Singapore is preparing to spend S$100 Billion or US$72 billion for its climate adaptation plan. However, the country’s climate adaptation plan is way beyond and above what the Paris target of 1.5C degree increase in temperature and one-half meter rise in sea-levels, the Bloomberg article says.
Singapore is preparing a full-scale adaptation plan that will address coastal protection from sea-level rise, flooding, cooling systems, food sustainability, and investments in renewable and clean energy.
“With no hinterland to retreat to Singapore has no choice but to invest long term in meeting the impacts of climate change.”
Climate change is the country’s greatest threat now. A recent analysis from its Meteorological Services and its Centre for Climate Change Research says that on the worst scenario, floods could rise to 4 metres. Singapore’s PM Lee Hsien Loong called climate change a matter of life and death and an existential threat to the country.
Although Singapore is a small country, it ranks 3rd in the world according to its GDP per capita. Like most wealthy countries, it has grown its economy through fossil fuel.
Singapore’s carbon footprint is enormous for its size. It emitted 52.5 million tons of CO2 in 2017, but since has pledged to reduce its emissions by 36% from 2005 to 2030.
Singapore has been warming twice as fast as the world in over six decades, and this decade the country has experienced its hottest temperatures ever recorded. Without climate mitigation, its daily temperatures could climb to 37C by 2100, the article says.
Singapore is no stranger to battling natural forces. It has been pushing back the sea since the early 19th century, according to the article.
Through land reclamation, it has increased its land area by 25 per cent. The country has spent over $600 million in reclamation projects between 1960 and 70s. Now it will again pay 100 times more in the next 50 to 100 years to protect and secure its economy from the threats of climate change.
To read the full article, click on the link below:
At the heart of Singapore’s climate adaptation measure is its coastal protection. The government commissioned a coastal adaptation study in 2013 to provide information and options to address issues of sea-level rise and flooding.
To view Singapore’s Coastal Protection Plan, click on the button below:
Source Citation:
Mokhtar, F. (2020, February 26). Singapore Has a S100 Billion Plan to Survive in a Far Hotter World Thank Experts Predicted. Bloomberg. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-25/singapore-has-a-100-billion-plan-for-adapting-to-climate-change
Coastal Protection. (2020, August 20). National Climate Change Secretariat. Retrieved from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/singapores-climate-action/coastal-protection/
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