Ans:
One of the many solutions is the signing of the Kyto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions .These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012.
Under the Protocol, 37 countries ("Annex I countries") commit themselves to a reduction of four greenhouse gases (GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride) and two groups of gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) produced by them, and all member countries give general commitments. Annex I countries agreed to reduce their collective greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% from the 1990 level. Emission limits do not include emissions by international aviation and shipping, but are in addition to the industrial gases, chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are dealt with under the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
2. How do you think Singaporeans can play an active role in saving the planet?
Ans:
There are many things that Singaporeans and normal people like us who can do little things to help stop global warming. Remember, if everybody does a little at one time, it will soon make a great impact.
The first thing we can do is to practice the 3Rs---Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminium cans. If there isn't a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
Secondly, you can also use less heat and air conditioning. Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
Thirdly, you can buy energy-efficient products. For example, when it's time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs. Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
Lastly, you can encourage other people to conserve.Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbours and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.
These few steps will take you a long way towards reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.
3.What are some of the solutions that HCI can adopt to engage the students in the world's effort to protect our planet?
Ans:
HCI can reach out to students in various methods. The most major problem at hand is that the students need to be enlightened on the effects of global warming. There needs to be an in depth explanation and the students need to see how the consequences will affect them directly. Only then, will the message hit home and the students will take action. Seminiars can also be organised to educate the students on global warming, for them to understand it better and what they can do to help. If everybody plays a part, I am sure that global warming was definitely be reduced.
Secondly, I believe that the teachers have to lead by example. Most of our knowledge are taught by teachers in school, so I am sure that many students look up to their teachers with a lot of respect. They will think that since the teacher does this, then this must be right, thus I will do this also. Teachers can lead by example by having as many worksheets online as possible as this would save trees. Trees are vital if we are to curb global warming as it absorbs carbon dioxide that causes the global warming and thus, saving trees by having less worksheets on paper is a good start.
Only by working together as a team and believing in what we are doing, then can the whole population at HCI be engaged in the world effort to protect our planet. Some of them might even be the ones in the future to some up with effective solutions to completely destroy global warming.
4.Which nation do you think has lead by example in its efforts to be environmentally friendly? How do you think Singapore can learn from their efforts?
Ans:
I think that Iceland has lead by example in its efforts to be environmentally friendly. It had topped the 2010 Top 10 Most Environmentally Friendly Nations. Iceland is known for getting virtually all of its power from renewable energy. They are blessed with rich geothermal resources and roaring rivers for hydroelectic power. Count clean energy sources, efficient public transportation (like green-friendly rail networks) and top notch health care as reasons for the high ranking.
I believe that Singapore can learn from Iceland's efforts. Although Singapore is not blessed with rich geothermal resources and have roaring rivers for hydroelectric energy, it can still play a part in the global aim of reducing global warming. For example, it can engage its resources in searching for new renewable sources of energy to invest in, it can also try to cut down on non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels which are used in many countries nowadays. However, fossil fuel are one of the main reasons for the large amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
People in Iceland save electricity and recycle as much as they can in order to cut down on Carbon Dioxide emissions. Singaporeans need to follow this practice. Instead of using plastic bags, why not switch to paper ones. We should also learn to use only biodegradable materials so that less carbon dioxide will be produced as we do not need to incinerate this waste anymore.
Extention Activity
2. Environmental studies should be made a mandatory part of the science curriculum. Do you agree?
Ans:
I think it's very important that students learn about environmental issues, but making them take an extra class in it may not be the way to go. There are many things that students need to learn, but we can't make mandatory classes for all of them. What about making sure that environmental issues are instead a mandatory part of the curriculum in biology and chemistry classes, in the context of those subjects?
Many youths nowadays are apathetic towards the environmental challenges the world faces. Most youths see no consequences that may arise from climate change. Most feel that all the possible consequences put forward by the experts are over exaggerated or that it would not happen in their lifetime. It is important that these youths see the importance of curbing climate change. This is our group of future leaders and if they are so apathetic towards climate change, global warming will only worsen.
Having more energy-efficient, green solutions in schools to set an example and promoting environmental clubs and activities could also do more to get students interested than forcing them into a class. Chances are that the majority of the students, who are completely uninterested, will goof off and act obnoxious, this will have an effect on the whole class, it will sap the interest out of even the most passionate environmental activists in the class as they will be bored anyway because they already know a lot of what's being taught.
Due to the reasons I have mentioned above, I feel that there is an importance to make people aware of environmental issues, but not through classroom methods. Through the use of more interactive and fun methods like the ones I mentioned above, I am sure that the people involved in the method will learn more about the environmental issues and at the same time, feel more inclined to spread word of eco-friendliness to the general public.
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