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Singapore is fighting rising seas to save S$70 billion in real estate
The Business Times
Singapore’s existing sea walls and revetments limit one possible solution, encouraging the growth of more mangrove habitat, says Daisuke Taira, a researcher at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.
Published 10 October 2023 -
Resale HDB flats with views of greenery fetch higher prices
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Balancing urban greenery with Singapore’s development and housing needs can bring about more useful urban ecosystem benefits.
Published 9 June 2023 -
Tiger conservation in India saved at least one million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
There are currently 53 tiger reserves in India, which add up to an area of 75,796 sq km – about 2 per cent of India’s land area.
Published 5 June 2023 -
Increased protection of existing nature reserves, expanding parks crucial for biodiversity
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Only about 5 per cent of land is currently protected in Singapore, which includes four nature reserves.
Published 4 June 2023 -
Quality, not just quantity, matters in COP15 “30 by 30” goal
NUS CNCS
The tropics are home to the world’s largest rainforest basins, and host a rich diversity of wildlife species.
Published 7 December 2022 -
Reforestation could boost water security in vulnerable regions in the Asia-Pacific
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
Further studies are needed to determine the impact of reforestation on the region’s water cycle.
Published 14 November 2022 -
When South-east Asia’s forests fall silent
Audrey Tan, Mark Cheong
The Straits Times
Anton L. Delgado
Southeast Asia Globe
For decades, people across South-east Asia have been hunting wild animals for food. But commercial pressures and cheaper snaring methods are causing the region’s forests to be emptied faster than they can be replenished — with repercussions for human and forest health.
Published 22 October 2022 -
Nature-based solutions could yield US$4.3 trillion in economic value by 2030
Janice Lim
The Business Times
Strategies that focus on using nature to improve the state of the world are part of the toolkit in transiting to a circular economy.
Published 25 August 2022 -
24 hours with… mangrove specialist Daniel Friess
Liang Lei
Eco-Business
Coastal forests trap huge volumes of greenhouse gases and protect people from flood risks. This International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Eco-Business speaks to a researcher on the frontline of conservation work.
Published 26 July 2022 -
Singapore to host international XPrize Rainforest competition in 2023
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesThe competition aims to identify technologies that can be used to monitor rainforests and their biodiversity in real-time. The panel of nine judges for XPrize Rainforest include Singaporean conservation scientist Koh Lian Pin, who heads the National University of Singapore's Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.
Published 28 June 2022 -
Research at Gardens by the Bay may guide development of more urban mangrove wetlands
Ng Keng Gene
The Straits Times
The National University of Singapore's (NUS) Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions and environmental consultants DHI Water and Environment are working with Gardens by the Bay to conduct the study.
Published 5 June 2022 -
Benefits of conserving a forest go beyond capturing carbon
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesResearch has found that by protecting forests in South-east Asia, people living in or around the forests can benefit.
Published 14 February 2022 -
Focus on quality and not just quantity of green spaces in making land use decisions
Ng Keng Gene
The Straits Times
In recent months, there have been calls for the conservation of green plots such as the Clementi and Dover forests, which have been zoned for housing.
Published 22 June 2021 -
Implement nature-based solutions to achieve climate goals
Hariz Baharudin
The Straits Times
Nature-based solutions refer to how nature can be harnessed to help tackle climate change.
Published 26 May 2021 -
Mangroves, seagrass habitats under threat as sea levels rise
Cheryl Tan
The Straits TimesMangroves should be protected as they play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change, among other reasons.
Published 22 April 2021 -
Singapore must prepare for rising waters due to heavy rain, climbing sea levels
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesThe PUB is working to tackle the flooding threat holistically. Heavy rains caused flash floods in Singapore.
Published 21 April 2021 -
The threat of rising sea levels: Climate change
ST Connect Webinar
The Straits Times
Globally, sea-level rise is increasing at a faster pace, threatening Asia's coastal megacities and low-lying island nations such as Singapore. To discuss this urgent issue, this webinar by The Straits Times will look at the latest science and projections of sea-level rise and solutions, including nature-based options, to hold back the seas.
Published 21 April 2021 -
The role of urban forests in climate change
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesUrban forests can help to reduce a city's carbon footprint by up to 25 per cent, according to an NUS study of 7,500 cities.
Published 29 March 2021 -
Wildlife disease ecologist vaccinates dogs, educates communities in Nepal
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ST spoke to three women who have excelled in jobs dominated by men and who hope to inspire others to do the same.
Published 15 February 2021 -
How science can help inform policies and decisions on climate and biodiversity
NUS CNCS
The Paris Climate Agreement commits countries to hold global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. Achieving these ambitious targets requires countries to not only undergo the rapid decarbonisation of their energy sector, but also implement changes to policy and practices in agriculture, forestry and other land use activities. In a recent study, an international group of scientists reported that Nature can provide 37% of the necessary climate mitigation between now and 2030 for a greater than 66% likelihood of achieving the 2°C target of the Paris Climate Agreement. These so-called nature-based climate solutions include the conservation, restoration and improved management of forests, wetlands and agricultural lands to increase carbon sequestration, reduce CO2 emissions, and enhance climate resilience.
Published 25 January 2021 -
The Climate Conversations - S1: Forests, mangroves and trees: Embracing “natural solutions” to the climate crisis | EP 17
CNA
The focus has always been on human-engineered solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, so-called nature-based solutions - protecting forests, restoring swamps and planting trees to name a few - are just as critical.
Published 11 December 2020 -
Reforestation may not be a cheap climate fix; nature-based solution must consider trade-offs
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
Reforestation has been touted as a relatively quick and easy fix for dealing with climate change, with plans afoot both in Singapore and around the world to harness the cooling and oxygen-giving power of the humble tree.
Published 17 August 2020 -
How Asia’s megacities can benefit from mangroves and other natural climate solutions
Neo Chai Chin
Eco-Business
The loss of mangroves and other coastal habitats has been linked to more frequent and severe flooding in adjacent villages and cities. What can urban dwellers, local governments and businesses do to support nature-based solutions?
Published 3 April 2020 -
Carbon Conundrum: Can We Reduce Our Reliance On Carbon?
CNA
In this programme, we visit with climate scientists, witness the daily struggle with sea level rise on the island of Tuvalu, speak with scientists and researchers behind innovative solutions that could help reduce our reliance on carbon and learn more about how we can tap on nature — the earth’s most precious gift — to fight climate change.
Published 31 March 2020