Reader's Response Final

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 the 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, in terms of its feasibility and zero carbon emission, to reduce its carbon footprint as Singapore is at risk because 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 3^rd 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. 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 a large amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, causing the temperature on Earth to rise. According to Taylor (2021), solar energy could possibly replace the use of fossil fuels entirely by the 2050s. A full transition of fossil fuels to solar energy will not be immediate as changes take time.

Solar energy is the most promising renewable source, but there are also limitations that come 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). Singapore may have to consider deploying more solar panels to make up for the low solar radiation.

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 for 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. 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. https://www.eco-business.com/news/how-can-southeast-asias-clean-energy-transition-be-sped-up/

Energy Information Administration. (2021, August). Singapore Analysis. https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/SGP

Energy Market Authority. (2021, June 25). Singapore’s Energy Story.  https://www.ema.gov.sg/ourenergystory

Energy Market Authority. (2020, November 18). Solar Photovoltaic. 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. 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. 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. 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. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/solar-energy-to-meet-4-of-singapores-energy-demand-by-2030-up-from-less-than-1

Taylor, C. (2021, April 23). Renewables could displace fossil fuels to power the world by 2050, report claims. Consumer News and Business Channel. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/climate-renewables-could-oust-fossil-fuels-to-power-the-world-by-2050.html

World Population Review. (2021). Countries By Density 2021. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-by-density