Monday, May 14, 2007
Singapore Green PlanMy 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.
Environmental technology is also one of the action programmes of SGP. Environmental technology aims to develop Singapore into a centre for environmental technology. As Singapore is already famous for being a clean and green city, we want to share our knowledge, skills and experience with neighbouring countries through trainings, conferences and workshops etc. Globalization is present when Singapore shares her knowledge and skills in taking care of the environment with other countries. At the same time, Singapore can also pick up new knowledge and skills during the interactions with other countries. This brings different countries closer and more bonded together.
At the same time, Singapore aspires to increase knowledge and skills in environmental protection. Thus, Singapore has encouraged foreign environment-related companies to set up offices here and various incentives and benefits such as fundings for research are offered to these companies. Other countries are made aware of such scheme and this is also a form of globalization.
In the midst of progression and development, the environment cannot be neglected and we should not inflict further damage to it. The Singapore Green Plan is our blueprint for enhancing the environment for everyone living and working in Singapore.
Environmental and Health Expert,
Yu Yang
Environmentalized at 11:04 PM
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Gui Yu Yang
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An ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH expert ;)
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