In hot and humid Singapore, one thing we all appreciate, and some even consider essential, is air-conditioning. 80% of homes and nearly all office and retail buildings have air-conditioning. This consumes lots of electricity, and generates lots of greenhouse gas emissions.
I don’t think we can do away with air-conditioning, so we are pursuing more efficient ways to cool our environment. This Bloomberg Green article describes the district cooling system in Marina Bay South. A centralised cooling plant runs chilled water through a network of underground pipes. It services a large area including Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and the Marina Bay Financial Centre. This centralised system saves around 40% of energy, translating into lower emissions.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has introduced requirements for refrigerators and air-conditioners, such as “climate-friendly” labels, and phasing out the use of high-GWP refrigerants. By raising our air-conditioner temperature setting and using energy efficient appliances at home, we can help lower carbon emissions too.
Global warming cannot be solved in one simple stroke. Amidst current preoccupations with COVID-19, let us not forget to work together to make the world a greener, more sustainable place for future generations. – LHL
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