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
The Weight of Words
For HKers, language is our identity. We speak Cantonese. We write in traditional Chinese. And during the pro-democracy protests when it seemed like no one would hear us, we just made up some new words that speak our truth.
Source: Telegram/ Ah-To (Dec 2019)
For HKers, language is our identity. We speak Cantonese. We write in traditional Chinese. And during the pro-democracy protests when it seemed like no one would hear us, we just made up some new words that speak our truth.
Source: Telegram/ Ah-To (Dec 2019)
January 10, 2026 at 3:15 AM
The Weight of Words
For HKers, language is our identity. We speak Cantonese. We write in traditional Chinese. And during the pro-democracy protests when it seemed like no one would hear us, we just made up some new words that speak our truth.
Source: Telegram/ Ah-To (Dec 2019)
For HKers, language is our identity. We speak Cantonese. We write in traditional Chinese. And during the pro-democracy protests when it seemed like no one would hear us, we just made up some new words that speak our truth.
Source: Telegram/ Ah-To (Dec 2019)
I've always felt this was, at least, partly true. Can be extrapolated to also be a reason why #China dominated cleantech too - something that most #climate & #environment groups don't want to acknowledge.
thediplomat.com/2026/01/why-...
thediplomat.com/2026/01/why-...
Why China’s Exploitative Labor System Gives It a Strategic Edge
China’s decisive source of global competitive advantage lies in its weak labor protections. And it’s driving a race to the bottom for labor rights.
thediplomat.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:53 PM
I've always felt this was, at least, partly true. Can be extrapolated to also be a reason why #China dominated cleantech too - something that most #climate & #environment groups don't want to acknowledge.
thediplomat.com/2026/01/why-...
thediplomat.com/2026/01/why-...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Taiwan’s legislature passes delivery worker law setting pay and platform rules – Focus Taiwan: ‘Taiwan Delivery Industry Union Alliance spokesperson Su Po-hao (蘇柏豪) said the passage of the law marks “a hard-won and important milestone.”’
Taiwan passes delivery worker law setting pay and platform rules - Focus Taiwan
The Legislative Yuan passed a new law Tuesday that will for the first time in Taiwan set minimum pay standards and rules governing food delivery platforms focused on protecting the rights of food deli...
focustaiwan.tw
January 6, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Taiwan’s legislature passes delivery worker law setting pay and platform rules – Focus Taiwan: ‘Taiwan Delivery Industry Union Alliance spokesperson Su Po-hao (蘇柏豪) said the passage of the law marks “a hard-won and important milestone.”’
Wonder why this #Indonesia #fire, which I only just read about, didn't get nearly as much attention as the one that happened in #Switzerland a week later.
en.antaranews.com/news/397993/...
en.antaranews.com/news/397993/...
Manado retirement home fire kills 16, victims' identification ongoing
A fire at a retirement home in Manado City, North Sulawesi, on Sunday (December 28) killed 16 occupants, and local police said the identification process was ...
en.antaranews.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Wonder why this #Indonesia #fire, which I only just read about, didn't get nearly as much attention as the one that happened in #Switzerland a week later.
en.antaranews.com/news/397993/...
en.antaranews.com/news/397993/...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Here are even more energy, climate, and environmental journalists to follow. It’s also free.
January 5, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Here are even more energy, climate, and environmental journalists to follow. It’s also free.
Reposted by Nithin Coca
Wilman Gonzalez looks on at his apartment that was damaged in a missile strike in which his aunt, Rosa Elena, was fatally injured, following U.S. strikes on Venezuela during which Maduro and his wife were captured, in Catia La Mar, Venezuela
January 4, 2026. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa
January 4, 2026. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa
January 5, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Wilman Gonzalez looks on at his apartment that was damaged in a missile strike in which his aunt, Rosa Elena, was fatally injured, following U.S. strikes on Venezuela during which Maduro and his wife were captured, in Catia La Mar, Venezuela
January 4, 2026. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa
January 4, 2026. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa
Didn't realize, until today, that the panel I spoke on at @gijn.org, on conducting investigations as a freelancer, was written up in #Chinese!
zh.gijn.org/stories/best...
zh.gijn.org/stories/best...
“一人新闻编辑室”生存术：专家给自由记者的实用建议
自由撰稿不仅是写稿，更是经营一家“个人企业”：你既是记者，也是会计、法务和安保。从拒绝转嫁责任的“霸王条款”，到计算行政成本、建立安全网，多位资深记者在 GIJC25 分享了他们的经验。
zh.gijn.org
January 4, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Didn't realize, until today, that the panel I spoke on at @gijn.org, on conducting investigations as a freelancer, was written up in #Chinese!
zh.gijn.org/stories/best...
zh.gijn.org/stories/best...
Reposted by Nithin Coca
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
January 2, 2026 at 2:26 AM
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
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.