Upcycling and my Hobby

It was during the days of circuit breaker, that I first started integrating upcycling with my hobby. The latter was toy photography, and it involved bringing miniature figurines to life via the lens of a camera and the magic of photo-editing. Usually, the backdrop of my shots would be that of nature. I would wonder around the secluded green spaces of Singapore (e.g. little dirt paths, open grass spaces), taking shots of figurines as they ‘interacted’ with their surroundings.

These photography sessions were relaxing getaways that allowed me to explore my creativity whilst immersing myself in nature.

So, you can imagine my disappointment when the circuit breaker measures kicked in. Outdoor toy photography did not fall under the category of ‘essential activities’, so for the time being, it had to be given up. This was probably the biggest challenge for me. I was so used to shooting in the outdoors that I did not have a clue as to how to incorporate my hobby in the indoors. The amenities of my house were too oversized to be used as backgrounds, too inauthentic in scale to the miniature figurines for producing a great photo.

It was during this initial frustration that I noticed the amount of packaging waste my household had been generating, as a result of our shift to online shopping. We weren’t the only ones. After the circuit breaker went into effect, Singaporean households generated approximately 11% more waste than in prior months (Liu, 2020). My family was accumulating and recycling mountains of cardboard boxes and Styrofoam packaging. However, unbeknownst to us at the time, not all of these items were actually recycled!

According to the National Environment Agency, in 2019 only about 44% of cardboard and paper were recycled, while only 4% of plastics (and Styrofoam is one of them!) were recycled (National Environment Agency, 2019). Assuming Singapore’s 2020 recycling rates are similar to its previous year’s, that meant a good portion of our packaging waste wasn’t actually recycled, even if we intended them to be.

This was when I started looking into upcycling, which is method of reducing household waste by converting it into a new and usable product (youmatter, 2020). I started finding other uses for my household’s packaging waste, specifically, looking at how they could solve my photography background issues. Eventually, an idea hit me! Gathering my required materials, I went to work. This was what I came up with!

With the unused packaging, I made a hanger diorama for my toy photography! The base is made from Styrofoam, spray-painted silver to give it a metallic glean. The cardboard pallet fastened to the diorama’s mid-section serves as an observational post and is meant to resemble a control tower. Lastly, the painted cardboard on the lower left-hand corner is a pair of blast doors.

The entire process was required little more than paint, glue, and a little ingenuity! It was a really fun passion project to undertake, so much so that I started making additional dioramas!

I was surprised at how versatile these materials could be! Blank pieces of Styrofoam became detailed, miniature brick walls with just some cutting and painting.

Pieces of cardboard could become window panels, shuttered warehouse doors, or even building signage. Plastic bits from model kit frames could be used as pipes running along the sides of buildings!

The creation of these dioramas kept me busy during the circuit breaker period, enabling me to not only find a new creative outlet, but to also practice upcycling and give new life to waste materials that were previously meant for the bin! It also enabled the continuation of my toy photography from the indoors!

Overall, it feels great to be able to implement good environmental practices like upcycling with my hobby. It’s simple, cheap and has limitless potential! Moreover, it reduces the amount of waste we introduce back into our environment, reducing our negative impact on it.

What are some of your own upcycling ideas? Be sure to share them in the comments down below!

Written by Joseph Wee

References

Liu, V. (7 May, 2020). More trash in past month, but fewer waste collectors amid Covid-19 circuit breaker. Retrieved from The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-trash-in-past-month-but-fewer-waste-collectors

youmatter. (21 January, 2020). Upcycling Definition. Retrieved from youmatter: https://youmatter.world/en/definition/upcycling/

National Environment Agency. (2019). Waste Statistics and Overall Recycling. Retrieved from National Environment Agency: https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/waste-statistics-and-overall-recycling

Treading the Shoreline

One of the nature activities that I personally enjoy the most, intertidal walks, may actually be a foreign concept to many – so if you don’t know exactly what they are right now, fret not and just keep reading to find out!

