Colours

Took sometime off to visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve again. I think its a new experience every time I wonder off into the wild. Its only when you see parts of nature, do you feel more attach to it. Hate the urban world we live in... its so 'hard' and 'cold'... at the sametime its slowly polluting our minds and 'brainwashing' us on the importance of nature.

Hope these imagines make you feel the 'softness' and 'warmth' of nature and also remind ourselves how fragile our environment is and that we as the 'leaders' of the global ecosystem should really spend some time to protect our environment.

Yellow leaves floating in the Mangrove

Shades of green

Feels like Winter in Singapore

Christmas!

What can you do before everything is gone?

Something about our Natural Heritage

Natural heritage can be seen as a country's natural capital. It is a natural asset and something that a country inherits naturally.

Why is there an emphasis being placed on nature or the natural heritage? Because we human often forget the simple fact in life that 'nature is a self supporting organism/system'. We are part of nature yet our consumption has changed us drastically to have an 'external influence' on it. River systems, forests, coastal regions have always self regulated their ecosystems naturally by themselves and the organism within it. Our irresponsible actions have changed this 'natural law' within the short span of years humans have come into existence as the top organism within the global ecosystem.

Picture this simple example: A natural forest has its own regulators and filter system while a managed landscape has to be constantly nourished using fertilizers, water and pesticides. We, humans, have constantly disrupted the unique balance of nature. To begin with, the balance is fragile and dedicate on its own as the balance is a complex one as it includes the ecological functions and relationships within hundreds, sometimes thousands, of individual organisms. But we have single handedly affect this balance and now the impacts of it are fast coming into light. This include
(1) our ever increasing list of endangered and extinct organisms,
(2) the 'islandazation' of natural habitats where an entire system is broken down due to resource extraction and relationships between organisms cease to exist,
(3) the drop in biodiversity,
(4) drop in food and resource production capabilities of our natural areas,
(5) reduced effectiveness of our environment as biotic filters that regulate water, pollution and air quality and
(6) increasing wide spread growth of diseases such has H5N1 virus and dengue fever.

Some of you may still find it non-amusing and continue to deny our ecological footprints. But let me share with you a thought that scares me. Isn't it our fault that our possible doom and the end to our existence is ultimately our cause? Well... sadly it is... because before humans became the number 1 top dog, such signs (points 1 to 6 above) have never come into existence. Furthermore, before humans came to the driver's seat, there was no such problems like pollution, rubbish/externalities or even over resource extraction. All the above are social constructions of our society. Everything was natural and existed in harmony; all that went around eventually returns to mother earth itself. Because our human race has cause so much harm to the environment ... we can be actually consider parasites in nature. Our society is going off hand. That is a fact.

So what can we do? I guess there have been many solutions to the problem and it is too difficult to outline and evaluate all of them. But I guess I could start by outlining what the Singapore society has attempted to do and achieve.

Without a doubt our Singapore society is an unsustainable one. Why? That is because we cannot sustain our population nor its consumption habits solely on the natural heritage we inherit through our land. In order to do survive, our society has become one that is highly dependent on imports. This has blinded our vision and caused our impacts on mother earth to be rendered invisible. What damage our ecological footprint has cause is not seen locally as it has been imprinted on a foreign land and its people. What is the result? Our ecological footprint has shot up to 7.2 hectares per person. That might be little to some... but when you consider the global average to be estimated at 1.7 hectares and that our Singapore land offers us only 0.1 hectares per citizen... that is a scary thought because... we are consuming 4 times the amount of the average individual and 72 times what we are entitled to consume in the original place... that fact shocks you, doesn't it.

So what should we do? In our developmental state, the mentally propagated everywhere is: 'we have to work harder, so our economic power remains strong for us to purchase what we need'. That statement is true because that is how our small nation has survived over the years since its formation. However doesn't it continue to blind our vision of our own ecological footprint?

Hence, we should not depend solely on what we are best at, gaining capital but at the same time, reduce our ecological footprint. After all, we were once a nation with citizens that had a small ecological footprint. Our forefathers survived without air-con, cars, wines and a whole lot of other luxury goods.

