Singapore is known as one of the most sustainable cities in the world, despite the lack of natural resources. To ensure our city continues to develop sustainably, Singapore has committed to the 2030 Agenda by the United Nations (UN). The 2030 Agenda seeks to stimulate action in areas of critical importance for the people and planet through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With the average Singaporean using 13 plastic bags a day, more can be done to reduce our plastic waste! By practising upcycling of common plastic waste, we are fostering actions under the UN SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production and UN SDG 13 - Climate Action.
Understanding current waste issues can also help you in tweaking your habits to make for a more sustainable lifestyle. The clock is ticking as we are running out of time to achieve the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Every one of us plays an important role in creating a sustainable and liveable future! Check out the illustrations below to learn more, and find out how much you know about sustainability with the short trivia quiz below!
Q1: Electronics have become an indispensable part of our lives. From our smart phone devices to our laptops and microwaves, we rely heavily on electronics in our daily lives. However, our greater reliance on electronics has translated to an increase in e-waste.
Singapore generates about 60,000 tonnes of e-waste a year. This is equivalent to the weight of ___?
A: 220 Airbus A380 airplanes
B: 190 Airbus A380 airplanes
C: 205 Airbus A380 airplanes
Q2: Over three quarters of the electricity used in an average Singaporean household is used to power just three household appliances.
Can you guess what the three appliances are?
A: Water heater, fan and washing machine
B: Water heater, washing machine and air-conditioner
C: Water heater, refrigerator and air-conditioner
Q3: Singapore is known as a food paradise, and we are spoilt for choice when it comes to food. However, Singapore generates a staggering amount of food waste, estimated at some 800 million kg annually!
The amount of food waste generated in Singapore is estimated to be 800 million annually and this is equivalent to the weight of more than ____?
A: 54,000 double decker buses
B: 58,000 double decker buses
C: 53,000 double decker buses
Now that we have learned about the repercussions of our actions, it is time to relook our actions. As the world’s focus shifts towards sustainability, we are working together to achieve the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
For Goal 12, we aim to encourage sustainable consumption and production. Did you know that on average, each household in Singapore throws away 52 plates of Nasi Lemak worth of waste annually? Tonnes of food waste are incinerated before they are sent to the Semakau Landfill, generating more greenhouse gases.
Goal 13 highlights the urgent need to tackle climate change and the impact of climate change on the world. In Singapore, many of us rely on air-conditioners to cool down. However, the air-conditioner is one of the biggest household emitters of greenhouse gases, as it uses a large amount of energy.
Check out the illustrations below for tips to reduce food waste and improve energy efficiency at home! We can all contribute to achieving UN SDG 12 & 13 - Responsible Consumption & Production and Climate Action - with these simple steps!
Get started on your sustainability journey today with these tips! For more interesting trivia quizzes and content, check out the Sustainable Singapore Gallery’s Instagram posts, IGTV, and Story Highlight “#GreenAtHome”!
Source: Sustainable Singapore Gallery