The entitled, the woke, the agenda-driven, the vested-interest advocate etc.

[LITTLEREDDOT]

No customer is entitled to walk into any food outlet and expect to be served.
A food outlet is a private enterprise, it is not obliged to take in any customer that wants to eat there.
Under the law of contract, there must be offer and acceptance.
The offeree is the customer (diner) who makes an offer to eat at the food outlet.
It is up to the food outlet whether or not to accept the offer.
If it accepts, there is a contract.
if it does not, it means that the food outlet can turn the customer away.

Paralympic swimmer Sophie Soon in stand-off over guide dog at Rocky Master outlet in Hougang​

Paralympic swimmer Sophie Soon with her guide dog, Orinda. ST FILE PHOTO

Anjali Raguraman
Correspondent

Mar 9, 2023

SINGAPORE – Paralympic swimmer Sophie Soon was involved in a confrontation with a Rocky Master employee when she patronised the cafe at the Hougang 1 mall on Wednesday night, accompanied by her guide dog and her mother.
In a video taken by Ms Soon and posted on Facebook, the female employee was seen speaking on the phone before telling Ms Soon – who is visually impaired – and her mother to sit outside its premises with the guide dog.
Ms Soon’s mother then asked the woman why they were being discriminated against, adding that guide dogs are allowed in restaurants by Muis, or the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.
Asked what would happen if Ms Soon posted the video, the woman in the clip said: “Police report.”
“This happens practically every time I visit a new restaurant, which is a few times a week,” the 25-year-old told The Straits Times. Her guide dog, Orinda, has been with her since January 2022.
“It’s always the same when I go to a restaurant I haven’t been to before, where the staff on the ground have to check with management, and then I have to end up waiting 10 to 15 minutes.”
But this time, there was a half-hour delay before Ms Soon and her mother were seated.

Ms Soon claimed they were given three conditions by the employee in the video for remaining in the restaurant: the dog must be leashed, it must not be fed, and customers must not complain about the dog.
“As said many times before, guide dogs are allowed by law into all restaurant establishments, including halal establishments, as supported by Muis,” Ms Soon wrote in the caption accompanying the video.
In Singapore, guide dogs wear a yellow harness with text indicating that they are working dogs.

Guide dogs are approved and allowed in halal-certified premises, according to a Muis advisory.
The Housing Board and the National Parks Board’s Animal and Veterinary Service allow guide dogs to live in HDB flats. The National Environment Agency and the Singapore Food Agency also allow guide dogs in restaurants, foodcourts and cafes.
“How many more times do guide dog users have to be discriminated (against) before businesses finally educate themselves on the guide dog laws in Singapore?” Ms Soon wrote in the video caption.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Rocky Master said it does not discriminate against any diner.


“However, we are mindful to be considerate towards other diners who might not be comfortable with certain dining environments,” the statement said. “Hence, we ask that guide dogs be leashed... and preferably be seated at (the) outdoor seating area where possible.”
Rocky Master then said that the employee in question “may not be very experienced in handling such situations”, and that she checked with her superior before making any decision.
“Even under the circumstances of being filmed, she and the rest of the team maintained their composure and did their best to accommodate and fulfil your requests,” the statement added.
“We understand from our outlet manager that the staff (member) was traumatised due to the incident. We have since reached out to our staff member to express our care and concern.”
This is not the first time Ms Soon has had to address concerns by members of the public about her guide dog.
In November 2022, she uploaded a TikTok clip to address a Stomp story that quoted a passenger on an MRT train saying that she was worried Ms Soon’s dog might suddenly attack her and her baby, who was in a pram.
In the video, Ms Soon explained that guide dogs spend the first two years of their lives undergoing intensive training, including many tests and socialising.


She added that the dogs have to undergo a further three to four weeks of training with their handler before being allowed into the majority of public spaces.
“The only two spaces they’re legally not allowed in are restaurant kitchens and surgery rooms,” she said.
Ms Soon told ST that as a person with a disability, having a guide dog allows her to do the same things as an able-bodied person. “They empower us so much to be able to live an independent life,” she said, referring to such dogs.
“When people say ‘go to another restaurant’, that’s not the point... The law supports us fully to be in there.”
She added: “At the end of the day, just like everyone else, I need to eat dinner... I have a life to live.”

 

[Patriotmissile]

Invitation to treat lah.

