Our SG Conversation for the Green Community @ Singapore Polytechnic

The Our SG Conversation for the Green Community (OSC) was held last Saturday 19 January at Singapore Polytechnic. This OSC was initiated by Faizah Jamal, Nominated Member of Parliament (Environment and Heritage) People and Civic Sector, and Eugene Tay, Director, Green Future Solutions, in collaboration with the Singapore Polytechnic Environment Club and “Our Singapore” Programme Office, Public Service Division.

55 participants, including 45 representatives from green groups and 10 from the public, turned up on a rainy Saturday morning to voice their thoughts and vision for Singapore. The diverse views of the green community, which included environmental NGOs and groups; individual environment, animal and wildlife activists; and environmental businesses, associations and research academics, added an important voice to the overall national conversation. Read more

Our SG Conversation for the Green Community

In our earlier post, Our (Green) Singapore Conversation, we mentioned that we are planning to organise an OSC session for the green community. Here’s an update:

Our SG Conversation for the Green Community is organised by Faizah Jamal, Nominated Member of Parliament (Environment and Heritage) People and Civic Sector, and Eugene Tay, Director, Green Future Solutions, in collaboration with the “Our Singapore” Programme Office, Public Service Division.

The ongoing Our SG Conversation (OSC) provides an opportunity for Singaporeans to come together and discuss our vision and priorities as a country. We believe that the green community would also be able to contribute and make a difference to this national conversation. The diverse views of the green community, which includes environmental NGOs and groups; individual environment, animal and wildlife activists; and environmental businesses, associations and research academics, would add an important voice to the overall conversation. Read more

Our (Green) Singapore Conversation

Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) is the national conversation for Singaporeans to come together and discuss our vision and priorities as a country.

Several OSC sessions have already taken place and the dialogue sessions have been encouraging and positive, with many Singaporeans actively contributing their thoughts and sharing their vision for a better Singapore.

So far, we have not noticed much environmental issues and sustainability visions being discussed during the OSC sessions. We attended an OSC session and there really is not much discussions on our green vision and priorities. Read more

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Singapore Planning Authorities

We know the ground has shifted. We know Singaporeans are more vocal. From the Rail Corridor to Bukit Brown to Dairy Farm Estate to Pasir Ris Greenbelt to Limau Estate Woodlands, Singaporeans are speaking up on the proposed development plans. We have seen petition after petition, and dialogue session after session, one can’t help but wonder whether residents and the people have been consulted before the planning?

Moving forward, it is likely we would see more disagreements and opposition to future urbanisation, housing and road plans for Singapore. Active citizens and NGOs can’t keep on “fighting” one issue after the other, and signing one petition after the other. It is tiring, ineffective and unproductive. It is time for the relevant planning authorities to reflect and change how they do their work.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by the late Stephen R. Covey is a classic book on personal change and leading change. The 7 Habits could be adapted to serve as a useful reminder and tool for the planning authorities to think about if they wish to change how they do things. Read more

Thoughts on the NCCS Public Perception Survey on Climate Change in Singapore

From Oct to Dec last year, the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) commissioned a survey among 1,010 Singaporeans aged 15 and above, to find out the current level of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours towards climate change in Singapore.

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. Read more

Next Page »