Hybrid cars zooming ahead in Singapore, fuelled by rebates

Christopher Tan Straits Times 7 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - Close to one-fifth of Singapore's taxi fleet is made up of petrol-electric hybrid models - up from zero just 10 years ago - and experts say the trend has a positive, if small, impact on air quality.

According to Land Transport Authority statistics, there were close to 4,000 hybrid taxis on the road as at the end of November last year, making up about 17 per cent of the cab population. In 2008, there was not a single hybrid taxi here.

Petrol-electric hybrids, which are powered by a petrol engine paired with one or more electric motors, have grown in popularity with the general motoring public, too.

There are now around 20,000 hybrid passenger cars here, making up more than 3 per cent of the population - four times what it was in 2012.

An emissions-based taxation scheme has fuelled the trend because it accorded for up to $30,000 and $45,000 in rebates for hybrid cars and taxis, respectively.

The same scheme has made diesel passenger cars more popular. The cohort has grown by more than twentyfold since 2012 to reach nearly 15,000 units as at last November, or 2.5 per cent of the population.

Since taxis clock more than three times the mileage of an average passenger car, observers reckon the migration from diesel to hybrid would contribute to cleaner air.

Asian Clean Fuels Association director Clarence Woo said: "This is definitely good news. The World Health Organisation has classified particulate matter - which diesel engines produce more of - as carcinogenic. And diesel emissions on the whole are also carcinogenic. So, here, we are really killing two birds with one stone."

Diesel proponents have pointed out that diesel engines produce less carbon dioxide. And that they produce more torque, making diesel vehicles more driveable in the city.

Mr Woo, however, said hybrids are just as efficient, adding that petrol engines have also improved in the power department.

Mr Neo Nam Heng, chairman of diversified motor group Prime, said almost all his taxis are now hybrid.

Prime Taxi, which has around 700 cabs, was the first to roll out hybrid models back in 2009. Mr Neo said: "A diesel Hyundai Sonata averages around 8 cents per km. A Toyota Prius (hybrid) matches that.

"The other thing is, taxi drivers can go to any of the 100-plus petrol stations to fill up. They don't need to drive all the way back to their own depots to buy diesel. Again, this saves time and fuel."

Hybrid opponents point to the cost of battery replacement as a deterrent. Authorised Toyota dealer Borneo Motors charges $5,200 to replace a Prius hybrid battery.

Mr Neo said: "We bring in our batteries. And we supply to others, at $2,200 each.

"And don't forget, a hybrid taxi is not liable for annual diesel tax."

The tax was $5,100 a year, reduced to $4,250 from last February.

The popularity of hybrids may wane from this year, though.

This is because the stricter Vehicular Emissions Scheme accords smaller rebates for such vehicles.

For instance, the Toyota Prius now falls in the Neutral band, attracting no rebate - down from a rebate of $30,000. The scheme is also likely to make it more punitive to buy a diesel car.

Singapore University of Social Sciences transport researcher Walter Theseira said: "Diesel used to be the preferred choice for high-intensity light vehicle use because of superior fuel economy and durability.

"But now scientific evidence suggests the pollution gap between diesel and petrol is large and may not narrow much in the real world.

"Hybrids which offer superior fuel economy fill the gap. Their durability has also been proven in fleet use across the world."

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Energy security also requires electricity to be affordable

Recent news and commentary over the past few months on energy security have focused on the diversification of energy resources but there are other important factors to consider, says an expert from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Chang Youngho Channel NewsAsia 8 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE: Along with sustainability, energy security is another household term which anyone can say something about.

In news reports and commentary, energy security typically refers to the availability of energy resources.

The inaugural Singapore-International Energy Agency Forum held on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week last October presented an increasing concern on energy security in the ASEAN as one of four insights.

The forum identified a surge in importing energy resources and costs due to a lack of availability of energy resources in the region as a key challenge, a combined effect of decreasing domestic supply of and increasing demand for energy resources.

In a similar vein, a recent commentary by KPMG on Channel NewsAsia interpreted energy security as increasing energy supply by utilising solar photovoltaic technologies and building up access to liquefied natural gas.

Diversification of energy resources and supply sources make up a frequently cited definition in the discussion of energy security.

But the discipline of economics defines energy security as “an adequate and reliable supply of energy resources at a reasonable price”.

It seems energy security has many connected dimensions and failing in any one criteria suggests our energy security may be at threat.