Then again, I would not think a too drastic change in our lifestyle would help much. What we can do is try reduce and not eradicate our ecological footprint while increase our environmental sustainability. So how do we do it? We can start by looking back at how we can conserve natural heritage and its resources have that supported us and then come up with indigenous solutions to reduce our ecological footprints. I guess the PAP government and private companies such as SIA have set a great example for us to adopt.

The government has constantly been helping to rejuvenate the idea of 'green' living with programs such as green plan 2012 and 'Community in Bloom' which aims to increase the interaction of humans and nature. Nparks has also done a good job to balance natural habitats, development and tourism in an attempt that encourage sustainable human and nature interactions. The government has taken the first step to conserve more green areas and habitats as well as increased the access to nature for the people by introducing broad walks, tree top walks and developed more spaces, such as Chek Jawa for the public. We need to put the focus of conserving nature, however small it is, back into our everyday lives. That is obvious because any pocket of nature that is affected by development and faces no protection is ultimately a sitting duck waiting to be eliminated.

In order to combat higher electrical consumption, SIA has planted more plants to reduce the temperature within their complexes. They have even developed architectural elements that help increase natural lighting. Both methods help reduce electricity needed to cool and light up their complexes. Many private and government bodies have also encourage good work place practices such the using of the stairs over the lifts for shorter trips, car pool for lunch, reduce waste paper and even gardening within their own compounds.

Our natural heritage and environment is one that is irreplaceable. Even though extinction is a part of how the natural system strengthens its immunities, we cannot simply acknowledge or allow organisms or habitats to be labeled extinct. Because in the long term, there will come a point where all keystones species, natural habitats and systems are degraded by us to the extent the next specimen to be labeled extinct would be the homosapien. We eventually will reach that stage but the point is ... How fast? That I believe depends on human nature to decide. One day we continue to see ourselves as the top dog and separated from nature, it means we are one day closer to our doom. We should always see and acknowledge that humans and nature are one. We, homosapiens, have a role to play in nature. One role to be in the system and not out of the system.

P.S. Bulk of the info on this post comes from Chou, Tan and Yeo (2006) "The Natural Heritage of Singapore". This post is dedicated to the module SSS1207, which I have waited 2 years to study and utterly enjoyed the process and lessons learnt.

Pimp your ride! Make it Green!

I guess one way we can think about being Green is everyday life activities.

While being bombarded with goals of having the fastest and flashiest cars, one often forgets how important our everyday actions can affect the environment.

I am guilty of over driving. I admit. However, I been enlightened and I have taken up steps to reduce my ecological footprint. I try to cycle as and when I can. I try to keep my RPM under 2000 if possible. I look forward to walking with friends for short journeys.

Other then my individual habits, I guess I have to share other possible methods one can reduce their ecological footprints.

Firstly, we should take public transport as and when we can. The concept is plain and simple. 1 engine to carry 45 passengers or 1 engine to carry 1 passenger. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you which one is more fuel efficient.

Next, choose to drive more fuel efficient vehicles. There is only one rule in purchasing a car... Rule 1: STAY CLEAR OF SPORTS CARS AND SUVs. Enough said about the 'Don't Buys', now for the 'Do Buys'. Hybrids can help you cut down fuel consumption by half. Although, people do have worries about the higher start up cost and expensive repair cost of hybrid cars, I think the best way to test out Hybrid cars is to try it out yourself. Personally, I have not heard anyone complain much about the 'hybrid woes'. What is even more shocking is the lack of resale hybrid cars on the market, which speaks on its popularity with first time owners. If you do not wish to acquire a hybrid car due to its negative reputation, maybe try considering getting smaller CC cars which give you greater mileage. The Honda Jazz/Fit is one of the best example. Generally, getting a car which gives you 12 km per litre is fine, the Jazz/Fit gives you between 14 ~ 15 km per litre.