The “tide” in “intertidal”, as you may have guessed, is a reference to the tides of the sea. These are walks done on beaches during low tide, during day or night, where one wanders around anticipating the discoveries of fascinating marine life that are otherwise inconspicuous. Another reason for the nomenclature is the specific zone at which these walks happen, the intertidal zone. Intertidal, or littoral, zones exist on every coastline, the piece of seabed linked to the beach which is submerged during high tides and exposed when the tide recedes. Water levels are generally low, with a relatively shallow depth of water even during higher tides. Spring tides, which are the highest and lowest tides, demarcate the start and the end of the intertidal zone.

Biodiversity varies vastly even within the intertidal zone itself. Differing tide levels equate to fluctuating submersion times and thus exposure to oxygen and sunlight, with areas further from the beachline increasingly submerged. Chances of tides low enough to expose that region of land thus also are more limited. These factors in turn influence physical and chemical parameters which results in the segregation of organisms along the intertidal zone, dependent upon their capacity to survive and thrive in the specific conditions of that area. This zonation distribution across the elevation gradient, of both aquatic flora and fauna, is one of the interesting things you will be able to observe during your own intertidal walks, with a visualization shown below.

Distribution of biodiversity in the intertidal zone (Source: Pearson)

The type of biomes where one can gain the intertidal experience also diverge. Other than the sandy shores that most of us think of, there are also really interesting areas like rocky shores, seagrass beds and even mangrove swamps! Each are different in how they support life, with rocky shores having more tide pools that hold enough water to support organisms that cannot typically survive in exposed low tide conditions, and sandy beaches with its softer substrate allowing for more burrowing to escape continuous exposure and take a respite from the heat of the boiling sun. In Singapore, sandy beaches are the dominant type, while rocky shores are limited to the areas of Labrador Nature Park and Tanjong Rimau in Sentosa. Seagrass beds can be found at some areas of Changi Beach and Pasir Ris Park, and the Chek Jawa Wetlands is a famous intertidal hotspot that is the intersection point of 6 different habitats. Therefore, the Singapore coastlines are actually really diverse and are wonderful places to explore!

We’ve been talking about this intertidal zone a lot and some of the things you can expect, but how does one actually do an intertidal walk? Well, it’s much simpler than you’d expect! Intertidal zones are generally accessible, being mostly located at beaches that are open to the general public. However, take note that some areas like Labrador are nature reserves and thus protected and closed off, or require prior signups for access through guided tours. Chek Jawa is an example of the latter – so if you want to experience the unique wetlands for yourself, be sure to keep an eye out for NParks’ guided tours (they fill up fast)!

Other than these specific places, it is entirely possible for you to go on intertidal walks yourself, with your family, or with friends. Just remember to check tide tables (can be found on NEA’s website) for the specific days and timings where tides are low (the lower the better; try for 0.5 and below) so that your visit will coincide with the periods where tides have receded enough to expose more of the intertidal zone for optimal exploration. If you’re just starting out and is feeling uncertain, or want a more scientific and educational experience, check out Young Nautilus! They specialize in guided walks (with a focus on intertidal) and have wonderful friendly guides who will bring you on either public or private walks where you will be exposed to the world of the marine, complete with all the fun facts and scientific knowledge you need! Remember to change into appropriate footwear like water booties so that you can walk around with a minimal risk of slipping or cutting your feet on rocks or corals. Other forms of protection like hats, sunscreen and gloves are also encouraged.

Once geared up, it’s time to begin! Finding cool creatures is easier than one may think. A huge diversity of aquatic life is hidden in plain sight, just waiting for people to keep their eyes peeled and spot them while they go around their usual activities. Just by staying alert and having a sharp eye, one can spot a plethora of organisms that are always there but never taken note of previously. When you see something, always try not to touch it without knowing what it is, both for the animal and for your own safety as some can be venomous or dangerous.

It’s that easy! Go out there, look for things, and take cool pictures to record your finds! Some examples from my own walks are included below, just to give you a picture of what you can expect to find.

