Best of our wild blogs: 27 Jan 18

Launch of the Year of Climate Action
Climate Action SG

Flora and Fauna of Singaporean Seas and Shores
Wild Drawings

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Rescued baby hawksbill turtle released back into the wild

Channel NewsAsia 26 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE: A hawksbill sea turtle that was rescued from a broken, unhatched egg was released back into the waters of Sisters’ Island this week, the National Parks Board (NParks) and Wildlife Reserves Singapore said.

The healthy baby turtle has been also microchipped so that it can be identified if it returns to Singapore’s shores in the future, the agencies said in a media release on Friday (Jan 26).

The broken egg was part of a clutch of eggs found on one of the Southern Islands by NParks employees last September. The premature hatchling inside it was barely alive and severely dehydrated.

NParks handed the hatchling to Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which started treatment for it immediately, providing it with the necessary fluids. It received critical care overnight, and by morning, the hatchling had completely emerged from its egg. It weighed just 10g when it hatched.

Raised on a diet of mussels, flower crab, shrimp, squid and fish, the hatchling tipped the scales at 500g four months later.

It was also provided with "live rocks", or ocean rock with algae and other micro-organisms, an essential part of a sea turtle’s diet.

A veterinary check on Jan 3 showed that the turtle was healthy and well, and the decision was made to return it to the wild as soon as possible.

The turtle was released on the beach at Sisters' Islands Marine Park, where it scurried into the sea and started swimming immediately.

It paddled around the shallow lagoon waters for a while before making its way slowly towards the mouth of the lagoon, and finally, out to the open sea.

"The knowledge gained from the rescue and rehabilitation of the hatchling will contribute to our understanding of the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle and help to guide conservation efforts," NParks and WRS said.

MORE SIGHTINGS OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED HAWKSBILL TURTLE IN 2017

18 sightings of the hawksbill sea turtle were recorded on Singapore’s shores in 2017. The figure is nearly half the 43 sightings reported between 2011 and 2016.

In 2017 alone, there were more than 500 successful hatchlings from seven separate hawksbill turtle nests, NParks and WRS said.

Many sightings were reported by members of the public, NParks and WRS said, noting that the increased number of sightings was not only an encouraging sign for the species, but also reflected heightened public awareness of the turtles.

The agencies said those who encounter a turtle should speak softly and keep their distance from it. Touching the turtle may scare or provoke it, and one should not handle the eggs as it might damage them.

Source: CNA/da



Hawksbill turtle rescued from brink of death released back into the wild
SIAU MING EN Today Online 26 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE – It was barely alive and severely dehydrated when found inside a ruptured egg on one of the Southern Islands last September.

The premature Hawksbill Sea Turtle hatchling was handed by the National Parks Board (NParks) to Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which provided it with critical care overnight and cared for it over four months.

From 10 grams when it hatched, the turtle has grown to 500 grams.

This week, it was released into the waters of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, NParks and WRS announced on Friday (Jan 26).

The release comes as Singapore’s shores record more sightings of the critically endangered species. There were 18 sightings of Hawksbill Sea Turtles last year alone, compared to 43 sightings reported between 2011 and 2016.

The sightings include arrivals, nests and hatchlings. Last year, more than 500 successful hatchlings from seven separate nests were recorded.

The increased sightings follow the initiation of a systematic monitoring programme and an increase in reports from members of the public arising from heightened awareness, said NParks’ Dr Karenne Tun, director of the National Biodiversity Centre (Coastal & Marine).

The team from the Marine Turtle Working Group, which includes NParks and WRS, is cautiously optimistic about the rescued hatchling’s chances of survival but noted challenges it faces. Sea turtles, especially juveniles, face predation and other natural threats, as well as plastic debris and other impacts of human activity.

When NParks first found the recued hatchling, it was premature and still had its yolk sac attached to the body.

After it was given fluids and critical care by WRS staff, it emerged from the egg the next morning. Over the next few days, it was given fluid supplements until it had fully absorbed its yolk sac.

The turtle was later transferred to bigger tanks as it grew and readily ate a variety of solid foods, including mussel, flower crab, shrimp, squid and fish, said NParks and WRS. Live rocks, which have living organisms on them, were also provided as an essential part of the sea turtle’s diet.

After veterinary checks on Jan 3 indicated it was in the pink of health, the team decided to return it to the wild as soon as possible.

The turtle has also been microchipped, allowing it to be identified if it returns to Singapore’s shores in future.

When it was released on the beach, it scurried into the sea and swam around the shallow lagoon waters before making its way slowly towards the mouth of the lagoon.

After navigating past a ring of Sargassum seaweed fringing the reef outside the lagoon, the turtle descended to the shallow reef slope for a short rest before swimming out to sea, said NParks and WRS on Friday (Jan 26).

