from the ground Up

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, August 25 2008

Sustainable Singapore site flooded with over 700 eco-friendly tips in feedback exercise

IN JUST one month, the nationwide call for ideas on how to “green” Singapore has garnered more than 700 suggestions.
Some specific concerns have emerged, indicating what Singaporeans feel passionately about: solar energy, cycling, recycling and energy efficiency.
Respondents have thrown up innovative solutions on how to recycle anything from newspapers to old clothes, and ideas for educational campaigns as well.
The suggestions offer a glimpse into what the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has received so far regarding the Government’s latest green initiative.
Last month, a dedicated website, www.SustainableSingapore.gov.sg, was launched by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development to gather feedback from the public.
The committee, made up of five ministers, was formed early in the year to drive Singapore’s green journey. The views gathered will be put into the committee’s report to be tabled at next year’s Budget.
Topping the public’s wishlist were solar panels for HDB estates to power common areas, separate cycling lanes, more recycling bins and more energy-efficient buildings.
Respondent Jesmine Tan mooted the idea of solar-powered heaters for new HDB flats.
Another respondent, Mr Lyon Lim, even provided precise technical instructions on how to replace the current protruding concrete blocks in between the floors of HDB flats with solar panels angled at 45 degrees.
Cycling was a popular idea embraced by many, with people writing in to the ministry to suggest that Singapore model itself on cities such as Paris, which has introduced a bicycle-loan programme that allows commuters to pick up bikes at designated stands outside train stations.
Engineer Anthony Chua, 43, told The Straits Times he is willing to cycle from his home in Punggol to his office at the Science Park in Clementi even if it takes an hour.
“But drivers in Singapore don’t watch out for cyclists, so it’s really dangerous. We should build lanes just for bicycles,” he said.
The committee also received various suggestions on how to improve energy efficiency. Mr Arthur Yap said the Government could provide free gadgets that monitor electricity consumption in homes, to raise public awareness of how much electricity is being used.
The 43-year-old manager also proposed improving traffic conditions by using technology to feed drivers live data about congested roads to avoid.
Also mooted was the taxing of items that are not environmentally friendly, such as one-time-use batteries, to make them more expensive to consume than eco-friendly rechargeable ones.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, who co-chairs the committee, said in a statement that he was “heartened to see the enthusiastic response”.
Pointing out that even foreigners in Singapore were contributing ideas, he said this shows that “everyone cares about building a liveable city in Singapore”.
Speaking at a grassroots event on Saturday, committee co-chair National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said “all of us are very encouraged by the quality and breadth of the response”.
He noted that solar panels featured highly in the feedback, adding that the Government is considering increasing their use “on an experimental basis”.
The HDB has already included such features in one project, Treelodge at Punggol, he said.
He noted that solar technology was still very expensive, but that “it would be useful for us to do some test beddings of this new technology”.
On other issues such as energy efficiency and cycling, Mr Mah said the committee would address all these matters, hopefully by the first quarter of next year when the final report is ready.
The committee is also planning a public forum at the end of this year.
The public has until the end of October to give their views.