Reader's Response Draft 2
In the article, “How
can Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition be sped up?” (2019), Daubach
explains the challenges Southeast Asia (SEA) faces in the demand for clean
energy and alternatives for SEA in the use of renewable energy. Factors like
high diverse economy, population, and resource distribution contribute to SEA’s
undemanding and inadequate ability to adapt to its developing economies in the
transition of clean energy. Daubach states that the economies of the countries
in SEA are inconsistent, contributing to an arduous transition of a
“one-size-fits-all approach” to clean energy. Despite the challenges mentioned
in the article, collaborations amongst “technology, business, and policymakers”
can take the edge off power, industrial, and transportation costs, allowing SEA
to make happen the use of green energy. In my opinion, Singapore is in dire
need of having alternative renewable energy resources, particularly solar
energy, to reduce its carbon footprint as Singapore is at risk of climate change.
Singapore imports the
majority of its energy sources due to limited land area and natural resources
which is why they are unable to reach out to most alternative energy approaches
apart from solar energy. According to World Population Review (2021), Singapore
ranks 3rd worldwide as the most densely populated country with a
population density of 8,109/km2, a land area of 728 square metres,
and a 5.68 million population. Such physically small-scaled land prevents
Singapore from reaching out towards other renewable energy sources like ocean
energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, wind energy, and nuclear energy.
Solar energy is zero-emission
as it utilizes the heat energy of sunlight that is converted to thermal energy,
used for electricity, heating, and transportation as stated by the Energy
Market Authority (2020). This is done through the solar photovoltaic system. From
that, I believe that solar energy is the key to a sustainable environment as it
replaces the use of fossil fuels, which contribute immensely to climate change.
When used as a source of energy, fossil fuels are burned and the large amount
of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, causing the temperature on
Earth to rise.
Solar energy is the
most promising renewable sources, but there are also limitations that comes
with it. Singapore’s climate plays an important role in the solar photovoltaic
system. Although Singapore is generally humid, the intensity of the sunlight is
not strong enough due to cloud cover (Philip, 2021). Personally speaking, Singapore
may have to consider deploying more solar panels to make up for the low solar
radiation.
I strongly believe
that Singapore is a victim of climate change as attested by the National
Climate Change Secretariat (2021) that the mean temperature in Singapore is to
increase roughly 1.4C to 4.6C by the year 2100. Effects of climate change will
cause already humid Singapore to have a temperature rise, in turn, causing a reduction
in rainfalls, thus affecting Singapore’s water supply from rainwater harvesting.
Another impact is the general health implication due to the environment
becoming an ideal breeding platform for vector-borne diseases like dengue. However,
Singapore is actively participating in the combat against climate change. According
to Tan (2019), in 2020, Singapore has hit its target, the deployment of 350
megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar and is targeting a minimum of 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp)
by 2030. To meet its target, Singapore Government will maximize the deployment
of solar panels on all surfaces possible such as rooftops, reservoirs, and
vertical surfaces of buildings.
In conclusion, it is
crucial for Singapore to reduce carbon footprints through the use of solar
energy resources to prevent climate change. Barack Obama advocates that “We are
the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last
generation who can do something about it”. Despite the various physical
constraints and environmental limitations that Singapore faces in its demand in
clean energy, they managed to come up with innovative approaches to do their
part in battling climate change.
Reference List
Barack Obama. (2014, September 24). Climate Change
[Tweet]. Twitter. Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://twitter.com/barackobama/status/514461859542351872?lang=en
Daubach, T. (2019, July 19). How can Southeast Asia's
Clean Energy Transition be sped up? Eco-Business. Retrieved October 1,
2021, from https://www.eco-business.com/news/how-can-southeast-asias-clean-energy-transition-be-sped-up/
Energy Information Administration (2021, August). Singapore
Analysis. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/SGP
Energy Market Authority (2021, June 25).
Singapore’s
Energy Story. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.ema.gov.sg/ourenergystory
Energy Market Authority (2020, November 18). Solar
Photovoltaic. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.ema.gov.sg/Solar_Photovoltaic_Systems.aspx
Philip A.S. (2021, May 4). Why hasn’t solar energy in
Singapore taken off in a big way after so long. Channel News Asia. Retrieved
October 9, 2021, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/solar-energy-singapore-panels-cloudy-unpredictable-electricity-1882996
National Climate Change Secretariat (2021, August 13). Singapore’s
Approach To Alternative Energy. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/singapores-climate-action/singapore-approach-to-alternative-energy/
National Climate Change Secretariat (2021, August 13). Impact Of Climate Change And Adaption
Measures. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/faqs/impact-of-climate-change-and-adaptation-measures/
Tan, A. (2019, December 30). Singapore to ramp up solar
energy production to power 350,000 homes by 2030. The Straits Times.
Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/solar-energy-to-meet-4-of-singapores-energy-demand-by-2030-up-from-less-than-1
World Population Review (2021). Countries By Density 2021.
Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-by-density
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