 

[Loofydralb]

Blind but still want to inconvenience others. Go die lah, let others live in peace.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Buildings with central air-con should set temperature at 25 deg C​

Mar 17, 2023

In the report, “It’s getting hot in S’pore. How much hotter is it than before?” (March 15), David Fogarty writes that the air-conditioning we use to keep cool is, paradoxically, one of the causes of higher temperatures that people are experiencing.
As a freelancer who works in various places, including malls and co-working spaces, I have become accustomed to the irony of living near the equator but having to wear layers of shirts, jackets and sweaters in order to feel comfortable when I am indoors.
The even larger irony is that despite what is known about the major role of air-conditioning in global warming, we over-cool buildings, thereby making the world warmer and leading to the need for more air-conditioning. This creates a vicious circle.
I appreciate that different people have different tolerance for heat and cold.
Perhaps a compromise would be for centrally controlled buildings to settle on the Singapore Government’s suggested temperature of
25 deg C.
Last week, when I requested less air-conditioning at the co-working space I was at, the response was a typical one, “Sorry, but it’s centrally controlled” – accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders.
This week, I bought a clock/thermometer, which I took to that co-working space. It registered 21.7 deg C.

There is no need to shrug our shoulders helplessly in the face of global warming.
Using less air-conditioning is one of many ways we can do our bit to cool the planet.

George Martin Jacobs

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Proposed workplace fairness law needs to be all-inclusive​

Apr 12, 2023

We agree with Ms Corinna Lim’s views in the opinion piece, “Workplace fairness proposals could be fairer” (March 22).
In the commentary, the executive director of the Association of Women for Action and Research said that Singapore’s workplace fairness Act should have anti-discrimination policies that include everyone.
The interim report by the Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness for the planned Workplace Fairness Legislation covers only five categories of characteristics for protection.
The categories covered are: age; nationality; sex, marital status, pregnancy status, caregiving responsibilities; race, religion, language; and disability and mental health conditions.
Several important categories are excluded, including medical conditions, physical attributes and sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Excluding these categories means that in theory, an aggrieved employee may have to split his claims into those that fall under the proposed Workplace Fairness Legislation and those that do not, if he wants to seek redress.
The existing Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices framework recognises, as a fundamental principle, that protection against all forms of workplace discrimination is important to promote a fair and merit-based employment ecosystem. This principle needs to be translated into the proposed legislation.

Action for Aids has previously called on the Government to formulate the law to protect all employees from discrimination based on characteristics which do not impact the individual’s ability to work.
We call on the Government to legislate an all-inclusive anti-discrimination law to promote a fair and merit-based employment ecosystem to ensure that no worker is left behind.

Roy Chan Kum Wah (Professor)
President, Action for Aids Singapore
Leow Yangfa
Executive Director, Oogachaga

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

In the past: "Sorry, no stock!"
Now: "shops must be size-inclusive"

'I'm not fat': Woman says Bugis Junction store employee laughed at her for picking L-sized dress​

APRIL 14, 2023
ByCHING SHI JIE

Screengrab/tikTok/Followmeb4imhotnfamous

A woman left a clothing store "feeling conscious" about her body after a staff member allegedly laughed at her for picking a dress that was too small.
Taking to TikTok on Thursday (April 13), a day after the incident, Ramyaa Gobi said that the employee at Another One in Bugis Junction told her to "make do" with what was on the rack.
"I'm not fat. I'm not [even] overweight," the perplexed 20-year-old added.
In an interview with AsiaOne on Friday (April 14), Ramyaa shared that she usually wears size M clothes.
After browsing through the racks in the Bugis Junction store with her friend, she chose a dress that's size L.
"I felt it was going to be a bit too big for me," Ramyaa shared, adding that a staff member sized her up before she could try on the clothes.
The woman said: "[The staff there] told my friend nicely to go one size up.
"But I was shocked when she laughed at me and told me to get size XL instead."
While the staff member did not make any comments about her body, Ramyaa said that the former sniggered and "insinuated that I'm too fat for this size L dress."
"I started feeling really self conscious," the woman said.
“We went to get dessert after leaving the shop. But I felt awful and wanted to cry.”
In the TikTok video shared on Thursday (April 13), Ramyaa clarified that she "doesn't have an issue" if the store caters to "petite women".
What she has a problem with however, is the woman "laughing in [her] face when there are other shoppers around".