The knowledge gained from the rescue and rehabilitation of this hatchling will contribute to the team’s understanding of the species and help guide conservation efforts, added the spokesperson.

Singapore has two recorded species of turtles, the endangered Green Turtle and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, which is the more common species found in local waters.

Marine turtles have been sighted along East and West Coast Parks, Changi Beach and the offshore islands, said Dr Tun.

“We believe that turtles have always been nesting on our shores,” she added.

Members of the public who spot a turtle can contact the NParks helpline at 1800 471 7300.

Humans should keep their distance and speak softly. They should avoid touching the turtle to avoid scaring or provoking it. They should not handle the eggs to avoid damaging them.


More sightings of critically endangered hawksbill turtles in Singapore
Audrey Tan Straits Times 26 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - Hawksbill turtles are making a comeback on the Republic's urban beaches, a sign that things are looking up for these critically endangered reptiles.

Eighteen sightings of the hawksbill sea turtle native to Singapore were recorded here last year, almost half the total number of sightings for the preceding five-year period.

Between 2011 and 2016, 43 sightings of hawksbill turtles were recorded in Singapore's shores, the National Parks Board (NParks) said on Friday (Jan 26).

"The increased number of recorded sightings and hatchlings in 2017 is not only an encouraging sign for the species... but also reflects heightened public awareness as many sightings were reported by members of the public," said Dr Karenne Tun, director of the coastal and marine branch at NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre.

There were also over 500 successful hatchlings from seven separate nests last year, in places such as Singapore's offshore Southern Islands and on East Coast Park on the mainland.

They join another 106 baby turtles that on Jan 19 nosed their way out of shells and into the waters at Sentosa's Tanjong Beach, in an encouraging start to 2018, which is also the International Year of the Reef that is being celebrated by countries around the world, including Singapore.

NParks said on Friday that it had, together with the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), released a rescued and rehabilitated hawksbill sea turtle hatchling into the waters of Sisters' Islands Marine Park earlier this week.

NParks and WRS representatives both sit on the Marine Turtle Working Group, an expert panel that helps to assess and document turtle arrivals and hatchling success on our beaches, and shape marine turtle conservation and management plans.

The rescued hatchling was from a batch of eggs that NParks found on one of the Southern Islands in September last year. The hatchling was premature, with its yolk sac still visible when it was found.

NParks handed over the turtle, which was barely alive and severely dehydrated, to WRS. It was treated immediately, mainly with fluids. By morning, the hatchling had completely emerged from its egg, said NParks and WRS.

After four months of intensive care, the hatchling grew from its initial weight of 10g to 500g, and was released earlier this week.

Dr Sonja Luz, WRS director for conservation, research and veterinary services, said she was initially cautious about the turtle’s survival chances.

“As he grew in strength, the challenge was in making sure he received proper nutrition and would grow appropriately, especially after the first week... Luckily, the little guy was a curious one, and would try any food readily.”

The hatchling has been microchipped so that it can be identified if it returns to Singapore's shores in the future, said NParks.

The rescued and released hawksbill turtle has been microchipped so that it can be identified if it returns to Singapore's shores in the future. PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
"The knowledge gained from the rescue and rehabilitation of this hatchling will contribute to our understanding of the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle and help to guide conservation efforts," it added.

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Cambodia jails two environment activists for filming sand export activity

Today Online 26 Jan 18;

PHNOM PENH - A Cambodian court on Friday sentenced two environment activists to a year in jail, with a suspension of seven months each, after they were convicted of filming suspected illegal sand export activity.

The court in southewestern Koh Kong province sentenced Dem Kundy, 21, and Hun Vannak, 35, members of the conservation group Mother Nature, their defense lawyer, Sam Chamroeun, said. Each was also fined $250.

"They are innocent all along," he told Reuters of the two activists, whom rights group Amnesty International considers prisoners of conscience.

Dem Kundy and Hun Vannak were arrested on September 12 last year and convicted of violation of privacy and incitement to commit a felony when they filmed vessels suspected of illegally carrying sand for export.

Cambodia banned all sand exports last year, officially ending the sale of sand to the wealthy city state of Singapore which has for years used it to reclaim land along its coasts.

Skeptical about whether the ban was being properly enforced, Mother Nature and other groups pressed the government to stop the trade, saying the digging and dredging of sand has had a serious impact on coastal ecosystems and surrounding land.

The sentences came a day after their trial on Thursday.

But domestic rights group Licadho said there was insufficient evidence to convict.

"It's shocking that the two Mother Nature youths were convicted by the Koh Kong court for only trying to protect and preserve natural resources for the current and future generations in Cambodia," said Naly Pilorge, its director.

