Does your current research topic on sustainability carry the same importance in Singapore as it does with our neighbouring states in Southeast Asia? Why or why not?  Explain the similarities and differences faced by Singapore and its neighbours with regard to your research topic through reference to at least TWO other neighbours for comparison.                         No (with Malaysia). Unlike our neighbour Malaysia, Singapore is very small in land area, and since the population density in Singapore is extremely high, resources are made scarce due to overpopulation and limited land. Although Singapore a handful of reservoirs, the area of the reservoirs are very small. When it is raining, the amount of water collected in the reservoirs will not be enough to sustain our growing population. Clean, drinkable water is more difficult to get from Singapore alone, to the extent that Singapore has signed two water agreements with Malaysia, where Singapore is buying water from Malaysia. The ability to sell some of the water that they have implies that Malaysia has water in abundance. Worse still, one of these water agreements recently ended in 2011, while the other is due to end in 2061, leaving Singapore with a lack of drinkable water in the future. Hence sustainability is made more crucial for Singapore, while in Malaysia, they do not require the purchase of water or obtaining water in non-natural ways, so sustainability is not an issue of major concern for them.                                                                 No. Although water is scarce in singapore that leads to us having to buy water from malaysia (the 2 water agreements) and implement the 4 national taps, we still have enough clean water for our people to drink. However, in our neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, like cambodia and vietnam, they are unable to provide clean and drinkable water for their people. This leads to many water-borne diseases in this 2 countries.  Yes for certain countries. Less developed countries like cambodia face a shortage of clean drinking water and hence the need for a clean supply and drinkable water is of top priority to the government. Similarly, singapore faces a shortage clean water due to our scarce natural resources. This similar problem highlights the importance of water sustainability in ensuring development of the country. Thus sustainable development of water is both important to singapore and cambodia.  Also, indonesia is also facing a lack water and they are scarce in it. Furthermore, they have a large population and thus this further emphasizes the issue. Therefore, there is a need to raise awareness among the people in these countries. To solve this problem, we need to both raise the peoples' awareness and also implement some rules to conserve water. Such rules can be putting a restriction to how much water a household can use per day. The government can also bring up measures such as building reservoirs or water catchment areas. However, these measures will not be able to completely solve the problem but just prevent the problems from escalating. 

WEEK 1 REFLECTION –NATURE SOCIETY TALK

1. After listening to the talk, are you able to explain in Singapore's context, what it means to achieve "sustainable development"?

Sustainable development is the usage of our current limited resources to spearhead progress in the country while preserving our natural environment. It is not only about financial development and successes in our economy; it is also about maintaining the natural elements of our country to ensure the survivability of Singapore’s unique flora and fauna. We must create a balance between nature and urban development by trying to incorporate green fundamentals into urban planning. For example, the Butterfly Trail in Orchard Road, where butterflies unique to our region are attracted to the foliage that were specially planted along the roads. This way, nature is integrated into one of the bustling shopping districts in Singapore. Greenery can also help enhance the aesthetic aspect of our country and is a welcome change from the hulking masses of concrete and glass that our eyes are so accustomed to. It propels growth in the tourism sector. Therefore, striking a balance between urban and nature is a crucial aspect to achieving sustainable development.

2. If you were to select an issue of foremost concern to Singapore out of those which were raised during the talk on sustainable development, which would that be? Why is this such a major concern?

One major concern for Singapore is land scarcity.  Singapore has a high population density with the population nearing 6.5 million people as compared to 5 million in the much larger country, New Zealand.  Therefore, land is scarce in Singapore, with majority of the land already set aside for housing and little left for other areas of development. Housing units are becoming smaller and smaller in terms of floor area so that the government can cope with the rising demand for housing due to increasing population size. Future generations are unable to reclaim any more land to maintain their competitiveness in the world by building more infrastructures for the growth of economy as the government has reached its territorial limits and it has come close to disputes with Malaysia and Indonesia regarding boundary issues.

3. Find out more about current College efforts to contribute towards sustainable development. Suggest one or two ways in which you as students can contribute towards this effort too. 

College efforts:

Recycling of newspapers (competition between houses): Reducing wastage of paper and increasing awareness of the importance of their roles no matter how small it may seem

Gardening project at NJC (an initiative by JH students): The horticultural exposure cultivates their appreciation for nature therefore bringing out their passion to participate in green movements.

NE trail: Educate students about our natural heritage and thus encouraging them to play a part in conserving and preserving such locations.

Ways to contribute:

As an NJCian, we should play our part by contributing and participating actively in the activities. We can help in the publicity of such efforts by encouraging our peers to donate their old newspapers or advertise through online platforms such as Facebook. We can encourage further preservation of natural heritage by reaching out to other schools and the community through our NE trails i.e. bringing them onto our trails and carry out the planned activities

Reflections Week 1

Content of talks: -saving the various rare species of plants and animals Singapore -helping to conserve the current wildlife in Singapore -facts about how the number of local species of both plants and animals in Singapore is decreasing greatly to dangerously low levels -'Bambi effect' is the use of visual appeal to get people's attention and support. Reflections: After watching the various presentations on the effects that industrialisation has had on Singapore, we feel  much more informed and aware of this problem of disappearing biodiversity in Singapore. It saddens us to watch as many special and uncommon species of plants and animals which used to call Singapore home are vanishing because of us humans' actions.  We found watching people try their best to help the situation by replanting nature reserves and saving horseshoe crabs extremely touching and encouraging, as it showed that at least there are some people who are aware of the problem of vanishing biodiversity and are moved enough to care about our environment. Also, we felt the use of of the 'Bambi Effect' is an ingenious and effective way of convey the intended message and gaining the support of more people, because usually visual appeal and things that look nicer are able to more effectively capture the attention of the public. However, we do feel that much more help and co-operation is required before a real significant change can occur. Everyone is able to and should take at least a bit of effort to look into this significant problem in Singapore and help to save the disappearing biodiversity. Each person should be able to play a part to help out, by volunteering at nature societies and environmental awareness organisations. Also, us students may further help out by increasing awareness among relatives and peers, even through our small actions like recycling. Conservation messages may be spread subtly through such supposedly insignificant actions as it sets an example for others to follow in order to get support for the conservation of biodiversity. Lastly, although the current efforts are a good start to conserving biodiversity in Singapore and their presentation has capture our attention, we feel that this may be done more effectively if the presentation included more interaction between the speakers and the audience during the presentation. More activities and hands-on experiences would definitely engage the students and gain their support more easily. Water security: a basic outline - mention the existing and previous water agreements with Malaysia, ended and ending in 2011 and 2061 respectively. - hence Singapore must learn to quickly become self-sufficient when it comes to obtaining and sustaining sufficient water for the future. -there is a need for ideas like recycling every possible drop of water we have in order to ensure water security in Singapore. -requirements to recycle: power (i.e. an energy source)