Ramyaa's video has since garnered over 11,000 views.
Several netizens in the comments were outraged by the staff member's actions.

PHOTO: Screengrab/tikTok/Followmeb4imhotnfamous
A netizen pointed out that clothing sizes in Bugis area "are absurd".

PHOTO: Screengrab/tikTok/Followmeb4imhotnfamous
A quick check online showed that Another One has a 2.8 out of five rating on Google Reviews, with several customers expressing that the attitude of their staff leaves a lot to be desired.
Others however, praised the store's variety of "comfortable and fashionable" clothes, with one noting that she had not encountered the rude service experienced by other reviewers.

PHOTO: Screengrab/TikTok/Followmeb4imhotnfamous
AsiaOne has contacted Another One for comment.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Curvy woman calls out The Editor's Market on her 'no-go' CNY dress, pleads for brand to be more size-inclusive​

JANUARY 25, 2023
ByAMIERUL RASHID

Screengrabs/TikTok/Gladyslxr_

Buying new clothes for Chinese New Year is a given but finding that perfect one is not a sure thing.
Unfortunately, for local shopper Gladys Lim, the $59 Lliana Linen Slit Dress she bought from The Editor's Market this CNY was not up to her standard.
She bought it in XL size and it didn't fit her well, she said, despite having patronised the fashion brand before on numerous occasions.
On Tuesday (Jan 24), Gladys shared a 36-second clip of herself pointing out everything wrong with the dress on TikTok.
She called out The Editor's Market for not being particularly size-inclusive.
The in-video caption provided a simple TLDR.
"Struggles of being a curvy girl in Singapore," it read.

Before diving into what exactly was a "no-go", the 26-year-old video producer admitted that she has "huge boobs" and a "fat a**".
Not that it should matter, especially when one is buying a larger-sized dress.
Unfortunately, the dress is "not great for people who have a bigger bust", Gladys said.
It was a chore to zip the dress up fully and when she eventually took a seat, the area around the zipper tore.
The pit-to-pit measurement seemed off and the dress did not hug her chest area nicely, she said.
"Then look at this, what is this awkward gap?" she asked pointing out the affected area of the dress in her TikTok video.

Finding the right fit​

She told AsiaOne that finding perfectly-sized clothes is a struggle.
Mentioning how much her body has changed over the years, Gladys said it was hard to find clothes that "fit [her] aesthetic and overall frame".
A common issue she faced would be instances when the waist fits but the bust area doesn't.
"If you want to expand on your sizes, at least get the average measurements right," Gladys said.
Since the dress doesn't fit, is it going straight to the bin?
"I honestly just chucked it back into the packaging because I was super upset that I couldn't fit the dress despite buying XL from them before on numerous occasions," she responded.
AsiaOne has reached out to The Editor's Market for more information.
In the comments section, there were quite a number of netizens who shared the same sentiment.
From inconsistent sizing to dwindling product quality, it seemed that other customers have also gone through similar shopping experiences at The Editor's Market.

PHOTOS: Screengrabs/TikTok/Gladyslxr_
Others were helpful enough to suggest alternative brands which are more size-inclusive, such as Love, Bonito and Love and Bravery to Gladys.
In the video caption, Gladys did mention that she "honestly loves shopping at The Editor's Market" but this experience was just a "no-go".
When it comes to size-inclusivity among local fashion brands, Gladys tells AsiaOne that they "can definitely do better".
Growing up as an overweight kid, she didn't see any plus-sized models wearing clothes she was interested in purchasing.
This had a real impact on her self-esteem.
Even now in Singapore, there are rarely models with body rolls or big thighs with cellulite according to Gladys.
She champions brands that show models of all different sizes and hopes that more local brands can pay more attention to that, "rather than just slapping on L, XL, XXL" on their products.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Should plus-size travellers get an extra seat on the plane?​

Around the world, waistlines are expanding as airline seats shrink. But clear and compassionate regulations can help larger travellers avoid discomfort and embarrassment.​

Clara Lock
Travel Correspondent

Some plus-size travellers are calling for airlines to offer them an extra seat free of charge. PHOTO: UNSPLASH

