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I've always been drawn to the wilderness. It's perhaps a sense of adventure, but perhaps also an understandable response to growing up in our painstakingly curated and unyieldingly artificed Singapore. The wilderness represents an otherness, a mystery, a case of what-could-be. I've also been fortunate enough to have had opportunities to spend time in various remote landscapes, far away from the vicious machine of modern civilization. It's never truly wild, but it's a stark contrast to the glass-and-concrete jungles we walk daily. Recently, I've somehow fallen into something of a 'rewilding' Youtube rabbit hole. To oversimplify, rewilding is a form of ecological restoration that tries to increase biodiversity in areas to support and accelerate natural processes. To think about it a different way, it's effectively to give the land back to itself. Now, I will immediately raise my hand to concede that I am no eco-warrior. I have not given up meat, I still very much partake in consumerist behaviour, I don't do the greatest job in recycling, I still ride a large-capacity petrol-burning motorbike. I have in recent years tried to be a little bit more mindful about my general carbon/waste-footprint, but I will also admit that my using a dabao box when eating lunch at the office is perhaps equally about saving the 30 cents each meal as it is reducing the use of waste and single-use plastics. Call it selfish (a fair assessment, potentially), but I've also never really spared much actionable thought about conversation and like. I support it and acknowledge the value and importance of sustainability and green-focused action, but I also have never volunteered or donated to green initiatives. Never really done anything about it, basically. So, I have been thinking about why is it that over the past days, these rewilding videos have suddenly dominated my screen time. I suppose part of it is that some of these projects are equal parts surprising and inspiring - delivering seemingly simple and obvious solutions to complex and long-standing problems. Whoever thought that digging a bunch of holes in the ground would be the solution to regreening areas of Africa undergoing rapid desertification, with the additional impact of increasing food security and guarding against the expansion of the Sahara. (The high production value and beautiful scenic shots are a nice plus.) There are admittedly some rather hyperbolised and clickbaity titles (well, I clicked, so it worked), but at the heart of the effort of these organisations is a sense of drive and purpose that I find quite heroic. It is, in my eyes, quite an ethical and moral endeavour, but ultimately made more heroic because of how they are trying to push back against the sheer and unceasing exploitative and consuming nature of modern industrial society. There's a 'goodness' about these people and these efforts that feel like a refreshing and welcome break from the bleakness that seems to perpetually swirl about our lives (I almost don't dare to read the news these days, nothing good seems to happen). And the fact that these efforts work, that solutions are possible, is certainly a cause of celebration. And, I've also found it plenty educational. For example, learning about monocultures, and how actually perhaps a lot of the 'nature' that we see is actually unnatural. That some of the beautiful tree-covered scenery that we covet on holidays are in fact plantations sucking life out of the places. For example, I remember being wowed by the Scottish scenery when I holidayed there some years ago, but have just that a majority of woodland in Scotland is planted, non-native trees. Plantations, not forests. Really makes you wonder. There is, however, a cognitive dissonance. While I wholeheartedly support and admire what these organisations are doing, I cannot help but wonder about the futility of it all. For so long, humans have been exploiting and consuming our surroundings, accelerated by industrialisation and our pursuit of more. For all the non-climate change deniers out there, we should be plenty familiar with the science already out there. The world is burning, suffering, dying, and that's mostly because of our species. And the cynic in me cannot help but ponder if we're already too far gone - is this all too little too late? Have we already done so much damage that recovery, in spite of small triages here and there, is fundamentally unachievable? Furthermore, how effective can these efforts be, when the giant foot of capitalism continues its metronomic march? Do we even dare to believe that the Musks and Zuckerbergs and Bezos' of the world will trade shooting themselves into the sky in spaceships to instead plant trees and support communities in remote, poor regions? It's certainly easy to feel hopeless and futile - and perhaps also why many people (possibly myself included) thus tend towards apathy. Ahh, what can even be done ~shrug~. It is, at its core, another story of David vs Goliath. The earnest, well-meaning, hopeful Davids of the world vs the numerous Goliaths of corporations, power-hungry politicians, and bureaucratic stasis. I reckon what speaks to me is that struggle, that fight against overwhelming odds - the underdog story. And perhaps it is also the successes that are a flickering light of hope - of what is possible if people try. It's a reminder about small wins. Many of the problems we face are so grand in scale, but there are no grand solutions and magic wands. (Heck, just considering one particular area I'm more familiar with, EVs, is plenty telling.) And it is perhaps also because recent times have felt increasingly bleak that I want to believe in hopeful people, even if I may not be one myself. I'm not one for making new year resolutions. But as the calendar soon flips over, I am thinking about what I can do. As Michael Jackson famously sang: "Heal the world, make it a better place." I have no grand ambitions about saving the world, but perhaps making it better is something worth at least thinking about. These little Davids remain steadfast in their fight, taking small steps and yielding small wins, and maybe so can I. Small steps, then. I guess the first is this, just to talk about it and hopefully have just one more person start thinking more about it. And I guess I could drink on or two fewer beers each month and instead support one of these organisations with that money. And sure, that's not going to surely make the world a better place. But if any effort I can make can make my world feel just a little bit better, those small wins must surely count for something.