AFFORDABILITY

Narrowly defining energy security as national access to energy resources might assure us that Singapore has the means to import or grow its own sources of energy on the surface.

Sufficient wealth to import energy resources like natural gas, petroleum, crude oil and coal for a resource-scarce country like Singapore is indeed a critical prerequisite.

But there are other conditions that must be fulfilled in the translation pathway to ensuring Singapore can confidently and sustainably harness energy to grow our economy and power Singaporeans’ day-to-day electricity needs.

Recent news that electricity tariffs will increase by an average of 6.3 per cent or 1.26 cents per kWh from Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2018 compared with the previous quarter illustrates the importance of ensuring affordability to households and businesses, even as energy sources are readily available at a national level.

SP Group attributed the increase to "the higher cost of natural gas for electricity generation, which increased by 14 per cent compared to the previous quarter".

If the fuel to power our economy gets more expensive, it may dampen economic growth and increase our cost of living. In such a scenario, it is hard to argue that we have energy security.

COSTS OF DELIVERING ENERGY

Affordability aside, even if we have reserves of energy resources on Singapore soil, we must also have the proven technologies to harness and deliver energy to the end-user.

About ten years ago, the discovery of large reserves of shale rock formations in the US spurred excitement about the prospects in achieving the country’s goal of energy self-sufficiency. But the boom in shale was only realised after the wider adoption of fracking that allowed for the extraction of deeply buried shale reserves.

China in comparison, hasn’t been able to afford the expensive fracking technology to exploit its shale reserves and continues to rely on energy imports. Today, it remains the world’s largest net importer of petroleum and is currently the largest foreign buyer of US oil.

These two examples illustrate an important question: Recent advancements in the field of energy has allowed countries to harness previously unknown and untapped sources of energy but are countries like Singapore applying these technologies widely enough?

I would argue that it was only when Singapore recently moved to proliferate solar photovoltaic cells and testbeds that we can truly say we are one step closer to leveraging solar energy and ensuring our energy security.

Funding by the Government for urban solutions and sustainability through energy research and develop under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 plan may also provide a much needed boost.

POLITICISATION

One factor we have taken for granted in Singapore is public trust and acceptance in the way our energy needs are being met.

The story elsewhere can be different, especially in countries where debates on nuclear plants and “dirty coal” make energy security a politically charged issue.

Despite many years since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, many Japanese citizens have lost faith in nuclear safety regulation and a majority favours phasing out nuclear power. Pressing energy needs combined with fresh impetus to meet Paris Agreement obligations have put additional pressure to double down on efforts to rev up otherwise idle nuclear reactors.

In Europe, although coal can generate greater energy compared to oil and natural gas, many countries shun coal given its negative environmental impact, a charge led by strong climate change lobby groups.

Closer to home, in some larger Southeast Asia countries, the need to build extensive distribution networks across the country to deliver natural gas has led to the Myanmar government taking back large tracts of land.

Similarly, recent years have seen the Laos government clearing land near the Mekong to build dams for hydropower.

Both exercises have encountered resistance from affected residents in the area.

As Singapore matures into a developed country, who is to say that Singaporeans will not become more environmentally conscious? A party to the Paris Agreement, Singapore may be more keenly aware of our carbon footprint, which may see some Singaporeans demanding for clean energy.

And in a small country, where the built-up environment is dense, will residents accept living near the next power plant?

BETTER MEASURE OF ENERGY SECURITY

It seems we need a better, more comprehensive set of measures if we are to more credibly ascertain Singapore’s energy security.

Apart from availability of resources, we must also consider whether we have suitable technologies that can extract and deliver electricity in a manner that is cost- and carbon-efficient to households and businesses.

Singapore should therefore work on developing applicable energy technologies and making energy resources more affordable to households and business, even as it strives to increase our national access to energy resources.

Dr Chang Youngho is a senior lecturer at the School of Business at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Source: CNA/sl

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Malaysia: Sabah still trying to get Indonesia's help on rhino breeding programme

AVILA GERALDINE New Straits Times 7 Jan 18;

KOTA KINABALU: Talks are underway to get the Indonesian government on board in initiating a breeding programme for rhinoceros to ensure their survival, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said today.

He said the state government has been working on the matter for some time but so far, both parties have yet to come to an agreement.