Cambodia expelled Spanish national and co-founder of Mother Nature, Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, in February 2015. REUTERS

‘Lack of proof’ in Mother Nature activists’ hearing
Phak Seangly Phnom Penh Post 26 Jan 18;

Two activists from the conservation group Mother Nature were tried yesterday in Koh Kong for photographing a vessel at sea, with their lawyer asking the court to dismiss the charges due to a lack of evidence that they had committed any crime.

In September, activists Hun Vannak, 35, and Dem Kundy, 21, were charged with “incitement to commit a felony” and making unauthorised recordings of a person in “a private place”, for filming a suspected sand-bearing ship a kilometre away from a boat of their own in the open ocean.

Yesterday’s trial lasted around three and a half hours, and a verdict is expected today, a lightning-quick turnaround for Cambodia’s notoriously sluggish courts.

Defence lawyer Sam Chamroeun yesterday said the judge should throw out the case, as the witness accounts were weak and the prosecution lacked concrete evidence.

“Both I and [the defendants] suggested that the judge drop the charges because they are not guilty,” Chamroeun said in an interview after the trial.

“We hope [the decision] will be a positive verdict for our clients.”

Read more: How Mother Nature duo followed their principles into activism — and a trial

Chamroeun also took aim at LYP Group’s Chief of Staff Chan Nakry, who brought the initial complaint against the Mother Nature duo. Chamroeun said he was not a victim, was absent from the trial, and had no right to bring the case because there was no letter from the company confirming Nakry as their representative.

Reached yesterday, Nakry said he was too busy to attend the proceedings and referred questions to his lawyer, Chun Socheat. Socheat would only say that the location in the ocean where the two suspects were filming “belonged to the company”.

According to Phal Chamroeun, a volunteer trial monitor with rights group Adhoc, during the trial Socheat claimed the pair took photos, posted them to Facebook, and “incited” society by accusing the company of foul play. While Mother Nature activists have been prolific in sharing footage on social media, Vannak and Kundy were arrested before uploading the footage in question.

If found guilty, the pair could face up to two years for the “incitement” charge, and as much as an additional year for making unauthorised recordings.

Mother Nature has long campaigned against sand dredging in Koh Kong, and the industry has become a contentious issue in Cambodia – and not just for its environmental impacts.

In 2016, data revealed the amount of sand the Kingdom reported exporting to Singapore was a tiny fraction of what Singapore said it received, inviting speculation that corruption was the cause for the missing sand. Other data showed similar gaps in reported exports to India and Taiwan.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy last year “completely halted the export of all kinds of construction sand and mud sand from Koh Kong province to foreign countries”. Silica sand, which was suspected to be the type of sand on the ship filmed by the activists, was later said to be exempt from the foreign export ban.

Mother Nature co-founder Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, who was expelled from the country in 2015, yesterday described the trial as a “joke”, and said he hoped the “nightmare that Vannak and Kundy are having will end soon”.

Dem Kundy’s mother, Duong Saktheary, said she was “suffering” through her son’s ordeal. “I would have accepted it if my son was guilty of doing something wrong, but he was just helping to protect the forest and the environment for everyone,” she said.

Adhoc’s Phal Chamroeun agreed with the pair’s defence lawyer that there was insufficient evidence to convict them.

“If the judge follows the procedures and thoroughly considers the case, we do hope that they will be released,” he said.

Hour In, a legal adviser from the rights group Licadho, said the complaint filed to the police was very short, simply accusing them of taking photos of the company’s vessel without permission. However, he said, when the case reached the court, the additional “incitement” charge was tacked on.

Simon Walker, country representative of the UN’s Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the body was monitoring the trial due to “the importance of consistency and fairness in trials, particularly in relation to criminal cases, and the need to apply the same evidentiary standards of proof”.



Environment activists jailed for filming sand export activities
The Star 29 Jan 18;

Sand dredging and exporting is serious business in Cambodia, and most of it has gone to enlarge Singapore.

But Cambodia had banned all sand exports as dredging has had a serious impact on coastal ecosystems and surrounding land said the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

However, when two environment activists filmed illegal suspected illegal sand exporting activities, they were recently sentenced to a year in jail.

The court in south-western Koh Kong province sentenced Dem Kundy, 21, and Hun Vannak, 35, members of the conservation group Mother Nature, their defence lawyer, Sam Chamroeun, said.

“They are innocent all along,” he told Reuters of the two activists, whom rights group Amnesty International considers prisoners of conscience.

Dem Kundy and Hun Vannak were arrested on September 12 last year and convicted of “violation of privacy” when they filmed vessels suspected of illegally carrying sand for export.

Cambodia banned all sand exports last July, officially ending the sale of this commodity to the wealthy city state of Singapore which has for years used it to reclaim land along its coasts.

Sceptical about whether the ban was being properly enforced, Mother Nature and other groups pressed the government to stop the trade, saying the digging and dredging of sand has had a serious impact on coastal ecosystems and surrounding land.

