Channel NewsAsia 17 Dec 07;
SINGAPORE: An environmental expert has urged governments to adopt an integrated approach to tackling environmental issues.
Professor Andrew Watkinson, director of the UK’s Tyndall Centre, made this point on Monday at the "Climate Change: Modelling, Impacts and Adaptations" symposium organised jointly by the Tropical Marine Science Institute, the National University of Singapore’s Department of Civil Engineering and the British High Commission.
While scientists and politicians agree that climate change is a long-term problem, opinions differ as to how nations should respond to the problem.
Prof Watkinson called on governments to look beyond issues like lowering carbon dioxide emissions and using alternative energy sources.
He suggested adopting an integrated approach to adapt to the new climatic realities in fields such as town-planning, especially in areas prone to natural disasters, and healthcare services for those susceptible to temperature extremes.
However, for effective private-public partnerships, he pointed out that governments need to set up clear guidelines.
Prof Watkinson said: "Government in California brought in increasingly stringent emissions targets on the various gases in exhaust emissions to clean up the atmosphere in places like Los Angeles.
"And the automobile industry responded very positively, responded very quickly, and actually got the levels far lower than people anticipated... But they have to be given confidence, and the regulatory framework helps give that." - CNA/ac
