Introduce quotas to limit use of utilities

The Singapore government should work with PUB to introduce quotas in order to cut back on the wastage of resources among the Singaporean public. This can be done through the calculation of a satisfactory amount of usage according to the number of persons in each household. If a family consumes a higher amount than is stipulated by the calculated amount, they should be charged more on unities. This will incentivize them to use resources such as water and electricity efficiently and only if its necessary.

On top of this, rebates can be given to households who consume less utilities than is stipulated by the calculated amount to incentivize them to continue consuming efficient amounts of water and electricity.

Households should be able to monitor the usage of their electricity and water through smart systems that should alert them when they are reaching their quota. This will enable them to cut back on usage and be aware of how much they are consuming. This will encourage Singaporeans to consume less water and electricity by taking shorter baths, and using the washing machine only when there is a full set of clothes to be washed. It will also incentivize Singaporeans to turn lights off when they are not needed instead of leaving multiple lights on unnecessarily.

A similar system should also be put in place for industries as industries are where a lot of water and energy is being consumed. The PUB should come up with an acceptable amount of utilities that a company should use and charge them when they step over the quota. And incentivize them by cash back systems when they are able to remain below quota.

The use of smart technology should be able to severely curb the wastage of water and energy in households and industries. Smart homes and smart technologies can help people to be more informed of where utilities are being consumed the most. Thus people will be more aware if there is a leakage or damage to the wiring in buildings if smart tech was in place to help monitor the use of resources. Simple ways to save on utilities will manifest once technology has advanced enough to provide more homes with options and ways to track utility usage.

One way to decrease energy usage is for Singaporeans to reduce their reliance on air conditioning. Singaporeans use air conditioning more than necessary and turn the temperature too low that it consumes a large amount of energy and this also contribute sto climate change as green house gases are released into the environment with the increased usage of air conditioning. Singaporeans should be adjusting the temperature to a level that is comfortable and no less than 25 degrees Celsius. By doing this, Singapore can be a more sustainable city that is aware of sustainability issues.

References

http://home.howstuffworks.com/smart-home1.htm

Specific bad habits to be addressed and transformed; Meeting wants instead of needs

Singaporeans tend to favor their wants rather than their needs. Most Singaporeans have access to food, water and clean air and they take these things for granted. However, there needs to be increased awareness in how privileged Singaporeans are as they are able to live a life without struggling for basic amenities. Singaporeans need to be responsible of their usage of resources and be aware of global issues such as global warming and climate change. Each Singaporean should see themselves as a global citizen and act in accordance to the environmental responsibilities. The Singaporean public should stop focusing on their wants and instead be grateful that their needs are being taken care of by the government and with the help of the infrastructure put in place to facilitate the smooth running of their lifestyle. Many Singaporeans simply expect the best treatment and tend to focus on the negatives. This mindset needs to change.

Singaporeans need to thrifty so that resources can be saved and used for better purposes. Reduction in energy usage and resources can be cut back on if Singaporeans are willing to live simply and sustainably. Singaporeans should learn how to manage their priorities more. Singaporeans tend to be brand conscious and want products that serve as status symbols and ups their social standing. This is a very bad mentality that Singaporeans have that drives them to waste resources and be a factor in contributing to environmental harm. Singaporeans consume goods without thought to the life cycle of the product and tend to make consumer decisions that are harmful to society. This results in bad consequences for the environment. Singaporeans need to pay more attention to how products are made and how much environmental impact the product has on the environment so as to ensure that they are consuming goods responsibly. On top of that they need to reduce consumption of products that further their wants and not meet their needs.

One key example of Singaporeans putting wants before needs is that Singaporeans jump on trends really fast. The moment a new iPhone gets released in the market, everyone rushes to get the new model even though their current phone is fully functional. This shows that the purchase of a new phone is completely unnecessary. However, Singaporeans simply jump in the bandwagon and make consumer choices simply because everyone else is doing it. This is a a bad habit that needs to be addressed and transformed. The promotion of sustainable practices is crucial in changing the mindset and behavior of society. This shows that Singapore still has a way to go in truly becoming a sustainable city as the practice of its citizens does not equate to sustainable practices. There needs to be government promotion of the phrase “meet needs, not wants,” and it should be embedded in society as well to live within the means of what is sustainable in the long run.

References:

http://www.humansandnature.org/sustainability-well-being-and-economic-growth

Influencing neighboring countries to adopt sustainable city planning; Propose sustainability agenda in ASEAN

Singapore should take the initiative to raise awareness of sustainability not just in Singapore but also in its neighboring countries. Singapore is a relatively small country and on its own, will be unable to tackle global problems such as global warming and climate change. Therefore, there is a need to ensure cooperation among neighboring states so that it is ensured that everyone is on the same page on the issue to raise awareness on sustainability among the public of in Singapore as well as in other countries. Singapore should lead by example as create a environmentally friendly society in Singapore where everyone is conscious of environmental problems and takes steps and measures to curb their carbon footprint and also reduce their consumption of the world’s scarce resources. Singapore’s public should be so well versed in the reduction, reusing, recycling of waste that it becomes second nature and ingrained in society. Through this, Singapore can lead by example and encourage and call for changes in neighboring countries. One method through which this could be done would be the regional organization that Singapore is a part of, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Singapore should spearhead a new facet of ASEAN that deals specifically with sustainability issues. This would bring more focus and attention to sustainability issues and thus more cooperation can be done to ensure the reduction of harmful environmental actions such as carbon emissions, high consumption of non renewable resources and the depletion of forest land in the process of urbanization.

Singapore can collaborate with ASEAN to raise awareness on the issue of sustainability regionally. Environmentally savvy Singaporeans can be sent as advisors to neighboring countries to provide knowledge to other countries on how to be cleaner and greener. The parameters of what needs to be addressed should be discussed in this section of ASEAN and the achieving of its goals should be made a priority.  The haze issue should be addressed in this section of ASEAN. And close collaboration with each other can bring about positive change so as to ensure that environmental problems are not reoccurring as they are right now where every year we face the problem of the haze which pollutes the air and causes sickness among the people of Singapore as well as Singapore’s neighboring countries. Other issues to be addressed would be the rapid deforestation of countries to make way for new building and roads and other urban constructs. There needs to be a discussion going on, on how we can make the region developed and advanced without causing excessive harm to our environment. ASEAN would be a very effective way in which Singapore can create and influence change in the region and lead by good examples. Ideas could be proposed as to how the countries can become sustainable. Good sustainable city planning knowledge and know how can be spread through these channels. Thus Singapore will be able to raise awareness on sustainability among the public in Singapore, as this shows that we take pride in being a sustainable city, and also among the public of our neighboring countries.

References

http://asean.org/storage/2016/07/RFP-Fifth-ASEAN-State-of-the-Environment-Report.pdf

http://aseansustainability.com