S2E18: “Things are bad. But don’t lose hope” - A Singapore climate scientist’s view of the world

As climate impacts worsen and costs increase, can humanity unite
to scale up climate action before it’s too late?


Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits
Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from
biodiversity conservation to climate change.


The world is in a very dangerous place, says Singapore climate
scientist Professor Winston Chow. Right when nations need to be
united in fighting climate change, we seem more divided than
ever, more focused on what are perceived to be more pressing
issues, from cost of living to hot wars and trade wars. 


But climate change is exacting an ever greater toll and is a
today problem, not the “tomorrow problem” that many policymakers
believe, Prof Chow tells Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David
Fogarty.


Scorching heat, increasingly costly climate-linked disasters,
melting ice caps and rising sea levels – these are threats that
need much greater attention from policymakers, including in SE
Asia.  


The good news is that many nations and businesses remain
committed to investing in climate adaptation and cutting
emissions, such as green energy investments. And sustainability
isn’t dead – it’s just good economics to factor in the
cost-benefits of greener investing, he says. 


Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!


Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):


2:27 What is your feeling right now given the dark clouds on the
climate and policy fronts?


8:41 What is the one thing that has alarmed you?


13:37 Does the average person really understand how serious
things are?


18:24 How worried should we be in SE Asia?


20:55 But there is reason for optimism, too, isn’t there?


25:59 What’s your message for those in the climate space? “Don’t
lose hope.”


Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W


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


Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy


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


Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty
(dfogarty@sph.com.sg)


Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim


Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong


Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode
drops:


Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf


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


Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag


Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg


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Follow more ST podcast channels:


All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7


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


The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa


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section:


The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB


Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX


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