environment
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Pulau Ubin cleanup event (22 July 2023, Saturday)
Organised by the founder of Pulau Ubin cleanup group, Samuel Gmehlin, this environmental cleanup event was attended by about 20 volunteers. My teammates picked up about 137 kg of discarded trash by the end of the 1.5 hour session in the central part of the island near the main jetty. The collected rubbish includes old… Continue reading
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ST Forum: Birds are part of Singapore’s ecosystem too
I am glad to have my letter published in the Straits Times Forum yesterday (2 June 2023), as it gives the birds a voice to speak up about their right to exist safely in the world. I refer to the Forum letter, “Do more to curb growing bird nuisance” (May 27). Birds have existed in… Continue reading
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Reflections on international Labour Day 2023: social justice and environmental justice go hand in hand
Today is Labour Day or May Day, which has come a long way since the late 1800s. I learnt that the purpose of celebrating this day is to recognise the hard work and dedication of the working class and create awareness about their rights to protect them from exploitation. The Nap Ministry aptly said, “Rest… Continue reading
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“Counter-imagining the Dystopia” Photo Exhibit
My first forest experience was in MacRitchie forest during secondary school, which organised a cross-country run event every year. Since the forest is part of the central catchment nature reserve, it is in no danger of being cleared. Since then, I had taken forests in Singapore for granted. It wasn’t until 2016 when I saw… Continue reading
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Inter-University Environmental Conference (IUEC) 2022 – Conversations for change beyond SGP2030 (Perspectives on Energy Reset & City in Nature)
On 9 October 2022 (Sunday), I attended the afternoon session of Day 2 of the Inter-University Environmental Conference 2022. It is the largest youth-led sustainability conference in Singapore, jointly organised by students from the 8 major universities of Singapore. The conference facilitates focus group discussions, open debates and exhibitions with government representatives, youth leaders from… Continue reading
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My feedback to Housing & Development (HDB) on soil erosion and tree fall at Bukit Batok south hill, aka Bukit Batok hillside park hill 2 (via One Service)
Dear Sir/Madam, Earlier today, I noticed that parts of Bukit Batok South Hill area (next to Bukit Batok hillside park) have been denuded of trees and shrubs, and the heavy monsoon rain has washed the exposed topsoil away, causing soil erosion. On a steep slope along Bukit Batok West Ave 9 opposite Block 467B, the… Continue reading
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As within, so without: Soil and our mental well-being
During my lunch shift yesterday, I came across a banner saying “Save soil” in Little India. This message speaks to me because I have been mulling over the subject on the environment. Soil – a much-taken-for-granted entity that we have grown up with – is becoming rare, as Singapore becomes increasingly urbanised and concretised. After… Continue reading
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One year after wild boar incident near deforested area at Pasir Ris Park
On this day, the mangroves are witnesses to the destruction that lay waste to the forest. The echoes of the frightened wild boar escaping from its diminishing habitat reverberate till this day. The sounds of the roaring wind from the sea appear to muffle the grating noise of the construction works. From times past, the… Continue reading
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ST Forum: Restrict use of petrol-powered blowers, mowers
I appreciate the inclusion of the ST file photo to my letter (30 October 2020), which illustrates aptly the detrimental noise of grass cutting in residential areas. “The sound of petrol-powered leaf blowers and mowers can be heard clearly from as high as the eighth storey of a residential building. With more people working from… Continue reading
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Climate change: Time is of essence
It was a hot and stuffy night. I woke up this morning at around 5 am, and cast a bleary eye on the phone to check the weather forecast. It showed “28 degrees Celsius”. “Ok, it is a bit higher than usual, but it seems to feel warmer than that,” I thought to myself. I… Continue reading