Top 10 Environmental Issues in Singapore
Worldwide there are about 30 main environmental issues. The main causes of these can be explained under political, economic, cultural and natural reasons.
Singapore being on its toes from 1960’s against the pollution causing factors does not have many environmental issues as its Government and people are in a continuous and cautious effort to reduce environmental impact on the country. Sustainable environment is preferred for quality life, attract worldwide business and also to live.
Overall the Singaporean’s have played a positive role in reducing environmental impacts. Care of the environment takes place at numerous levels – from industrial waste management, emission controls and water recycling, down to littering; Singapore is renowned as being possibly the cleanest city in the world. To combat air-pollution, the government has strict vehicular exhaust emission controls; the sight of black fumes pouring out of a car, common in the 70s, has been completely eradicated. Furthermore, most cars use unleaded fuel.
Singapore’s development over the last 20 to 30 years has meant that it has done the worst damage to its environment by cutting down rain-forests to make way for the urbanization.
Top 10 environmental issues in Singapore
The 10 top environmental issues in Singapore and the solution sought are as follows:
1. Haze
Seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia bring a lot of haze in the environment of Singapore resulting in health hazards and visibility issues. The routine of Singaporean’s is greatly disturbed and precautionary measures have to be taken to move around.
2. Clean Air and Carbon Emission
Concerns over air pollution have increased over the last decade, as the Singaporean’s are worried about indoor and outdoor air quality and the related air pollutants such as toxic emissions from industrial processes and construction sites.
3. Urbanization and Deforestation
Due to the rapid urbanization of green areas there was massive deforestation taking place. Even though the Singapore’s Government has always made a point of planting trees and orchards but still it is an issue which persists.
4. Water Resource Management
Being self-sufficient with rainfall, Singapore is still struggling with the availability of fresh water due to dense population compared to the livable area available. Nearly half of its water is piped in from Malaysia through agreements set to expire in mid-century. The government is attempting to become autonomous through retention reservoirs, desalination plants and the reclamation of sewer water, marketed as NeWater, mostly for non-potable purposes. An estimated 70 percent of Singapore’s sewage is recycled, and the remainder is retreated and discharged into the sea.
A serious environmental concern arises when water for domestic use and drinking gets mixed with contaminants. This can be related to all the processes where contaminated water runs out from different areas mix with oceans and reservoirs.
5. Solid Waste Management and Recycling
The rate of waste disposed by Singapore’s citizens has rose many-folds in the past decades. Therefore the nation has set an ambitious target to achieve zero landfill. Indeed, if this growth in waste were not curtailed, Singapore would need to build a new 3000-tonne/day incineration plant every five to seven years and a new 350-hectare landfill every 25 years to cope with the waste.
This potential problem has been addressed by Singapore by setting up an integrated solid waste management system in the past three decades that incorporates recycling, collection and disposal. Working hand in hand with key stakeholders in the private and government sectors as well as the general public, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has formulated a range of strategies and Programmes to achieve its objectives for curbing waste growth and supporting sustainable waste management.
By undertaking these measures, Singapore is taking a big leap forward to achieving the ultimate goal of ‘Towards Zero Landfill’.
6. Climate Change
Singapore has been confronted with heavy storms and floods. Lately Singaporean’s have also dealt with long-term famine. The level of sea is rising and overall temperature is also greater than before. The variation in the weather form causes wearing away of the coastline, more possibility of heavy rainfall and prolonged food shortage. Vegetation, animals and plants are also affected by the climatic change. Deliveries of eatables can be disturbed if the food supply traders are facing intense climatic incidences.
Climatic changes can be better dealt with energy efficient strategies to reduce carbon emissions and in turn reducing global warming to secure ourselves from drastic climatic changes.
7. Energy Efficiency
Singapore is involved in green projects such as recycling and using clean renewable energy. Power generated from agricultural waste is used to generate electricity to be utilized at the Gardens by the Bay Singapore.
Compared to the world, Singapore is a bit behind in adopting Wind, Solar and Hydro power generation methodologies but it is still making steps towards becoming more energy efficient.
In April 2006, Singapore announced accession to the Kyoto Protocol. As a non-Annex I country, Singapore does not have targets set under KP, but it is eligible to participate in carbon credit exchanges arising from approved Clean Development Mechanism projects conducted in the country.
There are fresh investments in energy management announced in the year of 2013 include the Asian Centre of Excellence, which focuses in developing smart grids and renewable energy. Few companies operating in this area including; Hanergy, a China based company that is one of the world’s largest thin-film solar producers & established its international headquarters in Singapore. The German company Saferay, which built a global solar project development center, and DHI, a Danish water and environment research and technology consultancy, which announced plans to expand it Asia Pacific R&D and engineering center in the region of Singapore.
8. Soil Contamination
Soil Contamination comprises of Soil erosion, soil conservation, soil salinization, and soil contamination by waste, pesticides, and lead. Contamination is directly related to the level of industrial development and intensity of chemicals being used.
When toxins contaminate the soil there is high level of risk to health. This soil will be hazardous when skin comes in contact with it, inhaling the vapors from toxins and the water present in the soil is all poisonous. The plants grown in such soil may also contain chemical traces causing harmful effects on living beings ingesting the fruit of these.
For the prevention and control of water pollution, only approved termiticide is allowed for used in soil treatment against termite. Pest control operator is also required to notify Pollution Control Department before soil treatment is carried out.
9. Noise Pollution
Rapidly developing Singapore from new residential and commercial structures to improved and expanded transport infrastructures brings with it some inevitable inconveniences, especially noise pollution. The National Environment Agency (NEA) in Singapore is working with industry and the public to establish acceptable levels of noise.
The chemical safety and processes are under control in Singapore as the harmful waste from industries are properly transported and disposed of according to the laws listed in the regulation of 1988, being controlled by the Environmental Public Health authority.
All waste collection and disposing have to be done by licensed organizations. The quantity of harmful waste should be collected and disposed after verification and approval of appropriate transportation system.
10. Chemical Safety and Radiation Protection
Toxic Industrial Waste and hazardous Substances can be cause of a lot of hazardous environmental impact to the air, land and sea water if not managed properly.
Radiation is present in many aspects of our everyday lives, from radioactive materials used in industrial processes to medical and communication devices.
The Radiation Protection & Nuclear Science Department (RPNSD) is the national authority for radiation protection in Singapore. It administers and enforces the Radiation Protection Act and Regulations through a system of licensing, notification, authorization, inspection, and enforcement.
In conclusion, even though Singapore is facing all these Environmental issues but it is making a motivational and determined, sustained effort towards reducing environmental effect.
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