"We face a true planetary emergency," Gore said. "The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level."
Upon awarding the Nobel peace prize to both the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Mr. Al Gore, the Nobel committee noted that Gore's commitment "has strengthened the struggle against climate change" and called him "probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted.
To the people of the United States of America, the choice of Mr. Al Gore delivered a symbolic rebuke to the Bush administration, which has opposed calls for mandatory greenhouse gas reductions and fueled speculation that the former Democratic presidential candidate might yet enter the 2008 race.
I believe that the Nobel Peace Prize being given to former Vice President Al Gore and the Geneva-based United Nations climate group, is the best form of recognition to the dire threat of global warming and climate change. On a larger scale, the Nobel Prize is a more subtle way of stating that if we keep this up, we will all be DOOMED!
More recently, the truth of Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth has come under fire, with the British judge ruling that the film does contain ‘nine errors’ which ‘arise in the context of alarmism and exaggeration in support of his political thesis’. Throw away the Oscar and you have a real, intimate appeal to the world of the situation we are in right now.
Rising temperatures, if left unchecked, would lead to widespread coastal flooding, starvation and species extinction. Mr. Al Gore is more than a mere tree-hugger. Instead, he represents the war which will be waged even after our lifetimes. In due course, global warming will be a crucial issue, both in the political arena and in our daily lives.
In reality, the economic forces against cutting emissions of heat-trapping gases are enormous, particularly in the developing world. For example, China, whose annual greenhouse gas emissions are expected to surpass those of the U.S. as soon as this year, opens a new coal-fired power plant every week. Faced with a more gritty perspective, being environmentally-friendly requires tremendous time and effort. As a student, even the slightest effort, e.g. to replace plastic bags with reusable ones, will impact the world, the society and ourselves on unimaginable scales on a long-term basis.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Myanmar Mayhem
"It will be a tragedy for the people of Myanmar. And it will be a setback for Asean, and indeed, China and India as well." -Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, on the crackdown in Myanmar
Tear gas and live ammunition rained over the heads of thousands of protesters as they thronged the soldiers and policemen. The bloody crackdown was a culmination of days of extreme tension, with the media describing it as a response to the junta's government's decision to hike the fuel prices. Personally, however, I strongly believe that the social and political turmoil has always been a ticking time bomb in Myanmar, one of the poorest countries of the world.
Titanic shifts within the military form of government, including the imprisonment of its former elected leader, have brewed unhappiness and most definitely uncertainty within its population of 57.3 million. The leaders of this uproar are interestingly enough, monks.
In a more conservative and 'politically empathetic' society such as Singapore, we never ever observe such uprisings as we are fortunately deprived of such an experience. On the other hand, from the current situation in Myanmar, it is a stark reminder of the religious intricacies and its deep roots within its people.
“They beat the monks and loaded them onto a truck like animals. We could hear gunshots, screams and shouting.” –Eyewitness report to BBC
The monks, to the Myanmar people symbolise a high status, on par with that of their parents. As the junta government does what it does best, using force to keep its people in check. This crackdown on monks represents a direct and even personal psychological attack on both non-believers and believers in the country.
“We are in a difficult position. We either go to democracy or back to military dictatorship.” –Protester Samson, on the current political situation in Myanmar
From the words of Foreign Minister George Yeo, he sees this as a new situation with the mass demonstrations and involvement of Buddhist monks which requires a fresh approach and a renewed attempt at reconciliation is necessary.
Myanmar is at a crossroad where it must choose between choosing a new path for its government and returning to a system that has failed to keep its people together. It is a dark moment in Myanmar’s history but a significant milestone in its maturation as an Asian society.
Tear gas and live ammunition rained over the heads of thousands of protesters as they thronged the soldiers and policemen. The bloody crackdown was a culmination of days of extreme tension, with the media describing it as a response to the junta's government's decision to hike the fuel prices. Personally, however, I strongly believe that the social and political turmoil has always been a ticking time bomb in Myanmar, one of the poorest countries of the world.
Titanic shifts within the military form of government, including the imprisonment of its former elected leader, have brewed unhappiness and most definitely uncertainty within its population of 57.3 million. The leaders of this uproar are interestingly enough, monks.
In a more conservative and 'politically empathetic' society such as Singapore, we never ever observe such uprisings as we are fortunately deprived of such an experience. On the other hand, from the current situation in Myanmar, it is a stark reminder of the religious intricacies and its deep roots within its people.
“They beat the monks and loaded them onto a truck like animals. We could hear gunshots, screams and shouting.” –Eyewitness report to BBC
The monks, to the Myanmar people symbolise a high status, on par with that of their parents. As the junta government does what it does best, using force to keep its people in check. This crackdown on monks represents a direct and even personal psychological attack on both non-believers and believers in the country.
