The following links may provide some details on what the government is doing regarding the global warming issue:

https://www.pub.gov.sg/downloads/pdf/soe_chap7.pdf

http://www.iseas.edu.sg/viewpoint/as13apr06.pdf

We can take note that the government has all sort of recycling, water conservation and energy conservation efforts that are directly and indirectly addressing the global warming issue. However, few of these efforts are enforced by law and the effectiveness of these campaigns are unknown.

The impression is that economic factors have much influence on government policy. While the government legislated law to require commercial vehicles to use Euro IV diesel, it also has a policy to allow increasing private car ownership to meet people’s life style aspiration.

Yes, governments around the world and Singapore government need to put in much more effort to tackle this global warming problem. The longer we delay, the more damage and costly it will be to the world and to us.

We can’t enjoy economic growth now at the expense of the future of our children.

Hi Sarek,

What I feel is lacking is a more public and sustained educational programme to highlight the consequences of global warming. By most accounts, global warming is a very serious issue – particularly for small island states like Singapore.

The best book I’ve read on this issue is James Lovelock’s book The Revenge of Gaia”

With the rise of China and India, we can expect that climate change will worsen further – unless the world gets together and get serious about doing something about it.

For a start, I personally would like to see the govt dedicate more money and resources to educating the public about this.

Regards,
Andrew

For a start, I personally would like to see the govt dedicate more money and resources to educating the public about this.

The problem is I can’t remember any government education drive that has any impact on social behavior.

The next question is:

Is the government really ready or willing to handle any public demand on environmental policy changes that will derail its own policies.

Quite frankly, I think the Singapore government has focused so much on long-term economic survival that giving the same attention to long-term environmental survival may be too much to ask. Their shortsightedness in the environmental aspect is already apparent in their age-old drive to make Singapore more populous – the environmental and security repercussions of which have been little discussed for too long. A small island like Singapore, especially with a large population cannot be (and is not) self-sufficient in the the resources like water and food. I’ve long suspected that the spore really intends to buy its way out of any problems with money – not entirely impractical. However, if climate-caused calamity strikes, all the money may not buy manage to buy food that just isn’t there to be had all around. This really gets into the area of food security.

I think it really lies with how much creativity and focus the government has and wants to take on. Singapore has the option to look at progressive environmental ideas like zero-waste systems, greenroofing and community gardening if it wants – but obviously, to see these adopted in any good capacity, the decision and effort has to be handed downwards, not up.

Dear Singaporecityzen,

We will have 2 options – both extreme ones – in the event that water level rises to a serious level and singapore is underwater.

1. We can try and buy our way out to a nearby country to house our people.

2. “Annex” parts of our neighbours, which means going to war.

These, as I said, are extreme measures in extreme circumstances, of course.

A better solution might be for the UN to step in and help us.

But to be realistic, we can and should educate our people but at the end of the day, I feel that climate change is so huge a problem that tiny singapore is really at the mercy of the bigger countries.

Regards,
theonlinecitizen.

Just turn Singapore into “Venice of the East”, no need to do anything that drastic.

It’s great to see the rising awareness of this issue in Singapore. I blogged about the effects of rising sea levels on Singapore a couple of days ago. You can check out my post here: http://www.singeo.com.sg/?p=86 it includes a link to a Google Earth simulation of the effects of rising sea levels on Singapore.

Regards

Singeo

A few loose comments:

First, unlike terrorism, global warming is a global affair, in that it is possible for a country to shield itself from terrorism, but not from climate changes. It doesn’t help, from a pragmatic point of view, if Singapore cuts its carbon production but other countries continue to cough out greenhouse gases. I think this is the reason why many countries like the US refuses to take action. This is, sadly, the current attitude of many countries. The US points its finger at China, and China points to Russia, and Russia points to US. Of course, from an idealistic point of view, we should all care for the environment, but…

Second, I’m quite pessimistic if you’re telling me that Singapore can be more eco-friendly. I’m not putting the blame on the government; it’s not as if they’re not doing anything (I still recall the 3R that we always learn in primary school). The fault lies in the general population. Sure, there are some people like you and I who are concerned enough with the environment, but many Singaporeans, I’d wager, take the attitude of “why should I do it if it doesn’t benefit me?” One of the reasons why I take public transport instead of drive is due to environment, but ask yourself as I’ve often asked myself, how many people are willing to be like me?

