S1E26: A Covid-19 tide of trash; and implications for marine life: Green Pulse Episode 26

Green Pulse Episode 26: A Covid-19 tide of trash; and
implications for marine life


16:00 mins


Synopsis: Green Pulse is an environmental podcast series at The
Straits Times which analyses the beat of the changing
environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate
change. 


The Covid-19 lockdowns have led to improved environmental
outcomes in some instances, such as improved air quality, but the
outlook is not all rosy. On the back of Singapore’s Year Toward
Zero Waste in 2019, a survey done by alumni from the National
University of Singapore’s Master of Science (Environmental
Management) programme found that 1,334 tonnes of additional
plastic waste, equivalent to the weight of 92 double-decker
buses, was generated from takeaway and delivery meals within the
8-week circuit breaker period between Apr 7 and June 1. 


Globally, the rise of disposables in the form of single-use
plastics, face masks and personal protective equipment due to
hygiene concerns has led to concerns that these items may end up
as litter in public places, and eventually make their way into
the ocean. This could have implications for marine biodiversity.


Tune in to this episode to find out more, as The Straits Times
chats with Ms Shaleen Shahrin on the survey findings and Dr Neo
Mei Lin, a marine biologist at the Tropical Marine Science
Institute, National University of Singapore, on the implications
of marine debris on life underwater.


Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty
(dfogarty@sph.com.sg) & Ernest Luis


Edited by: Adam Azlee


Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us:


Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf


Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY


Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag


Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV 


Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts


Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg


Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB


Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2


Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6


Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu


---


Discover ST's special edition podcasts:


Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa


The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east
Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2


Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB


Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn


---


Discover more ST podcast series:


Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7


Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN


In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt


Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m


SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR


#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad


ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE


Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas


Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ


Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts


Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL


Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!


#greenpulse


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.