“We are in a difficult position. We either go to democracy or back to military dictatorship.” –Protester Samson, on the current political situation in Myanmar
From the words of Foreign Minister George Yeo, he sees this as a new situation with the mass demonstrations and involvement of Buddhist monks which requires a fresh approach and a renewed attempt at reconciliation is necessary.
Myanmar is at a crossroad where it must choose between choosing a new path for its government and returning to a system that has failed to keep its people together. It is a dark moment in Myanmar’s history but a significant milestone in its maturation as an Asian society.
Sunday, 20 May 2007
Our Cups of Tea
Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong and Mr Abdullah Badawi partook in platters of bread as they gently stirred their cups of tea in satisfaction. It was a laid-back breakfast which lasted a mere two and a half hours.
Littered among the crumbs of bread, there lies the golden opportunity to discuss key bilateral, regional and international issues and future plans on a totally new level. There is mutual understanding towards a new direction where outstanding bilateral issues like the price of water and Malaysia’s railway should be resolved without impeding further cooperation. Malaysia’s upcoming Iskandar Development Region must not be viewed as a threat instead as a catalyst in drawing investments to South-east Asia.
Singaporeans look at the majestic 2,217 sq km zone and undoubtedly feel threatened by its existence. However, more importantly, we must view the entire situation with a wider perspective to realise the long list of benefits we may reap. We need to achieve of maturity of which both countries share common goals and ideals.
On the other hand, with a more sympathetic perspective, it could most possibly snatch away investments from Singapore. These investments would in turn slowly isolate economic growth of Singapore from the world. Three times the size of Singapore, the IDR provides a much cheaper land for investors. Singaporeans jobs will definitely be put at risk in the case of companies, “jumping ship”.
Instead of trying to change others around us to make ourselves a more viable option, we must move towards a new direction, to change ourselves. By constantly improving and fine-tuning our processes, Singapore can be a very attractive place not only in the region but also the world. An educated workforce, a clean government and new creative ventures will put us in good stead. Competition will do us much good, for it will always be present and forever evolving.
For two and a half hours, conversation proceeded kopitam-style. Mr Lee Hsien Long was our representative over the retreat to engage and forge stronger bonds between our neighbours, much more than to just bring home his bread and butter.
Littered among the crumbs of bread, there lies the golden opportunity to discuss key bilateral, regional and international issues and future plans on a totally new level. There is mutual understanding towards a new direction where outstanding bilateral issues like the price of water and Malaysia’s railway should be resolved without impeding further cooperation. Malaysia’s upcoming Iskandar Development Region must not be viewed as a threat instead as a catalyst in drawing investments to South-east Asia.
Singaporeans look at the majestic 2,217 sq km zone and undoubtedly feel threatened by its existence. However, more importantly, we must view the entire situation with a wider perspective to realise the long list of benefits we may reap. We need to achieve of maturity of which both countries share common goals and ideals.
On the other hand, with a more sympathetic perspective, it could most possibly snatch away investments from Singapore. These investments would in turn slowly isolate economic growth of Singapore from the world. Three times the size of Singapore, the IDR provides a much cheaper land for investors. Singaporeans jobs will definitely be put at risk in the case of companies, “jumping ship”.
Instead of trying to change others around us to make ourselves a more viable option, we must move towards a new direction, to change ourselves. By constantly improving and fine-tuning our processes, Singapore can be a very attractive place not only in the region but also the world. An educated workforce, a clean government and new creative ventures will put us in good stead. Competition will do us much good, for it will always be present and forever evolving.
For two and a half hours, conversation proceeded kopitam-style. Mr Lee Hsien Long was our representative over the retreat to engage and forge stronger bonds between our neighbours, much more than to just bring home his bread and butter.
If Only Pirates Had Science
If only pirates had science.
In a millennium of the 21st century, a 17th century relic is discovered making the $500 million find one of the largest ever in the history of mankind. It was not by sheer luck though, for it was a deliberate, calculated, well-funded attempt with a little help from science.
Millions grow green with envy and picture a couple of scuba divers randomly stumbling upon a massive shipwreck spilling with gold coins. They would ransack the bounty before selling the gold in black markets to become instant billionares. It was definitely much more complicated than this.
Odyssey Marine Exploration faced seemingly unsurpassable challenges even after finding their pot of gold. 17 tonnes of gold and silver coins attracts plenty of attention and everyone is scrambling to have a piece of that fortune. Firstly, legal jurisdiction would have left them with a much lighter bag of coins. Under salvage law, Odyssey could only get up to 90 per cent of the haul. They made sure papers were signed for rights to search for the gold. They tripe-checked that it was out of any country’s territorial waters so that they be ‘finders’ and the ‘keepers’. Secondly, the pricing strategy of coins could make or break the entire project for the coins may be proved worthless if their origin and value is bogus.