Well, so here’s some food for thought.

It seems our PM Lee is sharing is sharing Eddie Choo’s view.

une 2, 2007
SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE
Climate change a long-term security threat: PM
US-China ties and Middle East conflicts are two other scenarios that can affect outlook for region
By Zakir Hussain & Goh Chin Lian
TIGHT SECURITY: There were a series of road blocks manned by policemen, Cisco guards and Gurkha soldiers around Shangri-La Hotel. Goods and delivery vehicles were also subjected to thorough checks before they were allowed to pass. — CAROLINE CHIA
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday highlighted a new dimension to the problem of climate change.

He sees it as a potential long-term threat to world security, not just an economic or environmental worry.

Hi Sarek,

I’m glad that the PM agrees that climate change is more than just climate change. Basically, the biggest effect (besides the rise in water level) will be on resources. As we all know, the whole world is racing towards this thing called “progress”, especially in Asia, particularly India and China.

Any limitations to natural resources (which can be a consequence of climate change)will increase tensions inter-nationally. All of human history is littered wih examples of how nations go to war over resources.

Climate change will have a devastating effect on resources, especially for a small nation like Singapore. Thus, it is good that the PM recognises that global warming will have political, social, and international consequences.

Question is: How do small nations like us make our voices heard and get the “big boys” to do something about the issue? I think one way to go is for nations like singapore to make use of regional organisations like ASEAN to get our voices heard.

But sadly, I am not sure if ASEAN has any clout in this – given how ASEAN has been totally unable to do anything about regional issues like Burma and the Indonesian haze.

Regards,
Andrew

What are the chances of major climate change occurring? It has already started and will continue to get worse.

What are the chances of an act of terrorism – 9-11 style, occurring? Acts of terrorism follow people living in thirst, hunger and despair — especially if the only hope comes from religions and ideologies that gain the power to tell determine what people believe.

There are at least 8 main canopy factors that will impact humans globally: (1) Global warming. (2) Climate changes that severely impact agriculture. (3) Populations growing in some areas, dwindling in others, followed by huge migrations to places with more livable environments. (4) Epidemics fed by bad living conditions, rapid movements of infected individuals world-wide, decreased disease resistance in famine areas, etc. (5) Environmental degradation as growing populations and reduced arable areas force farming in areas that cannot support long-term cultivation and should be left in forest or pasture. (6) Increased competition for dwindling non-renewable resources (e.g., oil, trace metals). (7) Charismatic leaders who will use the hope of relief and the promise of revenge to those driven into poverty and famine on the strength of revolutionary ideologies and/or messianic or “fundamentalist” (i.e., authoritarian) religious dogma.

It is impossible to quarantine any area against these developments, and no solution can succeed unless it is essentially global. Singapore may be more vulnerable to one or another threat, but the best guard in the long term is to aid in the work that must be done to deal with the above seven factors.

2.2 Role of Internet in Promoting Green Awareness…

The Internet provides an easy, convenient and seamless way for information to transfer and aids in a faster dissemination of information that reaches a wider audience worldwide…….

6. References…

References: # AeA: AeA calls for urgent EU action to reduce CO2 emissions through ICT. Advanced technologies to help meet 2020 targets, major new report finds. Retrieved from a DOC document.   # ANI.(2008)…….

To theonlinecitizen;

quote: ” 2. ‘Annex” parts of our neighbours, which means going to war”, unquote.

Wow!!!! This is damn aggressive leh!

