In the article "Why the climate fight needs engineers", Shah (2015) mentions that a new programme- the Engineers Progression Pathway programme- for engineers has been set in motion in Singapore. It will allow professionals to upgrade their skills and knowledge in their field of expertise and increase the job opportunities for engineers in the long run. This is to address issues that will be caused by the change in climate in the near future and to prepare Singapore for it. Extreme weather fluctuations and fast city development make the government see the need to achieve a new sustainable city and economic system through engineering. In order to become the world's first smart nation and to realise its green growth vision, engineering solutions to sustainability will be important for Singapore. I agree with the article, however, there is a lack of information and examples concerning the use of engineering solutions to tackle climate change hence I would like to add on with supporting details on them.
In the article, a plan which will be used to carry out part of Singapore's green growth vision- the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) 2015 is highlighted. However, Shah only states the objectives of SSB and did not provide any more information on it. An example I would like to use to support SSB will be the Punggol Eco-Town. "Punggol Northshore is one of Punggol Eco Town’s seven signature waterfront housing district and will be the first new public housing estate to test-bed smart technologies. They are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2020" (Channel NewsAsia, 2015). Those technologies will be featured inside and outside of the flats. For instances, there is the "smart car park management system which can monitor the parking demand from residents and visitors and smart pneumatic waste conveyance system which can monitor waste disposal, recycling patterns and volumes" (Channel NewsAsia, 2015). I believed that car parking and waste disposal will be much easier with the implementation of technologies. While inside the house, there will be extra power and data points to cater to residents' smart system needs. They can choose to install from a range of technologies, one being the home energy management system- in which it can allow them to monitor their energy consumption at anytime.
Another example for the green growth vision is to find other alternatives to power lifts in HDBs, smart meters, and water efficient appliances, among others. "Exploring the feasibility of using solar energy to provide power in local conditions, HDB is conducting test beds in 30 precincts over a five-year period to explore the feasibility of using solar energy" (NCCS, 2013). This example is used to support government's efforts in trying out different alternatives to produce energy. It shows that the research on alternative energy sources is on-going and is being test run which is good because it means that we are one step closer to achieving our targets.
According to the article, Shah also points out the high carbon emissions per capita in Singapore. However, the topic is briefly mentioned without giving more information and explaining further on the solutions or ways to decrease the gas emissions. An example to support Singapore's involvement in the reduction of the gas emissions is through "ratifying UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and acceded to the Kyoto Protocol in 2006" (MAF, 2015). It is a global effort in reducing carbon emissions hence participating countries are trying their best to combat the change in climate and making contributions. "As part of its contributions, Singapore announced, just before the UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen in 2009, a pledge to reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions by 16% below Business-As-Usual levels in 2020" (MAF, 2015). Hence we can see that Singapore is actively participating and trying to bring down the high carbon emissions in the country.
In conclusion, Shah's article is able to inform us about the plans that are being put forth by the government even if it could be lacking on the information and supporting details. Engineers will play a big part in realising those plans hence, this means that they must not only do well in their respectively fields but must also be prepared to step up and counter any challenges they might face in the near future. Even though the programme for engineers is still in the initial stage, professionals have already welcome and approve of the course. This will be a good direction for Singapore to head towards as steps are taken by the government to research on other energy sources and some of the plans for green growth vision are already in the midst of testing.
References
Shah, V. (2015). Why the climate fight needs engineers. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-the-climate-fight-needs-engineers/
First batch of smart HDB homes at Punggol Northshore to be launched, (2015). Retrieved September 30, 2015, from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/first-batch-of-smart-hdb/1870032.html
Finding Ways to Increase Solar Power Generation, (2013). Retrieved September 24, 2015, from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/climate-change-and-singapore/domestic-actions/reducing-emissions/power-generation
Sustainable Development and Climate Change, (2015). Retrieved September 30, 2015, from http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/international_issues/sustainable_development_and_climate_change.html
APA Referencing Guide, (2015). Retrieved September 30, 2015, from https://www.usq.edu.au/library/referencing/apa-referencing-guide#Web_documents_and_sites
Last updated on Friday, 2nd October 2015, 2:25 am
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