Half of food thrown away by Singapore households can be avoided: NEA study

Channel NewsAsia 3 Dec 17;

SINGAPORE: More than half of the food waste generated by Singapore households could have been avoided by not ordering, buying or cooking too much, a recent study found.

The amount of food waste measured in the study conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA) between November 2016 to March 2017 was equal to throwing away a 2.5kg bag of rice every week, the agency said in a news release on Sunday (Dec 3).

The study involved collecting waste from 279 households over three days and sorting it to determine the amount of "avoidable" and "unavoidable" food waste including parts of food not intended for consumption such as bones and egg shells.

A total of 443 families were also interviewed to understand their food waste management habits.

About one in four households said they had leftovers after a meal at least half the time. A quarter said they often threw away spoilt or expired food, mostly because they had bought too much food and had food hidden at the back of the fridge.

Half of them acknowledged that they could have taken steps to avoid food waste generated from leftovers after a meal, food expiring or becoming spoilt, and throwing away blemished fruits and vegetables.

More than 50 per cent of the families interviewed also suggested that supermarkets pack food items into smaller portions and for eateries to offer different dish portion sizes.

FOOD WASTE HEAVIER THAN 3,500 MRT TRAINS

Food waste accounts for about half of the waste disposed by each Singapore household every day. Rice, noodles and bread are the most commonly wasted food items, according to the study.

Food waste in Singapore has increased by about 40 per cent over the last 10 years, with the amount last year being equivalent to the weight of more than 3,500 MRT trains, NEA said.

"At the current rate of waste disposal, we will require a new waste-to-energy plant to be built every seven to 10 years and a new landfill to be built every 35 years. This is not sustainable given Singapore’s land scarcity constraints," it added.

The agency advised members of the public to buy, cook or order only what they need. Tips include making a shopping list to avoid impulse buys, asking for less rice or noodles based on one’s appetite, as well as using leftovers to cook the next meal.

They are also advised to store raw foods that are not consumed within three to four days in the refrigerator to minimise nutrition loss as well as bacteria spoilage due to Singapore's warm temperature.

"Food waste is an important issue to tackle as part of our efforts to move Singapore towards our vision of a Zero Waste Nation," said Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources at a grassroots event on Sunday.

"If everyone does their part to reduce food waste, we also save on the resources needed to produce the food, as well as to dispose of it. This in turn reduces our carbon footprint," she added.
Source: CNA/kc

More than half of food thrown away by households can be avoided: NEA study
KELLY NG Today Online 4 Dec 17;

Amount of food waste generated in Singapore has increased by about 40 per cent over last 10 years

SINGAPORE — More than half of food waste generated by Singapore households would not have been trashed if they were better managed, such as by buying and cooking the right proportions, a waste audit has found.

This amount of "avoidable" food waste generated by each household amounts to chucking a 2.5kg bag of rice each week, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Sharing these findings at a community health event for ladies at Hong Kah North Community Club on Sunday (Dec 3), Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor urged Singaporeans to avoid wasting food during the upcoming festive season by not succumbing to "impulse buys". She suggested saving leftovers for other dishes and ordering only what one can consume while eating out.

"It is a period when we tend to over indulge... This festive season, I hope everyone will adopt healthier eating habits and eat in moderation by ordering or cooking only what you need," she said.

"This will not only allow us to keep healthy but also avoid food waste and reduce expenses. At the same time, we will be doing our bit for the environment."

The NEA study on household waste showed that 54 per cent of food waste generated by households would not have been binned if people adopted a more prudent approach towards managing their food.

Twenty seven per cent of households interviewed in the study - which polled 443 families from November 2016 to March this year - said they had leftovers at least half the time.

In addition, about one in four (24 per cent) said they often threw away spoilt and expired food as a result of buying too much, or due to having food items hidden at the back of the fridge.

"Personally, I must confess that it happens to me, when I go to a supermarket... So I think it is important to raise awareness among consumers, give them tips, on how to manage food waste," said Dr Khor.

The amount of food waste generated in Singapore has increased by about 40 per cent over the last 10 years. Last year, the city state generated 791,000 tonnes of food waste - equivalent to the weight of over 3,500 MRT trains, noted the NEA.

As part of the audit, waste was collected from 279 household over three days and sorted to determine the amount of "avoidable" and "unavoidable" food waste, including parts of food not intended for consumption, like bones and egg shells, that each households throws away.

Food waste accounts for about half the waste disposed by each Singapore household daily. Staples like rice, noodles and bread are the most commonly discarded food items.

Dr Khor said that as society becomes more affluent, food choices have also increased. "People start consuming more, and that can become a habit," she said.

"Sometimes, culture (plays a part too). For instance, during festive seasons like Chinese New Year, they always say... We must always have some (food) left over."

Half of the households interviewed acknowledged, on hindsight, that they could have done more to avoid food waste in the form of leftovers, expired or spoilt food, and blemished fruits and vegetables.

Fifty four per cent of the households surveyed also said that retailers and manufacturers can help to reduce food wastage, such as by packing food in smaller portions.

The authorities will look at working with business like supermarkets and food retail outlets to reduce food waste, said Dr Khor.

On Sunday, she also announced the second National Falls Prevention Awareness Campaign, which will focus on preventing falls at home for the elderly.

Six in 10 falls among seniors occur at home, according to figures from the National Trauma Registry.

As such, this year's campaign centres on encouraging households to keep their floors clutter-free, use non-slip mats and install grab-bars to provide extra support.

"Falls are a common cause of injury and can have serious implications on health and quality of life... Together, we can make our homes safe for ourselves and our loved ones," said Dr Khor.


2.5kg of food a week wasted by each household, equal to half of all household waste: NEA study
Lim Min Zhang Straits Times 3 Dec 17;

SINGAPORE - About 2.5kg of food waste is thrown away by an average Singapore home each week, and this makes uphalf of all waste the home disposes, a National Environment Agency (NEA) study released on Sunday (Dec 3) showed.

More than half the food wasted could be avoided through people not buying, ordering or cooking excessively, with rice, noodles and bread forming the most commonly wasted food items, said the five-month study involving 443 homes.

