Monday, January 5, 2009 ablaze with haze
Posted by SHANNEN at 10:21 PM
how air pollution comes about: forest fires

propagating across Asia like wildfire

Nature dies because of Man's selfish needs;even children feel Mother Nature's pain

yes,it even caused the waters to dry up and kill other creatures

We can't even breathe properly because of air pollutants everywhere

"Please dont destroy Mother Nature and harm everybody else!Please dont be selfish!"
From these pictures,I have already unknowingly written six thousand words(since a picture speaks a thousand words).However, I ultimately hope that these pictures will raise the awareness of how forest fires in Indonesia not only affects Singapore alone,but the country itself and other parts of Asia.
As men become modern and industralize,we tend to take the easy way out by just clearing the land with the lick of the flames to build high-risers and other buildings.
Instead,we are just harming ourselves by letting such air pollutants being released from the haze entering our bodies and wreaking havoc in us. Problems such as difficulty breathing, eye irritation, coughs and even life-threatening symptoms may appear if we do not cut down on the forest fires.
Of course,as a Singaporean,there is not much I can say to help reduce the number of forest fires,but we can always help out to keep the air quality in Singapore stable and good by taking public transport,not smoking,carpool.It may not seem much to one person,but with the whole nation making efforts,there will be significant differences on the environment.
In addition, this can also reduce carbon emissions and prevent global warming from coming true.
okay thats all,thank you for your time!


how singapore monitors her air quality :)
Posted by KIMMIE at 8:30 PM
Hello!
It's Kim Joo today :) I'll touch on how Singapore monitors her ambient(surrounding) air quality.

Our ever-wonderful NEA monitors our air quality by using the Telemetric Air Quality Monitoring and Management System (TAQMMS). Sounds like a complex thing, huh? Basically, the system comprises of remote air monitoring stations that are linked to a Central Control System (CCS) via dial-up telephone lines, and provides an efficient means of obtaining air quality data.

These stations are also equipped with continuous automatic analysers to measure concentration for :
  • Sulphur Dioxide
  • Ozone
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Oxides of Nitrogen
  • Particulate of matter

    Out of these 16 stations, 13 are used to monitor ambient air quality while the remaining 3 monitors roadside air quality.



    The ambient stations are classified as
  • urban,
  • industrial
  • and sub-urban stations
    depending on the activities in the area where they are located. The 3 roadside stations are located near busy roads or expressway and are used to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of NEA’s vehicular emission programme.

    • The data will be automatically processed at the CCS to give an update on air quality, with immediate access to air quality data collected at the monitoring stations. It also provides numerical models for simulation of various air pollution scenarios.

    And this, is how Singapore monitors her ambient air quality. :)

    Be good kids!
    Save the Earth!

    Credits : Info, Info, Picture.


    crystal clear air
    Posted by Anonymous at 12:01 AM
    Hello, I'm Kah Jun.

    Basically, our project is about the air pollution between Singapore and Indonesia. Everyone knows that due to the forest fires from Indonesia, it generates a lot of ash, and the wind carries it to Singapore.

    The haze created from the forest fires not only affect our air quality, it also affects our vision and health.

    When are we more likely to be more affected by smoke haze?

    Past smoke haze episodes occurred largely within the period of May to October. We are likely to be impacted by smoke haze when there are forest fires in the region and the prevailing Southwest Monsoon winds blow the smoke from the fires in our direction.


    The following measures are adopted by NEA/MEWR to control air pollution and to improve air quality in Singapore:

    • Minimising pollution at source by stipulating stringent air emission limits and fuel quality on industries and motor vehicles e.g. EURO IV emission standards for diesel vehicles.
    • Stringent legislation and enforcement to control air pollution.
    • Proper land use planning and judicious siting of pollutive industries away from population centres.
    • Promoting cleaner energy and energy efficiency e.g. green vehicles, use of compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable energy sorce, energy efficient buildings, etc.
    (http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1253)

    We should do our part and help to keep our air quality clean. We don't want to actually die from breathing right?!? So yeah, keep the air clean! It's good for you and me!

    Goodnight everyone!

    KahJun :D


    Friday, January 2, 2009
    Posted by Claudia at 4:07 PM




    Questions to think about:

    1. What is the main cause of global warming?

    2. In this day and age, is the prevention of global warming really possible? Do you think that Earth is headed towards a dead end?





    Global Warming. What comes around, goes around.



    Monday, December 29, 2008
    Posted by Becks at 11:13 PM
    Alright, Rebecca here, i shall be the second to post. :)

    Basically our project will be revolving around the case study on the pollution problems in Indonesia and how it affects Singapore. We were also to research on how Singapore monitors its ambient air quality, as well as find out what the general health effects are associated with the different air quality categories.

    The haze has traditionally appeared in the months of July to October, coinciding with the dry months, which can cause forest fires. This is coupled with the practice of land clearing by farmers on timber or palm oil plantations in Indonesia. It is illegal to carry out slash-and-burn land clearing in Indonesia, but prosecutions take time and few have stuck. Local sources also point to limited government budgets and difficulty enforcing national policy locally.
    (http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/topics/sphaze.htm)

    A particular concern among environmentalists is an increasing trend towards converting peatland forests. Once these areas are drained peat soil is highly flammable, producing more smoke and carbon emissions than other soil types. (http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/topics/sphaze.htm)

    Air pollution problems in Indonesia has thus affected neighbouring countries, including Singapore, due to the simple fact that the particles given out during the burnings can be air-bourne, and this widens the affected area.

    And so, here we are, the cause of the pollution problems in Indonesia found.

    till next time, keep the air clean! ;)
    -Rebecca.


    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 OH HI THAR
    Posted by CHINHWEE at 1:48 AM


    Dont pollute the air, peeps. Think of our children in the future! What will happen if we keep polluting it and they keep breathing in the polluted air?

    PHYSICAL DEGENERATION! We won't want our children to mutate, do we?