Browsing Category

Environment

554 posts

Lapses in Earth Control Measures at Bukit Batok Build-To-Order project resulted from terrain constraints and supply issues, says MND and HDB

The lapses in earth control measures at a Build-To-Order project in Bukit Batok were the result of terrain constraints and supply issues, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Housing Board (HDB) in a joint statement. The statement addressed concerns about the implementation of the environmental management and monitoring plan (EMMP) for the site, which was carried out in stages due to the hilly terrain of the site. Although there were temporary supply issues that prevented the contractor from covering some areas of exposed earth in one day, the supply issue has since been resolved.

Work-from-home order issued as Thai city chokes on pollution

Authorities on Friday urged people in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai to stay indoors and work from home as air pollution spiked to hazardous levels. Smoke from forest fires and farmers burning crop stubble has blanketed the popular tourist destination in recent weeks.

Massive sperm whale beaches itself, dies in Bali

Experts in Indonesia are preparing to conduct an autopsy on an 18-metre sperm whale, found dead after washing up on a beach in Bali. The cause of death is not yet known, but officials suspect it may be linked to plastic or pollution. Sperm whales are listed as “vulnerable” to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2018, a sperm whale found dead in Indonesia was found to have over 100 plastic cups and 25 plastic bags in its stomach. Indonesia is the world’s second biggest contributor to marine debris after China.

PUB orders stop to clearance work at Bukit Batok BTO project after environmental violations

Singapore’s national water agency PUB has halted clearance work at a Built-To-Order (BTO) project in Bukit Batok Hillside Park after the contractor was found to have flouted environmental regulations. The contractor was ordered to stop site clearance work and construct proper cut-off drains with silt fences before resuming work. PUB will also take enforcement action against the contractor. Photos posted on social media by a member of the Nature Society (Singapore) sparked concerns among conservationists about the effectiveness of the environmental management and monitoring plan (EMMP) put in place to minimize the project’s harmful impact on the environment. Nature lovers have previously spoken up against the development of Bukit Batok Hillside Nature Park for residential needs.

Philippine fishermen struggle as oil spill keeps them ashore

The Philippine tanker disaster continues to spread toxic sludge and oil across the waters, affecting hundreds of kilometers of marine life. The government has banned fishing and swimming indefinitely, leaving thousands of fishermen to wonder how long they can survive. Despite cleanup efforts, the oil keeps coming back, and experts estimate it will take at least six months to clean up the spill, with recovery taking years. The disaster could not have come at a worse time for people living hand-to-mouth, and the government’s assistance may not be enough to sustain their livelihoods for an extended period.

UN’s global disaster alert systems goal faces uphill climb

The UN’s goal to cover every person on the planet with early warning systems by 2027 is facing challenges as it requires more data and expertise. Building early warning systems involves assessing risks using meteorological data, forecasting impending problems using modelling, preparing populations ahead of time, and sending out alerts to those expected to be impacted. Unique issues arise at each step, including a lack of local expertise, digitizing weather data that only exists on paper, and getting alerts to remote populations.

Netizens puzzled over UN Report claiming Singapore tops global market for bottled water consumption at S$1,800 per person

Netizens in Singapore are puzzled by a recent United Nations report claiming that Singapore topped the global market for bottled water consumption with each person spending US$1,348 and consuming 1,129 litres of bottled water in 2021. Some netizens argue that the report did not take into account certain factors such as Singapore’s small island nation status and expensive water prices. Others dispute the claims, with one making calculations to show that the statistics seem exaggerated.

Drought, floods and sickness: Key takeaways from UN’s water report

UN warns of an imminent global water crisis with billions of people experiencing water-related issues daily. Global water consumption has increased by 1% per year, leading to the depletion of between 26-52 trillion gallons of reserves annually. Climate change-exacerbated water shortages could cost some regions up to 6% of GDP by 2050. Agricultural runoff is threatening freshwater ecosystems, and major investments, estimated to cost over $1 trillion per year, are needed to achieve access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Singapore households can now collect free home recycling boxes at 140 locations with Blooboxes initiative

The Bloobox initiative has been launched in Singapore on Sunday (19 Mar), allowing every household to collect a foldable, washable, and reusable home recycling box for free from 140 locations until 30 April.

Workers’ Party files questions over Singapore’s Shoe Recycling Program and “green-washing”

The Workers’ Party has filed questions in the upcoming parliamentary sitting on recycling and “green-washing”, following an investigation by Reuters which revealed that donated shoes meant for recycling under a shoe recycling programme were not recycled as planned.