A colleague's blog post two months ago about a blizzard blanketing Singapore had me imagining our urban landscapes covered in a white blanket. But while climate change is impacting us all with hotter weather and heavier rains, the thought of snow in Singapore seems far-fetched. However, this led to another thought: Since we experience thunderstorms and monsoon surges, would it be possible for typhoons to hit Singapore? And if they did, would we be able to withstand them? Image: Carl Kho, Unsplash First, a science lesson The Coriolis Effect, caused by the earth's rotation, is positive in the northern hemisphere and negative in the southern hemisphere. What this means is that the winds in the north will curve and move counterclockwise, while the winds in the south curve and move clockwise. Meanwhile, along the equator, the Coriolis Effect is too weak to provide the necessary spin to increase wind speeds and create typhoons. According to this article from the California Institute of Technology, this is why typhoons don't form within 300km of the equator – where Singapore is located. This video also explains why this is so. But there can be exceptions due to a combination of factors. In 2001, Typhoon Vamei formed 160km north of the equator and according to this Straits Times story, delivered 10% (around 220mm) of Singapore's annual rainfall in one day. With that in mind, what if, due to a combination of factors, a typhoon did make landfall in Singapore? Infrastructure and preparedness Given the focus on climate change, I'd imagine that NEA (National Environment Agency) would be quick to issue warnings for everyone to shelter indoors. All the works (including ongoing ones) to improve drainage would also help mitigate any expected flooding. It helps that our utilities – especially power lines – are underground. So, there are no concerns about electric poles toppling and electrocuting people. We don't have telephone poles and overhead lines either, so we wouldn't need to worry about those. Traffic lights and lamp posts, however, will pose risks. Ditto for any hanging signages, trees and branches. Anything that can be caught by the wind and blown away is a potential hazard. However, while I think our infrastructure can cope, I'm not as confident that everyone can. Image: Richard Burlton, Unsplash Question marks Since most of us have only ever experienced monsoon surges and severe thunderstorms, the destructive power of a full-blown typhoon is going to be fearsome. What I'm pessimistic about is how people will react. I can picture massive panic-buying of everything, especially toilet paper. Expect empty shelves in supermarkets. Fights will break out. It will be kiasu and kiasi to the 10th power, as the panicked ones hoard six to eight months of supplies for a typhoon that passes in two or three days. Pharmacies would be emptied out, too. You don't need the entire population to do this – a few hundred irrational folks will ruin it for everyone else. The Government will have to take pre-emptive actions to prevent this from happening. Then there are those who will endanger themselves (and others) by insisting on filming and documenting the typhoon as it makes landfall. These people will probably track the typhoon's path and aim to be where the winds are strongest, so they can capture the havoc it will wreak. And it won't be for posterity. It'll be for views and subscribers. And our first responders will be put at even greater risk trying to save these people. Hey, if it happens in other countries, it'll happen here. Image: Carl Kho, Unsplash When not if It is unlikely for a typhoon to pass directly through Singapore, but if Typhoon Vamei came so close, it could happen. We shouldn't wait till then to mentally prepare ourselves for this possibility – no matter how remote it may be. At the very least, we should remind ourselves that in any extreme weather event, the first course of action is to shelter at home and not venture outside unless it's an emergency that requires us to leave our residence. Remember, even during the COVID circuit breakers, we still had access to food, groceries, and petrol. If we can survive four months being cooped up at home, waiting for two or three days for a typhoon to pass is nothing. Above all, events like these are a test of national unity. If we adopt the mindset of looking out for each other and thinking about what's best for the community, we'll be able to withstand not just typhoons, but any national challenges that come our way. – Jeremy Main image: NASA, Unsplash

Earlier today, it rained so heavily that when looking out the pantry windows at lunch, it almost felt as if I was witnessing snow falling. It’s both an intriguing yet also slightly scary thought – the fantasy of snowflakes descending upon Singapore. Just imagine the Singapore River frozen over, with the foreground of MBS covered over with a blanket of snow. While the image of our tropical city-state cloaked in a delicate layer of white first evoked images of enchantment, it immediately also raised questions in my mind about our preparedness for such an unprecedented event. How would our infrastructure, meticulously designed for equatorial climates, withstand the sudden chill? Would our urban systems, accustomed to the sweltering heat and humidity, adapt with resilience, or would they falter under the weight of unanticipated snowfall? No snow in Singapore - but unnervingly heavy thunderstorms are part and parcel of life here Current weather patterns in Singapore: A tropical overview It’s helpful, first of all, to remember that in