Environment
Electricity demand expected to rebound from 2020 decline; S’pore govt to harness four switches to diversify energy supply: Minister Tan See Leng
Electricity demand — expected to have declined by 2 per cent to 4 per cent last year due to the impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic — will rebound as Singapore’s economy recovers, said Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng in Parliament on Tuesday (5 January).
Responding to questions from Members of the House regarding the issue, Dr Tan said the rebound in electricity demand is also driven by new users such as data centres, 5G telecommunication networks, agri-tech facilities and electric vehicles.
He noted that the Government will harness four switches to diversify Singapore’s energy supply, namely natural gas, solar energy, regional power grids and emerging low-carbon alternatives such as hydrogen.
According to the Minister, the nation has progressively transitioned from oil-powered power plants since the early 2000s to adopt natural gas, which currently accounts for 95 per cent of the electricity produced in Singapore.
“We do not have the natural resources, the land area, as well as climatic conditions necessary for the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources such as hydro and wind,” he noted.
That said, Dr Tan stressed that natural gas will continue to be the main source of energy for power generation to serve households and industries in Singapore reliably in the medium term.
He pointed out that solar energy is the “most viable source of renewable energy within Singapore”.
Installed solar capacity has increased more than a hundredfold over the past 10 years, which is from 3.8 megawatt-peak in 2010 to around 400 megawatt-peak in mid-2020, Dr Tan added.
“We are accelerating our efforts and we will almost quadruple our solar capacity to 1.5 gigawatt peak by 2025,” he said.
The Minister added that Singapore aims to achieve 2 gigawatt peak by the end of 2030.
“So by 2030, we expect our second switch to supply around 3 per cent of our total electricity consumption. And of course, depending on the state of technology at that point in time and cost, we hope to be able to do more,” he noted.
Dr Tan also hinted that the Government is also working in partnership with local companies to deploy solar photovoltaic systems. This includes Sunseap Group, a major participant in the SolarNova programme, which deploys solar power to public sector buildings and spaces.
In October last year, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing announced that Singapore will commence a two-year trial of electricity import from Peninsular Malaysia to diversify its power supply and utilize clean energy resources.
Noting that the country is trialling electricity imports of up to 100 megawatts from Peninsular Malaysia, Dr Tan said that there will be “minimal impact” on the reliability and cost of electricity supply as this makes up about 1.5 per cent of Singapore’s peak electricity demand.
“Our preference, of course, is to import electricity from renewable energy sources and hence the cleanliness of the generation source will be a major consideration in selecting the importer,” he added.
Dr Tan said today that discussions on solar farm company Sun Cable’s proposal to supply power from Australia’s Northern Territory to Singapore are still ongoing.
However, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) is unable to share more details due to “commercial sensitivities”.
He noted that the Government is working with the industry and research community to study emerging low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
“We will facilitate the development of these technologies to various research development and demonstration funding activities, including a low-carbon energy research funding initiative,” said Dr Tan.
The Minister revealed that the low-carbon energy research funding initiative costs about S$50 million, which will be used to explore the supply, storage and downstream uses of hydrogen, as well as carbon capture and storage for use in building materials of fuels.
“By tapping on all four switches, Singapore will be able to diversify our energy sources. This will enhance our access to secure and competitively priced energy supplies and this will reduce our energy security risks.
“The future energy mix will depend on technological advances in the four switches. This will need to be complemented by efforts to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors and consumers,” he noted.
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Environment
Japanese scientists find microplastics are present in clouds
In Japan, researchers confirm microplastics in clouds, impacting climate. Airborne microplastics, 7.1 to 94.6 micrometers in size, found in cloud water, potentially affecting rapid cloud formation and climate systems.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Researchers in Japan have confirmed microplastics are present in clouds, where they are likely affecting the climate in ways that aren’t yet fully understood.