The findings underscore the fact that the amount of food waste generated in Singapore has increased by about 40 per cent over the last 10 years, with the amount last year (2016) - 791,000 tonnes - equivalent to the weight of more than 3,500 MRT trains.

At a grassroots event at Hong Kah Community Club on Sunday, Senior Minister of State for Health, and the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor said a more affluent society and a wider range of food choices were possible reasons for this increase.

People in 443 homes took part in the household waste study from November 2016 to March 2017.

Waste samples were collected from 279 of these homes over three days a week to determine the proportion that was avoidable, versus waste not intended for human consumption, such as egg shells and bones. The other homes had interviews done.

The survey showed that 27 per cent of the homes had leftovers after a meal at least half the time, while 24 per cent often threw away spoilt or expired food, mainly because the respondentsbought too much, and they were not aware of food items hidden at the back of the fridge.

Dr Khor agreed with the agency's appeal for businesses to take on a greater role to reduce food waste.

Even if it's a little effort, do something to lead a healthier lifestyle: Amy Khor

About 54 per cent of the study's respondents also agreed, suggesting that food be packed in smaller portions at supermarkets, and having food outlets offer different food portions.

To avoid having to throw away food turned bad, Ms Gladys Wong, chief dietitian and senior manager of nutrition and dietetics at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, advised people to refrigerate most raw foods not consumed within three or four days, given Singapore's warm temperature.

"If possible, store foods whole. Cut or peel only before eating or cooking as the cut surfaces of the foods when exposed to air can result in some nutrient loss," she said.

At Singapore's current rate of waste disposal, a new waste-to-energy plant needs to be built every seven to 10 years, while a new landfill would be needed every 35 years.

This is not sustainable given Singapore's land scarcity, said the NEA statement on the study results.

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Used wine bottles get new lease of life as plates, tuna cans double as giant chess pieces at 'upcycling' market

Raffaella Nathan Charles Straits Times 2 Dec 17;

SINGAPORE - When three friends got together to drink their first bottle of wine at 18, they came up with a novel idea to preserve the moment: flatten the bottle, and "upcycle" it into pretty glassware.

A year and a half later, a successful business, Glassland, was formed to turn used glass bottles into pretty plates.

On Saturday (Dec 2), the company took up one of 30 product booths - up from 16 last year - at the third annual UP Market.

The event, held at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, was Singapore's first upcycling-themed market to encourage a zero-waste lifestyle.

Upcycling refers to the creative reuse of materials that are usually discarded.

Around 4,000 residents visited the day-long market, making their rounds through product booths from eco-friendly vendors such as Glassland.

"We have made more than 200 products, most of them customised," said Mr Lee Cheng Hei, 20, director of business development at Glassland, which now has four partners.

A lot of research went into engineering the glass-flattening process, including heating up the glass and the chemicals that went into it, said the second-year Ngee Ann Polytechnic student.

The plates, costing around $30 each, "challenge environmental sustainability concerns and encourage upcycling", said Mr Lee, who is studying business.

Another vendor, TerraSG, is a social enterprise that advocates eco-friendliness as well.

The business was set up to make "old things that people think should be thrown away into new things of even higher value than at first", said co-founder Kelvin Wong, 34.

Together with co-founder Eric Oh, 42, Mr Wong reached out to employ single mothers, the elderly and the intellectually disabled to make crafts such as fairy lights inside 1.5-litre milk bottles, coin pouches made of milk cartons, and coconut husk fibres converted into plant pots.

Mr Wong said: "We started out trying to be a ground-up initiative, calling for Singaporeans to be more green. We also knew we wanted to focus more on lifestyle products that approach environmental concerns in an appealing and sustainable way."

This message was also brought out by Mayor Denise Phua and Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

Mrs Teo, who is also Second Minister for Manpower and Home Affairs, hoped that the market could "enable more citizens to keep Singapore clean and green".

Mrs Phua reminded residents that Pulau Semakau's landfill was half full, stating that there was an "urgency to work towards a zero-waste Singapore".

The market also had workshops, game booths and six Instagram-worthy installations as well - a new concept for event organiser Central Singapore Community Development Council.

The six new installations aimed to inspire marketgoers to craft their own upcycled wares, and show cool household hacks such as using kettles as lamps, or use big plastic milk bottles as an organiser for assorted things at home, from cutlery to toys.

There were also bean bags made of T-shirts and a plant wall using plastic fizzy drink bottles.

Other than taking cute photos at the photogenic installations, families, and even senior citizens, had fun playing at the games booths. One had a giant chess board with round tuna cans as chess pieces.

Ms Thennarasi Gopalnaidu, a 24-year-old who works in the wine industry, said of the market: "It's an amazing initiative to encourage Singaporeans to be good to the earth. I do my own crafts as well, so it's pretty inspiring to see that we can craft while also staying eco-friendly."

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Malaysia: Pahang joins list of flood-hit states as Sungai Lipis bursts its banks

New Straits Times 3 Dec 17;

KUANTAN: Raub has become the first district in Pahang to be hit by floods in the current monsoon season after Sungai Lipis burst its banks following incessant heavy rain since Friday.

State Civil Defence Force director Zainal Yusoff said 47 people from two villages were evacuated to a surau in Cheroh and a community hall in Kampung Ulu Sungai in Raub overnight.

He said the first relief centre in Cheroh was opened at about 9.25pm on Saturday after two houses in Kampung Melayu Cheroh were inundated by ankle-deep water.

"As the overflowing river water continued to rise, 10 victims from two families were immediately told to vacate their homes. Later, at about 11.30pm, Kampung Ulu Sungai was hit by the river water, forcing 37 victims to be evacuated.

"Police and firemen helped us to relocate the victims, while Welfare Department staff provided assistance at the relief centres," he said.

Zainal added that although the rain has stopped in Raub, the river’s level continues to rise and remains at the danger mark.

The number of flood victims evacuated to relief centres in Raub has increased to 68 as of noon, compared to 47 earlier today.

State Civil Defence Force director Zainal Yusoff said a third relief centre was opened at the Kuala Semantan Community hall at 8am to accommodate 21 evacuees from five families.

