Singaporeans are generally fortunate relative to our regional neighbours in the sense that we can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces. The number of private vehicles on the roads is limited by expensive prices and even more exorbitant prices of COEs, thus ensuring good air quality.
The state puts lots of effort into waste management and sustainable development.
Singapore has just opened the Marina Barrage, the first city reservoir. It is a model of sustainable development. The nation stands to be completely self sufficient in water. Other than increasing the nation’s water supply, Singapore's largest solar park, at 1,200 sq m or about a third the size of a football field, is also there - with 405 solar panels generating 'green' power for the facility. Grass on the roof also helps to lower the building’s temperature so that less energy is used.
To cater to the increasing waste of Singaporeans, in 1999, a $1.3 billion offshore landfill was created by joining Pulau Semakau to Pulau Sakeng with rock bunds. The dumping ground covers an area of 350 hectares and has a capacity of 63 million cubic metres. Rubbish is taken by barge out to sea and spread over 840 football fields, and piled three storeys high.
During the construction of the landfill, effort was made to protect the marine ecosystem, especially mangroves and corals. 13 hectares of mangroves were replanted to replace those removed during construction of the bund. However, one wonders if quick-fix replanting can actually compensate for untouched thousands-year-old mangroves. Wildlife continues to thrive on Pulau Semakau, and the air and water quality remains good. In 2005, the island was opened to the public for nature-related recreational activities such as bird-watching and intertidal walks. Next week, its green technologies such as solar energy and algae farming will be showcased at the International Solid Waste Association’s annual congress here.
However, communities on the islands were driven out and their way of lives destroyed. Pulau Sakeng used to be the location of a sea village (kampong laut) inclusive of several shops catering to islanders and visitors. The village was built largely on stilts over a reef flat. Most of the villagers were subsistence fishers, making a living off the nearby reefs. Pulau Semakau housed a slightly smaller community. One of the oldest residents continued to live on the island even after the settlers were relocated to mainland. He eventually moved out as well, as the jetty fell into disrepair. As we can see, the actions of the mainland population have affected the communities on the islands.
Waste management fails to address the problem of the average Singaporean throws away about 1.1 kg of solid waste a day, a figure that is one of the highest in the world. It is a four-fold increase over the last 20 years, a situation created by our consumption culture that comes with economic development.
Despite the presence of environment interest groups such as Earthlink in NTU and the Nature Society, Singaporeans are generally insouciant to the plight of deteriorating environment. According to the National Environment Agency the Singaporean uses an average of 600 plastic bags annually. Recently going ‘green’ has become fashionable. Corporations have superficial, ineffective green campaigns that only last for a limited period of time to encourage Singaporeans to be environmentally friendly. For example, during my work stint in media company MediaCorp this year, they launched a month-long green initiative Saving Gaia. While the company exhorted the public to go green, the board members continued driving their fuel-guzzling SUVs and other big cars. Also, Singapore’s largest supermarket chain NTUC Fairprice dedicates every Wednesday to being Bring Your Own Bag Day. It is however a mere half-hearted effort as plastic bags can still be bought at a paltry 10 cents each. This is ineffective in stamping out the use of plastic bags. Food courts now charge 20 cents for the plastic container for take-outs which may cost less than $3, and patrons simply pay up.
One also observes in the neighbourhood that recycling is done with disregard to human safety and in relation to poverty. Low-income and elderly karung guni (rag-and-bone) people sieve through dustbins to find items that can be recycled. They are exposed to batteries filled acid, plastics that release toxins and bacteria-laden decomposing food items.
References
Ang Keng Hong Phillip. 8 March 2008, “Curbing plastic bag usage: FairPrice, please copy Ikea”, The Straits Times, http://www.straitstimes.com/print/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_214442.html
APEC-ISTI. September 2008, “Environmental Technology in Singapore – A Country Study”, http://www.apec-isti.org/isti/abridge/sgz/zsgzenv.htm
Liaw Wy-Cin. 1 November 2008, “First city reservoir opens”, The Straits Times, http://www.straitstimes.com/Prime+News/Story/STIStory_297019.html?sunwMethod=GET
Wild Singapore. “Pulau Semakau” http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/semakau.htm
