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Singapore Green Plan

My Reflections:

The Singapore Green Plan (SGP) is a plan for aiding Singapore to become a city with high standards of public health which is pleasant to live in and where the Singaporeans care for the environment. It was presented at the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. At the summit, more than 100 countries committed themselves to ensuring that minimal damage is done to the environment in the process of developing their countries. This scheme raises global awareness of environmental conservation and thus it is a form of globalization. In addition, the active participation of so many countries all over the world shows that the world does spare a thought for the environment and that the world has a common objective, that is, to protect and conserve the environment.




There are various action programmes in Singapore Green Plan including environmental education, resource education, clean technologies, environmental technology, nature conservation and noise management.

One of the action programmes in Singapore Green Plan involves public education on environmental issues. Students are taught of environmental issues in Singapore through subjects such as Geography etc. Besides the “Bring Your Own Bag” campaign that is launched recently, there is another campaign which is the annual “Clean and Green week” which aims to encourage Singaporean to participate actively in protecting the environment.

In addition, public is encouraged to purchase products that are environmentally friendly and such products usually carry a GreenLabel. The label serves to allow easy identification of environmentally friendly products. When visitors from foreign countries to Singapore purchase such environmentally items, they will know that such an environmental protection scheme is ongoing. This is also a form of globalization.


Another action programme of Singapore Green Plan is clean technologies. The SGP aims to reduce air pollution which includes using cleaner fuels to generate electricity, making more efficient use of transport system and promoting cleaner industrial processes. For example, new cars have catalytic converters to convert toxic exhaust gases into less harmful ones before they are released into the air. In Britain, different rates for parking permits based on vehicle fuel emissions have led a string of other areas around Britain following suit, i.e. there is cheaper parking for greener cars. In Singapore, cars are fitted with catalytic converters while in Britain, cheaper parking rates are offered to greener cars. Though these two approaches are different and that they are executed in countries, they both aim to reduce the amount of harmful gases emission and to combat air pollution. From here, globalization can be seen in from the similar objective that both Singapore and Britain have to minimize air pollution. It is also certain that many other countries are reducing air pollution, but with varying approaches.

The public transport system is also constantly improved to encourage the use of public transport instead of private cars as this is a more efficient way use of energy. In particular, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a cleaner mode of transport as it uses electricity instead of patrol. Again, MRT is not only confined to Singapore but is also present in other countries such as Japan, America and Europe etc. Thus, it can be seen that MRT is globalized and that MRT is definitely environmental beneficial.

Singapore's "Bring Your Own Bag" Campaign

My Reflection:
As mentioned over and over again, the depletion of natural resources, different kinds of pollutions, global warming and ozone layer depletion arise mainly from our activities, in the process of modernization and globalization. These problems have resulted because we misused our natural resources and abused the Earth but it is not too late for us to do something about all these problems. We can play a part by conserving the environment.

Alternative sources of energy to replace fossil fuels

Article: http://www.reuters.com/article/bankingfinancial-SP-A/idUSL2259127920070226?pageNumber=2

Reflections:
The condition of our present environment is partly the result of globalization. Technological inventions such as vehicles enhance globalization but at the same time cause pollution. Computer with internet access is a convenient mean of communication and links the world together but electricity is required for the computer to work. The use of electricity implies the burning of fossil fuels and the burning of fossil fuels is actually our main source of energy. However, the Earth’s fossil fuels are non-renewable and bound to run out one day. In addition, our high and increasing level of energy consumption is causing the fossil fuels and also other Earth’s non-renewable resources to diminish at an even faster rate. Without fossil fuels, there will be no electricity and as a result, communication and interaction among people around the world will be greatly affected. Nevertheless, there is a fact that we have to accept, that is, as the world’s population grows and industrialization continues, the demand for energy will soar inevitably and fossil fuel will deplete in time to come. Moreover, concerns have also been raised regarding global warming and the various pollutions caused by burning of fossil fuels. As can be seen, there is really a need for other alternative sources of energy.

Newspaper reports often provide solutions on how to minimize and handle with the effects of global warming such as climatic changes and identification of future measures. Instead of countering the effects of global warming, a wiser choice is to find solutions to avert global warming. The above article has shown how we can prevent global warming by developing alternative sources of energy that are both renewable and environmental-friendly such as sunlight, wind and wave, to replace fossil fuels. In conjunction with the ongoing green fever, such development of alternative sources of energy is definitely appealing to investors who are environmentally conscious and thus it proves to be a golden opportunity for enterprise. It will be great if these alternative sources of energy are developed, globalized and used on a global scale, then the environmental problems associated with fossil fuels can certainly be improved and solved.

Despite the advantages of these alternative sources of energy, most of them have their limitations and are expensive to maintain and to be used widely. In the midst of development of these alternatives sources of energy, it is best for us to use the Earth’s resources frugally and wisely.

Environmental and Health Expert,
Yu Yang

Fig. 1.2 Average annual temperature for the state of Texas from 1975 to 2005

The above graphs show that the world’s average temperature is rising steadily over the years. As globalization takes place, human population expands and the growth of civilization has accelerated over the decades. With the world sheer massive human population and never-ending quest for modernization, the level of energy consumption keeps growing. Our great appetite for energy means the burning of more fossil fuels and the pollution which necessarily follows. The overuse and misuse of the Earth’s resources have resulted in an ailing Earth. Current environmental issues include ozone layer depletion and global warming which in turn resulted in the world being brought closer together by international agreements that aims to resist and combat these environmental problems and this leads to my discussion on the Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol.

