What else can be done

Education

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As proposed by Khezri and colleagues (2014), one of the ways to curb the production of smoke from burnt offerings would be through the provision of public education on the toxic components found in those paper-based products. Perhaps with the cooperation with local temples and monasteries, the Chinese community can be provided with more information about the possible impact that large scale burning of incense and offerings can bring onto the environment. These new information can come in the form of pamphlets or books that are commonly distributed for free within the compounds of some highly-visited monasteries across Singapore. If religious and community leaders can model and advocate more pro-environmental behaviours, it can increase the perceived credibility of the information, hence increasing the likelihood of these behaviours being adopted by individuals. 

Similarly, more information about the consequences of using TCM remedies with animal parts can be propagated among those who use them regularly, to emphasize the link between those types of remedies and the decline in certain species of animals. The cruel conditions which the bears are subjected to can also be used as a form of “scare” that appeals to the empathy of individuals.

Innovate

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As mentioned in the past pages, when burnt, incense and paper offerings will produce toxic gases and chemicals that are harmful to both humans and the environment. As such, perhaps more environmentally friendly alternatives can be created through innovative design, that aims to reduce toxic components and, at the same time, produce less ash and soot. Paper used in the making can also be derived from recycled ones instead.

Tax

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The practice of burning offerings and incense is a form of negative externality, as individuals who burn them in large quantity only pay for the cost of the materials, but not the pollution it imposes on the environment. As such, perhaps a small tax can be charged onto large, bulky offerings, so as to deter individuals from buying bigger-sized ones, and choose smaller offerings that produce less soot and smoke.