Here’s some of the survey results and our thoughts:

Gap Between Awareness and Action

These survey results show that most Singaporeans are concerned about climate change and its effect on Singapore, and feel that they play a part in taking action. The results are not surprising, as it is similar to responses from previous NEA and Gallup surveys, which show similar positive responses from Singaporeans on environmental and climate change issues.

We think that Singaporeans know about climate change as we are being exposed to local and international environmental news through the printed and online media, but we tend to stop at awareness and not translate that into action. The survey results show a concern about climate change and a desire to take action, but does not describe actual actions. We feel that there is still a big gap to be bridged between awareness and action in Singapore.

Although survey participants indicated their current practices to address climate change, we feel that the numbers are too positive and higher than the real situation. For example:

• 90.3% of survey participants indicated that they turn off electrical appliances at the main. In a 2010 LOHAS Study of the Singapore market, only 71% out of 1,000 participants say they unplug or tun off electronics.
• 80.3% of participants said they practise the 3Rs. In 2010, Singapore’s recycling rate is only 58% and the household participation rate in the National Recycling Programme is 63% in 2008.
• 76.8% say they use public transport when possible. A transport survey of 10,500 households in Singapore show that 59% of respondents used public transport.
• 72.3% choose appliances which carry an Energy Label. Since 2008, it is mandatory for all air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers to have the Energy Label, so Singaporeans are already choosing Energy Label appliances by default.

Like all our New Year resolutions and plans to lose weight and exercise more, we are always concerned, feel we need to take action, and feel we will be affected if we don’t take action. But in reality, we are swept by the waves of our busy daily lives and go on business-as-usual. We know and we care, but we don’t act, until it hurts.

The government has to find ways of helping Singaporeans translate their awareness, knowledge, concerns and desires into real actions.

Both Individual and Systemic Actions

The survey results show that 56.3% of Singaporeans think that individuals are mainly responsible for taking action on climate change, followed by government (26.3%) and businesses (10.6%). While it is important for the individual to take action on climate change, it is even more important to focus on systemic actions. We must understand that the main contributors of carbon dioxide emissions in Singapore are from the industry and building sectors – 70% in 2005.

We need systemic actions such as building sustainable urban infrastructure and green buildings; increasing the resilience of our energy, water and food security; redesigning and developing new ways of making and reusing products and materials; and conserving our biodiversity. These large systemic actions can only be achieved through the efforts of the government and businesses, but it can happen faster with individuals pushing for these actions to be discussed and implemented.

Everyone can play a part to tackle climate change in Singapore, through our own individual actions and through encouraging the government and businesses to take action in creating systemic changes.

Images: NCCS

The Green Corridor is a former railway while Bukit Brown is a cemetery, so different yet so similar. The Green Corridor and Bukit Brown both connects the past and future, and both involves heritage and the environment. I hope that all of you can support the preservation of Bukit Brown, just as you have actively supported The Green Corridor so far.

I supported The Green Corridor proposal by NSS because I feel that it would improve Singapore’s long-term resilience. The biggest threat to Singapore is apathy, and when Singaporeans do not feel a sense of belonging and are not bothered with what goes on here, then Singapore is in trouble.

For Singapore to survive and prosper in the long term, it is necessary to have more opportunities in preserving our shared memories and creating our shared vision. And keeping the railway lands as a Green Corridor is one opportunity not to be wasted.

Similarly, I feel that Bukit Brown is another excellent opportunity that enables Singaporeans to feel they belong here by remembering our past and creating our future.

Remembering Our Past

Bukit Brown tells the stories of our forefathers who built Singapore, and creates opportunities for history education and discovery. The cemetery connects Singapore’s past and present, and allows us to understand that Singapore’s success is built up by our forefathers’ sweat and tears, and should not be taken for granted.

We should preserve Bukit Brown because it helps us remember our past and keeps us rooted to Singapore.

Creating Our Future

Bukit Brown presents the opportunity for transforming the cemetery into a world-class living outdoor museum or heritage park. If this transformation adopts a bottom-up approach and with stakeholder engagement, it would allow us to come together, plan and work towards a future Singapore where heritage, nature and our economic needs can co-exist.

We should preserve Bukit Brown because it enables us to work together and build bonds and resilience, and to create a space where our children and their children can enjoy and be proud of.

Support Bukit Brown

Singapore is a young nation and needs more common spaces like The Green Corridor and Bukit Brown to remind us how we got here and why this is home, and to create opportunities for building our future social resilience. Support Bukit Brown, just as you have supported The Green Corridor.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Sign the petition to save Bukit Brown 100% at the SOS Bukit Brown – Save Our Singapore website.

