlights the environmental risks while Brown shares insights on Liberia's struggles post-civil war, facing declining aid and rising costs. Together, they consider the ramifications of tourism commercialization in the Caribbean, questioning the authenticity of travel experiences, as local cultures grapple with economic dependencies.

Miranda Johnson, The Economist's Southeast Asia correspondent, delves into the region's staggering coal consumption and its conflict with climate goals, highlighting China’s renewable shifts versus India’s coal reliance. Will Brown, focused on West Africa, discusses Liberia's economic decline post-aid withdrawal, reflecting on corruption and societal struggles under President Weah. They also touch on cruise tourism in the Caribbean, critiquing its limited benefits for local communities and the manufactured cultural experiences offered to tourists.