Thoughts on the Dialogue Session on Building a Sustainable Community

During the Sustainable Singapore dialogue forum, the suggestions came fast and furious with more than 20 participants voicing out their concerns and ideas on recycling, energy conservation and efficiency, cycling, CNG vehicles, green corporate culture, using the media to promote environmental awareness, etc. The participation and suggestions was welcoming, although we felt slight disappointment and a sense of something missing in the dialogue.

There were no serious discussions on what it really means to be sustainable. To be sustainable, we need to change the way we generate and use our energy. We need to eliminate waste and create a closed material loop. We need to rethink how we source and grow our food. And we need to consider whether continuous economic growth is possible and desirable in the long run.

There were no inspiring vision and goals, and the desire to take the initiative. We need to be inspired so that we are motivated to take action ourselves and not only rely on the government. We don’t wish to see another feedback exercise where we give ideas to the government and after that, wash our hands and let the government do their job. We need to realise that sometimes we can take the initiative and not have to wait for the government to take action.

Despite the disappointment, there was a few glimpse of hope. One was from Lai Hock of the Ground-Up Initiative, who spoke about rethinking economic growth, being efficient but not effective, and learning to accept inconveniences. The other was from the guy who cycled to the venue using his foldable bicycle, truly walking the talk.

Dialogue Session on Sustainable Singapore: Enhancing our Physical Environment

Venue: MND Auditorium, 5 Maxwell Road, MND Complex, Annexe A

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) is organising two dialogue sessions to discuss the Sustainable Singapore blueprint. The first session on “Building a Sustainable Community” will be chaired by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 28 Oct. The second session on “Enhancing our Physical Environment” will be chaired by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development on 6 Nov.

This is a great opportunity to voice out your views on a sustainable Singapore to our ministers. For details and registration, visit the Sustainable Singapore website.

Dialogue Session on Sustainable Singapore: Building a Sustainable Community

Venue: URA Auditorium, The URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Road, 5th storey Podium, Singapore 069118

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) is organising two dialogue sessions to discuss the Sustainable Singapore blueprint. The first session on “Building a Sustainable Community” will be chaired by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 28 Oct. The second session on “Enhancing our Physical Environment” will be chaired by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development on 6 Nov.

This is a great opportunity to voice out your views on a sustainable Singapore to our ministers. For details and registration, visit the Sustainable Singapore website.

20 Suggestions for Sustainable Singapore

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) recently announced Singapore’s vision and initiatives for sustainable development, and is seeking public feedback and suggestions. The IMCSD is studying ways to be more sustainable in the way we Work, Commute, Live and Play. Visit the Sustainable Singapore website to find out more and give your feedback or suggestions.

In response to the call for green ideas, we came up with 20 suggestions that would help Singapore to be more sustainable. The 20 suggestions involve the following categories:

• Reduce Energy and Carbon Emissions
• Redesign, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Waste
• Reduce Water Demand and Pollution
• Sustainable Transportation
• Sustainable Food, Materials and Products
• Protecting Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
• Greener Companies and Businesses

The 20 suggestions are compiled in a report and sent to the IMCSD Secretariat. To read the full report, download it from Green Business Times.

Singapore’s Vision for Sustainable Development by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) will be announcing Singapore’s vision and initiatives for sustainable development at a press conference today. For a sneak preview of what to expect, visit the Sustainable Singapore website. Read more

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