Orange-striped hermit crab at Changi Beach

Pink warty sea cucumber at Changi Beach

Ghost crab at Changi Beach

Lined chromodoris nudibranch at Tanjong Rimau

Hope you find these as cool as I do! They are a mix of some of the more common organisms and some slightly harder to find ones, but these are only the tip of the iceberg. There is an entire world to explore out there and a multitude of creatures in all shapes and sizes just waiting to be discovered – so pull on your booties and go on an intertidal walk! 

Written by: Estella

Our Food Story

We have come a long way in our food story. In the 1960s, 9% of Singapore’s population was involved in farming activities, and local produce was sufficient for the local population. We used to grow many things, rubber, fruit trees, even poultry, pork and cattle. However, with industrialisation in the 1970s, many farms were phased out, and Singapore shifted its focus to growing 3 main food items – eggs, leafy vegetables, and fish^[1,2].

Today, we take for granted that there will always be food on our table, and it’s true. In 2019, Singapore was ranked as the most food-secure country in the world^[3]. Thanks to our diversification efforts, importing food from over 170 countries in 2019^[4], we are able to ensure a constant influx of food into our markets. Even if one source faces a shortage, we can always turn to another source to keep our food supply stable.

Image Source

While Singaporeans know that most of our food is imported, we would never think that one day, that secure supply of food will ever be threatened. That fear, however, came true. On 17^th March 2020, Malaysia announced that they will implement a Movement Control Order to control the transmission of COVID-19. Out of fear that Singapore will run out of food as there are import restrictions, many Singaporeans flocked to supermarkets to stock up on supplies, the second time this has happened after the raising of Singapore’s alert level to DORSCON Orange on 7^th February.

It seems apt then that a few days before, on 7^th March, Singapore announced the “30 by 30” goal – producing 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs locally by 2030. This is as part of efforts to bolster one of Singapore’s 3 Food Baskets^[5] (a concept similar to the 4 National Taps). To achieve this, Singapore has taken the R&D route, to develop and innovate technological solutions to increase our yield within our small land area. In other words, we are trying to produce more with less.

The 3 Food Baskets. The 30 by 30 goal is to bolster our second Food Basket – Grow Local

Image Source: Singapore Food Agency^[5]

Singapore is limited in both its land area and climate. With a small area to balance between different land uses, there isn’t much land to set aside for traditional soil-based farming. To solve this, we took to the sky and developed vertical farming technologies to grow more on the same plot of land. We took advantage of unconventional spaces such as carpark rooftops and converted them into areas for urban farms. Some companies even rented spaces in industrial buildings and set up indoor farms.

Sustenir Strawberries being sold in local supermarkets.

Image Source: TODAY^[6]

Indoor farms provide another benefit and that is the ability to control the climate of the area. In tropical Singapore, we are limited in what crops we can grow. By controlling the climate to mimic other climates, we can grow crops that are not otherwise possible. One example is Sustenir, an indoor farm that went famous with their ability to grow non-native crops such as strawberries in Singapore^[6]. These strawberries have even been sold in our supermarkets, highlighting the potential of such technologies to produce on a commercial level.

Technologies don’t just work for vegetables; they work for fish too! While there is vertical farming for vegetables, the same concept has been applied to aquaculture. Since 2015, Apollo Aquaculture Group has established a vertical fish farm, employing a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) to not only allow fish to be grown on land but also reduce overall consumption of water. Simply put, the RAS pumps water and the wastes from the fish out of the tank, followed by filtering, disinfecting, and oxygenating it before pumping it back into the tank. By using RAS, the water conditions such as temperature can be controlled easily, and it is easier to ensure ideal conditions for the fish to grow. Right now, Apollo Aquaculture is awaiting the completion of their 8-storey vertical fish farm in 2023, which is expected to produce 2700 tonnes of fish annually^[7].

