What areas in Singapore could be affected by sea level rise?From Sea Level Rise Explorer, the low lying areas in Singapore include Changi Airport (above).
As well as the Central Business District, Marina Bay and Sentosa Cove.
And Jurong Island as well as the Western coastline where our container and shipping facilities are located.
And the Semakau Landfill as well.
Besides coastal flooding especially during storms, rising sea levels also increase the risk of flooding (remember how flooding usually coincides with high spring tides?) and salt water intrusion in freshwater supplies.Rising sea levels have the potential to impact Singapore's key economic drivers, and important installations and facilities that support our dense urban population.
The findings of the study, which was peer reviewed by a team of international experts, were revealed in Parliament yesterday by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.
What is Singapore doing about sea level rise?
According to the reports:
Dr Yaacob said many of the adaptation measures to cope with the anticipated effects based on the study were already in place. These include, for example, a requirement since the early 1990's for reclaimed land to be built at a height of 125cm above the highest measured tidal level, as a buffer against rising sea levels.These adaptation measures are not different from what has been mentioned in the past.
To cope with floods, the minister said Singapore would expand its network of water sensors and redesign drainage systems to cope with freak weather events.
Any other findings by the study?
The study also indicates that the average daily temperature here could rise by 2.7 and 4.4 deg C from the present average of 26.8 deg C. The study, however, found "no discernible trend in rainfall patterns over the next century."
Full media articles on wildsingapore news.
Full text of the Parliamentary proceedings will appear later (usually 7 days later) on the Hansard. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Text of Statements by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Committee of Supply Debate, 8 Mar 2010 from the MEWR website
Singapore’s Vulnerability to Climate Change
(Minister Yaacob Ibrahim)
1-32. In 2007, NEA commissioned a study involving local and foreign experts to understand our vulnerabilities to climate change.
1-33. The first phase of the study covering the physical impacts of climate change has concluded. The results have been peer reviewed by international experts who noted that the study adopted well-established methodologies and that the findings are plausible.
1-34. The study projects that the average daily temperature in Singapore could increase by between 2.7 to 4.2oC from the current average of 26.8oC by 2100 and the mean sea level around Singapore could rise by 24 to 65 cm by 2100. These findings are within the range of our expectations and consistent with global projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
1-35. These findings are not the last word on this subject as climate science is a complex and evolving subject. We are not certain, for instance, about the impact of ice sheet melting. NEA will continue to keep abreast of developments in this area. We will improve our understanding as more information and data become available and climate change models become more robust.
1-36. As a result of our long-term approach to infrastructure planning, we already have some measures in place which will help address the potential impacts of climate change. For example, PUB’s current requirements for reclaimed land to be constructed to a platform level of 125cm above the highest tide level should give us an adequate buffer against the projected sea level rise in the short to medium term. In addition, we are enhancing our response to the impact of floods by expanding our network of water level sensors, and we will be studying if our drainage design standards need to be revised to cater for heavier storms.
1-37. NEA has embarked on a second phase of the Vulnerability Study to investigate in detail the impacts of climate change on public health, urban temperature and urban biodiversity. This will inform future adaptation measures that the government will put in place to address the longer term impacts of climate change. MND leads an inter-agency Adaptation Taskforce to review the sufficiency of Singapore’s existing adaptation measures and identify new measures as necessary.
Related posts
- Rising seas and Singapore, on Blog Action Day
- Singapore and rising sea levels discussed in parliament
- Full text of parliamentary discussion on rising sea levels and impact on Singapore
- "No clear rise in sea level in Singapore in last 12 years"
- Singapore at 7m sea level rise
- Rising sea levels discussed in Singapore Parliament
- Singapore and rising sea levels
- Singapore is hotter than before Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 3 Jan 09;
- Report on climate change effects on Singapore expected in 2009 Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia 31 Dec 08;
- Sea levels may rise: But Singapore's okay Teh Jen Lee, The New Paper 17 Sep 08
- Singapore safe from rising sea levels Straits Times 16 Sep 08;
- Rising sea levels: Stakes high for port cities Michael Richardson, Straits Times 15 Sep 08
- Sea levels rising? Plant mangroves Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 26 Jul 08;
- Vulnerable to rising seas, Singapore envisions a giant seawall Wayne Arnold The New York Times 29 Aug 07
- Build dykes to protect against rising sea levels: experts Channel NewsAsia 9 May 07
- Is Singapore ready for the next big flood? Arti Mulchand Straits Times 24 Jun 07
- Singapore: Getting ready for rising sea levels Arti Mulchand Straits Times 26 Feb 07
