Haze and a Godzilla El Nino: How is Singapore preparing?
Singapore is also testing out solutions to tackle heat without air-conditioning.
Haze has returned to Singapore after three years of clear skies, with El Nino weather phenomenon contributing to the pollution. One of the factors driving the increased pollution is the hotter, drier weather conditions caused by El Nino in Southeast Asia. These conditions have led to more intense and prolonged fires in Indonesia's agroforestry landscape.
To discuss the impact of these conditions, Green Pulse host Audrey Tan spoke with correspondents Shabana Begum and Ang Qing. They shared their observations on how the haze and hotter weather are affecting Singaporeans. The episode also explored whether Singaporeans are becoming more heat-tolerant or if they are avoiding the heat altogether.
The discussion then delved into potential solutions for people to adapt to the heat without relying solely on air-conditioning. Innovative cooling gadgets such as solar-powered air-conditioners, freeze-tech, and "fan-jakketos" were highlighted as possible options. Additionally, a Singapore study revealed that emergency visits for respiratory cases have increased even with small spikes in PM2.5 levels, indicating the severity of the air pollution situation.
The conversation broadened to cover the global implications of El Nino. The phenomenon has far-reaching impacts, contributing to climate change and affecting weather patterns worldwide. To stay informed about the latest developments, listeners were encouraged to follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn and the Green Pulse Podcast, which examines the intersections of environmental issues with business, politics, and society. The ST Podcasts channel is also available for those who want to listen to more episodes of Green Pulse.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