“We (state government) have always been talking to them (Indonesian government). I think what is needed actually is to get things done. But so far, we have not succeeded.

“There are matters that needed to be considered, which we probably have not met but suffice to say talks are always ongoing,” he said when met at the opening of Camaca Gelato Concept Café here, today.

Sabah is currently facing extinction of Sumatran rhinoceros species with only two known individuals – a female nicknamed Iman and male nicknamed Kertam - currently surviving at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu.

In Dec last year, Iman, the country’s last female Sumatran rhinoceros, was diagnosed with tumour in her uterus.

Although, Iman’s condition was improving on Dec 25, the rhino still suffers from vaginal discharge.

“There have been a lot of suggestion and theories to treat Iman but none succeeded. We have got in touch with some of the best experts in the treatment of rhino but sad to say we have yet to find cure.

“Iman is the only female left and to me, that is even more difficult. We have to think twice before engaging treatments, which have not been proven yet,” said Masidi.

Iman was the last wild rhino found in Malaysia. She was captured in Danum Valley and transported to Tabin Wildlife in Lahad Datu in March 2014.

Despite being diagnosed with severe fibroids in the uterus, she still produced eggs for the in-vitro fertilisation attempts.

The country lost another female rhino, Puntung, last year. Puntung was euthanised on June 4 after suffering three months from skin cancer.

Meanwhile, on the effort to upgrade pangolin status to a totally protected species, Masidi said works on the legal aspect are still ongoing.

“For me, I want it to be done immediately but Sabah Wildlife Department needs some time to prepare the necessary laws and whatever required for the proposal to upgrade (pangolin status),” he said.

Currently, pangolin is protected under Part 1 Schedule 2 of Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment, which allows hunting with permits.

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Indonesia: 'World's ugliest pig' spotted in Indonesia

Agence France-Presse Jakarta Post 7 Jan 18;

Rare images of the "world's ugliest pig" have been captured in Indonesia, researchers said Friday, offering a window into a little-known species believed to be on the brink of extinction.

The number of endangered Javan warty pigs -- males are distinguished by large warts on their faces -- has plunged since the early 1980s due to hunting and forest habitat loss, according to the UK-based Chester Zoo.

British and Indonesian researchers laid camera traps in the forests of the Southeast Asian nation's Java island in the hopes of capturing images of the elusive creature.

Their goal was to get a clearer sense of population levels and find ways to boost conservation of a "highly threatened species".

"It was even feared that many, if not all, populations had become extinct until their existence was confirmed by the zoo's cameras," the zoo said as it released the images.

The research "could eventually be used to establish new protection laws for the species as, currently, they are not protected by Indonesian law", it added.

The pigs -- which are only found on Java -- are similar in size to European wild boars but are more slender and have longer heads, the zoo said.

"Males have three pairs of enormous warts on their faces," said Johanna Rode-Margono, Chester Zoo's Southeast Asia field program coordinator.

"It is these characteristics that have led to them being affectionately labelled as 'the world's ugliest pig' but, certainly to us and our researchers, they are rather beautiful and impressive."

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Indonesia: Rare Rafflesia Gadutensis completely blooms in Bengkulu

Antara 8 Jan 18;

Bengkulu (ANTARA News) - An endemic Rafflesia gadutensis flower has completely bloomed at Boven Lais conservation forest in North Bengkulu district, Bengkulu province, an environmentalist said here on Sunday.

"The flower is still blossoming perfectly since Saturday (Jan 6), and the view is breathtaking," Riki Septian, the coordinator of Bengkulu Utara Care for Rare Blooms Community (KPPL) said.

After the ranger found the blooming flower, local tourists have packed the conservation zone since Saturday.

Most of the tourists were seen taking pictures with the rare Rafflesia gadutensis, which has been dubbed as the largest flower in the world.

Septian said, for the tourists who want to see the Rafflesia flower, they have to be assisted by the rangers during the trekking, and viewing activities.

The rangers, he explained, need to guide the tourists, because the flower which was found near the Palak Siring Kemumu waterfall is situated within the conservation area.

Therefore, the ranger needs to ensure any visits made by the local would cause no harm to the flower and its habitat, Septian remarked.

"All visitors should be guided by the rangers, in order to ensure that the flower`s young buds would continue to flourish normally," he stressed.

In order to see the rare blooming "corpse" flower, people need to take five-minutes trekking, by following the concrete stairs in the conservation forest.