According to Mother Nature, the Cambodian government falsely claims that Koh Kong’s coastal estuaries naturally carry “too much sand”, and as such need dredging and deepening so that they can be “more navigable for local boats”, and to reduce riverbank erosion and floods in the area.

However, they say local fishing communities’ livelihoods have been ravaged by the sand mining.

A report in Mongabay recalled: “Now when we go fishing we don’t even catch one kilo. Before there was a lot more,” Ken Yut Theary, a woman living in Koh Sralav village on the banks of the Koh Kong estuary.

“Due to the fishery collapse a lot of the girls in the village have no choice but to go and work in factories in the special economic zone,” she said, referring to the new factory development between Koh Kong city and the Thai border.

Domestic rights group Licadho said there was insufficient evidence to convict the two journalists.

“It’s shocking that the two Mother Nature youths were convicted by the court for only trying to protect and preserve natural resources for the current and future generations in Cambodia,” its director, Naly Pilorge, told Reuters.

Cambodia expelled Spanish national and co-founder of Mother Nature, Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, in February 2015.

“This NGO caused all kinds of trouble,” Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for over 30 years, was quoted as saying in The Khmer Times. He said Mother Nature had long undermined his plans to improve electricity supplies in Cambodia, where daily blackouts are common, via hydroelectric and nuclear power projects.

Before the “permanent ban” in July 2017, there had been a “temporary ban” in November 2016 yet groups had complained that sand was still being exported.

Singapore was Cambodia’s top market for sand until 2017 when the temporary ban came into force, and had exported some 16 million tonnes of it since 2007.

Yet, UN trade data released last year showed that Singapore had imported far more sand (72 million tonnes of sand, worth more than US$740 million (RM2.88bil) from Cambodia since 2007.

The Phnom Penh Post also reported in Jan 2017 that Cambodia had exported more than 108,000 tonnes of sand between 2013 and 2015, according to Indian customs data, contradicting Cambodian customs data that show no sand being sent there at all.

Mother Nature claims that tax evasion may be involved as official government documents show that the vast majority of the sand exported was “magically gone” from Cambodian government data on exports but still appeared on import data in Singapore, India and the UN.

Al Jazeera added that this means not only are local Cambodians suffering from the ecological impact of extensive sand mining, the country may not be getting the full benefits of tax collection on sand exports. – Agencies

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Everyone can be ‘Captain Planet’, as 2018 is earmarked Year of Climate Action

SIAU MING EN Today Online 26 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE – From monitoring paper usage in schools, setting up recycling corners at the workplace, to using reusable shopping bags, educational institutions, organisations and individuals can now pledge to commit to activities to tackle climate change.

As chair of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) this year, Singapore will also host a special ministerial meeting on climate change in July, announced Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Friday (Jan 26).

Speaking at the launch event for the Year of Climate Action held at the Singapore Sustainability Academy, Mr Masagos said Singapore’s journey to fight climate change is already “well-embedded” in its development policies. But it is just as important to raise the level of national consciousness, of the need for individual and collective action to fight climate change.

He said: “(It is) simply because the Government cannot do it alone. This is a year when we will join forces with all of you here, plus many other parties across Singapore and beyond, to rally everybody to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and fight climate change.”

On why this year was specifically designated as the Year of Climate Action, Mr Masagos said climate change poses an existential threat. Rising sea levels and weather extremes, such as droughts and flash floods from intense rainfall, can have devastating consequences on lives and businesses.

Singapore is already feeling the heat from global warming and urbanisation, as last year was the warmest year on record that was not influenced by an El Nino event. The El Nino phenomenon leads to drier and warmer conditions, particularly between June and October across South-east Asia.

Mr Masagos also launched the Climate Action Pledge on Friday, where individuals, organisations and educational institutions can make a public declaration through the ministry’s website to show their readiness to take climate action, and influence others to do the same.

Individuals can pick from a list of actions to commit to, such as bringing their own reusable shopping bag, avoid using a straw, and setting their air-conditioner at 25 deg celsius. Organisations and educational institutions can also share their pledges, which can involve setting up recycling corners, switching off the lights after use, among other things.

There were more than 200 pledges as of Friday morning and Mr Masagos urged more Singaporeans and organisations to do so. More than half of these pledges came from corporations, and of those, about half were Small and Medium Enterprises.

“It is a positive action and will help us push forward collectively during this Year of Climate Action,” he added.

A blog has also been set up for members of the public to stay up-to-date on all climate-related matters in Singapore. Noting that this will be a “community-run effort”, he urged members of the public to contribute and share their climate action stories, events and photos on the site.

They can use the new red Climate Action logo, which incorporates the Singapore skyline, to brand their sustainability activities and events, as well as use the hashtag #ClimateActionSG for their social media posts.

