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  Today Online 10 Feb 07
Fighting climate change begins at home
Letter from Maryanne Maes

With most Singaporeans oblivious to environmental concerns, I was especially heartened by Ms Chia Ye Hui's letter on her school's campaign against styrofoam boxes ("Green teens do their bit", Feb 8).

It has also been very encouraging to see more letters in recent years focusing on environmental issues.

There is now a pressing need to roll up our sleeves and do what we can as individuals to help, be it changing the mindsets of others, or adopting more environmental-friendly lifestyle choices.

The National Environment Agency has initiated environmental programmes with many schools, and while the students have begun to understand the value of waste minimisation, their parents do not.

More often than not, the environmental values these students have learn are negated by their parents' scoffing and disbelief over such "useless matters", to quote some parents of my son's classmates.

How many times have we seen a parent shutting up his child for reminding him not to use too many plastic bags at the supermarket?

I also hope to see greater awareness among students on other key environmental issues such as nature conservation.

Unfortunately, not much of that is debated here in Singapore. It is only when one appreciates nature than he or she can see the sense in conserving the environment.

This should be the core underlying value that students should adopt. As much as we are worried about the impact of climate change on our lives, we should likewise consider the adverse consequences we inflict on other species.

Nature conservation really is about saving lives.
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