After stepping the stairs, the visitors need to take the left side, in order to see the protected flower.

"People are still able to enjoy seeing the rare blooming flower for the next three days," he noted.

Apart from Rafflesia gadutensis, the Boven Lais conservation forest is a home for other Rafflesia species, such as Rafflesia arnoldii and Rafflesia kemumu, the new endemic bloom found in Bengkulu.

First discovered by W. Meijer in Ulu Gadut, West Sumatra in 1984, the Rafflesia gadutensis is distinct to other species, because of its special "white-dots" pattern and the smaller petal size for only 40-60 centimeter in diameter, while the average Rafflesia would extend to some 100 cm in diameter.

As a jungle parasite, the Rafflesia flower has no trunks, roots, or leaves.

Apart from its gigantic size, the bloom also gains popularity worldwide due to its strong "corpse" odor.

Reported by Helti Marini Sipayung
(Uu. KR-GNT/a014)
Editor: Heru Purwanto

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Singaporean environmentalist clinches Nat Geo grant to study dog disease in Nepal

LOW YOUJIN Today Online 7 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE — A Singaporean environmentalist and freelance photojournalist has received a US$10,000 (S$13,269) National Geographic Explorer grant, which will allow her to research on a deadly and highly contagious disease affecting dogs in the Himalayas.

Ms Debby Ng, 35, will be heading to Nepal from May to June to study whether domestic dogs in Nepal Himalaya, a large number of which are free-roaming, have been exposed to the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).

The CDV is a viral disease that affects a wide variety of animal families, including domesticated and wild animals.

Ms Ng was given the grant in late-September last year but she only shared the news on her Facebook page on Monday (Jan 1). “I wanted to make sure it was all real,” she wrote in the Facebook post. Over the past months, she has been busy preparing and assembling a team for her study.

While she will only have two months in spring to complete her research, she said: “Field work is all about working with the time Nature gives you!”

Speaking to TODAY, Ms Ng said a veterinarian will be accompanying her, alongside two or three research assistants to help with interviewing locals and collecting blood samples from dogs.

A recent graduate from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Science (Zoology and Geography), Ms Ng will be using the findings from her study to pursue her Honours.

Ms Ng is no stranger to the mountainous region or the dogs that inhabit the area either. She is also the co-founder of the Himalayan Mutt Project, a non-profit organisation that helps vaccinate and neuter domestic dogs in impoverished villages in Nepal.

Explaining the significance of the study, Ms Ng said that such free-roaming dogs have been recognised by wildlife researchers as a “source of infection for several disease outbreaks affecting wild carnivores, in all continents except Antarctica” since they have a higher tendency to interact with wildlife and pass diseases on.

It is currently unknown what diseases wild animals carry, some of them can spill over into domestic dogs, and then into the livestock that they mingle with, and then people. Photo: Bikash Gürung

In 1994, dogs infected with CDV were responsible for wiping out close to 30 per cent of the lion population in the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania.

Humans are not spared from the impact of the virus. It can be passed to livestock, which would in turn affect communities dependent on them through loss of income when their livestock die from the virus.

Ms Ng said the grant would cover all the field and laboratory costs for the intended duration of the study. “Utilised wisely and efficiently, it can profoundly improve our understanding of how diseases are transmitted across a landscape,” she said.

When asked why she chose to focus her work in Nepal, she said: “I have a passion for working with communities who want to protect their environment. The communities I work with...are very eager to resolve the problem with dogs.”

She added: “(Nepal) is a global tourist destination, and brings joy and even meaning to life for many people...This is a precious landscape to us all, but most importantly to the people of Nepal.”

Turning her attention to Singapore, she said she welcomed the recent announcement by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore on a nationwide sterilisation effort. “There was a soft sigh (of relief) in my heart. It is a wonderful breakthrough,” she said.

Having carried out sterilisation of dogs in Nepal for more than three years, she noted that over there, “healthy but unwanted dogs are hung, drowned, shot, and poisoned”.

Even if culled humanely with drugs, routine mass euthanasia is a heavy economic burden on society. “The cost of one euthanasia dose can neuter two dogs,” she said. “The alternative to not killing them is turning them to a life on the streets or wilderness areas where they get into fights with other dogs.”


CLARIFICATION: In an earlier version of this story, we reported that Ms Debby Ng is a recent Honours graduate from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Science (Zoology and Geography). Ms Ng has clarified that she is a recent graduate from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Science (Zoology and Geography), and will be using the findings from her study to pursue her Honours.