2. Join the Heritage Singapore – Bukit Brown Cemetery Facebook Group to understand more about Bukit Brown and keep yourself updated.

3. Spread the message by sharing with your friends about Bukit Brown and urging them to sign the petition.

In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy. – John C. Sawhill

By Eugene Tay

1) Prepare a proposal reframing Bukit Brown away from a cemetery

The government already has development plans for Bukit Brown, including the current road construction and future housing development. To potentially reverse the decision already made, the alternative option must be of equal or higher value than existing plans (not necessary in monetary terms). In Singapore’s context, positioning or framing Bukit Brown as a cemetery is not persuasive enough.

One possible idea is to reframe Bukit Brown as Singapore’s first outdoor museum (inspired by Skansen, the popular open-air museum in Sweden – http://www.skansen.se/en). A proposal could be prepared to explain the value of turning Bukit Brown into an outdoor museum, which would provide insights on Singapore’s past heritage and natural history in an open-air natural setting. Visitors can explore the tombs of Singapore’s prominent pioneers, which would be combined with stories, customs, crafts, physical buildings, structures and objects that are relevant to understanding our past pre-1965. Biological diversity, especially live native plants and animals, or preserved species found in the past, could be highlighted in the outdoor museum. The outdoor museum would be an unique place for Singaporeans and visitors to understand more about pre-1965 Singapore.

The above idea is only one potential idea and it is up to the campaign participants to come up with the ideas for preserving Bukit Brown in the proposal. Whatever the final ideas proposed, a written formal document highlighting the reasons for preserving Bukit Brown, combined with facts and figures, is necessary for engaging the government and as a tool for further discussion and negotiation. The proposal would be sent to the Prime Minister, all Ministers and MPs, and the relevant government agencies.

2) Consolidate efforts by various groups into a single platform and issue a call-to-action

A campaign website is needed and should be used as the “home base” linking to Facebook and other social media tools such as Twitter, Flickr and YouTube, and vice versa. The campaign objective is to 1) explain about the proposal and why preserve Bukit Brown, 2) unite all supporters and actively engage them, 3) show the government that there is strong support for the proposal, and 4) to archive all stories, photos, videos on Bukit Brown.

There are several existing Facebook Groups and Pages on Bukit Brown, which are doing great work. However, it would be good to consolidate efforts by the various people and have just a single platform to explain the proposal, provide the latest info and events, and engage all stakeholders. This helps to avoid confusion for supporters and to avoid diluting the numbers or duplicating efforts. It is important to note that for campaigning purposes, always use a FB Page and not a Group. The FB Page is better for engaging supporters and for analyzing statistics on usage. If resources are available, manage FB and Twitter accounts separately. If not, just link Twitter to FB, and let FB update the Twitter account automatically.

It is important to decide on the call-to-action for supporters. It should be easy and simple for supporters to show their support for the proposal. The call-to-action could be ‘liking’ the page and signing a petition, which should be posted prominently on the website. The numbers would be presented to the relevant government officials on a regular or monthly basis to show them that there is public support for the proposal. It is also necessary to encourage supporters to write in to their MPs and the media on the proposal. A written letter to the relevant Minister or MP would be best. It would help if a letter template and the MP email contacts are made easily available on the website.

3) Engage and communicate with stakeholders both online and offline

All stakeholders whether government, businesses, organisations and the public should be engaged actively online and offline. There should be one email for enquiries. Always link online and offline together, one can’t do without the other.

All offline events should mention the call-to-action and about spreading the word. A special walk involving ‘connectors’ who are people who know lots of people or have a significant online influence, should be organised to let them appreciate the value of Bukit Brown, and hopefully they would help spread the word further. Regular public walks must be organised to keep the momentum and interest going. Event info should be clear and directions or meeting points given. Maps of Bukit Brown should be prominent and easily accessible on the website.

Online engagement through FB should be on a daily basis, involving 80% content relevant to the campaign, and 20% fun and interesting content not necessary relevant to Bukit Brown. Make use of photos, videos, questions and polls to engage FB supporters. It is necessary to just trial and error, and see what works, and change accordingly and be flexible. Reply to every FB comment where possible, remove spam posts immediately, and tag government FB pages when necessary. Always post long articles on the website and place link on FB. Don’t write essays on the FB status updates, it’s only for short sentences. If you have a lot to write, use Notes.

