Reflections 2

Does your current research topic on sustainability carry the same importance in Singapore as it does with our neighbouring states in Southeast Asia? Why or why not?

• Explain the similarities and differences faced by Singapore and its neighbours with regard to your research topic through reference to at least TWO other neighbours for comparison.

Yes. Saving the Earth is a global effort. Since water pollution is one of the key environmental issues, all countries should play a part in reducing the impact and find a solution to it. An example of water pollution is oil spills. As all oceans and seas are connected, if oil spills occur, the effect is detrimental to the environment. Many marine creatures e.g. seagulls, fish etc, will be severely affected. As oil spills rarely occur around Singapore, it is not a very big issue to us and does not carry the same significance in Singapore as it does with our neighbouring states in Southeast Asia e.g. Malaysia and Indonesia. Thus, our neighbouring countries need to put more emphasis on reducing and solving this problem. However, it is important that we help our neighbouring countries when they are faced with oil spills by sending relevant resources to minimise the impact.


Similarities:
There is a lack of corporate responsibility in countries in Southeast Asia. Most governments do not provide enough funds to cover their mistakes that their countries have made. As a result, oil spill problems are worsened because no country wants to take responsibility for it and is constantly trying to push the blame and accountability to other countries. They feel that the profits and revenues earned from trade by cargo ships far outweigh the benefits of saving the environment. Thus, many feel that there is no need to address the problems of oil spills caused by them. Hence, oil spill problems are often ignored or not taken care of most of the time.


Even thought there are many large base companies with an abundance of human resources that could be used to help the environment, many companies in Southeast Asia do not place solving key environmental issues such as oil spills as their top priority. Many are much more concerned with making profits. For example, there is much to be improved in the public transport in Singapore. Many buses are still not using natural gas as it is expensive. They are much more focused on profits rather than how they can save the environment by using natural gas, which comes second place to them in terms of their priorities.