Singapore's weather gets hotter each decade

Monica Kotwani Channel NewsAsia 12 Nov 13;

SINGAPORE: Singapore's average temperature rose by 0.26 degree Celsius every ten years, from 1951 to 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said this figure is consistent with global trends, and together with the rising sea level, is an example of how Singapore too is seeing the effects of global warming.

Mr Teo was speaking at the National Climate Change Competition awards ceremony on Tuesday morning.

The awards ceremony is organised by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) and is into its third year.

It recognises the efforts of youths who play an inspiring role in their actions to address climate change.

This year, the competition attracted some 214 video entries from students in the primary to higher institution level.

Some of the winners include Farrer Park Primary School, Raffles Girls' School and ITE College East.

The NCCS said winners were chosen based on their creativity and original content.

Mr Teo, who is also Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change, said the government is taking a proactive approach to climate change.

The country already uses mostly natural gas rather than fuel oil or coal to generate power.This is to reduce carbon emissions and particulate matter.

Apart from encouraging companies to adopt energy efficient technologies, Mr Teo said the government also requires new buildings and retrofitted buildings to receive the Green Mark certification.

But climate change action also includes the public to play a part, as well as outreach and education.

To that end, Mr Teo announced a revamped climate change exhibition at the Science Centre next year.

The S$3 million exhibition is a collaboration that also involves the NCCS and the Meteorological Services Singapore.

Mr Teo said: "The exhibition will also highlight growth opportunities in areas such as climate science and the clean tech sector. As Singapore positions itself as a green growth hub, there will be exciting new options for Singaporeans to pursue studies and careers in these fields.

“You can be at the forefront of climate change action, and have an interesting and good career, and play a part to develop solutions that benefit Singapore and the rest of the world.”

Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, chief executive of Science Centre Singapore, said: "We are also engaging our local scientists from our research institutions, as well as universities as well as our clean tech industry.

“So you will see Singapore's weather patterns being reported, you'll also see some kind of technologies, innovations coming out of Singapore to help us to face the challenge of global warming and sea water rise.

“We will also try to make an effort to reach out to the adults. Some of the older ones may think that well, it doesn't affect me, I won't live that long to see the impact; but the urgency or rather the importance is that all of us should do something, even right now.

“And therefore in our efforts to reach out to the public, we'll probably slant a bit more to the adults, because the kids, they're convinced. They're the converts, so called.”

Associate Professor Lim said the new Climate Change Gallery exhibition is expected to open in the second half of next year.

- CNA/nd

More efforts to heighten awareness of climate change
Kenneth Cheng Today Online 13 Nov 13;

SINGAPORE — More efforts are afoot to heighten awareness of climate change in Singapore as the island nation increasingly feels the heat from the effects of global warming.

The average temperature here has gone up by 0.26°C per decade between 1951 and last year, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean yesterday, adding that “this is consistent with global trends”.

“The sea level around Singapore has also risen by 45mm over the past 15 years,” Mr Teo said. He added that, while it does not sound like much, over many years, it has an impact. “Heavy storms have also become more frequent and intense over the past decades.”

Mr Teo was speaking at the award ceremony of the National Climate Change Competition 2013, which aims to inspire students to produce videos that create awareness and spur action on climate change among youth.

Besides the competition, the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) also embarked on several new programmes to raise awareness on climate change among the young. For instance, it rolled out an educational drama for primary schools called Stop Melting My Home in August.

While the Government has implemented measures to mitigate the impact of climate change, Mr Teo said efforts must go beyond those by the Government. “All of us can reduce our carbon footprint and play a part to prepare for the climate challenges ahead.”

At the ceremony, he also announced a S$3-million revamp of the five-year-old Climate Change Exhibition at the Science Centre Singapore.

The new exhibition — a tie-up between the Science Centre, the NCCS and Meteorological Services Singapore — will feature more localised content, such as the Republic’s measures to combat climate change and the technological strides the country has made towards addressing the problem.

Slated to open by the second half of next year, the exhibition will also look at efforts being made around the world to reduce global warming.