With Singapore assuming the Asean chairmanship this year, Mr Masagos said the authorities look forward to leading discussions on climate action. A Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change will be held on July 10, and it will be an important meeting for Asean to “show leadership on climate action”, he said.

There will also be back-to-back expanded meetings between Asean and ministers from China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties’ respective president and president-designate, Fiji and Poland.

This will send a strong signal internationally that Asia remains fully committed to the Paris Agreement and will take collective action to tackle climate change, said Mr Masagos. Under the Paris Agreement on climate change, Singapore has committed to cutting emissions intensity by 36 per cent, from 2005 levels, by 2030.

The Year of Climate Action also supports the 2030 Development Agenda, a long term global development framework with a set of 17 goals, noted the minister. Singapore will be working with countries around the world to build capacity and help them achieve these goals.

Some companies here have already gotten a headstart when it comes to tackling climate change. In the last six years, property developer City Developments Limited, which has been doing its part to protect the environment since 1995, saved more than S$19 million from its energy efficient retrofitting and initiatives in eight of its office buildings. Local telco Singtel also has carbon reduction targets, and is committed to transparent disclosure of its climate-related risks.

Members of the public can make their pledge at www.mewr.gov.sg/pledge-gallery# and visit the blog at https://climateaction.sg/

WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING THIS YEAR:
• Some schools have pledged to reduce the use of paper and plastic disposables, designate “No Plastic Day”, start recycling corners, and set targets for collection of electronic waste.
• Some companies have promised to only purchase energy efficient or sustainably sourced products, raise air-conditioning temperatures by one to two deg celsius, among other things.
• Global Compact Network Singapore, the sustainability arm of the Singapore Business Federation, will organise a seminar for business leaders to manage their resources more efficiently.
• Singapore Youth for Climate Action will be organising a reading book club for people to read Singapore’s Climate Action Plan and discuss these initiatives. They also plan to partner with a private educational institution to expand their learning and leadership programme.
• Three-day Climate Action Forum and workshop in May organised by Green in Future and Sustain Ability Showcase Asia. It will cover areas such as the latest climate science findings, energy and food security, investment opportunities linked to climate change mitigation, among other things.

ASEAN can show leadership on climate action: Masagos
Vanessa Lim Channel NewsAsia 26 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE: Singapore will host a Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change on Jul 10, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said on Friday (Jan 26).

Speaking at the official launch of the Year of Climate Action for Singapore, Mr Masagos said the meeting will be an important one for ASEAN to show leadership on climate action.

“It will send a strong signal internationally that we in Asia remain fully committed to the Paris Agreement and will take collective action to tackle climate change,” said Mr Masagos.

In addition, back-to-back expanded meetings will also be organised between ASEAN and Ministers from China, Japan, South Korea and the current President of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties as well as President-designate Fiji and Poland.

2018 THE 'YEAR OF CLIMATE ACTION'

Within Singapore, efforts to raise awareness on the need to tackle climate change are also underway, with 2018 being officially declared the Year of Climate Action.

The year will see a series of key events such as the Singapore International Water Week and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore as well as more ground up initiatives to encourage the public to take measures to reduce their carbon footprint.

Getting individuals to take positive action is important as climate change poses an existential threat, said Mr Masagos.

“The impact of rising sea levels, and weather extremes such as droughts and flash floods caused by intense rainfall, can have devastating consequences for lives and livelihoods,” he said.

Singapore’s commitment to tackling climate changes comes against a backdrop of extreme weather events, with 2017 being the hottest year on record that was not influenced by an El Nino event.

“Our world is warming at an unprecedented rate, caused by the excessive emission of greenhouse gases, in particular, carbon dioxide, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels,” said Mr Masagos.

To adapt and mitigate the impact of climate change, significant investments have been made in infrastructure, which includes the widening of drains as well as erecting flood barriers, the minister said.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Singapore has pledged to reduce its emissions intensity by 36 per cent from the 2005 levels by 2030. In addition, it has also pledged to stop any increase to its greenhouse gas emissions around 2030.

However, the responsibility of tackling climate change should not fall on the government alone, said Mr Masagos, stressing that everybody needs to play a part.

To date, more than 150 individuals and organisations in Singapore have pledged to take climate action. At the event, Mr Masagos called on more to take part in fighting climate change.

“To fight global warming is both our moral obligation and commitment to ensure that future generations can inherit a sustainable planet,” he said.

Source: CNA/mz

Climate change: Many think they can't make a difference
Getting people and organisations to take Climate Action Pledge is part of effort to change mindset
Audrey Tan Straits Times 27 Jan 18;

Singapore is breaking new tem-perature records every year, the weather is getting increasingly erratic and the country is pun-ching above its weight when it comes to producing harmful carbon emissions.

