Importance of sustainable development

1. Ensure a competitive economy

a) attract investments

b) provide employment opportunities

2. Ensure sustainable environment

a) clean and healthy environment

b) excellent air and water quality

3. Achieve high quality of life for all

a) foster community spirit

b) facilitate active participation in sustainable development

Ensuring a competitive economy

Ensuring a sustainable environment
Watch the video below.  As part of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s vision of a clean and green Singapore, effort was taken to monitor, prevent and mitigate environmental pollution. The decade-long clean-up of the Singapore River in the 1970s and 1980s, island-wide tree planting exercises, as well as the relocation of street vendors into hawker centres, are some examples. 

Why is maintaining a clean environment important?
The lack of a clean and healthy environment can be detrimental to Singapore. 

Economic consideration

A  dirty and healthy environment can lead to economic loss. A plankton bloom in 2015 caused mass deaths of about 600 tonnes of fish on the Northern shores of Singapore, leading farms in Changi and Lim Chu Kang to lose about S$3 million.

Maintaining the quality of Life

An algae bloom in a canal at Sentosa Cove in 2020 also resulted in dozens of dead fish and foul smells in the residential area. This underscores the importance of ensuring a clean environment to promote a high quality of life in Singapore.

The 2015 trans-boundary haze resulted in economic losses amounting to up to $1.8 billion. An increase in haze-related illnesses disrupted work and even resulted in school closures. There was also a decrease in tourist arrivals. Government agencies and households incurred costs as they adapted to the worsening haze situation. 

Participants and volunteers at Island Tales and Forest Fables @ Pesta Ubin 2020, a first of its kind storytelling and culture event organised by Cicada Tree Eco-Place and supported by NParks, on Saturday, 12 September 2020. Other than contributing to the goal of a million trees movement, it also fosters community spirit by encouraging all Singaporeans, regardless of their race, religion, or social class, to protect and beautify their environments. Hence, community engagements can motivate people to unite to work for the good of society, while building an inclusive community where everyone contributes to a future with a high quality of life for all. 

How can you be a part of the Singapore's Green Plan?
https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/take-action/what-you-can-do/

What are your thoughts on some of the ideas to reduce the use of disposables, such as #BringYourOwnBag day, and charging for carrier bags?  

The Singapore Green Plan (SGP) 2030, which was announced in 2021. The SGP 2030 aims to rally the whole nation, to each do our part so as to build a city of green possibilities together.

Providing such platforms for Singaporeans to actively engage in the national agenda on sustainable development emphasizes the shared responsibility in molding Singapore’s future. It also affirms people’s collective efforts, commitment, and shared values in achieving a more sustainable nation.