From First World to…? Assessing Singapore’s socio-environmental consciousness in the context of climate change

Abstract

It is increasingly urgent for the world not only to mitigate but to adapt to climate change. As a multi-scalar phenomenon, climate change exerts an unequal impact over spatial and temporal scales due to the nature of the climate system and the disparity in vulnerability between countries. Unfortunately, efforts to resolve climate change in a concerted manner have been hindered by political economic regimes centred on capitalism. This research asks how it may be possible to further the cause of justice in the human-environment relationship. Reasoning that the human-environment relationship stems from socio-environmental consciousness, this research aims to assess the level of socio-environmental consciousness among the local public in Singapore, comprising citizens and permanent residents. In the context of climate change, socio-environmental consciousness encompasses understanding and concern towards the social and environmental injustices present in climate change impact and resolution. As a first world, developed country, Singapore is believed to have the potential to do more for the common good of the environment and society. Online questionnaire surveys and follow-up email interviews were conducted via convenience sampling. In general, local understanding of and concern for climate change was found to be relatively high. Yet concern tends to be biased towards the impact on Singapore and the Southeast Asian region, and there seems to be pragmatic rather than staunch engagement in environmentally-friendly practices. To increase local participation through lifestyle and financial contribution, the population must recognise its privileged position relative to other spaces and countries, as well as be motivated and empowered to take personal action. While future generations may be more attuned to the changing climate, it is still speculative whether increasing solidarity in socio-environmental consciousness and effecting real changes to the human-environment relationship will be realised.