Yet, while most people here are concerned about the effects of climate change, a significant portion do not believe their actions can make a difference to the country's carbon footprint.

The authorities are trying to change this attitude.

"We feel it is important to raise the level of national consciousness around the need to take individual and collective action to fight climate change," Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday at the launch of Singapore's Year of Climate Action.

As part of this effort, people and organisations will, for instance, be able to make a Climate Action Pledge, where they can declare publicly what they want to do to make Singapore greener.

Individuals can promise to recycle, take public transport, walk or cycle, while organisations can raise office temperatures by 1 deg C to 2 deg C, for example. More than 210 pledges have been made so far.

The effort is timely.

Singapore may contribute just 0.11 per cent of global emissions, but it ranks 26th out of 142 countries in terms of emissions per capita, according to 2015 data from the International Energy Agency.

This means that each person here produces more carbon emissions than his counterpart in Britain, Switzerland or France, for instance.

Singapore may contribute just 0.11 per cent of global emissions, but it ranks 26th out of 142 countries in terms of emissions per capita, according to 2015 data from the International Energy Agency.

But one in three respondents of a 2016 survey here believes that what he does will not have any impact on this figure. This is even though nine out of 10 were concerned about the effects of climate change on future generations.

Disagreeing, Mr Masagos said that tackling climate change cannot be the work of the Government alone.

"Taking action individually all adds up... towards making sure that climate change is not as adverse as predicted," Mr Masagos told reporters.

A climate action blog has also been launched at www.climateaction.sg, which will be a resource for those looking for ways to cut their carbon footprint.

Asked if his ministry will consider punitive measures for individuals, whether through the implementation of pay-as-you-throw schemes or a plastic bag tax, Mr Masagos would say only that his ministry's focus for this year is the carbon tax, which will be levied on large emitters in 2019.

"This is a year when we will join forces with all of you here, plus many other parties across Singapore and beyond, to rally everybody to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and fight climate change," Mr Masagos said yesterday, even as he reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to meeting its targets under the Paris Agreement, an international effort to limit global warming.

Singapore will be hosting a Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in July, Mr Masagos said, and this will be an important meeting for Asean to show leadership on climate action.

On the ground, there are already encouraging initiatives. The Nature Society (Singapore) is planning to organise activities such as talks and forums to show how climate change affects biodiversity.

Environmental scientist Pui Cuifen, 36, is also on a personal campaign to urge marathon or-ganisers to become greener. This includes providing recycling bins along marathon routes to re-cycle cups, and collecting waste from bananas given out at events for composting.

Ms Nor Lastrina Hamid, co-founder of the Singapore Youth for Climate Action, said the Government's effort was a good start.

"I thought it was good to designate this year as the Year of Climate Action, for some branding and emphasis at the national level. But whether or not the various movements are strategic enough to affect change at a national level - that remains to be seen."


Most Singaporeans worry about impact of climate change but few think their actions matter
Audrey Tan Straits Times 26 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - Singapore is not a big country by land size but each person here produces more carbon emissions than his counterpart in much bigger countries such as Britain, Switzerland or France.

But a National Climate Change Secretariat’s Climate Change Public Perception Survey in 2016 showed that over a third of respondents in Singapore believed that their individual actions would not make a difference to climate change.

This is even though nine out of 10 indicated that they were concerned about the effects of climate change on future generations.

With this in mind, tackling climate change cannot be the work of the Government alone.

That was the message Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, had for people and businesses on Friday morning (Jan 26), when he launched Singapore's Year of Climate Action - a year-long national initiative aimed at raising awareness of climate change - at City Square Mall.

To kickstart the year, he launched a Climate Action Pledge, which individuals and companies can make to publicly declare their readiness to take action against climate change.

For example, individuals can pledge to recycle, or opt to take public transport, walk or cycle; while organisations can pledge to raise office temperatures by 1 to 2 deg C. More than 210 pledges have been made so far.

2018: Year of Climate Action

A climate action blog is also up on the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) website at https://climateaction.sg, which will serve as a resource portal for those looking for ways to cut their carbon footprint.

Urging individuals and companies to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint, Mr Masagos said: "We feel it is important to raise the level of national consciousness around the need to take individual and collective action to fight climate change for a sustainable Singapore. Because the Government cannot do it alone."

Climate change refers to the human-induced warming of the Earth, due to deforestation and the excessive consumption of resources that results in the production of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

Booths set up at the launch of Year of Climate Action at City Square Mall

Singapore contributes just 0.11 per cent of global emissions but ranks 26th out of 142 countries in terms of emissions per capita, according to 2015 data from the International Energy Agency.

"This is a year when we will join forces with all of you here, plus many other parties across Singapore and beyond, to rally everybody to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and fight climate change," Mr Masagos said on Friday, even as he reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to meeting its targets under the Paris Agreement.