The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) is currently preparing the National Climate Change Strategy 2012 (NCCS-2012) publication, and is seeking public feedback and ideas.

The NCCS-2012 will provide a framework and overall strategy for Singapore to tackle climate change, and will outline policies and measures to reduce emissions, cope with the impact of climate change and build our capabilities.

The public consultation by NCCS involves conducting an online consultation exercise, focus group sessions and community forums. You can give your feedback and ideas via the NCCS website from now till 14 Oct.

Here are 12 ideas for the National Climate Change Strategy 2012, which was submitted by Green Future Solutions to NCCS:

1. Support a National Campaign on Climate Change Involving Different Stakeholders
2. Explore Soft Approaches to Create Behavior Change
3. Expand the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme to Other Common Products
4. Encourage Carpooling, Carsharing and Bikesharing
5. Provide Incentives for Commercial Transport Fleet Operators to Reduce Fuel Consumption
6. Set Clear Direction to Promote Cleaner Vehicles
7. Provide Practical Advice for SMEs to Measure and Reduce Energy and Carbon Emissions
8. Mandate Building Owners to Reduce Lightings at Night
9. Include SCEM Training Curriculum into Relevant Tertiary School Courses
10. Set Mandatory Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard
11. Work Towards a Four National Switches Energy Strategy
12. Rethink the Use of Coal

If you wish to read more about the 12 ideas, you can download the report at the Green Future Solutions website.

Image: Screenshot of NCCS website

GAIA is Singapore’s first sustainable living mook (magazine book), published by Green Future Solutions. This free publication is for consumers interested in news, ideas, tips and products that benefit people and planet.

The first Sep issue of GAIA covers:

• NEWS
• FEATURE: Die Die Must Share – The Idea of Collaborative Consumption
• INTERVIEW: Carpooling 2.0 – Interview with MyRideBuddy
• HOME: Give It Away – 10 Ways to Clear Your Stuff
• HEALTH: Choosing a Healthy Dinner – 2 Tasty Vegetarian Recipes
• STYLE: Playful Elegance – Organic Clothing Mix and Match
• LEISURE: Simply Ling Kai – Supporting Local Music
• BOOKS
• DEALS

Download your free copy of GAIA now!

What are the political parties’ stand on having mandatory EIAs for public and private development projects, and how would it protect the environment and impact our competitiveness?

“An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects”, according to Wikipedia. The purpose of an EIA is to ensure that decision makers consider the environmental impacts and engage stakeholders before proceeding with the project.

In Singapore, there is no legislation on mandatory EIA systems, although the government may require EIAs to be conducted for big construction and development projects, usually on a case-by-case basis. Recent EIAs include the study by PUB for the second desalination plant at Tuas, and the study by Resorts World on the reclamation project for the Sentosa IR.

A few opposition parties mentioned EIAs in their manifestos, including the Workers’ Party:

Plans for projects likely to adversely affect the natural environment should be accompanied by Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) and mitigation plans before they are approved.

and the SDP:

The SDP would administer thorough environmental impact assessment in the planning of new developments and major projects.

One good example of a country with mandatory implementation of EIA systems is Hong Kong, with their EIA Ordinance that makes EIAs statutory for designated projects in both the private and public sectors, and allows for public input.

Questions

1. What are the reasons for the government not legislating mandatory EIAs?

2. What are the pros and cons of having mandatory EIAs, in terms of the environment, social, culture and economy?

3. For EIA studies that have been conducted, do they meet international reporting guidelines?

4. Are the public and stakeholders engaged and consulted in the current EIA process?

Endorser: ISWA (International Solid Waste Association); Econet China

Date: 21-22, July, 2011

Location: Shanghai Pudong Ramada Plaza, China

Website: www.mswforum.com.cn

Background

China’ first quarter 2011 achieved 11.9% year on year GDP growth rate, which is the highest growth rate of any major economy. While experiencing rapid economic growth, China faces mounting trash crisis. The country’s total waste output has reached 180 million tons last year, expanding as fast as its economy, at about 8 to 10 percent a year. According to China Association of Environmental Protection Industry，the municipal solid waste (MSW) output in China will reach 179 million tons and 210 million tons in 2015 and 2020 respectively.

The large amount of the municipal solid waste has caused serious environmental pollution and disaster. The Chinese government is gearing up funding for environmental protection. It is expected that government funding for environmental protection will reach 3.1 trillion yuan during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), for solid waste disposal industry will reach 800 billion yuan, base on the statistics of the National Development and Reform Commission. Domestic solid waste management sector is likely to see a business boom fueled by more government funding and favorable policies and its rapid growth is expected to continue over 10 years.