Fig. 1.3 A logo of Montreal Protocol

Fig. 1.4 World map showing overview of participating countries (yellow color) in Montreal Protocol

Fig.1.5 Graph showing effectiveness of Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty aimed to combat ozone depletion which was signed on September 16, 1987 and implemented on 1 January 1989. The Montreal Protocol is adopted by many countries and implemented globally. The Montreal Protocol is very effective, and upon implementation, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which have been identified to be the main cause of damage to the ozone layer, is greatly reduced by nearly 80% by the year 1996. The effectiveness of Montreal protocol can also be seen in Fig.1.5 which shows how the protocol reduces the change in ozone layer. “It is perhaps the most successful international agreement to date” said Kofi Annan. Why is the Montreal Protocol so effective? The answer is illustrated in the world map above, that is, simply because the protocol is widely adopted and the 191 participating countries work in unity with one another. Thus, the Montreal Protocol is, in a way, a tool/form of globalization that brings the world closer together.

Fig.1.6 Kyoto Protocol

Besides ozone depletion follows another global environmental issue which is global warming. It has been predicted that if the increase in greenhouse gases is not checked, the Earth average temperature will rise a further 1.5 to 4.5 degree Celsius by the year 2100. To solve this, Kyoto Protocol was opened for signature in 1997. The international co-operation for preventing further ozone depletion, well coordination displayed between countries and high effectiveness and efficiency of Montreal Protocol, has served as a model and scaffold for the design of Kyoto Protocol. Again, sign of globalization is evident here, as Montreal Protocol is influential to the design of Kyoto Protocol and in fact other international agreements. Montreal Protocol has also been reviewed to inspire the discussions on design of Kyoto Protocol and the experience gained from Montreal Protocol also serves as a learning guide for Kyoto Protocol. However, there is still a need for closer co-operation between these two agreements. Most commonly, problem arises in scenario where the terms of the two agreements contradict each other, which is illustrated in the following example. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) contributes to global warming and parties of the Kyoto Protocol might have limited and reduced emission of such gas. On the other hand, this gas may be a substitution for CFCs. Due to the different roles that this gas takes up in the context of these two international agreements, further discussion is required to weigh the importance of ozone depletion and global warming. Both agreements may have to compromise each other and a third agreement that reconciles and combines the two agreements may be established. This will in turn bring different countries participating in the two international agreements to cooperate together. As can be seen, the linkage between the two international agreements brings the world even closer together and to work towards common ideals and goals.

Though, with Montreal Protocol acting as a model, the Kyoto Protocol is still not as effective as Montreal Protocol. In 1997, Kyoto Protocol was adopted by most of the countries, except United States of America (USA) and few other countries. In 2005, Kyoto Protocol is finally implemented and came into effect for all signatory countries, and this time round including USA. It is wrong to think that this is a perfect ending and that global warming can be solved as the protocol does not run as smoothly as the Montreal Protocol. Series of problems and obstacles starts to unfold and obstruct effective mitigation of global warming. The major problem is that developing countries are uncommitted to any specific emission limits and constraints of the agreement. These countries such as rapidly progressive China and India are not ready to bear the responsibility for global warming and climate change. Some countries in Europe and North America want these developing countries to accept the limits on emission of greenhouse gases as combating against global warming requires a global effort which needs active participation of developing countries. Indeed, to come to think of it, there is minimal reduction in carbon dioxide without the participation of developing countries. Worse still, China and India are developing rapidly and their rate of emission might be faster than what the other developed countries can cut down on. Globalization places an important role here, that is, to globalize the Kyoto Protocol and the efforts, and make sure that every country participates actively. Only then will the Kyoto Protocol work effectively like that of Montreal Protocol.

Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Protocol
http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/management/cfc/cfc_trans.asp
http://www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/housewaste/house/chlorofl.htm
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/ozone_deplete/ozone_deplete.html
Environmental and Health Expert,

Yu Yang

Global warming: effects of globalization and how they affects globalization

Global warming is an effect of globalization. For example, technological advances such as automobiles and aeroplanes allow interaction and communication in any places at any time encourages globalization. However, the use of automobiles gives rise to production of greenhouse gases and lead to global warming. Thus, global warming is an effect of globalization but it also affects globalization simultaneously.

According to a research conducted by International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it has already shown that human activities are definitely contributing to the worsening of global warming and that the dire consequences of our impact on the world are already visible in many places of the globe in the form of natural disasters such as the El Nino phenomenon, and also the extinction of flora and fauna. With concern to the protection of the environment, international groups such as the United Nations Environment Programme and World Wide Fund (WWF) are formed. WWF is a large conservation organization with offices around the world and serves to make and educate people of the endangered species; since common awareness of endangered species is raised throughout the world, this shows a form of globalization.

The above comic depicts a polar bear stripping off its fur, indicating that the world’s temperature is rising steadily and has went beyond its limit of tolerance which will result in the ultimate death of the polar bear. The truth is that global warming is no longer a mere hypothesis, and that the impacts of global warming can already be felt.

Global warming is a global controversial issue that many are concerned about. The urgency of this problem can be seen through the number of climate reports and regular update of climate changes in newspaper and students are also educated in school about this phenomenon. A form of globalization can be seen here and the world is brought closer together in the sense that, people around the world share common knowledge on global warming and work towards a common goal, that is, to reduce impact of global warming.