Singaporean wins US$10,000 grant from National Geographic to study dog disease in Nepal
Jose Hong Straits Times 6 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - Freelance photojournalist Debby Ng has won a US$10,000 (S$13,300) grant from The National Geographic Society to save wildlife in Nepal, by studying dogs there.

The grant adds to the anti-rabies work she began there in 2014.

Ms Ng, 35, told The Straits Times that the National Geographic Society Early Career Grant will allow her to research canine distemper virus in the Himalayas.

The virus is a deadly and highly contagious disease that threatens dogs and the fragile ecosystems there.

Many dogs in the region are not feral and are taken care of by local villagers. However, they roam freely across the countryside and can introduce diseases to people, other canines, and wild animals.

"Dogs have been identified as a source of canine distemper virus outbreaks that have affected wild carnivores around the world. These include wild foxes, wolves, giant pandas and red pandas. In 1994 canine distemper virus killed 30 per cent of the lions in Serengeti National Park," said Ms Ng.

"Learning how the dogs are moving in the environment and what diseases they are carrying can help us understand the likelihood of disease, and allow us to implement conservation measures to protect wildlife, people, and other domestic animals like sheep."

The grant, which was awarded last September, will pay for a month of field work in Nepal's Upper Manang District, where she and her team will interview villagers about dogs in the area from this May. They will also observe how the canines live and collect blood samples.

"Upper Manang is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Carnivores like Himalayan wolves, Pallas' cat, jackals, red foxes, snow leopards, bears and wolverines are known to occur here, so our study is very relevant in this area," said Ms Ng.

Separately, she will continue the Himalayan Mutt Project, her anti-rabies work that neuters and vaccinates dogs in Nepal. According to her calculations, it has prevented thousands of unwanted puppies from being born and becoming carriers of rabies, which a 2015 study said kills up to 100 Nepalese yearly.

National Geographic's Jill Spear said: "Debby's project will add to our body of knowledge on disease ecology of domestic dogs, and how that affects wildlife in Nepal."

Ms Spear, who is the programme officer for Ms Ng's grant, said: "By filling this knowledge gap, the project can have a positive impact on both the wildlife and people in Nepal."

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Turtle found in Yishun with fish hook in its mouth, dies from wound

Lydia Lam Straits Times 6 Jan 17;

SINGAPORE - A turtle that was found in Yishun with a fish hook in its mouth was taken to the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) to be treated, but it died that same day.

Acres highlighted the incident, which happened on Dec 22, in a Facebook post on Friday (Jan 5).

Acres deputy chief executive Anbarasi Boopal told The Straits Times on Saturday that a passer-by had found the turtle in Yishun Avenue 1 in the wee hours of Dec 22.

"The call came in at 2am. The caller said there was a nail sticking out of its mouth, and we realised it was a fish hook. It was taken to Acres and our vet removed the hook, however, the turtle died that same evening," she said.

The turtle was an Asiatic soft-shelled turtle, native to Singapore. They live in freshwater streams, rivers or in reservoirs. However, it is unclear where this particular turtle came from.

"There are a few possibilities. It could be a native turtle from nearby Seletar Reservoir, or it could have been a released or abandoned turtle," said Ms Boopal. "People think they are doing good by releasing them into the sea or a water body, but they might die as they are just suddenly left in an unfamiliar environment."

Ms Boopal said the animal rescue group "increasingly sees a lot of wildlife affected by fish hooks, like monitor lizards, snakes and a lot of turtles".

"We have rescued quite a few red-eared terrapins with fish hooks in their mouths, even box turtles," she said.

She advised members of the public who come across wounded turtles or animals to call Acres at its hotline 9783-7782.

Callers should provide photos if possible and seek advice on what further actions to take. Some turtles may bite, particularly if in pain.

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Malaysia: Conservation is a race against time

KRISTY INUS New Straits Times 7 Jan 18;

THE threat of extinction is real for a few wildlife species in Sabah, and despite counter measures taken, challenges remain.

Poachers continue to hunt the rare animals. Their parts are illegally traded. Exotic dishes are still on menus. Their parts are still used in potions. And human-wildlife conflicts continue.

The survival of a species hinges on scientific intervention, policies, law enforcement, funds and compassion, but there are not enough of those, and time is of the essence.