Apollo Aquaculture Fish Farm. Image Source: Singapore Food Agency^[7]

Singapore is also surrounded by sea, and it would make perfect sense if we can use it to help produce more food. Instead of fishing directly from the sea like the old days, the use of technology has enabled us to control environmental conditions, even out at sea. This is done through the use of closed containment aquaculture systems, such as those employed by Eco-Ark. The floating high-tech farm is located off the coast of Changi and treats water drawn from the sea before pumping them into 4 large tanks containing 30000 to 80000 fishes. As it is a closed-containment farm, it is also able to regulate the conditions of the water to provide ideal growth for the fishes^[8].

Eco-Ark Floating Fish Farm. Image Source

While all Singaporeans know that Singapore has farms, I don’t think any of us ever thought that farming will gain traction again since the urbanisation of Singapore. Realistically speaking, at least in the foreseeable future, Singapore may never become 100% self-sufficient in terms of our food supply. There is a limit to how much higher we can build, how much indoor or unconventional spaces we can convert, and how much water surface we can cover. Nevertheless, the 30 by 30 goal is reasonable, and with the development of technology, it seems highly likely that we will be able to attain that goal. Singapore hopes to one day be a globally-recognised leader in sustainable urban food solutions^[9]. If anything, I believe that Singapore can do it. It’s just a matter of when.

Written by Ernest

References:

[1] Singapore Food Agency. (2020, February 27). SG50 Special: Singapore’s Food Farms – A Story of Then and Now. Food for Thought. https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-for-thought/article/detail/sg50-special-singapore’s-food-farms—a-story-of-then-and-now

[2] Choo, C. (2019, February 24). Singapore’s farming revival: “Tech is the only way to go.” TODAY. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/super-fish-speedy-rice-singapores-farming-revival

[3] The Economist Intelligence Unit. (2020). Ranking and Trends. Global Food Security Index. https://foodsecurityindex.eiu.com/Index

[4] Singapore Food Agency. (2020, July 27). Diversify Import Sources. https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-farming/sgfoodstory/diversification-of-import-sources

[5] Singapore Food Agency. (2020, August 13). Our Singapore Food Story – The 3 Food Baskets. https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-farming/sgfoodstory

[6] Loh, V. (2018, June 20). Coming to a supermarket near you: Made-in-Singapore strawberries. TODAY. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/coming-supermarket-near-you-made-singapore-strawberries

[7] Singapore Food Agency. (2020d, August 21). A bright new dawn at Apollo Fish Farm | SFA. https://www.sfa.gov.sg/fromSGtoSG/farms/farm/Detail/apollo-aquaculture-group

[8] Co, C. (2019, November 19). New offshore fish farm to yield up to 20 times more fish than other coastal farms. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-offshore-fish-farm-to-yield-up-to-20-times-more-fish-than-12107288

[9] Singapore Food Agency. (2020b, April 16). Singapore Food Story R&D Programme. https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-farming/singapore-food-story

Biofuels: Food for thought

What are Biofuels?

Biofuels refer to fuels that are produced from biomass through various chemical processes. There are three major types of biofuels: 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd generation biofuels, classified according to the type of feedstock used to produce them.

Figure 1: 1^st Generation Biofuels¹

1^st generation biofuels, also known as conventional biofuels are made from food crops such as sugarcane, corn and rapeseed. As seen in figure 1, chemical processes of fermentation, distillation and transesterification are used to convert the sugars and fats present in these food crops into biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel. One major producer of 1^st generation biofuels is Brazil, where bioethanol produced from sugarcane makes up 27% of their fuel composition².

Figure 2: 2^nd Generation Biofuels¹

2^nd generation biofuels are made from agricultural and agro-industrial by-products³. Essentially, 1^st generation biofuels are created from food crops that you and I consume while 2^nd generation biofuels are made from parts of the food crop that would normally go to waste. Using corn as an example, the corn cob would be used to make 1^st generation biofuels while the rest of the plant would be used for 2^nd generation biofuels. These unwanted parts of the plant contain lignocellulosic material³ such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which allows the plant to stand upright. As illustrated in figure 2, these materials are first broken down by chemical processes in order to extract simple sugars such as glucose. Then, similar processes to 1^st generation biofuel production are applied to obtain the desired products¹.

