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Have you been feeling the heat?
Indeed, 2023 was by far the warmest year since global records began in 1850, with global average temperature measuring 1.58 degree celsius above the average in the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period.
Situated near the Equator, Singapore (and Singaporeans) have certainly not been spared. Worryingly, temperatures in our island have increased by 0.24 degree celsius per decade. While the number seems small, they do add up over time. Assuming that temperatures increase at a constant rate–a very bold assumption–our mean daily temperature could rise from 27.9 degree celsius to 32.9 degree celsius by the end of this century, making our living environment even more extreme and difficult.
Globally, rising temperatures lead to a whole host of problems, such as increased frequency and strength of extreme weather events (like floods, droughts, and storms), rising sea levels, heat stress, and increased pathogenic activity. All these threaten not just humankind, but all sentient life on earth.
This problem has not gone unnoticed, with more people, businesses, non-government organisations, and governments advocating for environmental causes. World Environment Day, celebrated annually #OnThisDay puts a global spotlight on the pressing environmental challenges of our times.
Established by the UN in 1972, World Environment Day has become the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with governments, businesses and citizens from more than 150 countries celebrating environmental action and committing to create a more sustainable world.
This year, World Environment Day is hosted by Saudi Arabia, with a focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
As a low-lying tropical island state, Singapore takes the impact of climate change very seriously. The Singapore Green Plan 2030, or the Green Plan, is a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. Spearheaded by five ministries, the Ministries of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), Trade and Industry (MTI), Transport (MOT), National Development (MND), and Education (MOE), and supported by the whole of Government, the Green Plan charts ambitious and concrete targets for the rest of this decade.
This World Environment Day, while we hope for change from all levels of government and society, let us also play our part as individuals to build a more sustainable world. We do this not just for ourselves, but also for our children and future generations, so that they may continue to enjoy this great planet we live on.