Singapore can do three things to tackle climate change: understand the issue, take measures to mitigate it, and adapt to it, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday (18 Aug).
Finding solutions begins with understanding what climate change means specifically for Singapore, said PM Lee. Playing an important role in this process is the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS), where a team of scientists and meteorologists use super-computers to model the weather and do research.
The CCRS also cooperates with its counterparts in neighbouring countries to study in more detail the impact of climate change on the region, and it is finding that Singapore, being near the Equator, is more vulnerable to climate change than the global model suggests, said PM Lee.
Singapore must also do its part to mitigate climate change, specifically, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, PM Lee said.
“We have joined international efforts to reduce emissions. We are part of the Paris climate agreement, and have committed to slow down and ultimately cap our CO2 emissions by around 2030,” he noted.
One of the ways that will help Singapore achieve this reduction in emissions is the carbon tax, which was introduced last year (2018).
The third thing Singapore must do is work towards adapting to climate change, particularly rising sea levels. For instance, critical infrastructure like Changi Airport Terminal 5 and Tuas Port will be built on higher platforms, at least 5 metres above sea level.
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Source: The Straits Times, 19 August 2019