wild places | wild happenings | wild news
make a difference for our wild places

home | links | search the site
  all articles latest | past | articles by topics | search wildnews
wild news on wildsingapore
  Today Online 7 Mar 07
Climate talk is no hot air
 S'pore can be global green model with conducive rules
Liang Dingzi

That some Members of Parliament (MPs) spoke of a lack of resources dedicated to combating global warming during the Budget debates should not be a surprise. In fact, the paltry mention by only a handful of MPs was a disappointment somewhat.

That questions raised by 17 MPs during the debate on the Environment and Water Resources Ministry's budget hardly veered from the usual littering, toilets, dengue and haze issues — while these are important concerns — also bordered on the quotidian.

Elsewhere in the world, politicians are feeling public pressure to recognise the environment as a critical issue in their administrations.

It is regretful that we have foregone a timely opportunity to announce a green policy, or to at least lend some political weight to the issue and provide the direction for taking concrete steps.

MP Hri Kumar called on members of the Government — as responsible global citizens — to take the lead in pro-environmental policies and enhance Singapore's reputation as more than just a "good place to do business in".

This challenge is timely, since the United Nations Environment Programme will be honouring the International Olympic Committee, former United States Vice-President Al Gore and five other prominent environmental leaders as Champions of the Earth 2007 at a ceremony in Singapore next month.

Reliance on the masses to voluntarily commit to simple recycling of bottles and soda cans, not using plastic shopping bags, and the discipline of auditing personal usage of energy is not enough.

Moreover, the progress has been slow. It is time consumers are made to pay for the cost of not recycling; many Western countries impose a refundable deposit for recyclable items.

The Government can introduce measures to influence lifestyle choices.

Two weeks ago, Australia made the bold move to ban the use of non-energy efficient lightbulbs, while we choose to rely on labels to convert the environment agnostic.

Given our Government's track record of implementing tough policies and the size of our city state, similar measures are likely to be implemented as effectively.

Last week, MP Lim Wee Kiak reiterated the suggestion to raise the rebates for the purchase of environmentally-friendly vehicles and provide incentives for using alternative fuels. Mr Kumar and Nominated MP (NMP) Eunice Olsen reinforced this point yesterday.

While Minister Yaacob Ibrahim's move to extend the green vehicle rebate for another two years is a consolation, the Government can go further by regulating the transition from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to hybrids and electric vehicles.

In the United States, the state of California is set to become the green model for the world. In 2003, it was already looking at having 10 per cent of all large vehicles sold being zero-emission. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22 and 30 per cent by 2012 and 2016, respectively.

In Europe, the push to introduce carbon trading targeting firms such as car manufacturers and airlines is gathering momentum. Such measures, whether punitive or driven by incentives, will form the framework for action by most countries. However, they are aimed largely at amelioration.

The ultimate goal must be to encourage companies to develop new technology and progress from reduced pollution to zero pollution. The role of the government is, therefore, catalytic in inducing companies that will turn to innovation out of necessity.

Singapore, too, can become a green model for the world. As a global player, it can help advance green research.

It was notable that NMP Edwin Khew asked the minister yesterday about a masterplan for R&D on the environment. Bold initiatives and decisions, he said, have to be taken here, in order to be a leader in EWI (environment and water industry), to develop our own EWI small and medium-sized enterprises and be a leader in sustainable development.

With its excellent infrastructure, extensive international connectivity and up-to-date knowledge base, the Government can provide a conducive environment with suitable incentives to encourage organisations to not only set up eco-research bases here but also jointly introduce eco-friendly processes.

An example is TPGS Green Energy, a collaboration between Tuas Power and Gas Supply, that will jointly with pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Schering-Plough build tri-generation facilities that in the process of producing electricity converts waste heat into steam and chilled water. Schering-Plough expects to improve energy efficiency by 26 per cent and reduce its carbon dioxide emission by 24 per cent.

Who knows, out of Singapore's hotbed may sprout the answer to the world's much-sought-after commercially-viable alternative fuel. Until then, climate talk must be complemented by action, lest it becomes nothing more than just hot air.

The writer, a Singaporean management consultant, is retired from the aviation industry.
links
Another 'green' facility in the works
Sheralyn Tay Today Online 1 Mar 07

Related articles on Global issues: climate change
about the site | email ria
  News articles are reproduced for non-profit educational purposes.
 

website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com