In a study published in Environmental Chemistry Letters, scientists climbed Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama in order to collect water from the mists that shroud their peaks, then applied advanced imaging techniques to the samples to determine their physical and chemical properties.
The team identified nine different types of polymers and one type of rubber in the airborne microplastics — ranging in size from 7.1 to 94.6 micrometers.
Each liter of cloud water contained between 6.7 to 13.9 pieces of the plastics.
What’s more, “hydrophilic” or water-loving polymers were abundant, suggesting the particles play a significant role in rapid cloud formation and thus climate systems.
“If the issue of ‘plastic air pollution’ is not addressed proactively, climate change and ecological risks may become a reality, causing irreversible and serious environmental damage in the future,” lead author Hiroshi Okochi of Waseda University warned in a statement Wednesday.
When microplastics reach the upper atmosphere and are exposed to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, they degrade, contributing to greenhouse gasses, added Okochi.
Microplastics — defined as plastic particles under 5 millimeters — come from industrial effluent, textiles, synthetic car tires, personal care products and much more.
These tiny fragments have been discovered inside fish in the deepest recesses of the ocean peppering Arctic sea ice and blanketing the snows on the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.
But the mechanisms of their transport have remained unclear, with research on airborne microplastic transport in particular limited.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on airborne microplastics in cloud water,” the authors wrote in their paper.
Emerging evidence has linked microplastics to a range of impacts on heart and lung health, as well as cancers, in addition to widespread environmental harm.
— AFP
Community
SG Climate Rally draws over 1,400 attendees at Hong Lim Park with focus on inclusiveness and pervasive nature of climate change
The SG Climate Rally, held at Hong Lim Park on Sep 23, brought together over 1,400 people to raise awareness about climate change’s impact on marginalized communities, showcasing diverse speakers and activities, promoting inclusivity and engagement.
Local political figures and bipartisan support highlighted the importance of climate action.
Despite its success, a survey revealed that Singaporeans lag behind in climate advocacy. Organizers aim to make climate awareness more mainstream and inclusive.
SINGAPORE – The SG Climate Rally, held at Hong Lim Park on Saturday (23 Sep), brought together an impressive gathering of over 1,400 people to raise awareness about climate change and its impact on marginalized communities.
This year’s rally was marked by a central theme of inclusiveness, highlighting the disproportionate burden borne by lower-income residents in the face of climate change.
This youth-led movement invited several speakers to emphasize the importance of giving voice to these marginalized individuals when crafting climate-related policies.
One of the remarkable moments of the event was the heartfelt speech by Ms Marlina Yased, a mother of five residing in a two-room rental flat for 13 years.
Her impassioned words resonated with the audience, underlining the idea that individual voices can be powerful tools for delivering a meaningful message.
Ms Marlina stated, “As the climate crisis worsens, we must not give up.
“We must understand that we, the people also have the power to make change.”
Rally speakers reinforcing rally’s theme of inclusivity
The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including former Nominated Member of Parliament Geh Min, sustainability strategist Madhu Ardhanari, co-founder of LepakInSG Ho Xiang Tian, and Nor Syazwan Abdul Majid, who founded Wan’s Ubin Journal.
These speakers reinforced the rally’s theme of inclusivity and the unequal distribution of climate impacts.
Ho Xiang Tian, Co-founder of LepakinSG, expressed his concerns over Singapore’s carbon tax policies.
In 2017, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources proposed a carbon tax of S$10 a tonne. However, after industry consultations, this figure was unexpectedly halved to S$5 a tonne.
While seemingly small, this reduction translates to a staggering shortfall of S$200 million annually in tax revenue. Cumulatively, the deficit amounts to S$1 billion over four years. As the need to gather funds for coastal defense looms, taxpayers are shouldering the burden, while industries gain from reduced carbon tax rates.
Ho Xiang Tian also shed light on the minimal tax contributions of major petrochemical corporations in Singapore.
Despite a 17% headline corporate tax rate, companies like Shell and British Petroleum paid effective tax rates of just 2% and 6%, respectively, in 2019. He noted that the exact figures for ExxonMobil remain undisclosed.
