Individual

Oil spills in the Straits of Singapore happen due to collisions of ships. This makes it sound like there is nothing much that you and I, normal individuals in Singapore, can do to help this situation. However, this is not true. We can make a difference to this situation.

Here are some ways that you and I can take to improve the oil spill situation:

  • Reduce reliance on oil

Even though we do not use petroleum to generate our electricity, we still consume oil everyday. Transportation is Singapore’s second largest consumer of oil. In order to prevent oil spills from happening, it is crucial that we reduce our reliance on private cares by using public transport and bicycles instead.

  • Increase support of cleanup efforts

You can join NParks as a volunteer to cleanup the beaches and shores in the events of oil spills. Of course, caution must be exercised!

  • Communicate your support

Whether is it oil spill, or any other issue that is close to your heart, you can communicate your support to the government and make them understand that you care about these issues. One way of such communication is through REACH, the lead agency in facilitating Whole-of-Government efforts to engage and connect with citizens. Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe, especially if that belief has got something to do with helping the environment.

  • Spread the word

As you might have noticed in the impact section, the consequences of oil spills are vast, and in some cases severe. It is therefore important that the awareness of such impacts are being spread. As an author of this blog, this is all I can do without face-to-face interactions. But you can help me spread the word to those around you, and those around you can spread to those around them.