Global Warming & Climate Change

February 3, 2023

We know enough about global warming and 'Climate Change', It is time for decisions, now... but, what, exactly do we mean by 'Climate Change'?

When lecturing the next generation of Architects, Engineers and Designers here in Singapore, I am frequently asked:

"Yes, but what, actually, when you get down to it, is Climate Change?"

Or the proverbial;

"Ok, but we have a long time to go right, before anything happens! so why worry"

Well, the climate is changing - fact. but the climate, to some extent, has always changed in long cyclic events as part of the 'natural cycle' of the planet - fine.

And we as a species, have adapted to these climate changes in the past.

Unfortunately, with our continued pumping of green house gasses into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution, the climate has changed much faster than it should to be healthy, - again fact.

curtesy Lee Adam Harryman

Even if we, around the World, somehow miraculously managed to agree, all countries, all governments (not very likely right?) to stop, now, immediately, manufacturing, animal farming, use of all cars, fossil fuels etc. etc. the result on global warming would be ....... basically nothing.

The amount of green house gasses already emitted into the atmosphere is enough to keep the temperature rising at least for the foreseeable future. - that's not good!

It means that we need to do two things, firstly, looking beyond the foreseeable future, we need to cut down our emissions so that we can, as a species, eventually get the only planet we have, (hashtag#elon hashtag#mars) back on track and secondly, get ready to adapt to the changes that are inevitable and in some instances, already here.

The warming of the planet is already leading to measurable changes and impacts that are monitored by scientists year by year.

It is very likely that droughts and extreme weather events will become more frequent with glaciers continuing to melt - we can see it happening for ourselves with sea levels rising - but, oh so slowly. 

So it's a big YES, that undeniably, due to green house gasses already trapped in the atmosphere, the planet is and has warmed faster than it should, and, Climate Change is underway. 

So what you say! - Well unfortunately, Climate Change destroys peoples livelihoods and homes. 

Damages our infrastructure and disrupts communications and trade.

Climate Change is endangering development successes and the poor and the marginalized are often most affected.

At #CPGConsultants, our City-East coast Study for the Government of Singapore is looking at how we can protect Singapore from rising sea levels coupled with inland flooding (covering some third of inland Singapore and some of the most critical infrastructure and densely populated areas), is on its second year with, a few more years to go.

Trouble - o - Meter

CPG Consultants as the 'local experts,' we remind ourselves and our many engineers involved, that as we plan and plot the way forward for the next 80 years or so, that we should not forget how fundamentally important this work is and the positive impact it will have to the local communities, what we do now, and how it will affect them in the years to come.

The Singapore Government way back in 2019, during the Prime Minister National Day address, identified Climate Change as an existential challenge that needed to be met with planning, forethought and, of course, money. Hence the timely birth and creation of our Study.

Key Triggers and Drivers

All of us can play a part to help prioritize the adaption that we, as a greater community, need to embrace through a robust planning process and the trade-offs that may need to be accepted.

Be it flood preparedness measures, improvement of existing drainage systems, wetland restoration or coastal management. The need to adapt should be viewed as an opportunity to re-imagine our coastlines for the better, not for worse. To ensure multi-functionality, livability, sustainability and robustness are all part of the 'mix'.

We can start by having conversations at all levels of Government and Community on what and how we can help.

Have a happy weekend

Lee Adam Harryman

SVP and Head of Climate Resilience Studio, CPG Consultants