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  Straits Times 12 Feb 07
Save the earth for current generation
 Letter from Liang Xinyi (Ms) Communications Executive Singapore Environment Council

I REFER to the letter, 'Air-con, covered walkways make life less of a drudgery', by Mr Ow Yeong Wai Kit (ST, Feb 7).

While it is true that most of us would not want to compromise on our current standard of living, climate change has invariably imposed a challenge on humanity.

The recent spate of scientific and media reports have painted a dismal outlook for the earth's future, with potentially worse effects if we continue with our current energy-intensive lifestyles.

Right now, the whole world is already feeling the heat from a changing climate. The environmental fallout is apparent in many parts of the world, whether it is floods in this region or extremely cold or mild winters in the temperate zones.

We are no longer talking about saving the earth for our children and grandchildren. We are talking about saving this current generation.

If Mr Ow Yeong suggests Singaporeans have a right to demand a greener environment like citizens of any other developed democracy, we should first display a comparable level of civic consciousness and concern for the environment.

We should not display a callous and indifferent attitude to environmental protection, thinking the Government will be there to solve every problem.

Fighting climate change is certainly not the sole responsibility of the Government. A green and sustainable environment needs cooperation and commitment from every stratum of society - the Government, private sector and people.

The argument should not lie in whether governments have made economic choices that led to global warming. The finger-pointing game should stop, because ultimately, each and every one of us will have to bear the consequences, whether 'guilty decision-makers' or 'innocent bystanders'.

I am not suggesting we should give up all the conveniences of modern life. But what we can do is to re-examine our current way of life, and how we can deploy small but significant steps in everyday life, such as using energy-efficient appliances and reducing heavy reliance on motor vehicles for every trip.

The accumulated efforts of every individual will go a long way to protect the climate and environment. If we continue our current lifestyle of hedonistic energy use, we may find ourselves forced to make drastic changes to our lifestyle in the not-so-far future.

Straits Times 7 Feb 07
Air-con, covered walkways make life less of a drudgery
Letter from Ow Yeong Wai Kit

I REFER to the letters, 'Covered walkways and air-con make for softies' (ST, Feb 3) by Mr Khoo Swee Chiow and 'Do the people deserve a greener Singapore?' (ST, Feb 3), by Mr Ramchand Ramesh.

Mr Khoo lamented the lack of resilience in our young and argued that 'making life easier and more comfortable' meant that 'we are heading for disaster'. Mr Ramesh questioned whether local residents 'deserved' the PUB's efforts to create a greener Singapore.

I disagree with their sentiments. Mr Khoo firstly claims that prosperity meant that youths were going soft. This view ignores the fact that toughness of spirit can be bred in a myriad of ways outside daily life.

There is already National Service to toughen our young men, besides plenty of other opportunities, such as outward-bound activities which stretch youths outside their comfort zone. Schools routinely conduct outdoor camps precisely to infuse the spirit of resilience in the young.

Singaporeans are entitled to insist on improvements to physical welfare as long as public amenities are never taken for granted and the less fortunate are cared for.

The key is to master modern conveniences and not let them master us. Luddite attitudes do little in today's modern world.

I agree with Mr Khoo that global warming is highly regrettable. Yet fighting climate change is more a public than private responsibility, and governments must bear the greater burden in initiating action, not the masses.

After all, it was governments which led economic interests that led to global-warming problems in the first place.

I share Mr Ramesh's frustrations about littering, but the solution is education, not resentment. As taxpayers and consumers, Singaporeans have the right to demand a greener environment, like citizens of other developed democracies.

Society often dismisses the frills of daily existence as peripheral to welfare, yet it remains true that these 'frills' serve to make the drudgery of our lives so much more bearable.

Straits Times 3 Feb 07
Covered walkways and air-con make for softies
Letter from Khoo Swee Chiow

THERE are more covered walkways at LRT stations and schools are being built in Punggol.

Are we making life too comfortable? Surely, some rain and sun won't hurt, especially for the students? A covered walkway is a small matter.

But is it the tip of the iceberg? Is making life easier and more comfortable our society's goal? If so, then we are heading for disaster.

Prosperity creates problems like obesity and lack of resilience in the younger generation. We need a roof over our heads and simple meals to keep our bodies going but we don't need a lot of material comfort to live a quality life.

I give talks to schools and corporations regularly. The teachers and parents tell me that our young ones are too soft. Senior management tells me that those entering the workforce today are no longer as hardworking as the older workers.

I tell them I don't blame the students and workers: It's the system at work. It is my theory that the more we are shielded from Mother Nature, the more we lose touch of reality.

I am glad to see more parks, and trees being planted. The authorities should be commended but that is only a small part of the big picture.

The harsh reality today is the hot topic of climate change. Severe damage, some irreversible, has been done to Mother Nature from the time of past generations, either through ignorance or greed. World leaders today have the tough job of saving the earth.

Another modern device that makes life more comfortable is the air-conditioner, which Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew once hailed as being among the greatest inventions. However, the air-conditioner consumes a lot of energy and generates heat. Every year, we are creating more air-conditioned space - shopping malls and other indoor venues.

How much energy is used to power air-conditioners for a population of four million? How much heat is being generated? Last year, I decided to stop using the air-conditioner at home. It has been many months since. I plan to keep it that way unless we have guests on a hot day. I grew up in a home without air-conditioning for 20 years. I believe I can do without it. Fans are much more environmentally friendly and cheaper.

Resilience is like our muscles - if we don't use them, we will lose them. I will be very disappointed with myself as a dad if my children grow up knowing only covered walkways and air-conditioned shopping malls.

Straits Times 3 Feb 07
Do the people deserve a greener Singapore?
Letter from Ramchand Ramesh

I LAUD the PUB's efforts to transform drains, canals and reservoirs into streams, rivers and lakes with lush greenery, floating boardwalks and natural habitats for fish and birds.

It will most certainly add to the ongoing enhancements to make Singapore a truly attractive place to live.

But it begs the question: Do the residents deserve this? One has only to walk into any park, park connector or, for that matter, along any road to witness indiscriminate littering - drink cans, bottles, styrofoam containers, bags, etc. Recycling has also not caught on.

Let us all play a part and fix this and we can transform any green space - natural or man-made - into a compelling environmental experience.

Straits Times 15 Feb 07
More amenities cannot turn younger crowd into 'softies'

WE REFER to the letter, 'Covered walkways and air-con make for softies' (ST, Feb 3).

In Mr Khoo Swee Chiow's opinion, life is far too comfortable for the younger generation, which causes them to lack resilience.

We beg to differ. First, having more comforts such as covered walkways and air-conditioning does not necessarily lead to lack of resilience in the younger generation.

Resilience is not 'lost' just because people have material comforts. It is cultivated via experiences and lessons.

In the current education system, there are many opportunities for students to cultivate important lifeskills, including resilience. These include Outward Bound Singapore, Civics and Moral Education, and the Community Involvement Programme.

In fact, covered walkways make travel more convenient for the general population, which includes the elderly and children, not just students.

For example, in bad weather, they provide shelter, making living conditions better - something which is natural in a developed society.

Second, the younger generation are not necessarily 'softies'. Mr Khoo notes that senior management people say those who enter the workforce today are 'no longer as hardworking as the older workers'. But how does he measure how hardworking the younger generation is? Is it the number of hours they spend in the office? Working more hours does not mean one is more resilient.

Conversely, having technological advances and conveniences does not mean one is less resilient.
Lisa Chew Yi Peng (Miss)
Chua Xin Rong (Miss)
Chua Xin Yu (Miss)
Dina Ee Ying Hui (Miss)
Tan Mui Suan (Miss)
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