He said yesterday, 47 people from 14 families were evacuated to a surau in Cheroh and a community hall in Kampung Ulu Sungai here after Sungai Lipis burst its banks following incessant heavy rain since Friday.

"The victims are those staying in low-lying areas along Sungai Lipis, and they were immediately evacuated to relief centres before the situation could get worse.

"Since the weather has improved and the river is now flowing downstream, we have reminded those living along the river (downstream) to be prepared to leave their homes in the event that their homes are inundated," Zainal added.

Terengganu's coastal residents told to brace for monsoonal tidal waves
ADRIAN DAVID New Straits Times 3 Dec 17;

KUALA NERUS: Coastal residents of Terengganu have been advised to be on alert for monsoonal tidal waves that are expected to lash their villages in the coming days.

Terengganu Civil Defence Force director Lt Col Che Adam Abdul Rahman said that the adverse weather currently experienced by the state is expected to continue, and he advised the public to stay away from beaches.

He called on parents to closely monitor their children’s movements during the school holidays, as many would be tempted to play at beaches.

“The tidal waves are very treacherous and can pose a danger at any time. Some of the waves from this north-easterly monsoon can reach up to 1.79 metres.

“The winds will also be very strong and can blow off roof tops,” he said.

Adam added that the tidal waves could spill over to coastal roads and cautioned motorists to be on their guard.

“On our part, we have dispatched our mobile units to patrol coastal areas, in tandem with other enforcement agencies, and will send out alerts when necessary.

“The last thing we want is to see untoward incidents involving the loss of lives,” he said after visiting Tangjung Gelam in Mengabang Telipot, which is facing coastal erosion.

The state government has directed the Drainage and Irrigation Department to take immediate action at Tanjung Gelam to prevent a catastrophe.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a Category Two warning of strong north-easterly winds of 50-60 km per hour and rough seas with waves reaching 4.5 metres off Condore, Reef North and Layang-Layang island in the South China Sea.

The department’s website stated that the situation, expected to last until Tuesday, is dangerous for all vessels, including recreational boats, fishing boats and ferries.

A Category One warning of winds of up to 40-50km per hour and waves of 3.5 metres high has been issued for Tioman, Bunguran, Reef South, Labuan (Sabah) and Palawan (the southern Philippines) during the same period.

Thunderstorms are also expected off Koh Samui in south Thailand, Condore and Reef North on Sunday night.

The affected regions cover Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Sarawak, Labuan and Sabah.

Read more!

Indonesia: Floods submerge 1,000 ha of rice fields in Kulon Progo

Antara 3 Dec 17;

Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Floods submerged 1,000 hectares of rice fields in five sub-districts in Kulon Progo District, Yogyakarta special autonomous province.

"There are 1,000 hectares of rice fields that have been flooded. The floods have begun to subside since Saturday. Panjatan sub-district is the worst hit by flooding," Sasongko, head of the agriculture office of Yogyakarta, said here, Sunday.

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X has instructed the district administration to compensate farmers who have lost their paddies if they are not covered by insurance.

The Sultan has extended the period of natural disaster emergency response status for two weeks, beginning Dec 6. Earlier, the emergency status was declared on Nov 29 until Dec 5, 2017.

Yogyakarta has declared an emergency alert status following natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and whirlwinds, that hit the region. The

The National Meteorological, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency had reported that extreme weather will continue for three days, but Yogyakarta has declared an emergency status for a week, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, the governor of Yogyakarta, stated here, Wednesday.

The decision to declare the emergency status was taken during a coordination meeting on disaster mitigation attended by officials of the Yogyakarta disaster mitigation office.

By declaring the emergency status, district and provincial authorities could use the reserve funds for disaster mitigation efforts.

The severe weather has been triggered by the Cempaka dan Dahlia tropical cyclones.

The Yogyakarta finance office has allocated Rp14 billion for disaster mitigation efforts.

According to data from Yogyakarta city`s disaster mitigation office, landslides hit nine locations and whirlwinds also affected nine locations, claiming the lives of three residents.

In Kulon Progo, 20 locations were hit by whirlwinds, 27 by landslides, and six by floods, affecting 58 people, injuring three, and leading to two others going missing.

reported by Sutarmi
(U.SYS/A/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto


Floods hit 21 villages in Tebing Tinggi, N Sumatra
Antara 3 Dec 17;

Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Floods have hit 21 villages in five sub-districts, Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra Province, since Saturday.

The flooding was triggered by incessant heavy rains in upstream areas in Simalungun District and Pematang Siantar, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said in a statement, here, Sunday.

Padang and Bahilang Rivers have spilled over their banks because of the heavy rains.

A total of 21,080 people or 5,985 families have been affected by the flooding.

The Tebing Tinggi disaster mitigation office has set up emergency tents to accommodate evacuees. Relief aid comprising rice, breads, instant noodles, and 10 thousand boxes of meals, have been distributed to flood victims.

The affected villages are among other things Pabatu, Padang Merbau, Tualang, Lubuk Raya, Lubuk Baru, and Persiakan, which are located in Padang Hulu sub-district.

In Bandar Utama sub-district, flooding hits Badak Bejuang, while in Tebing Tinggi, flood inundates Tebing Tinggi Lama.

Sri Padang, Karya Jaya, Tanjung Marulak, and Tanjung Marulak Hilir villages in Rambutan sub-district are also flooded.

In Bajenis sub-district, floods inundate Teluk Karang, Bulian, Brohol, Pinang Mancung, and Bandar Sakti. The villages of Satria and Tambangan Hulu in Padang Hilir sub-district, are also flooded.

(T.SYS/B/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto


Flood submerges 444 homes in Simalungun, N Sumatra
Antara 3 Dec 17;

Simalungun, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - A flood submerged 104 homes and affected 444 people in Serbelawan village, Simalungun District, North Sumatra Province, following incessant heavy rains.

"The flood waters came very fast, it was like a flash. We did not have time to save our belongings," Poniman, a local resident, said here, Saturday.

Reaching a height of up to three meters, the flood waters damaged several homes, places of worship, school buildings and other public facilities.

Deputy District Head of Simalungun Amran Sinaga and Head of the Simalungun Police Office Adjunct Senior Commissioner ML Pandjaitan visited the flooded areas.

