Thursday, April 30, 2009
Singapore yesterday rebutted a report published in Malaysia's New Straits Times newspaper which claimed that Causeway is a source of pollution in the Johor Straits and demolishing Causeway to release water will solve the problem.
Singapore's High Commission in Malaysia also dismissed allegations that waste discharged from the Singapore side had led a deterioration of the water quality in the Straits.
Dr Low cited a study. It found conclusive evidence that discharges from the Kranji sewerage plant and Senoko plant had contributed to the poor water quality in the Straits. Singapore's High Commission yesterday said the study did not identify the Causeway as a cause of pollution in the Johor Straits. "Indications from the study are that Causeway opening could not be justified in benefit/cost terms in either the short or long term. Benefits are restricted to a marginal improvement in dissolved oxygen levels," said the statement citing the report.
The report identified the main sources of pollution as Sungei Segget, Sungei Skudai, Sungei Tebrau, Pasir Gudang and Sungei Johor, said the High Commission citing the study.
The study also noted that to improve water quality in the Straits, it was necessary to remove pollution in the form of untreated sewage, and wastewater from industries and agriculture at source.
Singapore side, it said that the only source of pollution identified was treated effluent from two water reclamation plants. The High Commission's statement said Singapore had already taken steps to tackle the issue.
"Singapore is diverting this treated effluent away from the Straits of Johor and into the Straits of Singapore through a deep tunnel sewerage system, which is now under construction," it said. "In addition, Singapore's major rivers have been, or are in the process of being dammed up to form reservoirs to collect water for drinking."
Dr Low was commissioned by the company Gerbang Perdana to carry out environmental impact studies on the Strait. Over the past few weeks, Gerdang Perdana--the contractor building the $1.09 billion Southern Integrated Gateway, which includes building a new bridge across the Causeway--has been issuing a series of reports on the conditions of the Causeway to make a case for a new bridge.
The cost of a new bridge to replace the Causeway is about $500 million and Malaysia wants Singapore to share part of the cost. Singapore has maintained its position that the construction of the bridge can happen only if there are benefits to both sides.
The causeway between Singapore and Malaysia is very important as it transport the necessary food,items,etc.But now,the causeway is actually causing pollutions to the Malaysia and Malaysia is pushing the blames to Singapore.We are very glad that everything is being solved now but we can't have the thought that since it is solved so it is not our problem.We still have to play a part to help Singapore to be clean.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Top of the hit list are the two main pollutants particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide, both of which are known to cause breathing problems and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma. The Government hopes to reduce PM2.5 emissions from the current annual mean of 16 micrograms per cubic metre of air to 12 micrograms per cubic meter by 2020. PM2.5, which are fine particles in air, are emitted by diesel vehicles and has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Besides keeping PM2.5 emissions in check, the authorities also hope to cap sulfur dioxide levels at an annual mean of 15 micrograms per cubic meter by 2020. Sulfurdioxide is known to worsen respiratory conditions. It is currently hovering at about 11 micrograms per cubic metre of air, but this level is expected to increase over the following years due to economic growth and increased demand for energy. After 2020, the aim is to sustain these cleaner levels for another 10 years at least despite expected growths in the economy and vehicle population. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said these targets were well within similar standards set by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency. To meet these emission goals, the Government will work with transport operators and key industries such as oil and petrochemicals. To tackle pollution on the roads, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will carry out a trial of hybrid diesel buses with public and private bus operators. Cleaner air for better health 
The air in Singapore will be cleaner by 2020 as the authorities have laid out plans to reduce pollution from the transport and industry sectors.
THE air in Singapore will be cleaner by 2020 as the authorities have laid out plans to reduce pollution from the transport and industry sectors.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
We know that air pollution will affects the environment. So let's take part in stopping the air pollution. Let's save our earth!
There are some steps that if more people took them we would have a lot less pollution to deal with.
1) Drive your car less.
2) Instead of driving, walk, bike, take public transit, or carpool.
3) Don't smoke. Smokers are polluting the air.
4) Turn off lights when you leave the room. The electricity plant
likely puts pollution in the air. If you don't use as much electricity, they
don't have to make as much.
5) Same goes with heating/AC. They use power, which is usually made in
ways that form air or water pollution. Put on warm clothes instead.
Or take them off.
6) Going in public vehicles instead of private vehicles because in that way
polluted air sent out decrease.
7) Installing electronic air cleaners in houses (costs about $500 - $700).
8) Adding plants and trees to the surrounding environment.
It is not difficult for us to take part in saving our earth. If everyone of us play a part in stopping air pollution, our earth will be free from pollution.
So LET'S STOP AIR POLLUTION!!!
Everywhere you turn, it seems there is some sort of pollution in the air. It could be water or air pollution or some other pollution we haven't even discovered yet. We have cars zooming down the highway and factories making us the simple things that we take for granted.
