Nithin Coca
@nithincoca.com
Asia-focused (🇯🇵🇲🇾🇮🇩 & Tibet) award winning global journalist covering environment, climate, Human Rights & supply chains. DM for Signal 🔑
📍Japan, sometimes California or Indonesia
Mastodon: https://social.coop/@ncoca
Contact: nithincoca.com
📍Japan, sometimes California or Indonesia
Mastodon: https://social.coop/@ncoca
Contact: nithincoca.com
Pinned
Nithin Coca
@nithincoca.com
· Nov 14
An intro post: I'm a Japan-based, Indian-American environment and human rights freelance journalist (for @vox.com @aljazeera.com @nikkei.com @mongabay.bsky.social @thenation.com and elsewhere).
Was quite active on Twitter & still active on Mastodon & looking forward to connecting with people here!
Was quite active on Twitter & still active on Mastodon & looking forward to connecting with people here!
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak given 15-year jail term over state funds scandal
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
1MDB: Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak given 15-year jail term over state funds scandal - BBC News
Najib was convicted for his role in the billion-dollar scandal involving the country's sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.
www.bbc.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak given 15-year jail term over state funds scandal
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
For years, TNR experts like @nateschenkkan.bsky.social have long warned that immigration policy is key to confronting transnational repression. This piece shows how host states are now contributing to the repression of Uyghur exiles and diaspora communities. #TNR
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
Does anyone still want to help the Uyghurs?
Chinese pressure and migration backlashes may result in many being sent back to China
www.economist.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:32 AM
For years, TNR experts like @nateschenkkan.bsky.social have long warned that immigration policy is key to confronting transnational repression. This piece shows how host states are now contributing to the repression of Uyghur exiles and diaspora communities. #TNR
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
I freelanced for @equaltimes.bsky.social for 10 years, writing 37 articles/features
They were an amazing team, interested in global justice, labor, & humanrights. Most of the stories I wrote, I couldn't have published at any other outlet. So sad to see them go.
www.equaltimes.org/as-equal-tim...
They were an amazing team, interested in global justice, labor, & humanrights. Most of the stories I wrote, I couldn't have published at any other outlet. So sad to see them go.
www.equaltimes.org/as-equal-tim...
As Equal Times closes, the work continues
This is it. Our final article. Equal Times, the global labour news platform, will cease to publish as of December 2025. The website – which was, for more than a decade, an invaluable resource on the r...
www.equaltimes.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I freelanced for @equaltimes.bsky.social for 10 years, writing 37 articles/features
They were an amazing team, interested in global justice, labor, & humanrights. Most of the stories I wrote, I couldn't have published at any other outlet. So sad to see them go.
www.equaltimes.org/as-equal-tim...
They were an amazing team, interested in global justice, labor, & humanrights. Most of the stories I wrote, I couldn't have published at any other outlet. So sad to see them go.
www.equaltimes.org/as-equal-tim...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
In recent weeks, devastating floods swept away villages in Sumatra, killing 1000+ people. My ex-colleague Moses Ompusunggu's 2022 docu about an indigenous activist whose village is threatened by deforestation feels like a warning of the disaster.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wb...
Motherland Memories
YouTube video by Project Multatuli
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
In recent weeks, devastating floods swept away villages in Sumatra, killing 1000+ people. My ex-colleague Moses Ompusunggu's 2022 docu about an indigenous activist whose village is threatened by deforestation feels like a warning of the disaster.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wb...
I'm regularly surprised by the ignorance of many #china #climate experts
They fail to understand that China's dominance in critical minerals was with a model that is at odds w/ the tenets of a just transition. Until we challenge #China, we can't make progress
dialogue.earth/en/justice/w...
They fail to understand that China's dominance in critical minerals was with a model that is at odds w/ the tenets of a just transition. Until we challenge #China, we can't make progress
dialogue.earth/en/justice/w...
What next for the global governance of critical minerals?
The COP30 climate summit has brought these minerals, and China’s central role, to the fore of just transition debates
dialogue.earth
December 12, 2025 at 10:27 AM
I'm regularly surprised by the ignorance of many #china #climate experts
They fail to understand that China's dominance in critical minerals was with a model that is at odds w/ the tenets of a just transition. Until we challenge #China, we can't make progress
dialogue.earth/en/justice/w...
