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Environmental Movement Economic Growth Vs Environmental Conservation Sustainable Development?

Environmental Movement Economic Growth Vs Environmental Conservation Sustainable Development? 3. Singapore’s Environmental Management. The Environmental Movement. Rachel Carson. ‘Silent Spring’ – a controversial book published by biologist Rachel Carson in 1962

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Environmental Movement Economic Growth Vs Environmental Conservation Sustainable Development?

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  1. Environmental Movement • Economic Growth Vs Environmental Conservation Sustainable Development? 3. Singapore’s Environmental Management

  2. The Environmental Movement Rachel Carson • ‘Silent Spring’ – a controversial book published by biologist Rachel Carson in 1962 • Exposed destructive environmental effects of chemical pesticides e.g DDT

  3. A Broad & Diverse Movement… consisting of Environmental Pressure Groups (EPGs) • Conservation organisations ( RSPB -Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) • International NGOs (Greenpeace) • Radical action groups (Earth First!) • Local grassroots groups

  4. Conventional tactics • Lobbying • Organising petitions • Filing lawsuits • Running candidates in local elections

  5. Earth First! • Founders were deeply committed US ecologists who advocated direct confrontational action, including illegal activities • ‘Monkeywrenching’ – illegal activism that employed guerilla tactics like ‘ecological sabotage’

  6. Tree Spiking Eco-terrorism? Tree spiking was declared a federal felony in the United States in 1988

  7. Greenpeace • An international environmental organization founded in Canada in 1971. • Well- known for its use of campaigns to stop underground nuclear testing, whaling, global warming, genetic engineering etc. • National and regional offices in 41 countries worldwide • Financial contributions from individual supporters and charitable foundations, does not accept funding from governments or corporations.

  8. Strategy • “Greenpeace is an independent, campaigning organisation which uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems, and to force solutions for a green and peaceful future…”

  9. “Bearing Witness” • A tactic where Greenpeace activists draw attention to an abuse of the environment through their witness and presence at the scene. • Examples: • Blocked nuclear tests near Alaska in US by sailing to the region (1971) • Protest whaling by positioning themselves between the whalers and whales to block the ship’s harpoons

  10. How effective? • The use of the media for publicity • Shocking images are effective in swaying public opinion • Through mass support generated by such publicity and ongoing educational literature, environmental groups have been able to influence the governmental process.

  11. ECONOMIC GROWTH OR ENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION

  12. Environmentalism- a luxury? • Costs of environmental protection • Implementation of environmental laws • Protect the forests/sanctuary or clear it for industrial development/housing • Developing nations?

  13. Sustainable Development “Sustainable development is development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” An attempt to resolve the conflict between economic development and environmental protection

  14. Sustainable Development – ambiguous concept? • Empty slogan? • Which needs must be fulfilled and how? • ‘Needs’ : • The environmentalists that it is vital to leave future generations a healthy planet • Critics argue that it is a strong economy • How feasible & realistic is this concept? • Developing nations?

  15. Singapore’s Environmental Policies • Paramount role of the state in Singapore’s environmental change and management • Role of environmental groups & business/industry

  16. Then : Environmental management in Singapore • Eradicate unhygienic & pollutive landscapes • Creation of clean & green city “…the main mission of providing Singaporeans with a quality living environment, a high standard of public health…” – Ministry of the Environment, 1972

  17. Eradicate unhygienic & pollutive landscapes • Clear slums, clean up polluted rivers (e.g Singapore River) • Control air pollution – Clean Air Act in 1971 • emission levels from factories • Vehicle examination

  18. Creation of clean & green city • Garden City Concept in 1965 • Large scale planting of trees and shrubs for aesthetic reasons • Counteract harsh urban environment

  19. Recent developments • Announced on 7th July 2006 to provide $330 million over the next five years to boost the development of the local environment and water industry by providing additional funding for R&D.  • Who’s in charge? • A new office - The Environment and Water Industry Development Council (EWI), set up by The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR)

  20. Now : Environmental management in Singapore “Having performed well and achieved a clean and green living environment, MEWR aims to move from maintaining good environmental performance in the short term to achieving environmental sustainability in the long term.”

  21. Current vision will help drive Singapore’sgoal to be a global hub for environment and water for business, investment, research and technology

  22. The Singapore Green Plan 2012(SGP2012) • Drawn up in 2002, the SGP2012 is our 10-year national blueprint towards environmental sustainability for the next decade. • It is highly focused and action oriented in approach. • include representatives of professionals, businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with the government providing resource persons to assist the focus groups in their work

  23. Environmental groups • Nature Society of Singapore (NSS) • National Council on the Environment (NCE) • Aim : increase environmental awareness & encourage environmentally friendly lifestyles • How influential are they in effecting changes?

  24. Businesses • Role of business and industry influential • Offer financial assistance to environmental projects, investment in environmentally friendly plants • “The National Weather Project” by Senoko $1m • Mainly marketing strategies & economic concerns rather than environmental ones?

  25. Singapore’s environmental plans are chiefly driven by pragmatic economic concerns • Large tracts of natural areas & habitats have been destroyed in the relentless drive towards economic development

  26. Effectiveness How green is Singapore? Singapore hailed as a Clean & Green City – very successful Superfical? How ‘green’ are you?

  27. Food for thought… • Have Singaporeans cultivated a culture of environmental consciousness & responsibility with all the governmental administrative and legal support? • For long term environmental management to work, we must understand green consciousness is a set of values , not laws & fines – a feature of truly developed societies/ human progress

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