Quest for Cleaner Air in Singapore Skies

Singaporeans can look forward to fresher air in the garden city by 2020, as local authorities lay out plans to work with the transport and industry sectors to effectively reduce pollution. At the top of the agenda are efforts to reduce two main air pollutants - PM2.5 which is fine particulate matter emitted by diesel vehicles, and sulphur dioxide which is released by industries. Both pollutants are known to result in breathing difficulties and worsen respiratory illnesses.
In dealing with air pollution, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will work with local bus operators such as SBS Transit and SMRT, to carry out a trial on buses that run on hybrid diesel engines. Such engines make use of electric motors as complements to diesel fuel, hence cutting PM2.5 emissions by up to 85 per cent. Aside from buses, the authorities will soon test out a new batch of electric cars which are fully battery-powered, and assess how they perform under local conditions.
In the oil and petrochemical industry, the government also intends to collaborate with petroleum refineries and plants to reduce sulphur dioxide levels. Sulphur dioxide is currently hovering at around 11 micrograms per cu m of air, but is expected to increase in the near future as a result of economic growth. Through such collaborations, industries can also work towards greater energy efficiency, and achieve sustainability in the long run.
Ordinary employees like us can play a part too. The National Environment Agency will soon be starting an Energy Efficiency Circle program, which aims to involve companies and their workers in the goal to save energy and achieve cleaner air. Due recognition will be given to organizations which have made outstanding contributions in this area. Though individual efforts are small in themselves, but when combined together, I believe that the entire Singapore workforce can make a significant difference to the quality of air in our city. So be it switching off the office lights at lunch time, or car-pooling to get to work, let's play our role in preserving the environment that we live in.   Adapted from Look Forward to Much Fresher Air by 2020  published in The Straits Times on 28 Apr 2009   Back to Society/Back to Home