Amran expressed concern over the natural disaster that hit Dolok Batu Nanggar sub-district.

The local authorities have set up emergency tents and a public kitchen and distributed relief aid that included rice.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the public to stay vigilant as several regions in Indonesia are experiencing severe weather lately.

"I call on the public to stay vigilant because the weather is very extreme," Jokowi told the media on Saturday.

Severe weather has triggered strong wind, heavy rains, and high sea waves.

The Head of State has instructed his relevant officials, particularly the personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and regional administrations, to anticipate the disaster and be ready to provide assistance to the public when needed.

"I have ordered the BNPB, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, concerned ministries, and regional administrations to be vigilant and help the public in case of any disaster. We have to anticipate the impacts of extreme weather, particularly on food production," he stated.

So far, there have been no reports on the weather`s impact on crop production; however, anticipation should be intensified.

"This is just December, there will be January," he said, referring to the peak of rainy season which falls in January and February.

reported by Waristo
(T.SYS/A/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto


Floods hit Lhokseumawe and North Aceh District
Antara 3 Dec 17;

Lhokseumawe, Aceh (ANTARA News) - Floods had hit Lhokseumawe and North Aceh District in Aceh Darussalam Province, following incessant heavy rains over the past several days.

Flooding affected four villages in Blank Mangat sub-district, Lhoksemawe. The four villages were Mane Kareung, Rayeuk Kareung, Asan Kareung and Blang Punteut, Ahmad, a local villager, said here, Saturday.

In Matang Kuli, North Aceh District, floods affected more than 10 villages, such as Hagu, Alue Thoe, Lawang, Tumpok Barat, Mee, Alue Euntok, Ceubrek Pirak, Tanjong Haji Muda, Meuria, Siren, Meunye Pirak and Pante Pirak.

The flood waters reached a height of between 60 cm and 80 cm. The worst flood-affected villages were Lawang and West Tumpok located along the bank of Keureto River.

In the current rainy season, floods and landslides have affected several provinces, such as North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Riau, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the public to stay vigilant as several regions in Indonesia are experiencing severe weather lately.

"I call on the public to stay vigilant because the weather is very extreme," Jokowi told the media on Saturday.

Severe weather has triggered strong wind, heavy rains, and high sea waves.

The Head of State has instructed his relevant officials, particularly the personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and regional administrations, to anticipate the disaster and be ready to provide assistance to the public when needed.

"I have ordered the BNPB, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, concerned ministries, and regional administrations to be vigilant and help the public in case of any disaster. We have to anticipate the impacts of extreme weather, particularly on food production," he stated.

reported by Mukhlis
(T.SYS/A/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto

Read more!

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Designing green, sustainable buildings key for Singapore’s top young architects

LOUISA TANG Today Online 1 Dec 17;

SINGAPORE — The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central, which was officially opened in 2013, boasts the world’s largest vertical greenery installation comprising seven 25-m-tall walls of plants which act as heat buffers while giving the school’s four faculties and three training blocks at Ang Mo Kio a unique identity. The green wall and roofs also help save energy by reducing the cooling load of the interiors.

The design was the brainchild of architect Lawrence Ler of RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, whose vision is to create spaces that are highly responsive to the tropical climate so that members of the public can fully enjoy and perform in the environments within the buildings.

Mr Ler is one of 20 leading local architects featured in the ‘20 under 45: The Third Edition’ exhibition and book - which was curated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), industry professionals and academics - launched on Friday (Dec 1). The first edition of the exhibition was held in 2004 to showcase the works of local architects aged 45 or below, and the second was held six years later.

“I believe that as an architect, I have the social responsibility to protect the environment we live in for our children and future generations,” said Mr Ler, 39.

“Global warming and resources depletion are real issues that we should not ignore, and every building we design can play a significant part to reduce the impact on our environment.”

In his speech delivered at the launch, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said that architects should be “innovative and strive for higher standards”. He also added that they should design for sustainability and maintainability such as green buildings that are environmentally friendly.

It is a belief shared by Mr Ho Tzu Yin, who designed the Agape Village, a social service hub at Toa Payoh. The 45-year-old from LAUD Architects said that he always tries to convince his clients of the benefits of creating a sustainable building.

“Sustainability does not always mean solar panels and other technology features,” he said. “It starts with something as basic as orientating the building to minimise west sun exposure and creating rooms that allow for proper cross ventilation.”

Director of DP Architects Seah Chee Huang, who designed Our Tampines Hub, said that green, sustainable, and inclusive design is a “vital aspect” of his work, particularly as land is scarce in Singapore.

Mr Seah, 42, added that members of the public should also be encouraged to participate in the design process of social and community spaces. For example, he and his team had engaged the wider Tampines community to help decide what Our Tampines Hub would be like.

Mr Ler, who also designed the Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge that links Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park, also cited the importance of creating features that are accessible to everyone.

Confessing that he had not expected the bridge to become so popular, he added: “I have witnessed firsthand that through inclusive design, my architecture can benefit a wide spectrum of people. There’s always a space for the elderly, young children, persons with disabilities, couples, and even, monkeys crossing the ridges.”

In his speech on Friday, Mr Wong also urged architects to get involved with game-changing projects that will positively impact Singaporeans.

“Poorly designed cities can easily become a high-rise concrete jungle that is stressful to live and work in. On the other hand, well-designed buildings, homes, neighbourhoods with greenery and public spaces can improve our well-being and happiness,” he added.

Mr Wong also announced the setting up of an exhibition space in the URA Centre, which will showcase the works of local architectural practices, especially small, medium and up-and-coming firms. Called the Archi-Model Centre, it will be completed by the third quarter of next year.

Read more!

New research works to tackle drug-resistant bacteria; boost urban farming

LOUISA TANG Today Online 1 Dec 17;

SINGAPORE — Coming on the heels of the launch of a national strategy to deal with drug-resistant bacteria, a new five-year research programme has been launched to tackle the global problem of antimicrobial resistance.

The Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (Create), which held a symposium on Friday (Dec 1) to mark its 10th anniversary, announced this and two other initiatives under its wing. The institute, set up by the National Research Foundation and located within the grounds of the National University of Singapore (NUS), houses research centres set up by Singapore and foreign universities.

The antimicrobial resistance programme, which rolls out next month, will involve 18 scientists working on seven projects. Some of the targets to achieve include making new antibodies to combat drug-resistant bacteria, viruses and parasites; creating effective tools to diagnose antimicrobial resistance; and engineering viruses that are able to kill drug-resistant bacteria.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses or parasites grow resistant to the effects of medicine that used to be able to kill them. About 35 to 50 per cent of bacterial infections in Singapore hospitals are now resistant to antibiotics.

Last month, Singapore launched its national strategic action plan to tackle the problem. The team of scientists from Create, who are from Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, will make up the research arm of the national taskforce.

Professor Peter Dedon from MIT, who co-leads the programme with Professor Peter Preiser from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), noted that research on antimicrobial resistance has mostly been focused on Western countries.

The research programme they are leading will allow them to look at how it affects the Asian population, with Singapore having the “unique geographical aspect” of being made up of several different ethnic groups.

“Singapore is a hub in South-east Asia. The latest infectious disease is just a plane flight away, so we can get clinical populations of the most drug-resistant organisms and emerging drug-resistant organisms,” Prof Dedon added.

FINDING WAYS TO GROW BETTER ‘CROPS’

Another new initiative launched by Create seeks to improve agricultural processes and produce here, as land-scarce Singapore moves towards high-density urban farming.

The Disruptive and Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision programme, formed by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, will develop two new technologies to tackle the challenge of food and nutrient production in Singapore’s urbanised environment. The project also starts next month.

One experiment will involve placing nano-sensors in the leaves of green vegetables to monitor plant molecules. This will help to find out the optimal environment for vegetables to grow, such as how much sunlight and water they should receive.

The researchers — who are from MIT, the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, NUS and NTU — will share the knowledge they glean with Singapore farmers.

Dr Azlinda Anwar, assistant director of the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory’s research and enterprise development division, said that this would help develop healthier and new varieties of plants, and increase farming productivity.

“When you do farming, you want to have leaves of a certain size. But if you try to plant them in (a) high-density (space), you will have certain trade-offs — the plants might have smaller leaves, or grow tall and thin because they need sunlight,” she explained.

The researchers will also work on developing larger optic sensors, which can be placed at strategic locations around the plants. Farmers can use these sensors to remotely monitor plant growth.

The team also has plans to collaborate with Greenphyto, a developer of an automated vertical farming system in Singapore.



CYBER-SECURITY SOLUTIONS, NEW GOVERNING BODY

A third new initiative at Create, which began in September and will run for an initial period of five years, will address issues in cyber-physical systems.

These systems integrate computating, networking, and physical processes, which involve machines and sensors connected through networks for monitoring and controlling engineering devices or systems, for example, in the physical world.

Right now, cyber-security solutions for these systems cannot ensure that the components within the systems behave as designed, the centre said.

The research team will work to make these systems more reliable and secure. The programme will also build up a group of highly trained researchers who specialise in safeguarding the security of these systems.

At the symposium on Friday, it was also announced that a new governing council for Create has been formed. This is to oversee the choice of research programmes and steer outcomes relevant for Singapore. Chaired by former head of the civil service Peter Ho, who is now chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, it will comprise presidents from overseas and Singapore universities that partner Create, and members from government and academia.

Speaking at the symposium, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, who also serves as deputy chairman of the National Research Foundation, said: “To properly address complex and messy real-world problems, we need to take an inter-disciplinary approach… (this approach) cuts across traditional academic divisions, and brings together diverse knowledge fields and perspectives.”

In total, Create has produced around 540 patent applications, 336 invention disclosures and 15 spin-off companies. About 1,100 researchers from more than 40 countries are now collaborating on projects with the institute.

Programmes that aim to tackle urban food production and antimicrobial resistance launched
Dewi Fabbri Channel NewsAsia 1 Dec 17;

SINGAPORE: Three new research programmes that aim to address global challenges were launched at the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) on Friday (Dec 1).

CREATE is an international research hub built on institutional partnerships together with seven overseas universities - the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California Berkeley, Cambridge University, ETH Zurich, Technical University of Munich, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The new programmes were announced by Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat at a symposium celebrating CREATE's 10th anniversary.

One of them, by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), aims to solve challenges related to urban food and nutrient production in Singapore.

Called Disruptive and Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision, it seeks to develop nanosensor-based detection technologies to be applied in precision agriculture.

This technology will help discover new plant biosynthetic pathways as well as optimise them for improved yields in production. The project will begin in January 2018 for an initial period of five years.

Another programme that will also begin in January 2018 is one that looks to tackle the global threat of drug-resistant microbes. This will also be formed by SMART, in partnership with Singapore’s universities and research institutions.

While working to identify new antimicrobial drug resistant mechanisms, it also looks to develop new therapeutics diagnostics and drug delivery technologies and approaches.

A programme that looks to address issues in trust and security of cyber-physical systems - which integrate computational, networking, and physical processes - was also announced by Mr Heng.

Trustworthy and Secure Cyber-Plexus, led by Professor David Nicol from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), involves a research team from SUTD and UIUC.

The programme, which commenced in September, examines the reliability and security of cyber-physical systems in existing critical infrastructure. It will run for an initial period of five years.
Source: CNA/mz

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Malaysia: NRE to introduce marine conservation law

Bernama New Straits Times 1 Dec 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment ministry (NRE) is mulling to introduce a special law in marine and coral reef ecosystem conservation.

Its minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said through the proposed legislation, stricter deterrent measures would be taken against anyone found polluting and threatening the sensitive marine ecosystems.

“With the new law in place, a more rigorous approach will be taken whereby a person caught for example, causing oil spills though he has no intention of polluting the sea, would still be held responsible and liable to prosecution,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said this in an exclusive interview with Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang here.

The Minister said the country’s waters, for instance, off the Straits of Melaka and Johor, were sensitive to pollution, and those involved with sea activities should be concerned over the matter.