The Sabah Wildlife Department revealed that the Sumatran rhino, tembadau (or banteng), Bornean pygmy elephant, clouded leopard, sun bear and pangolin are among the most threatened species.

Other vulnerable species include the orangutan, proboscis monkey, slow loris, hornbill and turtles.

Experts are racing to secure whatever hope there is left to ensure the survival of many species.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said the department had embarked on a three-year advanced reproductive technology project since 2016, focusing on a few species.

A sum of RM11.9 million has been allocated by the Federal Government to train veterinarians and those involved in handling wildlife, such as rangers or caretakers in the fertilisation process, and to obtain equipment and laboratories.

“The project is not limited to Sabah. The state government will work with other facility and experts in the peninsula should we need them,” Augustine said.

He said advances in animal cell and molecular biology would prove crucial to what his team was doing now.

He said last year, the department brought 10 cases on wildlife offences to court, including charges against people caught with tortoises, sun bear parts, pangolins, turtles and turtle eggs.

Enforcement has been intensified, with more roadblocks, intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation as well as monitoring social media, where the department has detected the illegal sale of animal parts and promotion of exotic dishes.

Another boost to conservation efforts expected this year is the gazetting of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1997 to upgrade the status of pangolins to that of a totally protected species.

Augustine said the department would continue to engage with stakeholders, such as local communities and plantation operators near wildlife habitats.

He said there had been successes in such cooperation, particularly in containing the threat faced by animals and in translocation.

“Reducing human-wildlife conflicts can be costly.”

Translocating elephants can cost up to RM30,000 per operation.

“We also have a limited workforce. But we make do where we can and work with other agencies, such as police, Forestry Department and honorary wildlife wardens, to safeguard the animals in vast areas,” Augustine said.

Honorary wildlife wardens are members of the public, usually from the local community, who are appointed to keep watch over animals near them.

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Best of our wild blogs: 6 Jan 18

7 Jan: Registration opens for Sisters Islands Intertidal walks in Feb 2018
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Volunteers needed for Jan 2018 marine litter survey
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First-of-its-kind climate change study to form national framework for coastal protection measures

Audrey Tan Straits Times 5 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - Due to its position on the Equator, the Republic may be spared tropical cyclones that last year wreaked havoc in the northern hemisphere. However, the island-state is vulnerable to another effect of climate change: rising sea levels, which cause coastal floods and erosion.

Singapore is taking steps to strengthen the country's resilience against this.

An ongoing, first-of-its-kind study commissioned by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will form the national framework for coastal protection measures.

The authority did not provide details on what measures are being looked at under the study, but Singapore has already adopted various strategies to cope with coastal erosion and flooding as sea levels rise.

This includes raising minimum land reclamation levels from 3m to 4 m above mean sea level, and the installation of hard walls or stone embankments on at least 70 per cent of Singapore's coastal areas. The remaining coastal areas include sandy beaches, which can be used for recreation, and mangroves, which are natural buffers against erosion. These will be left as natural coastline for now, said the BCA.

On the need for the coastal adaptation study, a BCA spokesman said climate science is constantly evolving, and projections for sea level rise may change.

"Given this uncertainty, our national framework for coastal protection needs to be flexible and dynamic to be able to accommodate both future needs and the latest science," he said.

According to projections from Singapore's Second National Climate Change Study released in 2015, the mean sea level is estimated to rise by up to about 1m by 2100.

BCA's coastal adaptation study, undertaken by Surbana International Consultants and DHI Water and Environment, started in October 2013 and was initially slated to be completed by the end of last year.

The end date has since been pushed back to the second half of this year. The reason, the BCA spokesman told The Straits Times, is that more time is needed to consider fresh input and to engage stakeholders, so coastal protection strategies will complement development plans.

Mr Chong Kee Sen, immediate past president of The Institution of Engineers, Singapore, said a coastal adaptation study would likely include the identification of areas that are more prone to flooding from rising sea water levels.

"Such studies would then allow urban architects, engineers and designers to consider various options for existing infrastructure to mitigate the impact of rising sea water levels and allow them to plan ahead in anticipation of rising sea water levels," he said.

This includes the installation of hard protective dykes to keep sea water away, or planning to build critical infrastructure away from areas that have high potential or is susceptible to flooding, he added.

