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Qn. Consider these suggestions and discuss how they can be
applied toimprove Singapores conservation efforts. Discuss the
challenges faced.
Solutions to consider to step up efforts on the conservation
front:
1 .Change in attitudeMust include change in our stewardship
(protective guardianship) of the Earth andlife on it:
adopt an ecocentric ecological perspective when dealing with
theenvironment
ethical choices and consequences ought to be assessed on the
scale at thesystems level, over the long-term, to non-human as well
as to human lifeand wellbeing
2. Sustainability - transition to a lasting earth:
To consider 3 approaches:
i) use of science to discover the workings of nature &
developing technologyfor energy & resource conservation, e.g.
cheaper thin film solar panels
ii) economic systems that are consistent with sustainable
living
iii) long-term: change in human attitudes to those that are
compatible witha sustainable life > Our lifestyle choices,
buying decisions and disposal
methods have environmental consequences
Sustainable development:
ecological sustainable development, e.g. sustainable yield
development that meets the needs of the present
withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their
ownneeds
includes sustainable planning and sustainable management
What does sustainable living involve?
i) Dematerialization
ii) Corporate social responsibility (CSR), e.g. (as of
2009):
o Walmart - required its suppliers to reduce packaging
o Mars and Cadbury have plans to increase the amount of
cacaothey harvest from sustainable sources
o Marks & Spencer - include minimising air freight by
focusing onlocal produce, reducing packaging waste
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iii) Social entrepreneurship (SE):
o is about innovative, market-oriented, systems-changing
approaches underpinned by a passion for social equity
andenvironmental sustainability.
Examples:
- Muhammad Yunus Grameen Bank which spearheaded
microfinanceglobally
- Carlo Petrinis slow food movement which currently has
100,000members in 132 countries committed to rescuing cultural
traditionsand the preserving biodiversity
iv) Sustainability in the built environment
o E.g. Singapores BCA Green Mark Scheme
v) Ethical consumerism:
o means buying products which were ethically produced
and/orwhich are not harmful to the environment and society.
o plastic-bag ban
o
eco-labellingvi) Fair trade:
o is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency
andrespect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.
E.g.:
o use production technologies that reduce energy consumption
o use renewable energy technologies that minimize greenhouse
gasemissions
o seek to minimize the impact of the waste stream on
theenvironment
o minimize the environmental impacts by using organic or
lowpesticide production methods wherever possible
vii) Energy use:
o minimizing energy use and enhancing energy efficiency
andvehicle fuel economy
o increases in wind and solar power, hydrogen produced
fromrenewable sources
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o biofuels (produced from crops), natural gas, and nuclear
power
o carbon sequestration
viii) Minimizing pollution:
o by using clean technology, e.g. green energy alternatives like
anaerobicdigestion produce renewable energy from waste
materials.
ix) Encourage awareness of ecological ethics
x) Conservation efforts, directed at communities, habitats,
ecosystems andvulnerable biodiversity hotspots
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