Singapore launched a USD23.5m climate research program on July 12 to reveal the long-term impacts of climate change on Singapore and help guide policies to address these issues, as reported by Strait Times on the same day. The program focuses on five key priorities, including sea-level rise, water resource and flood management, biodiversity and food security, human health and energy, and cross-cutting research to bridge science and policy. The Center for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS), affiliated with Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA), will lead the program. The NEA stressed that policies should be formulated based on evidence and solid and objective scientific assessment. The program is intended to provide a better understanding of climate impact science in the five areas, NEA added.

Singapore is vulnerable to extreme weather events caused by climate change as the country relies on international trade to secure basic resources such as water, food, and energy. Over 95% of Singapore’s electricity is generated using natural gas imported from around the world, and the country currently imports about 90% of its food. The extreme weather events could not only affect the country’s biodiversity and food security but also intensify the urban heat island effect and cause energy demand surges. Therefore, the country aims to lower climate risks through the research program. Moreover, the CCRS will share climate data and projections of its third national climate change study (V3) with countries in Southeast Asia, to abate the impact of climate change in the region.

Sources:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-235m-programme-launched-to-uncover-long-term-climate-change-impact-on-spore

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sustainability/climate-change-impact-singapore-research-programme-launch-2803421

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/why-singapore-needs-to-import-electricity-and-other-energy-questions-answered