Reflection on Lecture Eleven- Environmental sustainability

I remember during the first lecture of the course, Professor Higgitt introduces to us on the concept of environmental sustainability. However, he focuses more on the learning aspects; emphasizing to us that the main aim of this course is to learn and gain things that will benefit us. The things we learn can be knowledge, greater awareness, time management, team work, presentation skill, and etc. The focus back then was not solely about trying hard to instill all of sustainability into us. I am glad to have Professor Higgitt and Professor Neo with us for this module as it is indeed an enriching learning processing more than the other modules I have taken or is taking. I find the teaching approach by the two friendly and caring professors more effective. Information is readily available for us but the true meaning and idea behind are disclosed gradually according to how much we are willing to learn. Information is just a surface tool to help enhanced our knowledge. Ultimately, it is up to the individuals on how much they are willing to take in and apply what they have learned in their daily lives.

It is interesting to finally unveil the topic of environmental sustainability in the last lecture. I feel that all in all, environmental sustainability is all about human beings. It all relies on humans and it is about the behavior, action, attitude, and compassion of the humans. What should be done, how much to do, and by what means to get things done. The above mentioned depends on people. As we go deeper, we will eventually understand that the term “environmental sustainability” is also a work and result of people. If people have not started to develop, there might be no need for environmental sustainability. Perhaps just sustainability is required. It is because of the ambition to develop and advance that result in the need for environmental sustainability. Throughout the module, I constantly relate people and people’s actions to the consequences on environment. I strongly believe that the negative outcome of a thing is not a result of a single entity but the interplay of various contributors over a period of time. For instance, the natural occurrence of greenhouse effect as mentioned in lecture eight will not do much harm to the environment. It is part of the nature process and nature will take charge and control over this natural emission of gases. 

 Natural occurrence of Greenhouse Effect

When there is an intrusion of human intervention, things go out of control and the initially natural process is made to become a main source of problem to the environment. Nature can no longer adjust itself to adapt to the overly polluted environment and is slowing regurgitating. 

From this module, I feel that I have not learned to do anything big or influential. Instead, I get an idea that it is more important for individuals to each play a small part in saving our earth. Many have argued that today’s society does not allow people to spare time and effort for the environment. Therefore, by doing small, people do not have an excuse as it will not create much distortion to our everyday lives. It can on the other hand bring more benefits even before we take notice of it. For example, start to travel by foot more according to individual level of comfortness and people will soon realize they are getting healthier than they used to. For myself, I have started to make conscious to write smaller to reduce paper consumption, frequent use of public transport, print 6 slides per page instead of 4 slides, eat lesser especially cut down on meat consumption and junk food, and many many more!!!

All in all, other than the additional information and knowledge on the environment and global issues, I learn to appreciate the precious place I am living in and learn to be less self centered. Perhaps, the word “learning” is not strong enough to reflect how I feel. A better phrase will be “self-realization”. I learn to prevent myself with coming up with smart excuses (like how Singapore’s government did). The principle of sustainable development by Singapore which is to achieve growth without sacrificing nature and the quality of the environment, thus ensuring their preservation for use by future generations has not been successful. There are still evidence of “nature” under threat in Singapore and not legally protected. Nature valorised according to its use and economic value. It seems to me that many people still have not understood the true need for environmental sustainability. Perhaps NUS should seriously consider making it compulsory for all students to fulfill at least one environmental module.