It was impossible in the past. Now, with leaps and bounds in technology, that needle in a haysack could be found. Fundamentally, the state-of-the-art equipment used for seabed scans and underwater robots were what made such an expedition successful.
This expedition involves making U-turns before travelling up a 100 mile channel. At the same time, a multi-beam side scan sonar would bounce signals down to the seabed to show signs of lumps which could indicate a shipwreck. In addition, a magnetometer would be towed by the ship to detect any anomalies in the usually straight lines of the earth's magnetic field which can be diverted by ferrous metals that can be found in cannons or shipwrecks. Behind the leading ship would be sister ship, called into action if there is a hit. It would then take co-ordinates and lower an underwater robot into the sea in a bid to salvage treasure. They definitely did not stumble upon the treasure by chance.
As I scan this article, recurring images of the movie, ‘Ghost Ship’ emblazon themselves on my mind. It has always been every boy’s dream to dig up lost treasure in his backyard. In this case, would be the Altantic Ocean. This recent unearthing of treasure is a stark reminder of the incredible possibilities that Mother Earth has in store for mankind. That our lives can still have some colour and surprise in an age where we believe that man knows the earth like the back of his hand.
Uncharted waters are always present in our world, both literally and figuratively. In a sense, this mystery and hope for a miracle is simply what makes us human. Perhaps it is not the number of millions which is significant but rather the existence of the treasure itself. (:
In a millennium of the 21st century, a 17th century relic is discovered making the $500 million find one of the largest ever in the history of mankind. It was not by sheer luck though, for it was a deliberate, calculated, well-funded attempt with a little help from science.
Millions grow green with envy and picture a couple of scuba divers randomly stumbling upon a massive shipwreck spilling with gold coins. They would ransack the bounty before selling the gold in black markets to become instant billionares. It was definitely much more complicated than this.
Odyssey Marine Exploration faced seemingly unsurpassable challenges even after finding their pot of gold. 17 tonnes of gold and silver coins attracts plenty of attention and everyone is scrambling to have a piece of that fortune. Firstly, legal jurisdiction would have left them with a much lighter bag of coins. Under salvage law, Odyssey could only get up to 90 per cent of the haul. They made sure papers were signed for rights to search for the gold. They tripe-checked that it was out of any country’s territorial waters so that they be ‘finders’ and the ‘keepers’. Secondly, the pricing strategy of coins could make or break the entire project for the coins may be proved worthless if their origin and value is bogus.
It was impossible in the past. Now, with leaps and bounds in technology, that needle in a haysack could be found. Fundamentally, the state-of-the-art equipment used for seabed scans and underwater robots were what made such an expedition successful.
This expedition involves making U-turns before travelling up a 100 mile channel. At the same time, a multi-beam side scan sonar would bounce signals down to the seabed to show signs of lumps which could indicate a shipwreck. In addition, a magnetometer would be towed by the ship to detect any anomalies in the usually straight lines of the earth's magnetic field which can be diverted by ferrous metals that can be found in cannons or shipwrecks. Behind the leading ship would be sister ship, called into action if there is a hit. It would then take co-ordinates and lower an underwater robot into the sea in a bid to salvage treasure. They definitely did not stumble upon the treasure by chance.
As I scan this article, recurring images of the movie, ‘Ghost Ship’ emblazon themselves on my mind. It has always been every boy’s dream to dig up lost treasure in his backyard. In this case, would be the Altantic Ocean. This recent unearthing of treasure is a stark reminder of the incredible possibilities that Mother Earth has in store for mankind. That our lives can still have some colour and surprise in an age where we believe that man knows the earth like the back of his hand.
Uncharted waters are always present in our world, both literally and figuratively. In a sense, this mystery and hope for a miracle is simply what makes us human. Perhaps it is not the number of millions which is significant but rather the existence of the treasure itself. (:
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Friendship Express Derailed? Not exactly
“On both sides, people’s attention has now been drawn to those families, many of whom were split up after the partition of India and Pakistan and can only visit their relatives across the border very rarely. By highlighting those people’s plight, the attack seems to have had the effect of pulling India and Pakistan together rather than pushing them apart,” Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, announced to the sea of reporters and journalists on the day when it all happened.
The Samjhauta Express, more commonly known as the Friendship Express was barreling full throttle towards Atari, at the Pakistani border, where it all happened. As the explosions rang high in the air and as the fire blazed, orange flames begin licking the passengers, leaving scars which would take a lifetime to heal. Scurrying out of the train carriages for dear life, not everyone escaped unscathed.