Figure 3: 3^rd Generation Biofuels¹

Lastly, we come to 3^rd generation biofuels. As seen from figure 3, these biofuels are produced from a radically different feedstock as compared to the earlier 2 generations; namely micro-organisms such as algae. These microbes convert solar energy into oils via photosynthesis and these oils can then be extracted to produce a variety of biofuels¹.

Why do we use Biofuels?

Carbon neutrality of biofuels⁸

Biofuels are meant to supplement or replace conventional fossil fuel based transportation fuels such as petrol, diesel and even aviation fuels. They are touted as the solution to two major issues of fossil fuels; namely, their associated greenhouse gas emissions and their finite nature. Although biofuels still produce greenhouse gases and other pollutants when they are combusted, the amount produced is much less as compared to conventional fossil fuels¹. Additionally, biofuels are also theoretically carbon neutral⁴. This is because the carbon dioxide produced during their combustion would be reabsorbed during photosynthesis and used to produce the next cycle of biofuels. Furthermore, given that biofuels are produced in a much shorter timescale than fossil fuels, they are considered to be much more renewable and could help humanity mitigate the looming fossil fuel crisis¹.

So Why Haven’t We Replaced Fossil Fuels Entirely Then?

Biofuel related deforestation⁷

Unfortunately, biofuels have many issues that detract from their promise as the panacea to our fossil fuel crisis. The major issue with all biofuels is that they are simply not as cost competitive as extracting fossil fuels from the ground⁵. All of them require highly energy and resource intensive processes to grow, extract and process feedstock into useable fuel. Consequently, fossil fuels still have the edge in terms of cost. Furthermore, 1^st generation biofuels are produced from food crops. This gives rise to a whole host of issues ranging from socio-economic problems such as threatening food and water security to environmental issues such as deforestation and pollution of the land and water from fertiliser usage¹.

What is Being Done About It?

Continued scientific progress in the field of biofuels is certainly helping to solve many of the issues highlighted above. For example, 2^nd generation biofuels were developed in an effort to solve the problems of 1^st generation biofuels. As mentioned previously, 2^nd generation biofuels are primarily produced from agricultural residue and non-food crops. This means that the feedstock used is not in direct competition with the demand for food, thereby avoiding any associated socio-economic conflicts³. Additionally, scientific advancements can help increase the cost competitiveness of 2^nd generation biofuels. For example, scientist have found that certain micro-organisms can be used in lieu of conventional energy intensive processes to help break down the cellulosic feedstock³.  However, given that the feedstock ultimately still comes from terrestrial crop sources, 2^nd generation biofuels still requires land, water and fertiliser application to produce, hence still has inherent environmental problems¹.

3^rd generation biofuel⁹

As such, 3^rd generation  biofuels were developed to help solve the shortcomings of the prior two generations. These algal based biofuels have many advantages over the other two types of biofuels. Firstly, they are significantly more energy dense¹, meaning that the yield of biofuel would be much greater and that less space is required to cultivate the feedstock. Next, algae can grow in areas that are unsuitable for terrestrial crops and can even be cultivated using saltwater, sewage and waste water¹. This means that valuable arable land is not taken up by the cultivation of algae, protecting food security and reducing deforestation. Furthermore, freshwater resources need not be expended to grow these algae, allowing biofuel production to coexist with water security¹. Although the main issue with 3^rd generation biofuels lie in the energy intensive oil extraction process, recent scientific developments are helping to significantly reduce the energy investment in these processes⁵.

Lastly, broader economic policies such as the taxation of fossil fuels and the subsidising of alternative fuels such as biofuels must be put in place in order to enable biofuels to be truly cost competitive⁶.

