critical reflection

I could not deny that the reason why I took up this particular module was because I did not have a choice, without clearing the Qualifying English Test (QET) completely. A year ago, when I recieved my Alevels results, I was glad that i managed to grasp a pass grade in my General Paper, and I will not have the need to struggle with English Language again in the future. However i was shocked when I came to know about the QET. English Language have always been a terrifying subject as no matter how much I tried and attempted to study for it, my grades remain bad.

After attending this module, I came to realised that i have always been in a vicious cycle, where my dislike towards English Language resulted in my procrastination in identifying the problems I had with English. It hindered me in trying to understand what my actual problems are. Therefore I have learnt to put aside my dislike, and with the aid of this module, I am able to realise the underlying reason for my bad grades in English.

This module brings me back to the very basic of English Language, which is grammar, what tense and what word form is to be used under which situations. Simple techniques such as summary skills and identifying the important information have also been covered. This is really helpful because I realised that I have yet to grasp even the most basic grammar knowledge, therefore not being able to perform well in the different Language-based examinations.

One vast difference between this module and the the other modules is that it is alot more light-hearted and free. In another words, you are able to voice out your opinions and have the opportunity to listen to others. Unlike the other science modules i took, they are usually fixed and not flexible. In addition, I do find the idea of creating a blog to keep a record of the different essays written is a new and interesting idea, needless to say useful. This is thus one area by which I enjoy in this module.

In addition, throughout the course, I have also realises the need and importance of knowledge. ES1102 is not just all about the use of language as a tool to express yourself, it also teaches you that the relevant information and ideas are equally important. In the course of my reaseach for the problem-solution essay, I have understood global issues more throughly. At the same time, it sends across the message that there are many events happening around me that i am unaware of. In addition, in the process of critising my peers essay, i have gained additional knowledge and came to know more about globalisation and the different opinions people have towards such global issues.

In conclusion, the main takeaways are firstly the many basics of English Language that I have yet to equip myself with and seondly, the importance of knowledge and some that I have obtained from this module. On the whole, it has been a pleasent and light-hearted module that allows me to pick up many skills that are going to be extremely useful to me in the future when I start to work in the working society.

Problem-Solution essay draft 4

Globalisation is a current, ever-changing phenomenon that describes the economic and social integration of economies globally. The benefits Singaporeans reap from globalisation are clear, such as the higher standard of living (Thangavelu, 2010) and easier access of information due to the advancement in mass media. For example, information are readily available just a click away on the computer. However, in his TED talk (2009), Goldin raised four major problems globalisation has caused: the collapse in biodiversity, climate change, financial crisis and inequality. The most pressing problem is climate change, a global concern which dire effects are immediate. Many countries have realised the need to take actions to slow down the rate of climate change and Singapore is no exception. Singapore’s Government has implemented certain policies in respond to the awareness. Although such policies dobring about improvements, such improvements are expected to decrease as time passes. To ensure sustainable improvements, additional measures should to be implemented.

Climate change refers to a change in global climate patterns. One apparent result of globalisation is the stark increase in coal usage. As developing countries undergo industrialisation, rapid consumption of coal occurs to fuel industrialisation, and more carbon dioxide are produced (Zolfagharifard, 2014). Carbon emissions have increased from 25 billion metric tons to 32 billion in 5 years (Terberg, 2013). The high level of carbon emission traps the heat from the sun within Earth's atmosphere(Kriby, 2013), resulting in an increase in global average temperature. This can be seen when the annual mean surface temperature globally has increased by 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1984 (National Climate Change Secretariat, 2013). The mean sea level in Straits of Singapore has risen 3mm per year over the past 15 years. This poses an immediate threat for low-lying nations like Singapore, where 30% of the land lies less than 5m above sea level.

As climate change worsen, food security has also become a problem within Singapore since Singapore is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global food supply and food pricing.
 

Singapore’s government have chosen to engage Singaporeans on a household level as they recognise the importance of gathering support from Singaporeans to effectively slow down climate change without draining nation’s resources. An example includes the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) policy, introduced in September 2011. It is a specification which contains a number of performance requirements for an energy-using device, limiting the maximum amount of energy that may be consumed by that device in performing a specified task. This would therefore limit households in Singapore to only purchase devices that are under the maximum amount of energy that may be consumed by that device when performing a task. The energy performance standards will be further tightened in 2013 to help consumers avoid being locked into high energy consumption and energy costs.