This island maybe tiny, but it does not sink over-night, it takes many years and an almost invisible gradual climatic effects to have this island submerged. Inhabitants here, except for the immobile species, have all the time in the World to seek peaceful solutions.

Please do not be so physical and aggressive.

As it is, there are floating islands in some countries and Singapore itself is planning for floating dormitories and storage infrastructures. A floating country is not too far-fetch though size maybe a problem.

I do not see the sinking of this island anytime soon, not in the next few centuries, but, this island is in grave danger with your Idea of(as) a solution to a very very far problem. Can’t bear to say my piece of mind for the peace of my soul.

patriot

It is nice to know that there are people out there in Sinkapore take an interest in Global warming. I had raised this subject with many Sinkaporean and had zero response. It is a real issue, the ice at both the poles are disappearing at a faster rate over the last few years. Reduction of CO2 is important and every citizen on planet Earth must play their part. Whether it will help or not scientists are not sure but atleast we try.

In SinKapore when MM Lee said he don’t believe the theory of Global warming, then simpily there is no Global warming. Maybe this is another legacy he is leaving behind for us? He will be long gone when this problem visit us and our children. The populace is not well informed about this subject both the gahment and the media. SinKapore is lead from top down so if boss did not say it is a potential problem, then nobody dare to bring it for open discussion. That what our society had become- leave the thinking to the gahment. It is only on this blog that concerned citizen raise the subject. Country like UK is increasing their sea wall by a metre or so beside completing the Thames Barrier to stop London being flooded. It is an issue taken seriuosly not lip service as in SinKapore.

more than 2 yrs on…………….

How true is Pandamonium’ s view that the general population is all talk and no action?

TOC…………..

Question is: How do small nations like us make our voices heard and get the “big boys” to do something about the issue? I think one way to go is for nations like singapore to make use of regional organisations like ASEAN to get our voices heard.

Simple…………Just do it.

Big countries will have to notice Singapore- especially- because of the constraints on the Country and if it can; its ability to produce indicators of Climate Mitigation Efforts.

Global warming is a serious threat to SinKapore in term of food security and rising sea level. Many other country like S Korean and Saudi Arabia had started to purchase agricultural land to grow their own food in Central Asia and Africa where they had more land then people. SinKapore gahment should seriously consider using its large currecy reserve to plan ahead for the future of the country. Investing in financial company is not the long term solution. However there are who do not believed that the world is warming up and sea level will rise. Amount those were former US president G Bush and I must add include LKY. LYK may not live long enough to see it but many SinKaporean will. Any responsible gahment should plan for any eventuality. UK had started to increase the height of its sea defences by another metre. The evidence of Global warming is there for all to see. The Artic sea ice had had lost large part of its ice and now could be used to navigate between Europe and Asia which is another serious issue for SinKapore. One wonder what our million dollar ministers are doing about it. Surely this issue is not state secret? There should be a serious open debates open to all interested parties. There are many capable SinKaporean and the gahment should tap into this pool of talents.

Hi George

It seem that we are the only 2 paying attention to this thread.
That is a good idea of yours that the Singapore Govt buy land to grow its own food.
One candidate area could be Australia’s North. Similar climate to Singapore, Expansive, demand for similar produce that is in excess and close proximity to Singapor; <3hrs flight.

I agree with you too that any responsible Govt should plan for the worst when it comes to Climate Change outcomes.
The melting of the Artic ice has been suggested by many experts to be freely navigable by 2020!
As the world moves from a carbon intensive economy to a cleaner one, it becomes more imperative that Singapore must take a leading position in adaptation for it to survive. One way Singapore can adapt an industry is revamping Keppel to shift expand from making oil platforms to making floating houses or even HDB-like buildings.

"There should be a serious open debates open to all interested parties. There are many capable SinKaporean and the gahment should tap into this pool of talents. "

ABSOLUTELY

Hopefully there is a place at the discussions for overseas Singapore-born group.
Many of us have ideas, connections and resources that we want to bring back for Singapore's benefit.