Singapore must do more to protect the environment and fight climate change, said Prime Minister Lee

SINGAPORE: Singapore must do more to protect the environment as the threat of climate change becomes increasingly serious, both locally and globally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday.

Speaking at the launch of the Clean and Green Singapore Carnival at Wisma Geylang Serai, Lee said Singapore needed to take action to protect itself from the damaging effects of global warming.

"We must take into account the profound implications of climate change for our city, our economy, our people," Lee said.

Singapore has already experienced the effects of extreme weather, from the record-breaking year ever recorded last year, to a cold snap when temperatures dropped to 21 degrees earlier in January.

In his speech, Lee cited a recent UN report warning that temperatures could rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next 12 years.

"We must do our part to contribute to global efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, to slow climate change, while taking concrete and timely steps to protect ourselves from the adverse effects of climate change."

Many countries in the region, including Singapore, are also vulnerable to sea level rise due to long coastlines and lowlands.

Lee said the authorities had built low-lying roads near the coastal areas of the east coast and Katong. He added that the future terminal 5 of Changi Airport will be built on a platform higher than existing terminals.

In addition to infrastructure and politics, Prime Minister Lee also stressed that Singaporeans' attitudes and lifestyles must change.

Using public transport and using energy-saving electrical appliances are just some of the ways in which Singaporeans can do their part.

Prime Minister Lee said that he had been "encouraged" by the public reaction so far.

"More than 300,000 people, schools, NGOs and businesses have made the commitment and organized a series of community programs, as evidenced by the Climate Action Showcase.

"In the public sector, all ministries have made the commitment to fight climate change and will reduce their consumption of plastic, water and electricity."

Prime Minister Lee launched the launch by planting Harum Manis, an Indonesian mango variety whose flowers and seeds have medicinal uses.