Research Question: Has Singapore done enough to manage Climate Change that was resulted from Globalisation?
Stand: Yes, although the strategies implemented currently are limited in scope, detailed plans have been crafted for expanding the current strategies and the current strategies do indeed show results.
Introduction - Problem:
One apparent result of Globalisation is the stark increase in usage of coal by developing countries, such as India and China. Therefore, as the world burns more coal and do not cut back on other fossil fuels usage, carbon emission will greatly increase. Carbon emission have increased from around 25billion metric tons in 2001 to near to 32billions in 5 years (Gail Terberg, 2013) . As countries gets more globalised, undergoing industrialisation, demand for efficient means of achieving energy would increase (David Kashi, 2013). The high level of carbon emission have resulted in climate change mainly by trapping the heat of the sun within Earth's atmosphere. This results in an increase in global average temperature (Alex Kriby, 2013). The impact of climate change on Singapore includes an increase in mean surface temperature, rising sea levels and threatening food security in Singapore.
References:
https://app.nccs.gov.sg/(X(1)S(srw5jr45ovh5ijj1ooyvb1qc))/page.aspx?pageid=160&secid=157&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
http://ourfiniteworld.com/2013/02/22/twelve-reasons-why-globalization-is-a-huge-problem/
http://www.rtcc.org/2013/12/12/carbon-dioxides-effect-on-global-warming-understimated/
Introduction - Solution:
Singapore has taken steps to reduce carbon emission on a household level. Measure such as the Mandatory Energy Labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standard.
Introduction - Thesis Statement: I believe that the measures implemented by the government to seek cooperation from the population is highly efficient.
Body Paragraph 1 - Topic Sentence: Government has recognised the importance of gathering the support and help from Singaporeans in effectively slowing down climate change without draining too much of the nation resources. Therefore, she has devised measures that include the cooperation of the population.
Body Paragraph 1 - Description of the problem:
The annual mean surface temperature has increased for about 0.8 degree Celsius since 1948 and this would affect the natural diversity of Singapore's plants and animals, altering Singapore's natural processes.
The mean sea level in Straits of Singapore rises 3mm per year over the past 15 years. This pose as an immediate threat for a low-lying nation like Singapore where 30% of Singapore's land lies less than 5m above sea level.
Food security within Singapore can also be threaten as Climate Change threatens global food security and Singapore is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global food supply and food pricing.
Body Paragraph 1 - Description of one existing solution:
The Government in Singapore have taken many measures to slow down the rate of climate change, and among these solutions includes engaging Singaporeans on a household level. One measure taken to engage Singaporeans on a household level includes the Mandatory Energy Labelling. It was introduced for registrable goods since 1 January 08. Under the Energy Conservation Act 2012, registered suppliers must affix the Energy Label on the units that they supply in Singapore. The Energy Label can only be affixed after the Certificate of Registration have been issued by National Environment Agency. Retailers are only allowed to display models that have the label affixed on them in a prominent manner. Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) is also another measure taken by the government to cut down on carbon emission. MEPS is a specification containing a number of performance requirements for an energy-using device, and that limits the maximum amount of energy that may be consumed by a product in performing a specified task. It was introduced in Sep 2011 for a certain household appliances, and the energy performance standards will be further tightened in 2013 to help consumers avoid being locked into high energy consumption and energy costs. Inefficient appliances consuming the most energy in a typical household will be removed.
References:
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/energy-waste/energy-efficiency/industry-sector
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/energy-waste/energy-efficiency/household-sector/the-energy-label
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_Energy_Performance_Standard
http://app.nccs.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=171&secid=193
Body Paragraph 1 - Evaluating the solution
Effectiveness: Market data shows that households, manufacturers and suppliers have responded positively to MEPS. The fraction of energy-efficient house air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryer sold have steadily increased over the years. In 2011, about 80% of purchase of air-conditioners and 85% of refrigerators were from the top two highest efficient categories.
Limitations: However appliances that are energetically efficient tend to be more expensive compared to the non-energetically efficient ones. Therefore, although there was a marked increase in the purchase of such appliances, the increase is expected to plateau off as time pass by when majority of the well-to-do Singaporeans have already converted to the energy efficient appliances. In addition, appliances such as the air-conditioner and refrigerators are items that people do not change easily and oftenly . Therefore, although more energetically efficient new appliances are introduced into the market, unless the current ones that Singaporeans' owned malfunction, they generally would not purchase a new one.
References:
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/newsroom/parliament/budget-debate1/budget-debate-2012/meps
Body Paragraph 1 - improvement on existing solution
In order to tackle the loophole on the fact that not everyone is planning to change appliances such as refrigerator and air-conditioner, the government may choose to implement a law that by a certain point in time, every household is suppose to have their high-energy consuming appliances, such as the air-conditioners, switched to more energy-efficient ones. Singapore's government may choose to propose a list of appliances that they deem to be considered high-energy consuming. Also, to be reasonable, sufficient time have to be provided for Singaporeans to switch over to more energy-efficient appliances. In addition, in order to solve the problem of affordability and to ensure that the above suggestion is implementable, subsidies proportional to their income level can be provided to lower income families. The wide influence of mass media can be used to explain to Singaporeans the rationale behind the importance in seeking their cooperation in slowing down climate change. Advertisements and short films can be broadcasted on national channels to raise the awareness and seek to seek cooperation from Singaporeans.
Conclusion
Problem: The high level of carbon emission have resulted in climate change. The impact of climate change on Singapore includes an increase in mean surface temperature, raising sea levels and threatening food security in Singapore.
Solution: The main solution adopted by Singapore's Government is to reduce carbon emission on a household level. Measure such as the Mandatory Energy Labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standard are adopted.
The world is home to you, us and everyone, therefore lets play our part. Although it may be a small step, but every step counts.
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