The coastal adaptation study is just one of the studies being done to help Singapore better prepare for climate change.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli told ST that agencies under the Resilience Working Group - an inter-agency effort which studies Singapore's vulnerability to the effects of climate change - have undertaken studies to better understand the impacts of climate change on their respective areas of work and potential measures that could be implemented.

This includes national water agency PUB's feasibility study on an underground drainage and reservoir system, and the National Environment Agency's trial on Wolbachia technology that aims to reduce the number of dengue-transmitting Aedes mosquitos.

Said Mr Masagos: "These findings would help to guide our long-term plans for Singapore to adapt to future environmental changes. Given that climate science is constantly evolving, the Resilience Working Group agencies are constantly alert to the latest scientific findings and will undertake new studies, where necessary, to improve Singapore's resilience."

Singapore to boost climate change defences
First-of-its-kind study to form national framework for coastal protection
Audrey Tan Straits Times 8 Jan 18;

Due to its position on the Equator, Singapore may be spared tropical cyclones that last year wreaked havoc in the northern hemisphere.

However, the island is vulnerable to another effect of climate change: rising sea levels, which cause coastal floods and erosion.

The country is taking steps to strengthen its defences against this. An ongoing, first-of-its-kind study commissioned by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will form the national framework for coastal protection measures.


The authority did not provide details on what measures are being looked at under the study, but Singapore has already adopted various strategies to cope with coastal erosion and flooding as sea levels rise.

These include raising minimum land reclamation levels from 3m to 4m above mean sea level, and the installation of hard walls or stone embankments in at least 70 per cent of Singapore's coastal areas.

The remaining coastal areas include sandy beaches, which can be used for recreation, and mangroves, which are natural buffers against erosion. These will be left as natural coastline for now, said the BCA.

On the need for the study, a BCA spokesman said climate science is constantly evolving, and projections for sea level rise may change.

"Given this uncertainty, our national framework for coastal protection needs to be flexible and dynamic to be able to accommodate both future needs and the latest science," he said.

According to projections from Singapore's Second National Climate Change Study released in 2015, the mean sea level is estimated to rise by up to 1m by 2100.

The BCA study, undertaken by Surbana International Consultants and DHI Water and Environment, started in October 2013. The end date, slated for last year, has been pushed back to the second half of this year to consider fresh input and to engage stakeholders, so coastal protection strategies will complement development plans, the BCA spokesman told The Straits Times.

Mr Chong Kee Sen, immediate past president of The Institution of Engineers, Singapore, said a coastal adaptation study would likely include the identification of areas more prone to flooding from rising sea water levels.

"Such studies would then allow urban architects, engineers and designers to consider various options for existing infrastructure to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and allow them to plan ahead in anticipation of rising sea levels."

This includes the installation of hard protective dykes to keep sea water away, or building critical infrastructure away from areas at risk of flooding, he added.

The study is just one of several being done to help Singapore better prepare for climate change.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli told ST in an e-mail interview last month that agencies under the inter-agency Resilience Working Group have undertaken studies to better understand the impact of climate change on their respective areas of work and potential measures that could be implemented. This includes national water agency PUB's feasibility study on an underground drainage and reservoir system.

"These findings would help to guide our long-term plans for Singapore to adapt to future environmental changes."

COUNTRIES WOOING CLIMATE SCIENTISTS

United States President Donald Trump may have denounced climate change as a hoax, to the chagrin of climate scientists in the country.

But other countries have stepped up efforts to woo the scientists. The French government, for example, is offering grants to American climate scientists to live and continue their research in France.

Singapore, too, is reaching out to climate-change scientists.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli told The Straits Times in an e-mail interview last month that the Centre for Climate Research Singapore "is growing its capabilities and welcomes collaborations and talented climate scientists who are interested and keen to work with us to deepen our understanding of tropical weather and climate".

The centre was established in 2013 under the Meteorological Services Singapore, which is part of the National Environment Agency, to develop research expertise in the weather and climate of Singapore and the South-east Asian region.

"The science behind tropical climate systems is still fairly undeveloped and we see a lot of potential in the Centre for Climate Research Singapore to be a leading research centre in this area," said Mr Masagos.

The climate research centre has five focus areas - climate projections, seasonal outlook, weather prediction, research into weather and climate processes in the region, as well as climatology and climate studies, which collect and archive Singapore's long-term climate records.

The World Meteorological Organisation has also opened its regional office for Asia and the South-west Pacific in Singapore.

