Haze in Singapore

Singaporeans have suffered the haze over the last week - a results of forest fires (clearance of land for plantations) in Sumatra, Indonesia. PSI even rose to above 400! It has definitely affected the health of the people as well as our economy - esp  tourism. Look at the map below showing the extent of the haze and how we are affected because of the proximity of our country to Indonesia and the SW monsoon in June.
 
 
 

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Climate change and impact on Thailand

Thailand needs to act as Bangkok sinks faster!
http://www.dw.de/thailand-needs-to-act-as-bangkok-sinks-faster/a-16739739

The ground continues to subside by 3 cm (1.2 inches) a year, scientists say action is urgent.
 According to Dr Anond Sanitwong, director of GISTDA, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, the buildings are already sinking nearly 20 millimetres and the soil and clay are also sinking 10 to 20 mm which means the absolute sinking rate of the ground is around three cm or 30 mm at least per year!

Bangkok has been voted the most visited city in the world and truly it would be sad if the city goes under water - esp the rich heritage which has attracted many - In Ban Khun Tian which is a part of Bangkok one temple is now in the middle of the sea  and they have already lost the lower level of the temple.

We definitely do not want to see the same for Singapore as we cannot afford to lose the coastal areas, much which has been reclaimed, as land is limited and there is so much competition for land use. Instead of living by the sea, we will be living in the sea if we do not work together to fight against climatic change.

Another article on the impact of Climatic Change in Southeast Asia. http://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/east-asia-beat/climate-change-07022013165938.html

In the article, the report "Turn down the Heat" by World Bank, mentioned that the warming climate will push up the sea level in the region and cause an increase in heat extremes, a higher intensity of tropical cyclones, and ocean acidification stemming from excess carbon dioxide in the air.

It is also predicted that there will be a drop in agricultural production and widespread food shortages, rapidly diminishing fish catch, increasing water- and vector-borne diseases, and diarrheal illnesses, impacting mostly the urban poor, who constitute large proportions of city populations in the S.E. Asia.

The climate change effects will also dampen the region's tourism industry, a top money-spinner, as coral reefs in pristine waters that lure divers and help fish breed are rapidly destroyed.

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