Wan Junaidi said the preservation of marine ecosystems should be given high priority in view of the fact that marine wealth not only provided benefits to humans but also affected climate change and global warming.

The ministry, he said, was working with Australia on efforts to protect coral reefs and marine life. “We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia which is willing to share expertise, new technology and provide training for this purpose,” he said.

He said the ministry was also reviewing Australia’s recommendations on the use of a certain kind of snail as a natural predator to control the population of crown-of-thorns starfish which were causing significant damage to reefs in Australia.

Meanwhile, he said comprehensive planning was necessary to ensure more effective and sustainable water management in the country.

According to him, the proposed bill on sustainable water management would also ensure more organised and efficient mechanisms on the sale and transfer of water from one state to another.

In another development, Wan Junaidi said Malaysia had successfully met all the stringent criteria in applying for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) which was created to support efforts of developing countries in implementing mitigation projects in response to climate change.

GCF was set up by 194 countries who are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010, as part of the Convention’s financial mechanism.

Malaysia has pledged to cut carbon emission intensity by 40 per cent by year 2020. -- Bernama


NGO welcomes new approach in marine management
Borneo Post 5 Dec 17;

KOTA KINABALU: The recent announcement by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar of a new marine conservation law is to be strongly supported, according to marine conservation NGO Reef Check Malaysia (RCM).

This call is timely as Malaysia is facing increasing threats to its marine ecosystems. It is estimated that Malaysia has some 4,000 km2 of coral reef.

In the wake of the last mass coral bleaching event in Malaysia that devastated up to 10% of coral reefs in Malaysia, stepping up a gear in having more stringent protection is most welcome.

A similar event in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 2016 resulted in some 30% of reefs suffering coral mortality. While on a global level Malaysia has committed to reduce its carbon emission intensity to 40% by 2020, it is equally important to commit to addressing local threats. This represents an important step in building the resilience, or the ‘survivability’, of our coral reefs to withstand growing global threats.

Reef Check Malaysia’s 2016 survey data show that the average Live Coral Cover (LCC) of Malaysia stands at about 44% which is considered to be in ‘fair’ condition. However, the data also reveal that at 13% of sites surveyed, nearly one third of the reef is covered with algae, a sign of nutrient pollution from man-made sources – often poorly treated sewage.

Threats are varied – for example during 2017 tarballs were found around Pulau Tioman, and had to be removed by local volunteers. The growing tourism industry, while an important source of jobs, can also be a threat if it is not controlled. These are examples of problems that require immediate attention and more stringent legislation will certainly help.

The Minister’s call is also in line with Malaysia’s commitment to achieve the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): that by 2020, at least 10% of coastal and marine areas are effectively managed; and that by 2025 there is a significant reduction in all kinds of pollution from land based activities. This is definitely great news as we head into the year 2018 which coincides with International Year of the Reef as declared by United Nations.

It is Reef Check Malaysia’s hope that the law will include provisions that allow greater empowerment to local stakeholders, which it is hoped will in turn improve compliance and optimise enforcement efforts. RCM also hopes that the law will help to protect connected ecosystems, such as coral reefs and sea grass beds, as well as the “charismatic” species such as sharks, turtles, and whales.

This is a positive and progressive move by the Ministry and Reef Check Malaysia strongly supports it.

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Malaysia: Investigation ongoing into last week's slaughter of Bornean Banteng

OLIVIA MIWIL New Straits Times 1 Dec 17;

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department has carried out an investigation into the shocking killing last week of three endangered Bornean Banteng.

Its director Augustine Tuuga said the investigation team went to the ground to collect evidence on the case.

On Thursday, the Sabah Forestry Department disclosed that a plantation manager may be the culprit behind the poaching of one of the animals in October.

The manager was identified in a seized photograph in which he is seen posing with a Banteng carcass.

The three killings occurred in the Maliau basin, Sipitang and the Tabin conservation and forest reserve areas.

“The Maliau basin is a restricted area and not anyone can go there.

“It could (also) be that some villagers had gone into the forest… but there is no evidence of poaching or meat when we conducted checks at their houses,” he said when contacted.

So far this year, four Banteng have been killed. It is estimated that around 12 Banteng are slaughtered every year.

To date, no Banteng poacher has been prosecuted due to lack of evidence, Augustine said.

The Banteng is a “totally protected species” and there are fewer than 400 left in Sabah.

Sabah on mission to stamp out poaching
ruben sario The Star 1 Dec 17;

KOTA KINABALU: An anti-terror approach will be employed to counter the poaching of Sabah’s wildlife, with some species reaching the tipping point towards extinction.

The Sabah Forestry Department envisions a quick-response enforcement unit trained by elite British SAS personnel as well as veteran anti-poaching rangers from Africa.

Sabah chief conservator of forests Datuk Sam Mannan said a wildlife crime analyst unit is also being planned, as well as a specially trained legal team to prosecute poachers.

He said the authorities may also pay for information leading to the arrest of poachers too.

The proposed wildlife protection unit will comprise 50 armed rangers divided into 10 teams that would constantly patrol areas vulnerable to poaching activities.

“The crime analyst unit will sift through the results from intelligence gathering and camera traps to put us in a position to intercept the culprits,” Mannan added.

He said some poachers hunt for sport or illegal trade – for example, shooting elephants for their tusks or banteng for their meat.

“What is worrying is that some senior plantation employees are involved in poaching,” he said, adding that the assistant manager of a plantation was recently detained on suspicion of poaching.

He said animals like the banteng and payau (a deer species) are being killed for their meat, a lot of which ends up in the peninsula where there is high demand.

Wildlife research NGO Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director Dr Benoit Goossens said Sabah’s banteng population is only around 400 animals and the species is at the tipping point towards extinction.

“We have isolated populations in places like Sipitang, as well as central, south-eastern and north-eastern Sabah. If the killing continues, the banteng will go in the way of our Sumatran rhinos that are virtually extinct,” he added.

He said captive breeding programmes could help augment the small, isolated populations.

Wildlife experts have warned that other animals under threat include the Bornean elephants, numbering around 2,000, and the orang utan which total fewer than 10,000.