As the office is co-located with the Centre for Climate Research, the collaboration will deepen regional partnerships, Mr Masagos said.

"We also have international research and innovation hubs such as the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology that will allow us to tap international experts in other areas of climate research," he said.

Under Singapore's Research Innovation and Enterprise 2020 plan - a blueprint guiding Singapore's research from 2016 to 2020 - $900 million in funding went to the Urban Solutions and Sustainability programme to support piloting, test-bedding and accelerating adoption of promising new technologies.

Audrey Tan

Comments on the above story by Dr Wong Poh Poh
emailed by Dr Wong to wildsingapore on 8 Jan 18;

1. Portal for study
The responsible agency should set up a portal to show the scope and objectives of the study, results to date, adaptation strategies and measures, major obstacles, and other issues. This is to ensure that adequate time is provided for proper feedback from the stakeholders.

2. Stakeholders
The stakeholders should not be limited to relevant government agencies, academe and climate change scientists, but to include engineers, insurance industry, developers, lawyers, environment groups, relevant NGOs, concerned citizenry, etc. For example, SLR is also considered a hazard and emergency services should be involved.

3. Sea-level rise (SLR)
SLR is inevitable but its rate varies widely. More important are the local SLR and regional SLR. What is our knowledge of RSLR (relative sea-level rise) compared to GSLR (global sea-level rise)?

4. Vulnerability.
Has vulnerability from SLR been established for the lowest and highest RCPs (Representative Concentration Pathways) over various dates, e.g. 2030, 2050, 2100? Basic vulnerability maps based on bathtub model flooding should be available for use by insurance industry, developers, lawyers, etc.

5. Hard measures
From the information released, it seems that there is too much focus on hard measures which may lock adaptation to SLR into an unhealthy “adaptation path” as in the Maldives.

6. Non-hard measures
Thus, it seems that there is not enough or full evaluation of non-hard measures, including nature-based solutions (NbS). Singapore is in a low wave energy environment, in particularly the north coast within the Johor Straits, and is suitable for “living shorelines”.

7. Local topography
In SIDS (Small Island Developing States) local topographic highs at the coast play an important role in adaptation to SLR. Singapore should have contour maps with contours at 10 cm for the coast (based on LiDAR) with field identification of such features. Like topographic sheets, these should be updated periodically to facilitate the choice of adaptation strategies and measures.

8. Innovations and materials
Over time new ideas and materials in addressing SLR are being tested and these should be considered.

9. Think out of the box
A drastic change in thinking is necessary in addressing SLR. Think of SLR as positive and flooding that benefits.

Read more!

Singapore reaches out to climate change scientists as it grows research capabilities on tropical weather

Audrey Tan Straits Times 5 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - United States President Donald Trump may have denounced climate change as a Chinese hoax, to the chagrin of climate scientists in the country.

But other countries have stepped up efforts to woo the scientists. The French government, for example, is offering grants to American climate scientists to live and continue their research in France.

Singapore, too, is reaching out to climate change scientists.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli told The Straits Times that the Centre for Climate Research Singapore "is growing its capabilities and welcomes collaborations and talented climate scientists who are interested and keen to work with us to deepen our understanding of tropical weather and climate".

The centre was established in 2013 under the Meteorological Services Singapore, which is part of the National Environment Agency, to develop research expertise in the weather and climate of Singapore and the South-east Asian region.

"The science behind tropical climate systems is still fairly undeveloped and we see a lot of potential in the Centre for Climate Research Singapore to be a leading research centre in this area," said Mr Masagos.

The climate research centre has five focus areas: climate projections, seasonal outlook, weather prediction, fundamental research on tropicalweather and climate processes in the region, as well as climatology and climate studies, which collects and archives Singapore's long-term climate records.

The World Meteorological Organisation has also opened its regional office for Asia and the South-West Pacific in Singapore. As it is co-located with the Centre for Climate Research, the collaboration will deepen regional partnerships, Mr Masagos added.

"We also have international research and innovation hubs such as the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology that will allow us to tap on international experts in other areas of climate research," he said.

Under Singapore's Research Innovation and Enterprise 2020 plan - a blueprint guiding Singapore's research from 2016 to 2020 - $900 million in funding went to the Urban Solutions and Sustainability programme to support piloting, test-bedding and accelerating adoption of promising new technologies.

Read more!