Overall, biofuels are definitely a promising solution in our quest to shift away from fossil fuels for a cleaner and greener future! Until next time!

Written by: Noel

References:

1. https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agsci.oregonstate.edu/files/bioenergy/generations-of-biofuels-v1.3.pdf
2. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/biofuel/
3. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/science/article/pii/S0168165612001721
4. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biofuels/biodiesel-and-the-environment.php#:~:
5. https://www.power-technology.com/features/algal-biofuels-challenges-opportunities/
6. https://www.greenfacts.org/en/biofuels/l-2/2-economic-policy-factors.htm
7. https://www.transportenvironment.org/press/palm-oil-and-soy-oil-biofuels-linked-high-rates-deforestation-new-study
8. http://www.viaspace.com/biomass_versus_alternatives.php
9. https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=406

The Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia

Illegal wildlife trade is a serious issue that greatly impacts global biodiversity. Despite greater awareness, the trade still continues. According to a 2016 approximation by the United Nations, illegal wildlife trade amounts to about 9.5 to 31.2 billion SGD every year, making it the fourth largest illegal trade globally.

Southeast Asia is pivotal to the global wildlife trade. It serves as one of the largest sources, consumers and transit hubs for countless species. Despite its small size compared to the rest of the world, Southeast Asia may be responsible for a quarter of the world’s illegal wildlife trade. Singapore plays a significant role, which will be discussed later on. 

From 1998 to 2007 alone, about 35 million species were traded from Southeast Asia. These included 17 million reptiles, 1 million birds and about 400,000 mammals, along with others.

Helmeted Hornbills are now critically endangered due to excessive poaching. (© Yoko Hadiprakarsa / Rangkong Indonesia, from IUCN)

Furthermore, these figures may be underestimations of the actual numbers that are illegally traded. This is due to the nature of trade itself (being hard to track), leading to many unreported seizures and misreports because of corruption and ambiguous systems.

Why does the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia still continue at such large scales today? 

A history of highly organised criminal networks continues to serve its purpose today, and with the advent of online criminal networks, the efficiency and ease with which wildlife is illegally traded has significantly increased. Weak legal action taken by governments and the poor monitoring of markets has led to a lack of sufficient deterrents, exacerbating the issue. With increasing populations and sustained superstitions about animal products, demand has also increased drastically.

Species of High Demand in Southeast Asia

Illegal wildlife products in Southeast Asia are mostly used as food, traditional medicine, pets, and collectibles. Although there is a great diversity of products and target animals being poached and traded illegally, here are some of the most commonly exploited in Asia.

1. Pangolins

A pangolin in South Africa (© Themba Hadebe/AP Photo, from Al Jazeera)

They are the world’s most trafficked mammals. A study by TRAFFIC showed that in recent years, 900,000 pangolins were illegally traded internationally, with a significant proportion of this trade connected to Southeast Asia. 

It is a symbol of wealth for many cultures, and used extensively in traditional medicine. Due to this, demand for their scales and body parts are extremely high. They are mostly poached in Asia and Africa, and the most targeted species are the Sunda Pangolin and Chinese Pangolin.

2. African Rhinos

A South-western Black Rhino (© Dave Hamman Photography, from IUCN)

Black and White Rhinos once roamed almost all of Africa, but years of uncontrolled poaching has led to their devastating decline. Watch this video to find out more about the trade, why they are targeted and some approaches taken to protect them.

3. Wild Asian Bears

The Asiatic Black Bear (Crudge, 2016).

Despite their large size, they are still targeted for their bile and meat in Asia. The expansion of this trade has led to the Asiatic Black Bear and Sun Bear being threatened with extinction, since they are the most popularly targeted Asian bears.

4. Otters

The Asian Small-clawed Otter (© Nicole Duplaix, from IUCN).

