Singapore River- The Past and Present

Singapore has undergone a big transformation from pre-independence to modern day in the aspects of economy, social and environment. In achieving the vision to transform Singapore to city in a garden, Singapore has been dealing with its pollution issues including the cleaning up of Singapore River.

Figure 1 Illustration of city in a garden

Source: (Ng, 2013)

In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore as the first free port in the region, Raffles succeeded in attracting merchant ships from all around the world. Since merchandise from these ships had to pass through the Singapore River enroute to the godowns and shophouses, the river became a focal point of trading activities. Immigrants from countries such as India and China also settled in the vicinity of the river, resulting in the rapid but unplanned growth of a town along the river. (SINGAPORE RIVER TRAIL)

The rivers' pollution had grown as for decades, the river residents had lived in unsewered premises and disposed their farm wastes into the river. These included families living on bum boats, hawkers, squatters, pig farms and duck farms. (Thulaja) Once teeming with a variety of underwater life, pollutants caused by human activity turned the river into a flowing wasteland devoid of oxygen, resulting in the extinction of many aquatic creatures by the 1970s. (NEA)

Figure 2 The Singapore River as a dumping ground before clean-up

Source: (Lim & Tay, 2002)

On 27 February 1977, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had set the target of a decade for the Ministry of Environment to clean up Singapore River and Kallang River, because the government realized that clean environment would attract foreign investments which boost the economy. (NEA)

The strategy for clean-up activities was firstly, to stop various activities causing pollution to the river. Secondly, involving the removal of rubbish debris and dredging of contaminated material from the riverbed. It also included the resettlement of industries, farms and squatters to alternative settlement with proper sanitation and sewer system, which eliminated the source of pollution. (NEA)

Figure 3 Clean-up of rubbish debris

Source: (Singapore River)

Between 1986 and 1990, more than a million fish, including sea bass and red tilapia, and prawns were released into the river to breed and regenerate life underwater. (NEA) Several engineering measures were used to prevent further pollution such as covering drains in litter-prone areas with slabs, installing vertical gratings at selected outlet drains leading to main canals and rivers and installing floatbooms across rivers and canals. A system of stiff fines was also imposed on littering offenders. The total cost of the river clean-up was S$300 million, excluding resettlement compensation. (Thulaja)

Figure 4 Before and After of Singapore River (North Boat Quay)

Source: (P)

The cost of the decision to transform Singapore River from the unhygienic and foul river to the vibrant and clean environment is S$300 million. However, it is a good investment because the paybacks are aesthetically pleasant environment for water activities, tourist attraction, habitat for aquatic life, improved public health, attraction for foreign investment and etc.

This illustrates the interaction between environment, social and economy. Isn’t environmental protection important?

Works Cited

Lim, C., & Tay, A. (2002, August). The Changing Faces of Singapore. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from Skyline: http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-04/text/changingfaces2.html

NEA, E. T. (n.d.). Issue One A Bi-annual NEA Publication envision. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/sei/envision_11jan_issue1.pdf

Ng, L. (2013, December 11). A City in a Garden. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from Civil Service College Singapore: https://www.cscollege.gov.sg/Knowledge/Ethos/World%20Cities%20Summit/Pages/08A%20City%20in%20a%20Garden.aspx

P, J. (n.d.). Cleaning Up Of Singapore River 1977-1987. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from http://pemsea.org/eascongress/international-conference/presentation_t6-1_Jothieswaran.pdf

Singapore River. (n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2014, from Robertson Quay: http://www.robertsonquay.com/singapore-river.html

SINGAPORE RIVER TRAIL. (n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2014, from National Heritage Board: http://www.nhb.gov.sg/NHBPortal/faces/pages_Page_2fb5949f_141c7796dde__7ff2/Page_2fb5949f_141c7796dde__7fe5/Page676153b2_1420c0e6ed4__7fe5?_afrLoop=3079295994496038&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=fkeljr3tg_1#%40%3F_afrWindowId%3Dfkeljr3tg_1%26_afrLoop%3D30

Thulaja, N. R. (n.d.). Clean Rivers Education Programme and Clean River Commemoration. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from singaporeinfopedia: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_398__2008-12-02.html

Human Pollution?