At present due to inadequate waste management, financial constrains, absence of appropriate technology, lack of people’s awareness, motivation and participation, ineffective legislation and law enforcement, China municipal solid waste (MSW) remains unmanageable and becomes one of striking environmental and social issues.

To solve this striking issue B-IN Consulting organized the China Municipal Solid Waste Summit 2011 with the theme of Safe and Sustainable Management. The summit will gather 150+ China top governmental officials, professionals and senior executive officers from world’s leading organizations and companies together to share innovative industry know-how and discuss the management of solid waste disposal for China. China Municipal Solid Waste Summit 2011 will provide you a distinct platform to network with global waste management fraternities and cash in China billion dollar solid waste market.

Top Reasons To Attend

• Listening 30+ Industry Eminent Speakers
• Networking with 150+ Global Industry Fraternities and Top Networking with 150+ Global
• Industry Fraternities and Top
• Taking Away Comprehensive and Cuttingedge technology and Management Knowledge
• Tapping into China Solid Waste Market
• Meeting with the Owners of China Local Solid Waste Disposal Projects
• Participating the Sole Summit Focusing on China Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Industry
• Benefiting from the Extended Networking Time Through Networking Drinks Party

Who Should Attend

• Top government officials
• Waste Plant Owners, Operators and Engineers
• Waste Disposal Service Providers, Waste Collection, Service and Recycling Companies
• Waste Collection and Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers
• Environmental Protection Companies, Technology and System Providers
• Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers
• Venture Capitalists and Investors
• Consulting and Services Companies
• Transportation, Storage and Handling Experts
• Research and Development Organizations
• Sustainability Professionals
• Lawyer
• Others

Major Topics Of The Forum

• China municipal solid waste industry policies and marketing prospect
• China MSW management patterns and operational mechanisms
• Innovative technologies and equipments in MSW collection and transportation
• New developed MSW disposal technologies
• China MSW recycling strategies
• How to achieve energy recovery efficiency
• How to achieve energy recovery efficiency treatment pollutions

Conference Website: www.mswforum.com.cn

For more details, please contact: FOX
Tel: +86 21 5180 7937
Email: fox@being-consulting.com

What are the political parties’ stand on the use of coal in Singapore and the implications on our carbon emissions target and our clean and green image?

Tuas Power’s coal plant

Read the chronology of the clean coal and biomass cogeneration plant by Tuas Power.

Tuas Power’s new coal and biomass plant at Jurong Island would start operations mid next year, and the company has signed a contract with Indonesia’s PT Bayan Resources to supply 13.36 million tonnes of sub-bituminous coal over the next 15 years from Kalimantan, and has also struck a deal with South Korea’s Samtam Co Ltd to supply coal. Tuas Power is also concluding a deal for the palm kernel, which makes up the 20% biomass component of the plant feedstock (the other 80% is coal).

If a calculation is done only for the coal supplied by PT Bayan Resources, and excluding the coal from Samtam Co Ltd and the palm biomass, the combustion of 13.36 million tonnes of sub-bituminous coal would emit about 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s calculation tool).

Assuming the use of coal is spread out evenly over 15 years, the potential carbon emissions from the use of coal would be 1.6 million tonnes per year. In 2008, the total carbon emissions generated from Singapore is 36 million tonnes. Therefore, the use of coal by Tuas Power could contribute to 4.4% of Singapore’s total carbon emissions. For a comparison, the contribution by the consumers/households sector is about 9% in 2005.

When Tuas Power was asked: “When is the timeline, if any, to apply carbon capture technology, and where would the carbon be stored?”. Their reply was: “We have no plans to apply this technology in Singapore at this point in time. Carbon capture storage technology is still being developed, and we may explore the viability of its application in the future.”

16% below business as usual by 2020

In Dec 2009, the government has announced its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 16% below business as usual levels in 2020 (only when a global agreement is reached), which means the government would have to reduce about 12 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020.

If the coal plant by Tuas Power operates for 8 years from 2012 to 2020, the potential carbon emissions is 12.8 million tonnes (not including the coal from Samtam Co Ltd and the palm biomass). Therefore, whatever measures to reduce emissions by 12 million tonnes by 2020 could be negated by the increase in emissions from the coal plant.

Economic Strategies Committee’s recommendation

The Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) submitted the report of its key recommendations to the Prime Minister in Feb 2010. In its report, the ESC highlighted several key strategies, one of which is for Singapore to become a Smart Energy Economy. One recommendation is that Singapore should explore coal and electricity imports to diversify both the fuel types and fuel source countries in our energy portfolio.