In conjunction with its Year of Climate Action, Singapore plans to tap its chairmanship of Asean to roll out regional initiatives on climate change, among other things.

Singapore will host a Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in July, said Mr Masagos, and this will be an important meeting for Asean to show leadership on climate action.

"It will send a strong signal internationally that we in Asia remain fully committed to the Paris Agreement and will take collective action to tackle climate change," Mr Masagos said.

In November last year, he had announced 2018 to be Singapore's Year of Climate Action at an international climate change conference in Bonn, Germany, to instil awareness among citizens and inspire them to act.

The outreach events undertaken as part of Singapore's Year of Climate Action will supplement the country's existing suite of strategies that affect mainly industries.

Masagos Zulkifli on why Singapore decided to designate 2018 as its Year of Climate Action

Amendments to the Energy Conservation Act made last year, for example, slap harsher punishments on large polluters for being energy inefficient. A carbon tax will also be implemented from next year to force large emitters to find ways to reduce emissions.

From the ground-up level, there are already encouraging initiatives.

For instance, National University of Singapore undergraduate Pamela Low, a member of a non-governmental organisation called Singapore Youth for Climate Action, has partnered the university to roll out a zero-waste roadshow which encourages people to eat-in, or to use their own takeaway containers if they have to eat out.

The Nature Society (Singapore) is also planning to organise activities such as talks and forums to show how climate change is linked to the conservation of biodiversity.

For example, rising sea surface temperatures led Singapore's corals to suffer from the longest bleaching incident on record in 2016.

Environmental scientist Pui Cuifen, 36, is on a personal campaign to urge marathon organisers to become greener. This includes measures such as providing recycling bins along marathon routes to recycle cups, and collecting bananas usually given out at such events for composting.

"I'm not a regular runner, but the amount of waste generated at these events - such as cups thrown everywhere and towels used for a few seconds - provides a visual reminder of how much resources are being used," said Ms Pui.

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Malaysia: Clouded leopard killed by wire snare found near Gerik

Beatrice Nita Jay New Straits Times 26 Jan 18;

KUALA LUMPUR: A clouded leopard was found dead at Kampung Sarok, Gerik, yesterday, believed to have been caught in a wire snare laid out by poachers.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the animal carcass was found with wire meshes still entangled on one of its hind legs.

“The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has already conducted inspection to find and also destroy all snares in the area.

"The carcass has also been taken to Gerik Perhilitan office for further action,” he said, pointing out that the method of using wire snares were common among poachers.

“The use of snares is cruel and inhumane. This can cause a drastic drop of wildlife in the country.

“Snares are very dangerous and cruel as it could bring serious injuries or even death to the animals. It also pose a risk to humans who happen to be passing by the area,” said Wan Junaidi in a statement today.

He said the use of snares was a criminal act, under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and if found guilty one is liable to a fine of not less than RM50,000 and not more than RM100,000 or a maximum of two years imprisonment.

Wan Junaidi said it was timely for the ministry to introduce 2018 as a year to fight against snares (Tahun Perangi Jerat) to focus on enforcement operations and eradication of all snares in all conservation areas and wildlife habitats.

He said the ministry has many programmes planned for the people to raise their awareness on the danger of snare usage.

He called on agencies, non-governmental organisations and the people to continue their support on efforts in ensuring that wildlife were protected against the irresponsible people.

He also hoped that the public would continue to help by becoming Perhilitan’s "eyes and ears."

Any information on wildlife could be done through Perhilitan’s hotline at 1800-88-5151 (Monday to Sunday, 8am-6pm) or e-complains via www.wildlife.gov.my

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Indonesia: Sumatran tiger in danger of extinction

Otniel Tamindael Antara 27 Jan 18;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The poaching of Sumatran tigers (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae) for trading remains a serious threat to the survival of the rare, protected animal.

One of only six subspecies of tigers that survive today, Sumatran tigers are found only on the island of Sumatra and are classified as critically endangered.

Accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching mean this noble creature could sooner or later end up like its extinct Javan and Balinese relatives.

Despite increased efforts in tiger conservation, including strengthening law enforcement and anti-poaching capacities, a substantial market remains in Sumatra and the rest of Asia for tiger parts and products.

Sumatran tigers are losing their habitat and prey fast, and poaching shows no sign of decline.

Rampant poaching in the Bengkulu province has led to a rapid decline of the population of Sumatran tigers, and it is estimated that there are only 17 left.

Abu Bakar, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for the provinces of Bengkulu and Lampung, has confirmed that the population of this endangered species in Bengkulu region is estimated to be 17.

According to him, poaching and trading of tiger body parts are major threats to the preservation of the endangered species, despite increased collaboration between law enforcement officials to fight these illegal practices.