As further investigation probes deeper into the truth behind the charred remains, examination of the wreck unearths two new stunning discoveries. Firstly, suitcases were found packed with wires and bottles containing some highly flammable liquids. Secondly, interrogation of the train conductor revealed that two men were allowed to jump off the train after arguing that they were on the wrong train. 15 minutes later, the train erupted with fire balls. Zooming in on security at train stations and on the trains themselves, government officials are working to improve the lax security systems and checks in the near future.
“We will not allow elements which want to sabotage the ongoing peace process to succeed in their nefarious designs. Such wanton acts of terrorism will serve only to further strengthen our resolve to attain the mutually desired objective of sustainable peace between the two countries.”
Mr Manmohan Singh’s and Pervez Musharraf’s words speak volumes about their firm and unwavering belief in forming lasting bonds between the two nuclear-armed nations. They share a common goal and they both work hard towards it, overcoming obstacles by facing them head-on. It is, what I feel personally, a glorious display of inspirational leadership and of course, mutual tolerance and understanding. Enlightening me through the article, my prejudice of the India-Pakistan conflict dies into the dust.
From the perspective of the victims, the author offers extremely insightful points of view, moving from one development after another, making it flow and adding tinges of excitement to it. To most Singaporeans, numbed by the news bulletins of suicide bombers, the lastest being September 11's Ground Zero, this bomb blast did not matter much. Instead of being oblivious to global happenings, we should be fully aware of the significance of this incident. Interestingly, the author unwaveringly supports an optimistic viewpoint, rather than a pesimistic perspective, seeking out the best light of the nations.
The world applauds their decision, and looks forward to a friendship which would last for a very, very long time. (:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1412565.ece
Monday, 12 February 2007
Flood Sends Waves of Terror Throughout Jakarta
With more than a staggering 400, 000 people left homeless and dozens dead, hell has broken loose in Jakarta. Environmentalists are protesting that they were right from the beginning, politicians start waving their pudgy fingers at one another and the people of Indonesia try to make sense of it all.
The worst in five years, the floods this year have taken the capital of Indonesia by storm. With the disastrous 2004 tsunami is its wake; it joins a series of seemingly unfortunate events. Freak disappearances of jet planes. Bizarre mudflows. Unforeseen volcanic eruptions. Topping it off with the cherry and cream, the recent avian flu outbreak.
Under fire for its failure to anticipate the rainy season floods and its slow response, city authorities are desperately scrambling to get blueprints and plans for the future published. Somewhere beneath the murky water, lies a choked-up drainage system, flood canals and sluice gates built by the Dutch 160 years ago.
As the 12 million residents of Jakarta pick up the pieces, as the thousands of displaced people return to their humble dwellings to find them piled with sludge and littered with debris, as locals frolic and splash in the road-turned-swimming pools, as the clothes are washed and as they answer their nature’s calls, the filthy water turns into the root of all evil.
Disease strife, many suffer from diarrhea and even some from leptospirosis. Fire trucks roam the city, spraying disinfectant in the worst-hit areas, in a desperate attempt to keep disease at bay. Jakarta’s administration is nibbling at their nails, nervously praying for good weather and sheer luck, enough to pull through this trying time.
Jakarta suffers from an ageing infrastructure and diffused power. Its people look forward, anticipating change, a revival in the authorities’ interest to develop Jakarta not just as a metropolitan city but a place where the government takes lead in overcoming the growing pains of a democratic transformation.
By evaluting the article, the author, I believe, used many sterotypes and was not unbiased in his comments of the article. He seems to direct all the attention of the reader towards the government's seemingly laissez-faire attitude. I believe, using a purely journalistic relation of the events, he would have painted a better picture. Knowing better that the victims and the government are also at their wit's ends, barely able to make ends meet, he could have offered a much more comprehensive analysis by arguing from both sides.
Admist the sand ban, the relationship between Singapore and Indonesia is under tremendous pressure and undoubtedly strained. However, in the shoes of the Indonesian government, I believe they defnitely have numberous problems of their own. We need to have a sense of empathy for everyone, to understand that they need our understanding and cooperation at this rather desperate juncture.
For now, the rain continues to pour as it rains cats and dogs. Just be sure to have your parasols and umbrellas ready, for only at the end of March, will the rainy season end. (:
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Welcome! It's beautiful
As we sit by the pier, and dip our feet
In the cool calm sea,
The balmy breeze in our faces, salt in our lips.
We think about the day
How it went, how we were and how we lived.
We dream, we reflect, we ponder
By the beautiful sunset. (:
In the cool calm sea,
The balmy breeze in our faces, salt in our lips.
We think about the day
How it went, how we were and how we lived.
We dream, we reflect, we ponder
By the beautiful sunset. (:
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