EDB study on coal gasification plant

EDB called for a tender on 8 Apr 2011 to conduct a feasibility study to provide recommendations for the Jurong Island version 2.0 Steering Committee. The study would evaluate the benefits and costs of a coal gasification plant to provide alternative feedstock for the supply of hydrogen and carbon monoxide for the energy and chemical industries on Jurong Island, including different scenarios for providing power and steam, and for having lower carbon footprint and being carbon-capture ready.

Questions

1. Has the government assessed the environmental impacts of using coal or conducted a life cycle assessment study of coal? How does it compare with natural gas?

2. Would the government require new power plants using coal to conduct an environmental impact assessment before construction?

3. Would approved coal plants be carbon-capture ready and where would the carbon dioxide be stored?

4. Would the use of coal lead to more carbon emissions as compared to using natural gas, and undermine the government’s own efforts to reduce emissions by 16% from 2020 business as usual levels?

5. Is the government funding research on carbon capture and storage or other technologies to reduce emissions from coal?

6. Would the use of coal tarnish Singapore’s reputation as a clean and green city, or contradict Singapore’s vision to be a clean energy hub?

7. Would the use of coal reduce the demand for LNG and challenge the viability of the government’s new LNG terminal?

We would like to thank all of you for supporting The Green Corridor through the Facebook page since Nov last year. It’s now 3 months to the closure and return of the railway lands on 1 Jul. Time is running out as we wait for the government’s reply on the proposal.

Today, we are stepping up our efforts and launching a new campaign website for The Green Corridor at http://www.thegreencorridor.org/. The website serves to:

1. Gather support for The Green Corridor and unite supporters (broadening the support base to include non-Facebook users, businesses and organisations)

2. Show the government that there is public interest and support for The Green Corridor (sending monthly updates to key government agencies on number of supporters and news)

3. Archive stories, photos and videos on the railway and The Green Corridor (allowing the community of supporters to share their experiences and vision)

You can help us to gather more support for The Green Corridor. We hope to reach 10,000 supporters by 1 Jul. Visit the website now at http://www.thegreencorridor.org/ and find out the various ways to show your support, spread the message, and share your stories.

Thanks.

Cheers
Eugene

The Green Corridor is not a dream but a responsibility to nature, our heritage and our children.

With the theme “A Beautiful Connection” it aims to reconnect people to the land while inspiring them with art, music and cultural mediums orchestrated by artists.

This event is free of admission to the public. It will be a full-day event at Bottle Tree Park, in Yishun, with creative workshops, art performances and a market place consisting of merchandise (organic, natural and eco-friendly) and plant-based food stalls.

These activities are designed to put across the message of environmental sustainability and the importance of sustainable practices. From engaging human senses in appreciation of Nature to participating to hands-on activities, everyone will get to play a part, no one will be a bystander!

Title of Event: Party for Earth
Date: 22nd April 2011 (Good Friday)
Time: 09:30 – 18:00
Venue: Bottle Tree Park, Yishun, at 81 Lorong Chencharu Singapore 769198 (10min walk from Khatib MRT station)
Cost: Free Admission
Website: http://earthdaysg.blogspot.com/
Contact: earthdaysg@gmail.com or Kian Seng 91120517

Event Objectives:

• To promote sustainable practice & educate on environmental sustainability and universal connectedness
• To sow the seeds of love, respect, ownership and responsibility in children and adults towards our unique planet
• To have fun, party and create inspiring experiences as we celebrate your efforts in making a difference for the planet

The day will kick off with ‘yoga circle’, ‘Walk for Earth’ and ‘Eco-heroes’ followed by artist-led community installation, a series of workshops such as puppets, drums, handicraft-making out of scraps, ‘Upcyling jewellery making’ and many more nature-orientated creative activities. The day’s program also includes theatrical and music performances by local artist, to name a few, Moody Theatre, Juz-B Accapella, Amanda Ling with Thunder Rock School, etc.

About Ground-Up Initiative (GUI)

GUI is a community-based and volunteer-driven non-profit organisation that brings together people who value reconnecting with and nurturing the land. Since April 2009, we have progressively built a Sustainable Living Kampung (SL Kampung), based at Bottle Tree Park, Yishun, where we promote environmental awareness and responsible practices by encouraging more people to come together to work, learn, play and in the process, care for humanity and the earth. SL Kampung is open to the public. Visit us at http://groundupinitiative.org/