When we talk about pollution, we will normally point our fingers to human. Is pollution always caused by human?

Generally, pollution is defined as “the direct or indirect introduction by man into the environment of substances, organism, genetic material or energy that cause or are likely to cause hazard to human health, harm to living resources or to ecosystems, or damage to amenities, or interfere with other legitimate uses of the environment” (Law of Malta, 2005).

It is noticed that different laws or resources have different definitions to pollution. Due to the different in definitions, the substances or matters to be considered as pollutants might be different.

For example, the Clean Air Act defines “air pollutant” as “any air pollution agent or combination of such agents, including any physical, chemical, biological, radioactive…substance or matter which is emitted into or otherwise enters the ambient air. Such term includes any precursors to the formation of any air pollutants…” The classification of carbon dioxide as air pollutant has a strong debate because it is the natural composition in atmosphere and it is a necessity to support plants. Some argued that it causes global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Eventually, the Supreme Court of US decided that greenhouse gases fit well within the CAA capacious definition of “air pollutant”. (MASSACHUSETTS, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. ENVIRON- MENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ET AL. , 2007)

In fact, pollution can be natural or anthropogenic (man-made).  A simple example of natural air pollution is the volcano eruption that releases smoke, ash, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants. (Beychok, 2013) The projected 2010 anthropogenic CO₂ emission rate of 35 gigatons per year is 135 times greater than the 0.26 gigaton per year preferred estimate for volcanoes. (Gerlach, 2011)

Figure 1 Llaima Volcano erupting.

Source: (NASA)

Undeniably, human is the main culprit that brings harm to the environment. We have our basic needs to survive. We need food, clothes and shelter and we acquired these from the environment. The method we extract these materials, the process to turn materials to useful form (products), even when we use and dispose these products, we are causing environmental pollution.

Figure 2 Input and output in product lifecycle

Source: (Granta's Eco Audit Methodology)

In Figure 2, it is noticed that the common by-products in the life cycle of product are the harmful emissions. The inputs also associate with emissions by burning of fossil fuel to get energy, manufacture and process of feed stock and drive the vehicle. Although they are not obviously seen, they are also the contributors of harmful emission. 

However, does it mean that we should not have these products to fulfill our basic needs in order to prevent any environmental pollution? If we need them to survive, what should we do to minimize the impacts to the environment?

Figure 3 Example of environmental impacts minimization

Source: (Reducing Waste Through Promoting Product Ecodesign: A Discussion Paper)

 

Works Cited

MASSACHUSETTS, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. ENVIRON- MENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ET AL. , No. 05-1120 (SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES April 2, 2007).

Beychok, M. (26 April, 2013). Anthropogenic and natural air pollution emissions. Retrieved 17 August, 2014, from The Encyclopedia Of Earth: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/169979/

Gerlach, T. (2011). Volcanic Versus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide. United States: AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION.

Granta's Eco Audit Methodology. (n.d.). Retrieved 17 August, 2014, from Granta Material Intelligence: http://www.grantadesign.com/eco/audit.htm

Law of Malta. (2005, December 30). CHAPTER 435 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT. Retrieved August 17, 2014, from https://www.google.com.sg/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CBsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvafd.gov.mt%2Ffile.aspx%3Ff%3D814&ei=HE3wU4PBO4zo8AWum4CoDw&usg=AFQjCNH7zjaKRDIjEc68iOe2WeSLyzxQZQ&sig2=P-SX71ZwJNfeDaKphXI7NA&bvm=bv.73231344

NASA. (n.d.). Climate Forcings and Global Warming. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from Earth Observatory: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/page7.php

Reducing Waste Through Promoting Product Ecodesign: A Discussion Paper. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2014, from The Scottich Government: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/18161245/7