Steps
1) Learn more. This article is a little foretaste, but not enough to really give you the facts and details. go to your library, surf the web for articles, and if you can talk to people that know more about it than you. These will all help you have a better understanding.
2) Think small. Recycle, in the winter and summer adjust your thermostat just by 2 degrees. Plant a tree. Turn off your lights when you leave a room. All these little things can save thousands of pounds of carbon.
3) Speak out! Tell people about what you know...nobody is going to do it for you! Two heads are better than one. Write an article for your school newspaper. put up signs around your neighborhood! Do whatever you can to get it out there. You and your friends might start a group that meets once a week. You can discuss issues and what you can do to help it.
4) Stop using paper towels and other disposable items!
Monday, April 27, 2009
After watching this video, are you still going to pollute the world? Think twice. Please stop pollution. We need a better and clean environment to stay. Help us save the world.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
If you visit American city,
You will find it very pretty.
Just two things of which you must beware:
Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air.
Pollution, pollution,
They got smog and sewage and mud.
Turn on your tap and get hot and cold running crud.
See the halibuts and the sturgeons
Being wiped out by detergents.
Fish gotta swim and birds gotta fly,
But they don't last long if they try.
Pollution, pollution,
You can use the latest toothpaste,
And then rinse your mouth with industrial waste.
Just go out for a breath of air,
And you'll be ready for Medicare.
The city streets are really quite a thrill.
If the hoods don't get you, the monoxide will.
Pollution, pollution,
Wear a gas mask and a veil.
Then you can breathe, long as you don't inhale.
Lots of things there that you can drink,
But stay away from the kitchen sink.
Throw out your breakfast garbage, and I've got a hunch
That the folks downstream will drink it for lunch.
So go to the city, see the crazy people there.
Like lambs to the slaughter,
They're drinking the water
And breathing (cough) the air.
(:
PLEASE SAVE THE EARTH WITH US!!!
If you want things to change, you can really do it, we are responsible for the Earth, you and me, not tomorrow, but today.
Even if I were certain that the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree this very day.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Sinagpore has disputed a recent Malaysian newspaper report which said the Causeway is a source of pollution in the Johor Straits. Singapore's High Commission to Malaysia has written to the newspaper editor on the matter.
Malaysia's New Straits Times quoted an expert on water quality as saying "the only way out now is to demolish the Causeway and release the water."
The expert claimed a report had found conclusive evidence that discharge from the Kranji sewage and Senoko plants had contributed to the deterioration of water quality in the Strait. But Singapore High Commission said this was not true.
The Murray-North report mentioned identified main pollution sources like Sungei Johor and Pasir Gudang. The report noted to improve water quality in the Straits, it was necessary to remove pollution in the form of untreated sewage and wastewater from industries and agriculture at source.
Singapore explained that on its side, the only source of pollution identified was treated effluent from two water reclamation plants. And Singapore is diverting this via a deep tunnel sewerage system, now under construction. I think that it is good that singaporeans know what is happening not just singapore but maybe singapore and other countries problems.Because in this way singaporeans can have an idea on what is happening in the future and will try to help.Like what is happening in this article.Although it is being solved but we, as singagaporeans can help by not polluting the enviroment.
What is pollution?
-Pollution is the spreading of harmful substances or unpleasant matter to our environment.
Effects of pollution
-If there is too much pollution, it will make the environment unfit for living things to live.
Causes of pollution
-Substances that cause pollution are called pollutants. Pollution is caused by man's interaction with the environment, for example:
Construction (building of houses, factories)
Transportation (which leads to heavy traffic)
Agricultural work (involving use of pesticides, weed killers)
Industrialization (factories)
There are many types of pollution:
-Air pollution
-Noise pollution
-Water pollution
-Land/soil pollution
What is air pollutions?
Polluted air contains harmful and poisonous substances. Smoke is one of the common substances that pollute the air. Smoke can come from smoking, fire and factory chimneys. Smoke irritates eyes and also damages lungs.
What is noise pollutions?
Loud and irritating noise that can damage hearing and disturb sleep is called noise pollution. Some sources of noise pollution are traffic, machines and loud sounds from things. Prolonged loud noises can make a person deaf and sick or causes mental disorder. We use decibels (dB) to measure the loudness of sound. Sounds above 80 dB are too loud and will cause permanent damage to our hearing.
What is water pollutions?
Households and industries dump wastes into rivers and lakes causing water to contain many disease-causing organisms that is unsafe for drinking. Water pollution can cause harm to aquatic life. For example, when oil tankers go to sea, sometimes they will spill oil and the formation of a layer of oil prevents oxygen from the air dissolving in water.
What is land pollutions?
Man has been polluting land for many years by careless dumping of refuse and the excessive use of insecticides. Rubbish heaps are breeding grounds for disease-carrying animals like rats, houseflies and cockroaches.This is a breif introduction of pollutions.Hope that you will know more about pollutions after reading this.Thank you!
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