They fail to understand that China's dominance in critical minerals was with a model that is at odds w/ the tenets of a just transition. Until we challenge #China, we can't make progress
dialogue.earth/en/justice/w...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
"How a renewables superpower, lack of transparency, and international financing have created a gaping fossil fuel loophole" in Indonesia. Uprooter @nithincoca.com on @climateandcap.bsky.social
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com/what-and-who...
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com/what-and-who...
What, and who, is behind Indonesia’s climbing coal use?
How a renewables superpower, lack of transparency, and international financing have created a gaping fossil fuel loophole
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"How a renewables superpower, lack of transparency, and international financing have created a gaping fossil fuel loophole" in Indonesia. Uprooter @nithincoca.com on @climateandcap.bsky.social
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com/what-and-who...
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com/what-and-who...
My opinion - Foreign media shouldn't publish Chinese government op-eds unless Chinese state media publishes foreign diplomat op-eds. #reciprocity
As Beijing continues military threats and political warfare against Taiwan, PRC Ambassador Xiao Qian warns Australia about "appeasement" of Japan, following PM Takaichi's comments that a PRC war against the Taiwanese would threaten Japan's security.
December 12, 2025 at 4:04 AM
My opinion - Foreign media shouldn't publish Chinese government op-eds unless Chinese state media publishes foreign diplomat op-eds. #reciprocity
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publications and conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security, will hear his verdict at 10am December 15, with the decision expected to take 60 minutes to read
The verdict in the national security trial of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to be delivered next Monday, according to the judiciary. In full: buff.ly/mahJGVX
BREAKING: Jimmy Lai nat. security case verdict to be handed down Monday | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
The verdict in the national security trial of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 78, is set to be handed down next Monday, according to the judiciary. The founder of Hong Kong’s defunct Apple Daily...
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publications and conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security, will hear his verdict at 10am December 15, with the decision expected to take 60 minutes to read
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Indonesia has pledged to hit 100% #RenewableEnergy by 2035. But its coal use is still growing—& fast.
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
What, and who, is behind Indonesia’s climbing coal use? - Climate and Capital Media
How a renewables superpower, lack of transparency, and international financing have created a gaping fossil fuel loophole
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Indonesia has pledged to hit 100% #RenewableEnergy by 2035. But its coal use is still growing—& fast.
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
Having passed through both on this trip, I have to say, for transiting, #Taipei #TPE airport beats #Singapore hands down.
It's a few things - the more open layout (can walk anywhere), must easier transit security, and, most importantly, much, much friendlier staff and service.
It's a few things - the more open layout (can walk anywhere), must easier transit security, and, most importantly, much, much friendlier staff and service.
December 6, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Having passed through both on this trip, I have to say, for transiting, #Taipei #TPE airport beats #Singapore hands down.
It's a few things - the more open layout (can walk anywhere), must easier transit security, and, most importantly, much, much friendlier staff and service.
It's a few things - the more open layout (can walk anywhere), must easier transit security, and, most importantly, much, much friendlier staff and service.
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Indonesia has pledged to hit 100% #RenewableEnergy by 2035. But its coal use is still growing & fast.
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
What, and who, is behind Indonesia’s climbing coal use? - Climate and Capital Media
How a renewables superpower, lack of transparency, and international financing have created a gaping fossil fuel loophole
www.climateandcapitalmedia.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Indonesia has pledged to hit 100% #RenewableEnergy by 2035. But its coal use is still growing & fast.
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
The reason? Captive coal.
Read as @nithincoca.com breaks down what & who is behind the climbing coal use
Reposted by Nithin Coca
A "democracy wall" at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) with a message urging the government to respond to public concerns over the fatal Tai Po blaze has been surrounded by plastic hoarding.
HKFP has reached out to HKBU for comment. In full: buff.ly/WwxaS9i Photos: HKFP.
HKFP has reached out to HKBU for comment. In full: buff.ly/WwxaS9i Photos: HKFP.
December 3, 2025 at 11:49 PM
A "democracy wall" at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) with a message urging the government to respond to public concerns over the fatal Tai Po blaze has been surrounded by plastic hoarding.
HKFP has reached out to HKBU for comment. In full: buff.ly/WwxaS9i Photos: HKFP.
HKFP has reached out to HKBU for comment. In full: buff.ly/WwxaS9i Photos: HKFP.