Another way to ride green is good driving habits. I think I am currently still very guilty of bad driving habits, so I shall share with you my wrong doings. Bad habit 1: travel with extra weight that is not needed. Do not treat your car like it is a store room, clear boot space to cut down energy consumed in transporting the unwanted weight. Bad habit 2: watch your RPM! Never attempt to over rev your engine, you will only be burning excessive energy. Bad habit 3: See that flashy car? or that rude driver? Never chase them down the street. Or trying to impress girls with your top speed? It is pointless, at the end of the day, you probably going to stop at the traffic light. So yar, thats about the bad habits I am trying to abandon. If you have more methods, do share!

Lastly, why not go totally green by reducing the number of hours or times you spent driving? Well for me, what I do is try not to drive to and fro from school. I try to make a trip to school, stay there for a few days, then return home. If you are unable to do such practices because of daily needs consider the following: Try going to the supermarket without your drive? Try going to the swimming pool without the car? Try going to the supper place with your bicycle instead of your car. The idea is possible everywhere and in most cases... all you got to do is TRY!

So... Start today, try to reduce your ecological impact, save cost on petrol, create a more sustainable future and lastly... change your perception about getting the coolest ride. After all, no Earth equals no land to build roads. No roads equals... haha

How to be green at a party?

Ever planned a BBQ outing for your friends? I guess you might have experienced the hassle of getting one party going on. While you prepare for one, you could also spend a moment to think of a simple argument: to 'convenient' oneself or to be 'environmental friendly'.

I am sure all of us have faced this question before:
"Should I buy 50 or 100 set of plastic utensils?"

But shouldn't we also consider
"Should I buy the plastic utensils or ask around for donations or if anyone has extras unused utensils"

I strongly believe our current consumption patterns have reach the point that most of us consider question two as non-existent and rather pointless. After all, what is 1.90 SGD for 50 plastic spoons/ forks? Its peanuts to us right? Does 50 plastic spoons/ forks really help the environment? Everyone else harms the environment too, better ensure that the party looks presentable and goes smooth. Hence no point to cut down on such expenses.

Doesn't this sound all too familiar?

But did you ever realized, its the principles behind such acts? The practice of such habits to reconsider being green over convenience is critical to keeping a sustainable future for our kids. Reducing the consumption of plastics will protect the environment, one of the 3 'R's concept of reduce, reuse and recycling.

Such acts to reduce the need of purchasing small items can go along way. Others will probably be puzzled by your decisions or actions but it challenges them to think twice. The collective effort of an individual act among occasions and between people, can amount to a large reduction of harm to the environment. Furthermore, it can begin with a BBQ today, tomorrow a birthday, then a wedding. I am sure which every party you go to or organize, there are chances for you to be green, other then reducing the total number of plastics being used.

Well just one more way we can be green at parties: to reduce unnecessary wastage.

Ever wonder what happen to unfinished food at a party, unfinished spices and sauces that where used to flavor our foods or utensils that were not utilized during a party? Well most of us have been guilty of throwing them away right? So they go into the bin and then the rubbish dumps... isn't that a bit too wasteful?

So think again. Bring those unfinished food stuff home! Some hungry family member would mind having leftover food from parties and you could even use it to prepare dishes for your loved ones. The seasoning sauces could be brought home and kept in the kitchen, ready for use at the next party. And you could consolidate all unused utensils or washable utensils such as 'tongs' and containers, put them in a box, label it 'party equipment' and bring it to the next party to help out your organizing host!

Common, consider the waste you create at the parties! I am sure you can understand why we need more dumping grounds in the future, so do your part to reduce the increasing waste levels around us!

CNY parties and paper of all sorts

Happy Chinese New Year to all. And may your festive season be one of happiness and 'greeness' as well.

The Magic Box

Above is a simple reminder how we can do our part to recycle and help keep the earth green. Waste paper comes in abundant from our households. Our daily lives include the usage of paper. Wonder what happens to waste paper after we are done of it? If we do not sort them out, they probably won't be recycled and dumped into incinerators.

So if you do wish that your waste paper is recycled, Please sort them out! Well, you can also prolong the 'life' of paper by introducing methods to extent their usage. Just like above, newspapers can be used to cover table tops and replace the need to buy plastic covers. You can store some of your used magazines and make 'magic boxes' so you can dump 'waste' into them while enjoying your meals! I am sure there are many other ways. I think I would post more of such innovative ways in the future.