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Welcome to IUT’s EduGreen Corner. Learn about greenhouse gases, renewable energy and many other environmental topics. Above all, learn about how we can contribute to greening our environment.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our environment and green energy.
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What is Climate Change? |
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Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gaseous components of the earth’s atmosphere that Many years ago, all climate changes occurred naturally. However, during the Industrial Revolution we began altering our climate and environment through changing agriculture and industrial practices.
 Before the Industrial Revolution, human activity released very few gases into the atmosphere, but now through population growth, fossil fuel burning and deforestation, we are affecting the mixture of gases in the atmosphere.
Our Earth is warming more quickly than it has in the past according to scientific research. Global warming is causing Earth’s average global temperature to increase, resulting in Climate Change.
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What is the Potential Impact of Climate Change? |
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The potential impact of climate change is as follows:
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The sea level is rising, leading to loss of low-lying lands and islands |
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The arctic sea ice and glaciers are melting |
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Sea-surface temperatures are warming |
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Ecosystems are changing |
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Severe weather events may be more common and stronger, like floods, droughts and typhoons |
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What are Greenhouse Gases? |
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Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gaseous components of the earth’s atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect – the process by which the atmosphere warms the planet.
Some GHGs occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities. The major natural greenhouse gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide and ozone. Other natural occuring gases include methane and nitrous oxide.
Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, and wood products are burned.
Methane is emitted from the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills, and the raising of livestock.
Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of solid waste and fossil fuels.
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Very powerful greenhouse gases that are NOT naturally occurring include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which are generated in a variety of industrial processes.
Each GHG differs in its ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere. HFCs and PFCs are the most heat-absorbent. Methane traps over 21 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide absorbs 270 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide. |
How can you help?
Electricity in Singapore is mainly produced by burning fossil fuels namely natural gas and crude oil which are non-renewable sources of energy. We can therefore help to slow down global warming by using electricity wisely. So do your part to preserve and protect the environment by practicing good energy conservation habits today! |
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What is the Impact Greenhouse Gases Have on Our Environment? |
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While, the use of these fuels have helped industrialisation enormously, it has caused a steady increase in levels of carbon rich gases and other pollutants. Scientists predict that higher levels of greenhouse gases will cause a significant warming of the earth by about one to five degrees Celsius.
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This could cause potentially disastrous changes in the environment like violent storms, expanding deserts and melting ice caps, causing sea levels to rise and engulf coastal regions.
According to one estimate, global warming could cost the world about US$5 trillion. Developing countries are expected to be the hardest hit. |
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What is the Kyoto Protocol? |
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The Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international agreement adopted in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, to address global warming.
The protocol entered into force in 16 February 2005 and sets binding targets for industrialised countries to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, between 2008 and 2012, to levels that are 5.2% below 1990 levels, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. |
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What is Renewable Energy? |
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Renewable energy is produced from on-going natural processes that already exist through solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower & biomass (e.g. municipal solid waste, food waste, horticultural waste & agricultural waste) flow.
  
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What is so Good about Renewable Energy? |
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Renewable energy preserves the limited & non-renewable fossil fuel reserves like coal, oil and natural gas. Renewables, including sustainably managed biomass, result in virtually no net carbon emissions. This will reduce demand for fossil-fuelled electricity generation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. |
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What is Bio-Methanisation? |
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Bio-methanisation is the decomposition of organic wastes by micro-organisms, in the absence of air (oxygen), to produce a gas comprising mostly of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
 In the environment, this naturally happens in bottom sediments of lakes and ponds, in swamps and peat bogs, and intestines of ruminants like cows.
This bio-methanisation process can be harnessed to treat organic waste, creating power, heat and compost for soil improvement.
Any waste that’s organic in nature can be treated by bio-methanisation including food waste, green waste, animal manure and industrial organic sludge. |
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What is the Singapore Green Plan 2012? |
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In view of land scarcity and environmental preservation the Singapore Green Plan 2012 (SGP2012) targets initiatives to:
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Delay the need for new incineration plants from one every 5-7 years to one every 10-15 years |
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Extend the life span of Semakau Landfill to 50 years and ultimately strive for “zero landfill” needs |
 These initiatives include raising the overall waste recycling rate to 60% by the year 2012 from the current 48%. Whilst the recycling rate of most waste types has steadily improved, a major laggard has been food waste. Singaporeans generate over 530,000 tons of food waste a year, or 1,450 tons a day. Of this, only 7% is recycled. SGP2012 targets to raise the recycling rate of food waste to 30% by year 2012. With the implementation of IUT Global’s 800 tons-per-day Bio-Methanisation Plant in Tuas, the target rate of 30% food waste recycling will be surpassed.
How can you help?
Speak to your community leaders and organisations you are with, to support separating food waste from other waste.
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