New campaign aims to change Singaporeans' transport
habits
SINGAPORE: Globally, 30 per cent of the greenhouse gases
are produced as a result of transport.
In a bid to reduce greenhouse emissions, a local NGO has launched
an initiative, called the Green Transport Week, to drive home the
message of using public transport and other environmentally
friendly vehicles.
On Saturday, 100 cyclists travelled from the east and west coast
parks to the Singapore Management University (SMU) city campus for
the launch of the Green Transport Week.
The campaign aims to inculcate environmentally friendly transport
habits among Singaporeans, particularly the youths.
Its organisers also said they find it a challenge to persuade
another segment of the population to give up driving and to take
another form of transport.
Howard Shaw, executive director of the Singapore Environment
Council (SEC), said: "This is a campaign about changing habits and
old people are more set in their ways."
On the streets, Channel NewsAsia found Singaporeans with varying
knowledge of transport habits that are environmentally
friendly.
"A lot of people are encouraged to be green to use public transport
as much as possible," one said.
Another added: "It depends. If I am alone, perhaps it would be more
environmentally friendly to take public transport. But if we have
three or four people, then we'll drive."
To travel one kilometre, a driver will use at least nine times more
energy than a passenger travelling by bus or train.
But for those who cannot resist buying cars, they can consider
other greener alternatives like CNG-powered, hybrid, and maybe in
the future, electric cars.
The SEC is targeting to get some 4,000 individuals and 100
corporations to pledge their commitment to be more environmentally
friendly on the event's official website.
- CNA/so