After the implementation of the above stated measure, market data showed that households, manufacturers and suppliers have responded positively to MEPS. According to the National Environment Agency, the fraction of energy-efficient house air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryer sold have steadily increased over the years. In 2011, about 80% of purchases of air-conditioners and 85% of refrigerators were from the top two highest efficient categories.

However, every strategy has limitations. Appliances that are energetically efficient tend to be more costly compared to the non-energetically efficient ones. Although there was a marked increase in the purchase of such appliances, the increase is expected to reduce when the majority of the well-to-do Singaporeans have already converted to the energy efficient appliances. In addition, pricey appliances, such as the air-conditioners and refrigerators, are items that people do not change frequently , and the above policies are only applicable to new buyers. 

In order to maximise the effectiveness of the above strategy, the government may choose to implement a law where every household has to have their high-energy consuming appliances switched to more energy-efficient ones. Singapore's government should provide a list of appliances that they deem to be considered high-energy consuming. Also, to be reasonable, sufficient time has to be provided for Singaporeans to switch over to more energy-efficient appliances. In order to solve the problem of affordability and to ensure that the above suggested new legislation 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. Advertisements and short films can be broadcast on national channels to raise the awareness and seek to seek cooperation from Singaporeans.

In conclusion, the high level of the carbon emission resulted in climate change that has affected Singapore adversely. The main solution adopted by Singapore's Government is to reduce carbon emission on a household level. Measures such as Minimum Energy Performance Standard is  adopted, however, more can be done by the government to ensure that the results are sustainable.

(800 words)

 

References

Fekete. J.[e11] (2014). Canada's Arctic ice caps melting rapidly since 2005, according to documents. Retrieved from: http://o.canada.com/news/national/canadas-arctic-ice-caps-melting-rapidly-since-2005-according-to-documents/

Goldin, I. (2009). Navigating our Global Future [Video file]. Retrievedfrom: http://www.ted.com/talks/ian_goldin_navigating_our_global_future?language=en

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. (2011). Minimum Energy Standard Performance Standards. Retrieved from: http://app.mewr.gov.sg/data/ImgCont/1386/3.%20Factsheet%20-%20Minimum%20Energy%20Performance%20Standards%20%5Bweb%5D.pdf

National Climate Change Secretariat Prime Minster's Office Singapore. (2013). Household. Retrieved from: http://app.nccs.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=171&secid=193

National Climate Change Secretariat Prime Minsters' Office Singapore. (2013). Impact of Climate Change on Singapore. Retrieved from: https://app.nccs.gov.sg/(X(1)S(zfbtkw55cjagmjejoqtnycz5))/page.aspx?pageid=160&secid=157&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 

National Environment Agency. (2013). Mandatory Energy Management Practices. Retrieved from: http://app2.nea.gov.sg/energy-waste/energy-efficiency/industry-sector

National Environment Agency. (2013). Tightening and Extending Minimum Energy Performance Standards. Retrieved from: http://app2.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/newsroom/parliament/budget-debate1/budget-debate-2012/meps

Wikipedia. (2013). Minimum energy performance standard. Retrievedfrom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_Energy_Performance_Standard

Reflection for ES presentation

I am very glad that a platform was given to us to practice our presentation skills as I do believe that it is extremely important, no matter whichever school or faculty that we might come from. In the future when we join the working society, I believe that there will be many instances where I am required to give presentations, regardless of the industry or sector that I work in.

In addition, I believe that no matter how much knowledge that we have, if we do not possess the necessary skills to present to the desired party, such knowledge might not be fully utilised. Therefore I believe that there is the dire need to brush up presenting skills before entrance to the working society. Coupled with the fact that most of the Science modules do not cover presenting skills, I am glad that we were given the chance to learn it in this particular module.

After undergoing the process of preparing for the presentation, giving the presentation and receiving the constructive feedback, I have learnt many valuable skills and pointers that I have to look out for if I were to give a presentation in the near future. In addition, by sitting through the many presentations given by my peers, I am able to learn even more, from both their good points and also their mistakes.

Also, not only did I gain knowledge on the different types of delivery skills, I have also learnt a lot content wise. There are many interesting and new facts that were raised during the respective presentations that I never knew. Therefore such a practice also helps me in gaining general knowledge.