Conservation International sets up in Singapore

Environmental NGO plants roots here
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 3 Oct 09;

AN INTERNATIONAL environmental group has set up shop here, and its first priority is to battle the haze.

Conservation International, which opened its regional head office in Singapore yesterday, is also planning a database to map plants and animal biodiversity, and a satellite system to study greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.

The group has already made inroads into curbing the burning in Indonesia which causes the choking haze, said its chairman and chief executive officer Peter Seligmann.

Earlier this year, it helped to negotiate the erasing of some US$30 million (S$43 million) in debts owed by Indonesia to the United States government, in exchange for protecting Sumatran rainforests.

It also hopes to negotiate with provincial officials in Indonesia on ways to curb deforestation.

The group, which has operations in 11 countries, works with businesses and governments on environmentally friendly policies that allow for sustainable economic development.

At a ceremony held at the research centre Fusionopolis in Buona Vista yesterday, Mr Seligmann said Singapore's growing role on the world stage made it an ideal place to launch such efforts.

'It has three strengths - remarkable conservation, smart innovation and determined people,' he said.

The launch comes on the heels of other prominent environmental groups such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Jane Goodall Institute setting up base here in the last few years. In total, there are over 80 international non-profit organisations in Singapore.

Mr Jonathan Kua, director of the international organisations programme office at the Economic Development Board (EDB), noted that their presence has boosted Singapore's efforts to become a global business, research and innovation hub.

The latest addition, Conservation International, operates out of an office at the Botanic Gardens with a staff of six, but has plans to grow to 10.

Foreign Minister George Yeo, who was guest of honour at the ceremony, noted how Singapore had transformed its model of economic development since the early years to become a 'city within a rainforest'.

'A few decades ago, the priority for Singapore was economic development - and that often meant mastering nature,' he said.

'In the last 10 years, we have become more conscious of our natural habitat, of biodiversity on land, along coastlines in the water and in the air.'

Mr Yeo said achieving harmony between man and nature would take 'out-of-box' thinking.

'We will need clever ideas, based on good science and economics. If protecting nature is at the expense of development, then there can be no harmony.'

At yesterday's ceremony, collaborations were also signed between Conservation International and the National Parks Board, Science Centre and the Social Innovation Park to advance efforts in combating environmental hazards such as tropical deforestation.

Singapore's main concerns - air and water
Joyce Hooi, Business Times 3 Oct 09;

AS Singapore remains shrouded in a cloak of haze caused by fires in Sumatra, Peter Seligmann of Conservation International made the observation yesterday that the country's two most pressing environmental issues are that of air quality and water security.

Mr Seligmann, the founder and chief executive officer of the non-profit organisation, was in town for the launch of Conservation International Singapore Ltd.

'The issue of air quality in Singapore is something that people need to think about on a daily basis, as the haze increases the amount of particulate matter in the air,' said Mr Seligmann.

Two weeks ago, the pollution standards index hit a reading of 64, the highest this year.

Mr Seligmann warned that deteriorating air quality translates into dollars and cents. 'There is the accompanying problem of increasing health costs. It can be a real human and economic drain,' he said.

Both Singapore and Indonesia have grappled with the haze issue. Last month, Indonesia said that it would suspend permits for prescribed burning activities in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sarawak, after previously saying that it had no urgent plans to tackle forest fires.

According to data quoted by Conservation International, 20 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of forests; and Indonesia remains the largest producer of emissions from deforestation.

Where water security is concerned, Mr Seligmann said, 'Singapore imports 80 per cent of its water. This makes it extremely vulnerable. With the increasing demand for water in Malaysia, people need to consider what the impact will be on the quantity and quality of water.'

For both the problems of air quality and water security, a part of the solution lies in conserving forests. 'People need to realise that forests are water factories,' said Mr Seligmann.

Despite the challenges faced by other efforts to involve governments in conservation activities, Mr Seligmann is convinced that this time, it is different.

'Never before has there been a more aggressive solicitation of solutions in these areas. The Indonesian government has affirmatively stated that they want to address these issues,' he said. Conservation International Singapore will be the region's headquarters and will work with governments and corporations to develop sustainable practices.

During the launch of Conservation International Singapore, Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo also highlighted the need for a balance between economic development and protecting nature.

'We need to make living in harmony with nature a part of our moral system,' said Mr Yeo.

The launch took place during the three-day Global Social Innovators Forum (GSIF) 2009, organised by Social Innovation Park.