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  Channel NewsAsia 27 Feb 07
Singapore monitoring impact of global warming

Today Online 28 Feb 07
MPs warm up to debate on going green
Loh Chee Kong

TRADITIONALLY, environmental issues have seldom hogged the spotlight in Budget debates.

But yesterday, three post-'65 Members of Parliament spoke about the lack of resources dedicated to combating global warming.

Signalling the changing outlook of the younger MPs, Mr Hri Kumar (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) called on the Government to take the lead in pro-environment policies and enhance Singapore's reputation as more than just "a good place to do business in".

He said: "One of the messages we should send is that we are responsible global citizens as well. We are the original Green City."

East Coast GRC MP Jessica Tan was also disappointed that Budget 2007 did not entail any specific measures to bring down the island's energy consumption levels. Singapore's small size, she said, would not shield it from adverse environmental effects.

Citing the recent flash floods and quirky weather that saw Singapore experiencing one of its wettest months in 75 years, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, MP for Sembawang GRC, called on the Government to follow up on its signing of the Kyoto Protocol "by instituting small measures in our policies".

He suggested that the Government raise the rebates for the purchase of environmentally-friendly vehicles and provide incentives for using alternative fuels.

Earlier, Jalan Besar GRC MP Dr Lily Neo had asked the Government if it had done any study on the impact of rising sea levels.

In response, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan pointed out that "the most pessimistic scientific predictions" indicated that the sea level would rise by at most 70cm to 80cm. Reclaimed land in Singapore, he said, was some 120cm above sea level.

He added that an inter-government agency is studying the impact of climate change, while another workgroup was reviewing existing infrastructure "to see how we can adapt them to any changes in sea levels".

Mr Mah said: "Given current information and technical wisdom, we are able to withstand such impact. For the longer term, we will monitor and better understand how this potential climate change will impact Singapore."

Channel NewsAsia 27 Feb 07
Singapore monitoring impact of global warming

SINGAPORE: Singapore is monitoring the localised impact of global warming on the country. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan gave the assurance in Parliament on Tuesday in response to a concern raised by MP Lily Neo over the impact of global warming on parts of the island which are made up of reclaimed land.

Noting that the most pessimistic scientific predictions indicate that the sea level would rise by at most 70cm to 80cm, Mr Mah pointed out that land reclaimed in Singapore is some 120 centimetres above sea level. Even so, he said there is a need to further understand what is going is.

Mr Mah said: "So several agencies including the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, National Environment Agency, and the National Development Ministry are studying the localised impact of climate change on Singapore.

"But we also have another inter-agency task force which is led by MND - their job is to review the existing infrastructure development in Singapore to see how we can adapt to any changes in sea level."
links
What parts of Singapore gets flooded with 1m rise of sea level? on the flood map website

Related articles on Global issues: climate change
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