In Bengkulu, BKSDA officials recently seized the skin of a Sumatran tiger from illegal traffickers.

Abu Bakar remarked in Bengkulu on Wednesday that the evidence, in the form of a two-meter-long Sumatran tiger skin and bones, was confiscated from two illegal traffickers, identified as Awaludin and Samian, residents of North Bengkulu.

Both perpetrators have been sentenced to three and 3.5 years of imprisonment, respectively, and a fine of Rp50 million has been imposed by a panel of judges of the Argamakmur District Court.

"The ruling in the case was carried out in the Argamakmur District Court, and we are currently seeking time to destroy the evidence," Bakar stated.

According to Bakar, the law enforcement process in cases of poaching of Sumatran tigers and trading of their body parts is getting better, and the verdicts for such perpetrators are getting stricter.

"The maximum verdict of a four-year sentence was awarded to illegal hunters from Mukomuko," he revealed.

The destruction of the confiscated tiger skin will be witnessed by representatives from the Argamakmur District Court, Argamakmur Resort Police, and the AGO`s Natural Resource Sector Office, as well as staff of the Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesian Program (WCS-IP).

Zahra Afifah, a staff member of WCS-IP, noted that illegal hunting is a major threat to the preservation of endangered species in Indonesia, including the Sumatran tiger.

"The main reason is that demand for this rare animal`s body parts is still high," Afifah pointed out.

Hence, the involvement of all agencies to combat the trade of protected wildlife should be increased, including the active role of the community.

Earlier in October last year, police in Jambi province and local BKSDA officials in the Berbak National Park apprehended Marsum (45), a resident of Tanjab Timur District, and seized a tiger skin and some tiger bones from him.

Jambi Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Ahmad Haydar stated that Marsum was questioned as a witness, but it was possible that his status would be upgraded to a suspect if the investigators found any evidence of criminal activity.

Haydar pointed out that Marsum had admitted to having hunted the Sumatran tiger, using a 900-meter live electric wire to capture the rare, protected animal.

The tiger captured by Marsum was a female and was only about two years old. The perpetrator admitted that he would have sold the Sumatran tiger skin for Rp105 million, but before he could make a transaction with a buyer, he was apprehended.

Rampant poaching, coupled with the opening of massive plantation areas and forest fires, has led to a continual drop in the number of Sumatran tigers.

The Sumatran tiger is one of the last remaining tiger species in Indonesia after the Balinese and Javanese species were declared extinct, but now, its existence is under threat because its habitat has shrunk and it is being hunted for trading.

Previously, Indonesia Environment and Forestry Ministry (KLHK) officials had apprehended two men in possession of a Sumatran tiger skin in Indragiri Hulu District, Riau Province.

The two men, known by their initials AH (51) and JO (35), were carrying an intact Sumatran tiger skin, which was seized as evidence.

After a two-week coordination effort between the KLHK, Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and reconnaissance in Jambi, the officials apprehended the duo.

WWF said there was still a substantial market in Asia for tiger parts and products.

The confiscated Sumatran tiger skin was some two meters long, with no defects from head to tail, indicating that the poachers were professionals.

A South Sumatran police team early last year caught a man named Suharno, alias Reno, a trader in Lubuklinggau city, South Sumatra.

He was in possession of a tiger skin measuring 120 cm in length in a plastic bag containing preservatives and some tiger bones weighing two kilograms.

The man claimed to have received the tiger parts from a tiger hunter in Jambi.

An intact tiger skin fetches anywhere between Rp50 million and Rp100 million, depending on its size and condition.

Suharno was sentenced by the district court of Palembang to six months in jail, while he could have been given a maximum sentence of five years and fined Rp100 million, based on Law Number 5 of 1990 on Ecosystem and Conservation of Living Natural Resources.

(T.O001/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)
Editor: Heru Purwanto

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Thailand: Dugong found dead on a beach in Rassada

Kritsada Mueanhawong Phuket Gazette 26 Jan 18;

Kusoldham Phuket Foundation and Muang Phuket Police received a report from locals at noon today (January 26) about the dead body of a dugong washed up ashore on Somkiet Beach in Baan Laem Nga, Rassada sub-district.

The 1.2-meter-long dugong started to smell already and there were traces of cuts from sharp items on the head, skin and stomach with its entrails hanging out. The dugong is believed to be a baby dugong of 1-2 years that has been dead for at least one week.

The creature has been handed to the Rare Sea Animal Unit at Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) to make an autopsy.

The Chief of PMBC, Kongkiet Kittiwattanawong, said that the exact cause of death requires an autopsy. Initially, they only know that the dugong is young and could have been dislocated from its family.

“The dugong at this age usually stays with its mother. Last year, we only saw dugong eating seagrass near the PMBC and in the Thalang area. We hope to find the cause of its death.”

- Kritsada Mueanhawong

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