Broader measures needed to maintain this garden city

I refer to the report “Feedback wanted to make S’pore greener” (Jan 21). It is commendable and heartwarming to see our consistent efforts, from the first tree Mr Lee Kuan Yew planted to our transformation into a garden city.

As we go about our daily routines, we can appreciate the many elements of greenery, from shrubs to the Angsana trees along the roads, to the appealing Bougainvillea planted along overhead bridges.

Or we may have taken these, which were painstakingly introduced and maintained by unsung heroes, for granted.

Even as such greenery has mitigated our carbon emission levels, institutions such as the Singapore Management University have gone the distance by introducing urban farming, while the Housing and Development Board has projects such as The Pinnacle@Duxton’s sky gardens.

These creative instances of growing more greenery symbolise an inherent intent within our society to work towards gradual reduction of carbon emissions while beautifying Singapore.

Vertical gardens are also gradually becoming a part of our Singaporean nucleus, given that we are turning a potential limitation — lack of space — into an opportunity to have more greenery.

We have indeed come far since the days of the pungent, dirty Singapore River. Looking back at the myriad achievements, we should credit the heroes involved and, simultaneously, be cognisant that with our heightened state of environmental awareness, there will be greater expectations for us to continue being involved in green initiatives.

For instance, while the growth rate of the vehicle population has been halved, we can also take more steps to make the roads cyclist-friendly, to help reduce carbon emissions and improve physical health through cycling.

Individuals can only do so much to promote such a culture, so perhaps more can be done at a societal level, for drivers to give way to cyclists and for lanes to be built for them.

Commendably, we are trying out cycling paths in some districts, but this could be done for the whole island. (“Ang Mo Kio to get 2.6km-long path for cyclists, pedestrians”; Dec 31)

In a nutshell, while we have been relatively successful in inculcating the desire to go green, action must be taken to maintain our results.

In 2012, Kiwi teenager Brittany Trilford pleaded to world leaders at the Rio+20 Earth Summit: “Are you here to save us or to save face?” I hope we will not require any Singaporean teenager to do the same.