reality, Singapore's weather is a quintessential reflection of a tropical climate. The nation experiences high temperatures and copious rainfall throughout the year as a result of its location near the equator. These conditions result from Singapore’s geographical positioning, which delivers consistent heat and humidity. In recent years, the effects of global warming have appeared to exacerbate Singapore's hot weather, intensifying existing patterns. Our daily mean temperature could shoot up by nearly 5°C by the end of the century Current projections suggest that our daily mean temperature could reach 32°C - an increase of nearly 5°C (!) - by 2100. Meanwhile, climate change contributes to increased extreme weather incidents, including intense, brief downpours that frequently lead to flash floods as noted. Snow is still some way out of the picture, but sources online seem to indicate that climate change could hypothetically lead to unexpected conditions – for instance, if sudden cold fronts collide with monsoon rains. Infrastructure challenges: Coping with snow in Singapore Still, let’s answer the questions above: How would we fare if it snowed one day? Singaporeans (myself included) fantasise a lot about what it would be like to experience winter on homeground – so much so that Science Centre has its own bone-chilling facility – but the truth is that Singapore's urban infrastructure is not designed to deal with snowy conditions. Imagine these tracks covered entirely in snow Unexpected snowfall would create significant challenges, particularly in transportation. Our roads, constructed for tropical climates, are ill-equipped for ice or snow. Without proper snow-clearing and de-icing equipment, there would likely be widespread disruptions in travel, leading to safety hazards and congestions across the island. Public transport systems, including buses and MRTs, would potentially struggle to operate efficiently, compromising daily commuter flows and potentially halting essential services. Singapore's buildings are also built to dissipate, rather than conserve heat There’s also the fact that the architectural designs in Singapore are traditionally suited for hot weather. Most structures are built with minimal insulation, relying heavily on air conditioning systems. A sudden temperature drop due to snow could lead to significant energy inefficiencies. Furthermore, water piping systems, engineered for the hot weather, might be at risk of freezing, causing water supply interruptions. Thus, an unexpected cold snap would necessitate urgent revisions to current building and utility standards to ensure continuity and resilience. Of course, economically, such an event could also disrupt local businesses, particularly those with outdoor operations. Monitoring unprecedented events In Singapore, adapting to climate change is essential. The nation may not be gearing up for snow any time soon, but inundating, heavy rainfall has increasingly felt like a very real threat. To effectively manage such events, robust weather radar systems are pivotal. For instance, advanced technologies, incorporating real-time satellite data and ground observations, allow for precise monitoring of weather patterns. By integrating AI and data analytics, Singapore can enhance anticipation and response strategies for unusual weather phenomena, including potential snowfall. Monitoring how weather patterns continue to change remains an important task as climate change continues to grip our nation As climate change poses increased risks, our nation’s preparedness for atypical weather events is more crucial than ever. A focus on sustainable, smart solutions developed by local and global innovators provides a promising path forward. Ultimately, it’s only through understanding and predicting shifts in weather patterns that we can mitigate whatever comes our way, however impossible they may seem right now… like a snowy Singapore. For now, though, let’s keep hoping that the sight that greets us outside of pantry windows continues to oscillate only between sunny skies and heavy rain that may closely resemble, but isn’t real snow. (All images from Unsplash)

From TST. Wow, what a great idea. LTA, NParks plant a cool idea at bus stops islandwide As part of a plan to cool the city, the NParks and LTA have started rolling out green-roofed bus stops across the island. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Christopher Tan Senior Transport Correspondent PUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO FacebookTwitter SINGAPORE - Money does not grow on trees, but shrubs will on roofs. As part of a plan to cool the city, the National Parks Board (NParks) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) have started rolling out green-roofed bus stops across the island.

"The government is consulting stakeholders on measures that can be taken to further enhance Singapore’s plan to reduce carbon emissions and promote green growth beyond 2020. As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Singapore is actively involved in ongoing negotiations to work out a new global agreement on climate change by end 2015. One key strategy is energy efficiency, especially as Singapore has limited alternative energy sources." "Share Your Views We want to hear your views on any of the following areas for action. We also welcome your perspectives on the last document – pertaining to harnessing economic and green growth opportunities in clean energy, urban solutions, research and test bedding, among others:" - from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/consultation2015