The Big Read in Short: Life hacks to save the Earth

Each week, TODAY’s long-running Big Read series delves into the trends and issues that matter. This week, we look at what individuals can do to cut their emissions and what more governments and businesses — which are the real game-changers — can do as well. This is a shortened version of the full feature,​ which can be found here.

SINGAPORE —  With the effects of climate change being felt around the world with increasing intensity, many have rushed to do their part by lobbying against plastic straws or buying their own reusable bags.

While there has been a greater awareness among Singaporeans on the gravity of the climate change problem in recent years, not everyone is aware of what they can do to make a meaningful difference beyond the use of reuseable straws and bags, which some environmentalists have noted do not make a huge impact in the grand scheme of things. 

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So, here are five things you can do to make a real difference:

1. SWITCH OFF THE AIR-CON

The air conditioner can consume up to half of a building’s energy needs, contributing to climate change. 

Based on calculations from “What is My Carbon Footprint” website, an individual living in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat who often uses air-conditioner and other large electrical appliances — such as refrigerators, water heaters and televisions — can generate 1 tonne of carbon emissions a year.

By reducing usage, the individual can cut his or her carbon footprint by half. 

 

2. DRIVE LESS

In Singapore, travelling by car generates 14 times more emissions than travelling by MRT in terms of the weight of carbon emissions emitted by each passenger per kilometer, according to 2014 statistics by the Transport Ministry.

A study by Assistant Professor Lynette Cheah from the Singapore University of Technology and Design estimated that cars alone generated 2.2 kg of carbon per litre of petrol. 

Building more connected infrastructure is one of the ways in which the Government hopes to cut down on emissions intensity generated by road transport. In 2017, 67 per cent of trips during peak hours were made by public transport. The Government is aiming to increase this to 75 per cent by 2030, and 85 per cent by 2050.

3. EAT LESS MEAT

Reducing meat consumption is one of the most significant ways for an individual to cut down on his or her carbon footprint.

The animal agriculture sector has been identified as a key source of greenhouse gas, with deforestation to grow crops for animal feed contributing to global warming. 

Beef in particular, is more potent in terms of carbon emissions than other forms of meat. More resources are required to produce beef. Cows also release methane which is 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

A 2014 study of meals in the United Kingdom found that vegetarians generated about half the amount of carbon dioxide (3.8kg) compared to those who had more than 100g of meat a day (7.2 kg). 

A study by medical journal The Lancet in January recommended that people eat a plant-based diet, with the occasional inclusion of meat, dairy and sugar in their meals.

However, figures from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority showed that there is still a long way to go here: On average, each Singaporean ate 2kg of beef, 3kg of mutton and 20kg of pork in 2017.  This works out to about 68g of meat consumed per day — nearly five times the 14g of meat a day recommended by The Lancet study. 

4. BUY LESS, THROW AWAY LESS 

Last year, Singaporeans threw out about 7.7 million tonnes of waste, enough to fill about 15,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. On a daily basis, this is equivalent to the weight of more than 1,400 double-decker buses.

In 2016, a CNA survey of 1,000 respondents found that on average, Singaporeans bought about 34 pieces of new clothing each year, driven by the lure of cheap prices. They also threw out an average of 27 items of clothing per year.

Only 6 per cent of 220,000 tonnes of textiles and leather generated in Singapore was recycled last year.

According to the United Nations, if the fashion industry does not adopt more sustainable methods of production, it will represent 26 per cent of global carbon emissions, up from 10 per cent now.

5. TAKE FEWER FLIGHTS

The aviation industry generates 2 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and 12 per cent of carbon emissions among all forms of transport.

While they seem small, figures by the European Environment Agency show that flying emits 285g of carbon dioxide per kilometre, exceeding 158g by road and 14g by rail per passenger.

A study in 2012 on the carbon footprint of the aviation industry also found that within Asia, Singapore generated 9.8 million tonnes of carbon emissions in terms of departing flights, second only to Hong Kong (10.4 million tonnes).

The study also found that the route between London and Singapore generated the highest amount of carbon emissions.

INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS COUNT,  BUT GOVTS & FIRMS THE REAL GAME-CHANGERS  

While making changes to their lifestyle could significantly cut down Singaporeans’ average carbon emissions, several interviewed cited cost, inconvenience or peer-pressure as reasons for not doing so. Some also pointed to Singapore’s negligible contribution to global carbon emissions, and felt that any drastic changes to their lifestyles — along with the inconveniences — are not worth it. 

The website “What is My Carbon Footprint” showed that the average Singaporean generates 9 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, more than twice the world’s average, and more than four times the target to maintain a sustainable footprint.

At the same time, Singapore contributes to only 0.1 per cent of global carbon emissions.

Reflecting a common mindset among most individuals, Corporate communications senior executive Manesh Rangarajan said: “I think saving the environment is important. And I have made some changes to do so. But with the emissions in Singapore being so low, I would not go out of my way to make drastic changes to the way I do things. But I have and will make a conscious effort if it is convenient for me.” 

Green advocates, however, want Singaporeans to know that individual actions count much more than they think. 

Ms Melissa Lam, 27, founder of Bamboo Straw Girl, a business selling biodegradable straws, stressed that changing everyday habits would encourage people to think about the consequences of their actions.

“When collective change becomes a habit, our values as a community change. This will be reflected in the policies we push for,” she said. 

Ultimately, governments and businesses are the real game-changers — but it is individuals who collectively send a message and drive the behaviours of governments and businesses. 

S’PORE MAY BE SMALL BUT IT ‘CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE’

The Singapore Government has been proactive in fighting climate change: Apart from initiatives such as the introduction of carbon tax at the start of this year, it launched the Zero Waste Masterplan last month which aims to reduce the waste sent to the landfill each day by 30 per cent by 2030. 

Still, some Singapore government and business leaders have alluded to the fact that even if Singapore were to cut its carbon emissions, it would have little impact on a global scale.

But this does not mean that Singapore’s role does not matter on the international stage, said Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency Member of Parliament Louis Ng. 

Mr Ng said that Singapore’s hosting of next month’s meetings by the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that the world looked to Singapore “as a leader”.

“If we do something, the rest will follow. Even (former United States president) Barack Obama has said that Singapore punches above its weight. We do it for economic and other issues, why don’t we do it for climate change as well?” he added.

This article is in partnership with the National Youth Council. How far would you go to reduce your carbon footprint? Share your views and see what others have to say at  bit.ly/todayonline-zerowaste.