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[308_17_Darryl Lee] Climate Change (What are the impacts of climate…
[308_17_Darryl Lee]
Climate Change
What is climate change?
Climate change refers to changes in weather over a long period of time.
Climate change happens because we burn fossil fuels which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Climate change happens because we cut down trees to expand our cities and agriculture. This activity release huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing the earth to get warmer and changes in the climate.
What are the impacts of climate change?
Biodiversity and greenery
A mean temperature increase of 1.5°C to 2.5°C could affect the natural diversity of Singapore's plants and animals at risk, as this alters our ecosystem’s natural processes such as soil formation, nutrient storage and pollution absorption.
Effect on public health
Singapore is situated in a region where vector-borne diseases are endemic. Most cases of vector-borne diseases like dengue are observed during warmer periods of the year. In addition, frequent and severe instances of warm weather may lead to more occurrences of heat stress and discomfort among the elderly and sick.
Water resources
Periods of drought can affect the reliability of Singapore’s water supply, while sudden episodes of intense rainfall could overwhelm our drainage system and lead to flash floods.
Urban heat island effect
Urban areas tend to be warmer due to the replacement of natural land cover with buildings and other infrastructure that retain or produce heat. Higher annual temperatures can also lead to heat stress as well as greater use of air-conditioning, increasing Singapore’s energy demands. This in turn results in higher domestic carbon emissions.
Sea level rise
Much of our nation lies only 15m above the mean sea level, with about 30% of our island being less than 5m above the mean sea level.
Food security
The effects of climate change, such as intense storms, flooding and prolonged droughts, are one of the trends threatening global food security. In Singapore, we are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global food supply and prices, as we import more than 90% of our food.
What can we do to manage climate change?
Government’s Role
Managing our Water Resources
Managing Floods
Preserving Singapore’s Biodiversity
Controlling Vector-Borne Diseases
Protecting Sinagpore’s coastline
Individual’s Role
Conserve Water
Minimise Waste Generation
Getting Around The Fuel Efficient Way
Spread the Word
Conserving Energy