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
  Straits Times 13 Aug 07
Warming up to climate change

This week, YouthInk writers give their take on global warming

IS IT TOO LATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Youths' awareness key to future

MINISTER Mentor's pessimism regarding environmental degradation is probably spot-on, and the outlook is unlikely to improve. We are experiencing global climate change and a mass extinction of biodiversity.

But sadly, any new pro-environment effort cannot reverse the damage already done. What we can do though, is to slow down this deterioration through a concerted global effort.

Environmentalism is catching up here, with more youths receptive to a pro-environment lifestyle. At NUS, rag day participants are encouraged to build floats with recycled materials, and a prize is awarded for the effort.

Hopefully, by being raised in an era when environmental issues are high on political agendas, youths can make their awareness the difference. With any luck, some will become leaders who will bravely address this global crisis and contribute to an environmentally aware, pollution-free future.

Liana Tang, 22, graduated with honours in biology from the National University of Singapore (NUS)

Time for carbon tax?

THE Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has instituted Singapore Green Plan 2012, which has, thus far, served well as a blueprint towards environmental sustainability. However, SGP 2012 largely relies on the Government's facilitation and incentivisation of 'green development'.

Clearly, more needs to be done in the formulation of a holistic climate-change strategy. A carbon tax is required. This will be an effectual measure in meeting the Kyoto Protocol's emission standards. Society will be forced to bear the environmental cost of its activities, providing an incentive for innovation and abatement.

A 'double dividend' effect can be achieved when revenue from carbon tax is used to offset cost increases by slashing other taxes, creating a competitive pro-growth environment.

Sanjiv Nanwani, 20, will be reading government and economics at the London School of Economics

Save yourself, and save the world

THERE is no reason to be pessimistic about the Green Movement.

Firstly, it has been labelled as the new 'in' thing - an 'invisible hand' pushed prices of a simple bag emblazoned with the words 'I am Not a Plastic Bag' to £200 (S$620) on auction website eBay. It had originally retailed for £5.

Secondly, selfishness is in our nature. If saving electricity means cheaper bills, why not?

Lastly, if we can pre-empt taxation that will force us to comply with environment-friendly consumption levels, then let us be the forerunners.

For once, let us dictate the change before our Government tells us to. Global warming is the one thing which will happen, with or without us. We might as well jump on the bandwagon.

Nurul Aziah Hussin, 21, is a third-year law student at NUS

Reality check needed

TWO months ago, my school's Green Club screened the environmental documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, and a grand total of two non-club members turned up.

The irony of the effort was that in trying to promote awareness of climate change, we were still harming the environment - by accommodating just 10 people in a large air-conditioned lecture theatre.

Sadly, some students' 'pro-environment' motivations are also suspect. They collect cans and newspapers for the sake of earning faculty points or to beef up community involvement project records.

This mindset must change. Youths must realise the planet is in real danger, despite the harsh effects of climate change seeming to be remote from us.

Michelle Virgiany, 19, is a second-year science student at Hwa Chong Institution
links
Related articles on Climate change
about the site | email ria
  News articles are reproduced for non-profit educational purposes.
 

website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com