From the Little Red Dot to the Little Green Dot: How Little Lifestyle Changes and Local Efforts Can Have a Huge Effect on Our Environment
Although the Singapore Green Plan is making excellent strides in the direction of sustainable development, many Singaporeans may be wondering what they can do to help. The good news is that we can all make a difference by supporting neighbourhood green efforts and making minor changes to our everyday routines. We can contribute to creating a greener and more sustainable future for Singapore through our own actions.
What environmental commitments has Singapore made?
Singapore has made a strong commitment to establishing a sustainable future through its national Singapore Green Plan. They have identified five crucial pillars that must be built in order to create a greener, more livable house for all of us, both now and for future generations. These pillars include:
1. City in Nature: Creating a green and sustainable home for Singaporeans. Lowering carbon emissions, safeguarding the environment, and preserving resources and energy are all part of sustainable living.
2. Energy Reset: Increase energy efficiency in homes and workplaces to lower Singapore's carbon impact.
3. Green Economy: Seeing new opportunities for growth in sectors that value the environment and using sustainability as a competitive advantage.
4. Resilient Future: Improving climate resilience and food security as a strategy of preparing for the future.
What does this mean for citizens of Singapore? It implies that by making little changes to our lifestyles and funding local projects, we can all help create a more sustainable future.
"The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a whole-of-nation movement to advance our national agenda on sustainable development. It is our commitment to work towards a more sustainable future, and to do so in a way that creates new opportunities and benefits for all Singaporeans." - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Launch of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, February 10, 2021
What broader sustainability initiatives are there?
Sustainability involves many different aspects, not just the environment. Many themes, including those pertaining to people, society, the economy, and the environment, are covered. It includes everything listed below:
- Supporting the provision of services: the health and educational systems, and nutrition is necessary for human sustainability.
- Social sustainability: this tries to safeguard present-day populations while taking into account how our actions affect other people and the wider environment.
- Economic sustainability: this has to do with improving living conditions and making sure that economies are robust and adaptable.
- Environmental sustainability: We need to develop plans to reduce our negative impact on the environment and safeguard natural resources including air, water, and land.
These sustainability facets need to cooperate in order to provide a more sustainable future for all of us. A phrase that has gained popularity is environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, which refers to the necessity of investing in sustainable enterprises that take all of these issues into consideration.
What does this mean for me?
Everyone can make a difference when it comes to sustainability. And it's not just about taking major steps; even modest lifestyle adjustments can have a favourable effect. You can lessen your carbon footprint, for instance, by producing your own vegetables or purchasing local goods. Moreover, meal planning and donating extra food to charities are easy yet efficient ways to prevent food waste. You can also contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions by varying your diet and incorporating more plant-based foods. Don't think that you need to make significant adjustments to have an impact; even small changes add up.
Your role in food sustainability in Singapore
We can all support local food sustainability efforts that aim to alter eating patterns, from the food we consume to how we dispose of packaging if they are to play their role in attaining sustainable development.
- SFA Singapore Food Agency is dedicated to ensuring food security and safety. The goal is to safeguard Singapore's access to a steady supply of nutritious food. Shoppers may help this effort by supporting wholesale markets.
- Zero Waste SG offers advice and materials on trash management and recycling, is driving Singapore's transition to zero waste through advocacy and education.
- Susgain is a free smartphone that encourages Singaporeans to develop more environmentally friendly habits. It accomplishes this by enabling users to earn free points for their environmentally responsible behavior. These practices can include visiting eco-friendly retailers or a water refill station.
- Food Bank Singapore distributes extra food to organizations including soup kitchens, family service centers, and aged care facilities after collecting it from food providers. aiding in the sustainability of both society and the environment
Switching to sustainable food sources
Sustainable food sources are becoming increasingly popular as people become more aware of the impact of their food choices on the environment. One example of this is the rise of plant-based meat alternatives, which are made from sustainable sources such as pea protein or soy. These products offer a tasty and eco-friendly alternative to traditional meat products, which require a lot of resources to produce. Another sustainable food source is W0W® noodles, pioneered by the Singapore startup KosmodeHealth which are made from spent barley grain (SBG) which have been upcycled from the beer brewing industry to produce low-carb, high protein and high fibre noodles. These healthy noodles made in Singapore are a more sustainable alternative to traditional wheat-based noodles, which require a lot of water and energy to produce. By choosing sustainable food sources like W0W® noodles, consumers can eat healthily and help reduce their impact on the environment while still enjoying delicious and healthy meals, these low carb noodles are even safe for diabetics.
Together, we can be resilient and change our environment for the better!
If you would like to collaborate with me on any sustainability initiatives, or would just like to chat more about this incredibly important topic, please email me at holly@theinspireandcreate.com
References
The Singapore Green Plan: https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/
Comments from Lee Hsien Loong: https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-at-the-Launch-of-the-Singapore-Green-Plan-2030