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Malaysia: 14,237 people forced from homes as Kelantan flood situation deteriorates

Bernama New Straits Times 1 Dec 17;

KOTA BARU: More people have been moved out of their homes in flood-hit Kelantan, with the number of evacuees rising to 14,237 as of 8am, compared to 13,873 at 9pm yesterday.

The Social Welfare Department’s ‘infobanjir’ app reported that all the evacuees, from 5,561 families, are being accommodated at 63 relief centres in the districts of Kota Baru, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh and Gua Musang.

Gua Musang is the latest district to be hit by floods, with 142 people from 32 families taking shelter at two relief centres which were opened last night.

Pasir Mas has the highest number of evacuees at 10,646 from 4,482 families, housed at 40 centres; followed by Tumpat with 2,266 people from 794 families at six centres.

Pasir Puteh has 828 people from 247 families at eight centres; Kota Baru, 214 people from 63 families at four centres; and Tanah Merah, 141 people from 43 families at three centres.

The infobanjir.water.gov.my portal of the Drainage and Irrigation Department reported that the level of Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, has dropped to 10.29 metres as of 8am from 10.34 metres at 8pm yesterday, but remains above the danger point of nine metres.

The level of Sungai Golok at Kuala Jambu, Tumpat, remains at 3.71 metres, above the warning level of 2.50 metres.

The ebanjir.kelantan.gov.my portal reported that rain, at times heavy, is currently falling in several areas in the state. -- BERNAMA

Over 14,000 evacuated as floods worsen in Kelantan
The Star 1 Dec 17;

KOTA BARU: More people have been moved out of their homes in flood-hit Kelantan, raising the number of evacuees to 14,237.

The of the Social Welfare Department’s "infobanjir" application reported Friday that all the evacuees were being accommodated at 63 relief centres in six districts, namely Kota Baru, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh and Gua Musang.

Gua Musang became the latest district to be hit by the floods, and has 142 people from 32 families housed at two relief centres.

Pasir Mas has the highest number of evacuees - 10,646 from 4,482 families at 40 centres, followed by Tumpat with 2,266 people from 794 families at six centres

The infobanjir.water.gov.my portal of the Drainage and Irrigation Department reported that the level of Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, had dropped to 10.29m at 8am but remained above the danger point of 9m.

The level of Sungai Golok at Kuala Jambu, Tumpat, remained at 3.71m, exceeding the warning point of 2.5m. – Bernama


Terengganu floods: 600 displaced; three rivers above warning levels
Zarina Abdullah New Straits Times 2 Dec 17;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of people forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding in the state rose overnight.

State Civil Defence Department director Lt Colonel Che Adam A Rahman said that as of 7.30am today, 600 people from 169 families are taking shelter at 12 relief centres state-wide, compared to 503 people last night.


State Civil Defence Department director Lt Colonel Che Adam A Rahman. FILE PIC
Adam said eight relief centres were opened yesterday in Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kuala Nerus when floodwaters rose following continuous heavy rain.

In Marang, 368 people from 108 families are housed at four relief centres, namely Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Payong, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Gasing, SK Marang and SK Pasir Putih.

In Kuala Terengganu, 45 people from 15 families are at Sekolah Kebangsaan Chendering.

In Kuala Nerus, 54 people from 14 families were evacuated to three relief centres, including SK Bukit Nenas and SK Bukit Guntong.

In Dungun, 47 people from 12 families are at the Paka Civic Centre.

In Setiu, two relief centres are accommodating 65 people from 14 families.

In Besut, 21 victims from six families are at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tembila.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, three rivers in Marang and Setiu are above their warning levels this morning.

Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap, Setiu, is at 21.44 metres (its warning level is 20.75m); while the reading at Sungai Chalok at the Chalok Bridge in Setiu is at 8.34 metres (its warning level is 7.70m).

Sungai Marang at the Pengkalan Berangan bridge is at 2.31 metres (0.01 metre above the warning level).

Flood situation in Terengganu worsens
Zarina Abdullah New Straits Times 1 Dec 17;

KUALA TERENGGANU: Flood situation in the state worsened as four more relief centres were opened in Kuala Nerus and Marang this evening compared to two in Besut and Setiu this morning.

The number of victims also increased, with 211 victims at six relief centres.

State Welfare Deartment portal has stated that a relief centre in Setiu was closed today as the flood water improved.

The portal said as of 7.30 pm today, 14 people from 4 families were seeking shelter at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Nenas in Kuala Nerus.

In Marang, four relief centres namely SK Seri Payong, SK Marang, SK Pasir Putih and SK Bukit Gasing were opened this evening to cater for 175 people from 51 families who were evacuated from their houses.

In Besut, 21 people from seven families stayed at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tembila when their houses were inundated by flood water between 0.5m and 1 metre.


Number of flood evacuees in Perak increases to 1,000
chan li leen The Star 1 Dec 17;

IPOH: The number of flood evacuees in Perak has risen to 1,000 as of 7pm on Friday.

State Malaysian Civil Defence Department (APM) director Kolonel Mohd Noor Hassan Ashari Sulaiman said there were 232 affected families currently seeking shelter at six flood relief centres in the Manjung district and one centre each in the Muallim and Larut, Matang and Selama districts.

He added that the Manjung district remained the hardest hit, with a total of 963 victims.

In Segari, a 17km-long stretch of road between Batu 3 and Batu 10 has been closed to all traffic due to serious soil erosion after continuous rain since Wednesday (Nov 29).

Floods in Manjung, Perak the worst in years, say locals
The Star 1 Dec 17;

BERUAS: The floods which struck several villages in the Manjung district here have been described by locals as the worst in recent history.

Faizal Mohd Radzi, 32, whose family had to be evacuated from their house in Kampung Semangat, Segari, near here, said this was the worst he had experienced since moving to the village five years ago.

"I was shocked to see that floodwaters had reached up to chest level, and I had to carry my eight-year-old nephew to the relief centre.

"We did not expect the floods to be this bad. I pity my nephew who had come to the village to enjoy his school holidays and had to endure the floods instead," he said when met by reporters at a flood relief centre at the Barisan Nasional Back Bencher's Club Hall in Batu 4, Segari.

