These days, conversations surrounding climate change have become a common topic among Singaporeans from all walks of life. An extended dry spell last July felt insufferable. Singapore experienced 122 extra days of dangerous heat in 2024. The year was also the world’s warmest year on record.
Make no bones about it, climate change is upon us and will affect island nations such as Singapore disproportionately. The iconic Marina Bay, the petrochemical hubs of Tuas and Jurong Island, and the housing and recreational spaces stretching from Marine Parade to Changi. All of these places sit on low-lying and vulnerable land. As a result, rising sea levels will spell disaster for our coastline and livelihoods.
To combat this existential threat, the PAP Government has been proactive in taking action to address this climate emergency.
A pioneer in going green
In 2019, then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared that $100 billion or more would be needed to protect Singapore against rising sea levels over the next 100 years. Through running stable budgets and acting prudently, the PAP government will be able to set aside the financial resources needed to safeguard our environment.
Since then, the PAP Government has also explored various engineering options to reinforce our coastline. One of these involves storm surge barriers along the southwest coast. During abnormally high tides, these movable barriers can be closed to act as a physical barrier against flooding.
The Long Island project is another ambitious idea 30 years in the making. First mooted in 1991, the plans involve creating polders off East Coast Park to mitigate rising sea levels. Not only will this protect low-lying areas, it creates more land for housing and other purposes.
Our party’s commitment to protecting Singapore and Singapore’s environment extends even further.
In 2021, the PAP launched Green Plan 2030 to further Singapore’s efforts to fight climate change. Cycling paths, rail network and bus connectivity have since been expanded to promote green commutes. New flats are now designed with a centralised cooling system to optimise energy use. Finally, carbon capture technologies will be utilised to reach net-zero targets. All of these improvements will also help develop a burgeoning green industry to provide good jobs for Singaporeans.
At the community level, all PAP town councils have been upping their game to create more eco-friendly and sustainable living spaces as part of the Action for Green Towns initiative. Solar panels can be found on HDB blocks to power lifts and lights in common areas. There are also food rescue programs, upcycling workshops, and eco-fairs to help reduce waste and promote sustainability.
When Mr Lee Kuan Yew first envisioned Singapore as a ‘garden city’, it was not just a matter of aesthetics but science. The trees and greenery would help cool the city and create a more pleasant environment for Singaporeans.
At the very first tree-planting day in 1963, Mr Lee planted a mempat tree and sowed the seeds for a government that takes environmental stewardship seriously, making it part of the PAP’s DNA. Since then, the duty and desire to provide Singaporeans with a comfortable place to live has been ingrained in everything we do.
Engaging civil society
Now that the impact of climate change is felt more and more, so has the urgency to take concrete action. As a result, the PAP has established a new Climate Action Group (CAG) to intensify its efforts to build a sustainable future for Singapore.
However, here is what makes the CAG unique. It is not just a group for government officials and party activists. Instead, the CAG aims to be a magnet, bringing together activists, businesses and anyone concerned about climate change to exchange ideas and propose recommendations.
The CAG is off to a good start. During its launch last month, more than 80 climate activists and stakeholders from the sustainability sector gathered to share their views on how Singapore can navigate climate change.
For Catherine Loke, President of The Circle for Human Sustainability, the CAG is “a good opportunity for us to be part of the conversation so that we can influence policy.”
Meanwhile, urban farmer Bjorn Low is keen to be part of a workgroup that could help Singapore find a solution to solve its food sustainability challenges.
With climate change affecting so many aspects of our lives, the input from civil society and various stakeholders will be crucial. That sums up the essence of what the CAG is working towards. It is about gathering different ideas and translating them into concrete policy action.
Climate change is a 50 to 100-year problem. And in Singapore, we make long-term solutions for such long-term problems.
Photo Source: Grace Fu via Facebook/ National Archives