Reposted by Nithin Coca
After becoming a congressional leader, a politician’s stock portfolio beats out those of peers by 47 (!!!) percentage points a year through trades timed around bills and firms that later get government contracts
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 1:42 AM
After becoming a congressional leader, a politician’s stock portfolio beats out those of peers by 47 (!!!) percentage points a year through trades timed around bills and firms that later get government contracts
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
Reposted by Nithin Coca
"By focusing on bamboo, these reports risked doing precisely what Hong Kong's authorities have perfected in the past five years -- diverting attention from human responsibility toward folkloric spectacle."
A great piece from Athena Tong in Nikkei Asia today
A great piece from Athena Tong in Nikkei Asia today
The fire that Hong Kong wants you to forget
Authorities push a narrative about bamboo scaffolds, but the blaze stems from years of negligence and collusion
asia.nikkei.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:23 AM
"By focusing on bamboo, these reports risked doing precisely what Hong Kong's authorities have perfected in the past five years -- diverting attention from human responsibility toward folkloric spectacle."
A great piece from Athena Tong in Nikkei Asia today
A great piece from Athena Tong in Nikkei Asia today
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Looks like the skies are clearing up just enough for us to get going this evening! Last chance to sign up to ride or be a sponsor!
Y'all — As a journalist covering global health and environmental disparities, I've lived in Atlanta car-free since 2018 because that is the easiest way to put my money where my mouth is!
I am organizing a half-marathon length bike ride to support my newsroom, and I'd love for you to be my sponsor:
I am organizing a half-marathon length bike ride to support my newsroom, and I'd love for you to be my sponsor:
December 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Looks like the skies are clearing up just enough for us to get going this evening! Last chance to sign up to ride or be a sponsor!
Reposted by Nithin Coca
The tragic fire in Tai Po has deeper roots: Hong Kong's market-driven, capitalist system that promotes predatory business interests over working people's safety. Read our latest on how Hongkongers are supporting each other through mass mutual aid:
lausancollective.com/2025/tai-po-...
lausancollective.com/2025/tai-po-...
Tai Po in flames - Lausan
How Hongkongers are reviving mass action and mutual aid in the wake of the deadly fires in Tai Po.
lausancollective.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:53 AM
The tragic fire in Tai Po has deeper roots: Hong Kong's market-driven, capitalist system that promotes predatory business interests over working people's safety. Read our latest on how Hongkongers are supporting each other through mass mutual aid:
lausancollective.com/2025/tai-po-...
lausancollective.com/2025/tai-po-...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
November 27, 2025 at 9:17 AM
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
Reposted by Nithin Coca
the death toll from Sumatra has shot up to 248, with so many people missing BNPB is warning it'll go up apnews.com/article/land...
Death toll from floods and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island rises to 248, authorities say
Rescue workers in Indonesia are struggling to reach victims in several devastated areas that were hit by an earthquake and tsunami, and authorities fear the confirmed death toll of 248 will rise furth...
apnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:57 AM
the death toll from Sumatra has shot up to 248, with so many people missing BNPB is warning it'll go up apnews.com/article/land...
Was looking for the #Tibet data in this #China #climate update from @greenpeaceeastasia.bsky.social
And then I realized to my shock that they were using the #Chinese government term, Xizang, in English.
A new, embarrassing low
www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/pre...
And then I realized to my shock that they were using the #Chinese government term, Xizang, in English.
A new, embarrassing low
www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/pre...
China’s power sector emissions peak within reach as new coal power approvals decline to 41.77 GW in Q1-Q3 2025: Greenpeace report - Greenpeace East Asia
Beijing — New research from Greenpeace East Asia shows that China approved 41.77 gigawatts (GW) of new coal power capacity nationwide in the first three quarters of 2025, and if…
www.greenpeace.org
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Was looking for the #Tibet data in this #China #climate update from @greenpeaceeastasia.bsky.social
And then I realized to my shock that they were using the #Chinese government term, Xizang, in English.
A new, embarrassing low
www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/pre...
And then I realized to my shock that they were using the #Chinese government term, Xizang, in English.
A new, embarrassing low
www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/pre...
This press release from this NGO supposedly in the #Philippines is de-facto CCP propaganda w/ buzzwords like "
"unstoppable action" "unwavering confidence" etc
Go to their website & there's a map with the nine-dash line that cedes 🇵🇭 territory to #Beijing
www.paaacs.org/PressCenter/...