Another resident, Muhamad Khairul Azmi, 21, who works as a security guard at a school, said he had to return home from work to help his family after their house was flooded.

He said the situation was worsened during heavy rain as muddy water flowed down from a hill into his house. – Bernama

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'Zero tolerance' plan eyed for plastic pollution

Roger Harrabin BBC 1 Dec 17;

A plan for zero tolerance of plastic pollution of the oceans may be agreed by nations at a UN environment summit.

Governments are being asked to move towards a legal treaty banning plastic waste from entering the sea.

At the moment ships are prohibited from dumping plastic overboard but there's no international law against plastics flooding into the sea from the land.

Experts say ocean plastics are an obvious subject for a global treaty: plastics present a large-scale threat.

Plastic pollution doesn't recognise international borders.

Delegates in Nairobi preparing the way for the UN's environment ministers meeting next week are said to be in broad agreement on the need for tougher action to combat the plastics crisis.

They are setting up a working party to explore options for global action to tackle plastic waste and microplastics.

The US has volunteered to take part, but is traditionally resistant to agreeing any international laws.

Mirror, mirror

One idea is to mirror the model of the Paris climate agreement.

In that deal, the framework of reporting emissions cuts and agreeing long-term goals is legally binding - but the national actions themselves are voluntarily determined.

Environmentalists say getting better information on how much plastic is flowing into the sea from what sources would be a major step.

The UN has already committed to substantial reduction of plastic waste by 2025 but a resolution led by Norway says the long-term aim must be for zero plastic waste.

It also wants to clean up of existing plastic from beaches. It says this is better value for money and better for the environment than some of the large-scale clean-up experiments currently in the mid Pacific - which it fears may harm wildlife.

Cleaning up beach plastic is especially important, it says, because abrasion breaks down large plastics into very harmful microplastics.

Norway also favours attempts to clear up "ghost" fishing gear discarded in the seas.

The conference will also hear that stronger leadership and co-ordination is needed - either from a strengthened UN Environment Programme, or perhaps even a new UN plastics agency.

Cautious progress?

Norway wants governments to compile an assessment of exactly how much waste plastic is getting into the sea from their territory. It admits this won't be easy.

A source close to the talks told BBC News: "There are many questions to be solved. Should there be a legally binding instrument prohibiting plastic from the land?

"If not, what other sort of overarching action should there be? We are grappling with this huge issue in its early stages."

China - the world's biggest plastics polluter - is said to be cautious about being bound by global rules.

Other big polluters like India and Indonesia are said to be generally supportive about the resolutions.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently applauded the clean-up of plastic from a beach in Mumbai, saying: "It is our duty to protect the environment for our future generations."

Eirik Lindebjerg from WWF said the Nairobi meeting could prove a turning point in the plastics crisis. He told BBC News: "The treaties on climate change and biodiversity were initiated in this forum - so it has a track record of making things happen.

"Plastics is one of those issues that clearly needs global agreement with maybe eight million tonnes ending up in the ocean.

"Plastic flows are huge and damaging; they flow across borders. We absolutely have to stop allowing plastics into the ocean - and this meeting looks like it could prove a very important start."

The meeting will also discuss pollution of the air and water. A global ban on lead in paints may be approved.

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Vietnam lacks climate change adaption funds

VietNamNet Bridge 1 Dec 17;

Vietnam needs US$140billion to $179 billion in the next 20 years for climate change reduction and adaptation, as well as technology.

However, the current budget can meet only some 5 per cent of the estimated demand, Nguyen Ngoc Hung, deputy head of People’s Aid Coordination Committee under the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Association told the Dai Doan Ket (Great Unity) newspaper.

In a recent workshop on mobilising sources to adapt to climate change in An Giang Province, environmental experts said that Vietnam needs some $30 billion to reach the target of reducing greenhouse gas by 2020. The budget to realise this target accounts for 0.1 per cent of GDP.

Out of more than $3.3 billion assistance given by non-governmental organisations to Vietnam between 2001 and 2016, only $2.5 million, equivalent to 7.4 per cent, was for natural resources and the environment sector.

In the first six months of this year, Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region was in need of some $10.2 million for climate change adaptation and rising sea water level.

Associate Professor, Le Anh Tuan, from Can Tho University, said that while waiting for investment sources for climate change adaptation work for the Mekong Delta region (the region hit the hardest by climate change in Vietnam), localities must play an active role to implement climate change adaption works by themselves.

Tra Vinh Province, for example, has built a climate change adaptation capacity, with the engagement of community and agriculture-rural development agencies. They have invested in sustainable agricultural livelihood through financial tools and equipment and the study of community-based development in the sector.

This month, Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, signed a resolution to sustainably develop the Mekong Delta as part of an effort to cope with climate change. The resolution also highlights the necessity of the Mekong Delta to create sustainable and prosperous development on the foundation of actively adapting and mobilising its strength and potential and transforming challenges into opportunities for development.

The Mekong Delta region, home to 19 per cent of the country’s population, has contributed to half of the rice production of the country, 65 per cent of aquaculture and 70 per cent of fruit production. Due to impacts of climate change, saline intrusion and landslides have been major threats to local agriculture.

According to a survey conducted by Aid for Social Protection Programme Foundation in Vietnam (AFV) in August and September this year in three districts of An Giang, Soc Trang and Tra Vinh provinces in the Mekong Delta region, nearly 13 per cent of households have totally lost their land or been forced to abandon their land or water surface due to climate change.

The cost to revive the soil for production is VND19.16 million ($830) per household, per year.

Surprisingly, more than 50 per cent of the households affected by climate change have never heard of or heard of but have no idea about the phrase, “climate change.” More than 32 per cent of climate change-affected households are not concerned about climate change.

For these reasons, experts said it is necessary to change the mindset of the community towards climate change in the Mekong Delta region. It is also necessary to share climate change information among sectors and mobilise sources from international non-governmental organisations, cooperation development agencies and social organisations.

Pham Van Tan, deputy head of the climate change department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the agricultural production structure in the region should be built on three key sectors: aquaculture-fruit trees-rice attached with micro eco areas. Besides agriculture, the processing industry and the supporting industry must also be given attention.
Source: VNS

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