Clean, Green, and Blue

Little Green Dot
A new book shows how Singapore achieved environmental and water sustainability in just 40 years
Tania Tan, Straits Times 18 Oct 08;

BALANCING two big 'E's - the economy and the environment - will be Singapore's biggest challenge in the years to come. But if history is anything to go by, the little red dot has what it takes to live green and prosper.

A new book, which tells the Singapore story from the viewpoint of the environment, is now out.

Clean, Green And Blue spans the early days when getting clean water to citizens was a challenge, to the cutting-edge water technologies being developed here today.

Singapore has seen it all in the space of 40 short years.

In the coming uncertain times, economic growth may have to take precedence, but not at the expense of the environment, said Mr Tan Yong Soon, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, who penned the book along with his colleagues from the ministry.

'There will be some trade-offs if you want to achieve both,' he added. 'But it's doable.'

Published by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, the book is a 'how-to guide' for anyone interested in replicating Singapore's environmental success, said Mr Tan.

It gives a detailed look at how Singapore went about achieving environmental and water sustainability, which he hopes will 'urge Singaporeans to continue to support the environment'.

And because the green journey is a 'never-ending one', each person has a role to play, said Mr Tan.

The book is also a showcase of Singapore's environment and water achievements that its authors hope will help inspire other countries to achieve green gains.

'That's not to say that we have arrived,' said Mr Tan. 'There's always room for improvement.'

But the nation has always tried to live by the principle of balancing economic growth with liveability.

The 450-page book took about a year to write and is chock-full of examples of the constant struggle between the two.

For example, then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's bold decision in the 1970s to enforce legislation by the Anti-Pollution Unit, which imposed strict rules on polluting industries, seemed to threaten industrial growth in the fledgling nation.

But the decision to stand firm resulted in minimal smoke pollution - ensuring Singapore enjoyed good air quality alongside industrial growth.

It took foresight and practicality to progress without destroying the natural environment.

Singapore in the 1960s was a cesspool of filthy waterways and rudimentary sewerage systems - a situation many countries still face.

The first step was to bring clean water to people and build proper waste management facilities. Creating jobs by boosting the manufacturing industry without causing pollution was another hurdle that needed to be crossed.

For a nation without its own water supply or other natural resources, water independence was also put high on the national agenda - a move that resulted in the production of Newater some 30 years later.

Cleaning up the country's waterways, keeping industrial air pollution at bay and maintaining public hygiene have been the result of 'hard work and far-sightedness' from top leaders, especially from Mr Lee, now the Minister Mentor.

'We were very fortunate that our leaders had a clear vision, without which I doubt we would be where we are now,' noted Mr Tan.

Another little-known detail is that the country has spent more than $10 billion on major environmental infrastructure works over the past 30 years.

The book will be given to schools and institutions and used as a reference for foreign delegates participating in training workshops here.

Environmental proponents are looking forward to the tome.

The book gives 'interesting insights' into Singapore's environmental experience, especially in solving water problems, said Dr K.E. Seetharam, director of the Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

World-renowned water expert Asit Biswas, founder of the Third World Centre for Water Management in Mexico, also gave Singapore the thumbs up for its environmental journey so far.

But he was quick to add that many improvements could still be made in energy conservation.

'I walk into buildings and I'm frozen solid,' he told The Straits Times. 'The key will be whether this country can maintain its success in the years to come.'

Certainly, the Government is not leaving that to chance.

After the National Environment Agency launched a five-year, 10 per cent Energy Challenge campaign in April, the average household monthly consumption went down almost 4 per cent between May and August, compared to last year.

As Mr Tan wrote in the book: 'Going forward, Singapore needs to do more through setting higher standards for energy efficiency, regulations, and finding the right mechanisms and incentives to achieve the desired improvements in energy efficiency.'

taniat@sph.com.sg