"unstoppable action" "unwavering confidence" etc
Go to their website & there's a map with the nine-dash line that cedes 🇵🇭 territory to #Beijing
www.paaacs.org/PressCenter/...
Official Statement from People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) on China’s Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)-Press Center-PACS
People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) acknowledges China’s unwavering dedication and unstoppab...
www.paaacs.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
This press release from this NGO supposedly in the #Philippines is de-facto CCP propaganda w/ buzzwords like "
"unstoppable action" "unwavering confidence" etc
Go to their website & there's a map with the nine-dash line that cedes 🇵🇭 territory to #Beijing
www.paaacs.org/PressCenter/...
"unstoppable action" "unwavering confidence" etc
Go to their website & there's a map with the nine-dash line that cedes 🇵🇭 territory to #Beijing
www.paaacs.org/PressCenter/...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Our managing partner @joannachiu.bsky.social spoke this weekend at the #GIJC25 on investigating China's foreign investment and supply chains alongside @pagina12ok.bsky.social Javier Lewkowicz, Initium Media's Lulu Ning Hui, @projectm-poster.bsky.social Permata Adinda, moderated by nithincoca.com 1/
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Our managing partner @joannachiu.bsky.social spoke this weekend at the #GIJC25 on investigating China's foreign investment and supply chains alongside @pagina12ok.bsky.social Javier Lewkowicz, Initium Media's Lulu Ning Hui, @projectm-poster.bsky.social Permata Adinda, moderated by nithincoca.com 1/
Reposted by Nithin Coca
I think we need to stop putting so much emphasis on federal governments and international negotiations. Yes, they could help. But they've failed us badly during the last 30+ years.
Maybe we can put a bit more attention on community-based solutions, affordable decarbinization tools, and markets?
Maybe we can put a bit more attention on community-based solutions, affordable decarbinization tools, and markets?
November 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I think we need to stop putting so much emphasis on federal governments and international negotiations. Yes, they could help. But they've failed us badly during the last 30+ years.
Maybe we can put a bit more attention on community-based solutions, affordable decarbinization tools, and markets?
Maybe we can put a bit more attention on community-based solutions, affordable decarbinization tools, and markets?
Woke up to 15+ #COP30 press releases, most saying the same thing. None, of course, mentioning China.
I know the #climate talks are important, but what purpose does it serve flooding journalists with press releases the same 2-3 weeks every year? Is this civil society money well spent?
I know the #climate talks are important, but what purpose does it serve flooding journalists with press releases the same 2-3 weeks every year? Is this civil society money well spent?
November 23, 2025 at 2:06 AM
To those of us following human rights in #Tibet, the #Uyghur regions & illegal rare earth mining in #Laos or #Myanmar the fact that #China derailed the inclusion of mining & critical minerals in the #COP30 #JustTransition program is no surprise
for @codastory.com
www.codastory.com/climate-cris...
for @codastory.com
www.codastory.com/climate-cris...
China’s green energy miracle and a conspiracy of silence - Coda Story
With Beijing indispensable to the global transition away from fossil fuels, questions are no longer being asked about the human cost
www.codastory.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:23 AM
To those of us following human rights in #Tibet, the #Uyghur regions & illegal rare earth mining in #Laos or #Myanmar the fact that #China derailed the inclusion of mining & critical minerals in the #COP30 #JustTransition program is no surprise
for @codastory.com
www.codastory.com/climate-cris...
for @codastory.com
www.codastory.com/climate-cris...
China, alone, is calling for the removal of transition minerals from the Just Transition Work Program at #COP30 climate talks. No surprise to me.
Amazingly, the civil society call makes this claim; that China is "uniquely positioned to champion a just & equitable approach to transition minerals" 🤯
Amazingly, the civil society call makes this claim; that China is "uniquely positioned to champion a just & equitable approach to transition minerals" 🤯
November 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
China, alone, is calling for the removal of transition minerals from the Just Transition Work Program at #COP30 climate talks. No surprise to me.
Amazingly, the civil society call makes this claim; that China is "uniquely positioned to champion a just & equitable approach to transition minerals" 🤯
Amazingly, the civil society call makes this claim; that China is "uniquely positioned to champion a just & equitable approach to transition minerals" 🤯