Generous tax incentives from the EDB and MTI are primarily responsible for this trend, said Ho, emphasizing that these corporations must pay their fair share, highlighting the urgency of environmental responsibility.
For Ms Marlina, the tangible effects of climate change are evident in her daily life, where the rising heat in her apartment has made air conditioning, even portable units, an unaffordable luxury for her family.
She added that the heat not only increases her work-related stress but also brings about financial burdens due to rising water usage, heightened risks of skin ailments, and more frequent medical appointments.
Mr Syazwan, who runs the social platform Wan’s Ubin Journal, highlighted the importance of incorporating indigenous voices and history into climate policy and education.
He emphasized the sustainable practices of the Orang Pulau and their understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.
“The Orang Pulau were champions of sustainability. They understood what nature provided for them and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Kristian-Marc James Paul, the rally organizer, stressed that climate justice is inherently linked to broader societal issues.
Event activities promoting inclusivity and engagement
Besides speeches, various environmental and civil society groups had also set up booths at the event to raise awareness about their causes and provided opportunities for participants to engage with their local representatives through postcards.
Specifically, environmental organizations like Students for a Fossil-Free Future and People’s Movement to Stop Haze (PM.Haze), along with civil society groups such as Migrant Mutual Aid and Workers Make Possible, had set up their individual community booths.
In addition to distributing postcards to MPs, their Facebook post mentioned a variety of other activities like Climate Games, Placard Art Jam, Learning Corner, Earth Emotions, Climate A(r)ction, and something referred to as Nature Nook: Kids’ Play Station.
These activities are clearly designed to be inclusive and cater to individuals of all ages, aligning with the rally’s central theme of inclusivity.
Political figures in attendance at climate rally
In attendance were political figures, including Members of Parliament.
People’s Action Party MP Wan Rizal, who said that he looked forward to receiving postcards from his Jalan Besar residents as they would “know the environment best.”
Furthermore, he mentioned that he had also written a postcard to his own MP regarding the preservation of green areas in his Pasir Ris community.
MPs from Workers’ Party, including He Ting Ru, Dennis Tan, Louis Chua, Gerald Giam, and Jamus Lim, were also present at the event, demonstrating bipartisan support for climate action.
Additionally, Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai from the Progress Singapore Party and Ravi Philemon, secretary-general of Red Dot United, were also in attendance.
Singaporeans’ limited urgency in addressing climate change
Despite the rally’s success, the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey Report 2023 which was published by the Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, revealed that Singaporeans’ engagement with climate advocacy lags behind their regional counterparts.
The survey showed a decline in the percentage of Singaporeans viewing climate change as a serious and immediate threat.
Only 43.7 per cent of Singaporeans polled believe that climate change “is a serious and immediate threat to the well-being of the country,” a significant drop from 66.4 per cent in 2021, but a slight increase from 40.5 per cent in 2022.
It showed that fewer Singaporeans took steps to sign climate change related petitions (17.6 per cent) and attend protests (3.2 per cent) compared to Asean’s average of 18.2 per cent and 4.3 per cent respectively.
Mr Paul explained that discussing climate change isn’t a common practice among Singaporeans.
Therefore, he hope to shift the narrative by making climate awareness a more mainstream and inclusive discussion.
He emphasizes that the rally aims to serve as a platform to initiate conversations about climate change and its unequal impacts on society.
Hoping that climate awareness would become less of a “niche” issue, Ms Ardhanari said that while a small group of Singaporeans may have a “high level of awareness”, the broader awareness in Singapore has not yet aligned with the magnitude and nature of climate change’s impact.
She added that Singaporeans could no longer afford to remain in “echo chambers” around climate change.
“This is something that affects all of us, but it seems like the people who want to talk about is a very small group of people, and are often disconnected with people who are facing the most of who are most vulnerable to impact.”
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