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Darwin_18_308 climate change No. 2 (What can we as individuals do to…
Darwin_18_308 climate change No. 2
Impact Of Climate Change On Singapore :warning:
1.Sea level rise
Since we are a low-lying island, the rise in sea level poses the most immediate threat to Singapore.As much of our nation lies only 15 m above the mean sea level, with about 30% of our island being less than 5 m above the mean sea level.A sudden rise in Sea level may cause floods and many other problems.
2.Water resources
An increase in the intensity of weather variability could present significant challenges to the management of our water resources. As periods of drought can affect the reliability of Singapore's water supply, while sudden episodes of intense rainfall could overwhelm and clog our drainage system which will lead to flash floods!!
3.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. Which will affect the animals way of surviving in the wild
5.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.
What is climate change?
Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures on Earth
what are the causes of climate change
3.Argriculture: the process of producing food, feed, fiber and many other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock).How? To get enough land to rear animals and to grow plants,we will be clearing away trees and by clearing away trees we are just trying to kill ourselves as we are losing more oxygen.
1.The burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, which emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere then which these gases will trap heat and make the atmosphere warmer
2.Deforestation: clearance, or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is then converted to a non-forest use, can also contribute to the proliferation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.How? Trees turn carbon dioxide into oxygen and by getting rid of them we are destroying our precious air supply which will lead to climate change.
4.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.
6.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.So when the countries supplying us with food is being affected by climate change we will also be affected as the shipping time will be prolonged.
What can we as individuals do to tackle climate change?
Firstly by Conserving Energy.
Use a fan to keep cool:
Air-conditioners consume the bulk of a household's electricity bill. A fan uses just a tenth of the energy of an air conditioner. If you use a fan instead of an air-conditioner to keep cool, you save about $45 each month or about $555 over a year.
2.
Keep it at 25°C and above
If you do use air-conditioning, set the temperature at about 25°C. For every degree raised, you save an additional $20 a year instead of losing it by lowering the temperature.
Switch off appliances at power sockets
- Stand-by power can account for up to 10% of your home electricity usage. Do not leave appliances on stand-by mode and you could save about $45 a year
Choose energy efficient lighting Tubular fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps
(CFLs) use around 25% of the electricity required for an incandescent bulb emitting the same amount of light. A switch to energy efficient light bulbs can yield electricity savings of about 75% and similar reductions in carbon emissions. When you replace a 40-watt incandescent bulb with a 9-watt CFL, you save about $ 15 per bulb a year.
5.
Purchase energy efficient appliances
Use appliances and devices that save electricity at home. Look out for labels with information on energy efficiency when you buy appliances. By using a 4-tick air-conditioner instead of a 1-tick model, you can save about $310 in electricity bills a year6. Similarly, using a 4-tick refrigerator saves you about $90 a year6 compared to a 1-tick model.
Some other ways
Getting Around the Fuel Efficient Way
Take the MRT train or bus instead of driving if you can. You will help to reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed and reduce not only CO2 emissions, but also air pollutants. A car carrying just the driver uses about nine times the energy used by a bus, and 12 times that used by a train.
Reuse items wherever you can and recycle waste such as paper, plastic bottles, glass bottles and packaging. The 3R habit of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle helps not only to conserve resources but also saves energy, hence reducing CO2 emissions.
another way to prevent
Spread the Word
Buy a fuel-efficient car if you do have to own a car. Better still, buy a green car such as a hybrid model. You can enjoy a green vehicle rebate when you buy green vehicles. A car that can travel 14 km with 1 litre of petrol saves you about $1,200 a year compared to a car that runs at 10 km per litre.
Encourage your friends and neighbours to do the right thing, that is, be environmentally friendly in their day-to-day habits. Consider joining environmental programmes organised by your local Community Development Council, the National Environment Agency and various non-government organisations.
last way to prevent
Conserve Water
You can be eco-friendly in the office too. Find out how you can create an eco office at Project Eco-Office (www.ecooffice.com.sg), a joint initiative between the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and City Developments Limited (CDL).
All of us have a part to play in ensuring that in Singapore there is enough water for our future. Look out for the Water Efficiency Label when you choose water devices. The more ticks, the more water-efficient the device. Energy is required to produce and treat water. When we choose a water-efficient product, you not only conserve water but also reduce energy use indirectly and save money in the long run.
Efficiency
Singapore's governments' effort to tackle climate change
Keeping the City-State Cool
been promoting rooftop and vertical greenery on residential and commercial buildings through planning guidelines and incentives. The Housing Development Board (HDB) is in the process of introducing rooftop greenery to multi-storey car parks and residential buildings.
A warmer climate could lead to the greater use of air-conditioners and increase demand for energy. To help reduce the impact on energy demand, various agencies are implementing steps to make our buildings and urban development cooler and more energy efficient. These steps include encouraging environmentally friendly building designs and increasing green cover in urban areas to help cool the surroundings.
Preserving Singapore's Biodiversity
Managing Our Water Resources
Managing Floods
Currently, about 70% to 80% of Singapore's coastline is protected from erosion by waves and storms by hard wall or stone embankments. The rest of the coast consists of natural areas such as beaches or mangroves.
PUB, the national water agency, will continue to develop Singapore's water resources to ensure a sustainable water supply for the population and industry.
NParks launched the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in September 2009 to guide its nature conservation efforts in the long term. A key strategy under the NBSAP is to safeguard Singapore's biodiversity and to conserve Singapore's habitats and ecosystems for long-term sustainability. Healthy habitats and ecosystems, such as forests and coral reefs, can also help absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2).