Yes, otters. Our local otter families are loved by the public here in Singapore, but they are not excluded from the illegal wildlife trade in Asia. For 2 years, about 1800 otter skins were openly on sale in Asian markets. They are especially popular in China. The most exploited are the Small-clawed Otter and the Smooth-coated Otter, leading to both being vulnerable to extinction

5. Songbirds and Parrots

An Asian Songbird (David Jeggo, from IUCN).

Unfortunately, birds are one of the most targeted in the Asian wildlife trade. Millions of birds from hundreds of species are traded every year. Songbirds are especially popular due to the prevalence of bird keeping in Asian cultures. Studies done by TRAFFIC showed that from 2014 to 2018, 86,000 birds were traded in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Other than these mentioned above, many species of freshwater turtles and tortoises, as well as the well-known tigers and African elephants are also exploited in shocking numbers every year. With such a big variety of wildlife species being exploited and taken from their natural habitats, there are bound to be negative impacts. What are they?

Impacts on Wildlife

Southeast Asia boasts an extremely rich biodiversity. Globally, Southeast Asia has the highest per-country proportion of endemic birds and mammals in a tropical region. It also has the highest proportion of threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles. Excessive poaching has led to the endangerment and extinction of many of these species, which has irreversible impacts on Southeast Asia’s ecosystems.

The disruption of local ecosystems adds to the problems they already face due to extended habitat destruction. The scale of the threat is alarming – in the case of African elephants, 1.2 million were estimated to exist in 1980, but there are less than 420,000 remaining today.

Impacts on Society

Furthermore, this trade has had several negative impacts on us, especially in recent years. Poaching creates unnatural points of contact between wildlife and people, allowing pathogens to be passed into our societies. This is worsened when a wildlife species is handled by several people along the supply chain, usually between several countries.

This was exactly what caused the emergence of new viruses, such as viruses from the coronavirus family. The SARS coronavirus emerged from the trade of bats and small carnivores in Guangdong’s wet markets. And as you guessed, this is also what caused the COVID-19 global pandemic that we are going through now.

These viruses have the potential to cripple economies and lead to the loss of a devastating number of human lives, worsening humanitarian crises and other issues.

Illegal Wildlife Trade in Singapore

Although the global illegal wildlife trade seems to have little connection to Singapore, we in fact play a pivotal role in halting illegal wildlife trade. Singapore is a key shipping hub that serves as an avenue where illegal wildlife products are shipped across Southeast Asia. Although Singapore has hefty fines issued for illegal wildlife trade, ivory is still being sold illegally in our markets, and this could be due to the lack of proper regulations, monitoring practices, as well as a relatively short jail period (maximum 2 years).

Check out this video – it outlines the illegal sale of ivory in Singapore’s markets and the methods used to get ivory past checks by authorities.

In Singapore, the illegal trade that occurs is largely covered under a veil. However, there is a shocking number and variety of species that are traded here. Birds, ivory, rhino horns, live reptiles and skins, pangolins, freshwater turtles and tortoises, Saiga horns, and bear bile are the key products being traded or sold here in Singapore. In the case of birds, there were about 14,000 in Singapore’s local markets in 2015. Singapore is also largely responsible for the re-exportation of products imported from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. 

Thus, Singapore is essential to any efforts made to stop illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia.

What can we do?

Although we are unable to make changes to laws and regulations, there are still some things we can do to stop the trade in Singapore, and support anti-trafficking organisations.

Make conscious consumption decisions. Don’t purchase products, traditional medicine and food items derived from endangered animal parts. Do not purchase or keep wild animals in your households.

If you observe any illegal wildlife trade activities, report it to the following authorities:

1. ACRES Wildlife Crime: +65 9783 7782 (24 hours) 
2. Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority: +65 6805 2992 / 1800 476 1600 (24 hours) 

Additionally, you may continue to learn more to increase your individual awareness about illegal wildlife trade in Asia and beyond, from sites such as TRAFFIC, Globalteer, WWF, WCS and share this information with your friends and family to spread awareness. You may also consider donating to these organisations to show your support and contribute to the work they do to stop illegal wildlife trade.

Written by: Hope