With a loss of at least 90% of our tropical rainforests and up to 73% of our plant species and animal species in the last 200 years, it is heartening at least to see a diversity of voices supporting our disappearing forests.
“Botanist Karl Png, the 23-year-old co-founder of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, added that an increasing number of younger Singaporeans are concerned with the state of the environment because it affects their future.
“I think it’s selfish that leaders of today are saying, ‘Young people are great, they will solve the climate change crisis’ and then don’t do anything about it.
“Ultimately, they won’t face the consequences (of inaction)… but future generations will.”
What Singapore needs, said the environmentalists, is a conversation about what it wants for its future — do we value growth and convenience that comes with development over the intangible benefits of retaining what little green spaces are left?
Wildlife activist Vilma D’Rozario believes that the One Million Trees project would be better served by focusing on joining up forest fragments.
“But you have to leave patches of green along the way, otherwise what are you linking?” said the 63-year-old member of the Singapore Wildcat Action Group.”
From “Nature enthusiasts launch petitions to save Bukit Batok Hillside Park and Clementi forest“)
We have perhaps reached a crucial cross-road where we need to choose between:
🔥 further deforestation for short-term gratification with eventual self-destruction
or
🌳 recycling of existing lands for long-term survival with sustainable development.
My hope is to see more of our voices advocating nature conservation, not only for the sake of ourselves and our future generations, but also our voiceless and vulnerable flora and fauna.
(Photos show the desecration and destruction of our natural habitat of Tengah forest, Singapore, dated 10 Nov 2020)
Nature and Us 