GROUP 4 Boon Chong Lai Yuen Yu Shen Damien Ivan Adriel

Our Topic Singaporeans are doing their part to conserve the environment. Do you agree?

THE ENVIRONMENT Twenty years on from the Rio Earth summit, the environment of the planet is getting worse not better. Swelling population, mass migration to cities, increasing energy use and soaring carbon dioxide emissions mean humanity is putting a greater squeeze on the planet's resources than ever before. Particularly hard hit is the diversity of animals and plants, upon which many natural resources such as clean water are based.

Our Stand We do NOT agree that Singaporeans are doing their part to conserve the environment. Why?

Summary of Arguments Singaporeans think that their actions are not significant enough to actually make a difference Singaporeans are not making a conscious effort to conserve the environment despite the efforts of the government It is not a social norm here in Singapore.

Singaporeans think that their actions are not significant enough to actually make a difference Most Singaporeans are not doing their part in helping to conserve the environment. According to a survey conducted by students on Singaporeans, 3 in every 4 Singaporeans feel that their actions are too minute to make a change in our environment. (so they do not attempt to even make a contribution to the conservation of the environment.) Therefore they do not have the mindset to conserve the environment. (When they lack this mindset, they do not start to make a difference.) Thus nothing is being done to the environment

Singaporeans are not making a conscious effort to conserve the environment despite the efforts of the government As the government has put numerous policies into benefitting Singaporeans, Singaporeans have been over reliant on the government. According to a report done by students and a straits times report by Mr Goh Chok Tong, many people think that it is the governments’ responsibilities to take care of the environment.

It is not a social norm here in Singapore. 8 It is not a social norm here in Singapore. Singapore is ranked no.28 in the list of eco-friendly countries. Being ranked quite highly, it is expected of Singaporeans to be conservative towards the environment. However, most Singaporeans do not help to conserve the environment. In other developed countries that are ranked above Singapore such as Japan and Iceland, conserving the environment is very important. We aren't used to being eco-friendly, such as recycling most of our waste, conserving water and electricity.

Second issue What are some other steps that Singaporeans (including the Government) can take to conserve the environment?

Government Encourage schools and offices to install solar panels by giving incentives in the form of subsidies. Encourage Singaporeans and companies to recycle more by giving incentives. (Rebates) Make it compulsory for the schools and companies to do their part for the environment. For example, schools and companies must at least recycle certain amount of rubbish.

Government Singaporeans can switch to using of electric cars and bicycles. Government can provide facilities such as electric power stations for people to charge their electric cars and proper cycling paths like done in the Netherlands.

Singaporeans Singaporeans can use reusable batteries. Using rechargeable batteries greatly reduces the number of overall batteries required and disposed of. Singaporeans can participate more actively that the Government provide to conserve the environment. With more people doing their part, they can create a greater impact on the conservation of the environment.

Thank You

Rebuttals Isn't conserving more important than recycling? What if schools and offices do not have enough rubbish to recycle? The minimum amount of waste to be recycled is percentage of what they use. For example, if they have 10 tons of waste, they are to recycle at least 5 tons of waste What is the point to make it compulsory? Gradually over time, it would become a habit for the companies and schools to recycle.

Rebuttals Solar panels are expensive. Are the subsidies enough to maintain the solar panels? In the long run, it would be feasible as the person or organization would be able to save money on electricity. Furthermore, if the solar panel generates more electricity than needed, the electricity could be sold back to the government. Why should Singaporeans switch to electric cars when they are more expensive? It is cheaper in the long run. Cost for electric cars to travel the same distance as petrol powered cars is lower.

What do you mean by Singaporeans are too reliant on government? Rebuttals What do you mean by Singaporeans are too reliant on government? They are reliant on the government as they take what the government do for granted. They feel that the government should be the ones responsible for recycling whereas it should be a shared responsibility. What do you mean by social norm? It means that Singaporeans do not expect one another to recycle regularly.