Low footprint energy

SINGAPORE: As the global maritime sector tries to switch to liquified natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel source, there have been questions about how clean it really is and what else can be done to reduce the industry's pollutive impact on the environment. Since Jan 1, rules by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) - a United Nations body that governs shipping - came into force, capping the sulphur content of ships' fuel at 0.5 per cent, down from 3.5 per cent previously. This has driven the industry towards LNG, which emits virtually no sulphur. “LNG has significant environmental advantages over traditional bunker fuels which are heavy fuel oils,” said Dr Victor Nian, a senior research fellow with the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute. “LNG typically produces lower emissions of CO2 and virtually no nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) or sulphur oxides (SOx),” he explained. The natural gas has also become a more … [Read more...] about Making shipping cleaner – is LNG the answer?

BANGKOK: Prasert Saisamphan’s home used to be a breezy space, surrounded by trees. Now, the 65-year-old finds it hard to breathe, surrounded by confining concrete and the dust of a growing city. “When I was about 20 years old, condominiums were not built here yet. The weather was nice and cool. We only used a fan in the evening. No one had an air-conditioner in my house,” he said. “Now, there’s less air. It feels like I can’t take a deep breath.” The view from Prasert’s house in Klong Khlang in central Bangkok is dominated by the towering pylons of an expressway, and in the distance, seemingly ever-growing residential towers. “It’s hot this year. It’s so hot that the electricity charges significantly rise. It’s so hot that I installed water sprinklers on the roof. It’s so hot that I need water spray. It feels doubly hot compared to last year,” said Jurairat Kruephimai, another local resident. The heat they feel is not imagined. The effect of a phenomenon known as the … [Read more...] about Hot in the city: Rising night temperatures a potentially major health issue in Asian metropolises

SINGAPORE: In the battle against climate change, environment experts have urged individuals to look beyond single-use plastic and make bigger changes in their daily lives: Drive and fly less, and change what they eat and buy. "Most of the individual actions people can do are often less visible than not using straws, and requires an effort to change behaviour for the long term," Associate Professor Winston Chow of the Singapore Management University (SMU) told CNA on Wednesday (Aug 7). "Some steps would be to reduce consumption of goods, materials and services that generate carbon emissions." A Mediacorp survey released on Wednesday showed that more than nine in 10 Singaporeans and permanent residents agreed that they would do their part to "minimise the impact" of climate change. READ: What will it take to kick Singapore's growing multimillion-dollar addiction to bottled water? But what exactly should they do? "Straws are a small part of our overall … [Read more...] about Want to do more to fight climate change? Cut down on driving, buying stuff and eating meat

SINGAPORE: In Singapore, climate change received due attention during the 2019 National Day Rally, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced national strategies to adapt to climate hazards and mitigate carbon emissions. While PM Lee spoke at length about sea level rise and how to adapt to this long-term threat, there is another critical immediate issue - how do we adapt and mitigate warmer temperatures from global warming and urbanisation in Singapore that will affect our day-to-day lives? In our daily lives, we have been mostly sheltered from the harsh realities of heat and humidity, thanks to the ubiquitous air-conditioner in our homes, transport modes, offices and most buildings. However, this does not bode well for a sustainable future. Once outdoors, when taking refuge in air-conditioned spaces is not an option, we are immediately hit by the sweltering heat. READ: Hot in the city: Rising night temperatures a potentially major health issue in Asian metropolises … [Read more...] about Commentary: Singapore could be a model for cooler cities in a world heating up

SINGAPORE: On Saturday (Jul 25), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a new Cabinet which included a reshuffle of portfolios for fourth-generation (4G) leaders, six promotions and three retirements. Former Minister of Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu will move to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, which has now been renamed the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). Explaining the rationale behind the ministry’s new name, PM Lee noted “sustainability has become an increasingly important part of our national agenda”, which now includes climate change defence and managing the island’s carbon footprint. COVID-19 has also shown Singaporeans how fraught food security and safety is, highlighting the importance of the work of sustainability and climate adaptation. READ: Commentary: How COVID-19 shaped this Singapore Cabinet line-up READ: Commentary: From farmers to supermarket clerks, a new kind of essential worker has emerged … [Read more...] about Commentary: This new Ministry of Sustainability and Environment looks pretty promising