Apr 30, 2023

Even at the best of times, flying can be painful. Your neck aches from lolling sideways while you doze, your knees hurt after being bent at 90 degrees for too long and a dull ache is spreading across your lower back.
Now imagine enduring all that as a plus-size traveller. The discomfort and indignity prompted a plus-size woman from the United States to petition airlines to provide larger travellers with an extra seat free of charge. Unsurprisingly, her campaign sparked headlines and heated debates.
Around the world, airline seats are shrinking even as people are getting larger. FlyersRights, a US-based not-for-profit organisation, found that the width of airplane seats has shrunk by about 5cm over the past few decades. The pitch, an industry measure of legroom, has been reduced by about 5cm to 13cm.
Meanwhile, worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. About 39 per cent of adults are overweight, with a third of them obese, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Singapore fares better, with the obesity rate at 10.5 per cent in 2020, though this is the country’s highest in a decade.
Currently, many airlines including Scoot, United Airlines and British Airways require plus-size passengers to purchase an additional seat. Canada-based airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet are an exception, after a 2008 court ruling required them to provide more than one seat to severely obese travellers or disabled people who need an attendant seated with them.
In general, airline websites state that passengers who cannot lower the armrests or fit comfortably into one seat are expected to purchase an extra one.
“Failure to do so may result in you being denied transportation,” states budget carrier Scoot on its website.

Fairer rules across the board​

Are the current rules fair? Some think not. Advocacy groups such as The Obesity Collective from Australia are now calling for industrywide regulations that do not discriminate against guests of size.
They posit that obesity is not a lifestyle choice but a disease – a stance shared by bodies such as the WHO and the American Medical Association, even if some medical experts disagree.
Their main ask is a clearer definition of what constitutes a guest of size. For instance, airlines generally provide their seat width and pitch on their websites but few offer up the length of their seat belt and extender, if the latter is offered.
And what constitutes fitting comfortably into one’s seat? Often, it comes down to a judgment call. If the passenger in the next seat says nothing, flight crew are less likely to intervene.
But what if a passenger genuinely requires more room? Offering them an extra seat would drive up costs for all passengers, though perhaps not as much as one might expect.
In 2008, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities estimated that the new “one-person, one-fare” policy would cost Air Canada about US$6.93 million (S$9.26 million) a year, or an extra 77 Canadian cents (75 Singapore cents) a ticket.

A more inclusive society​

So would you pay an extra 75 cents for each flight ticket in order for larger folks to enjoy a more comfortable flight?
It is a small amount compared to what we shell out for airport or tourism taxes, but realistically, nobody likes a fare hike. Detractors say it is a slippery slope. What else might the majority of passengers be called upon to subsidise? Taller people might point out that they stump up for the exit row, likewise parents for a bassinet seat.
A more compassionate approach is to consider inclusivity.

ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO
In recent years, there has been a growing call for disability inclusion, including sensitivity to the intellectually disabled. The Singapore Land Transport Authority’s yellow sticker campaign encourages passengers to offer a seat to those with less visible health conditions, such as people going through cancer treatment.
As a nation, we accept that more of our taxpayer dollars will go to healthcare spending in the years ahead. But obesity remains an outlier.
“It’s one of the few conditions that people still feel OK to mock. People assume you’re fat because you have no discipline or willpower,” says S, who is in his 30s and weighs around 117 kg.
Medical research has found that factors such as medication, hormonal imbalances and genetics can all contribute to obesity. Larger folk know this. But it doesn’t take the sting out of dirty looks from other travellers, or those who outrightly ask flight crew for a change of seat.
To ease potential embarrassment, some plus-size travellers bring their own seat belt extenders, or drink as little as they can during the flight to minimise restroom trips.
Many do their best to reduce inconvenience to seat mates, even at the expense of their own comfort. On a flight from Singapore to Istanbul recently, I sat beside a large man who, despite being in the dreaded middle seat, determinedly avoided using the armrests throughout the 11-hour journey.

Creative and compassionate solutions​

In her book, You Just Need To Lose Weight And 19 Other Myths About Fat People, author and activist Aubrey Gordon talks about navigating the maze of airline policies that determines whether or not she will be allowed to fly, an additional source of travel stress.
In a competitive aviation landscape, companies that can offer a sweeter deal to large travellers might find themselves rewarded by customer loyalty.
In North America, US-based Southwest Airlines has garnered a reputation as having one of the most forgiving policies. Plus-sized travellers have the option to purchase two seats and can get a refund on the additional seat after their flight. According to its website, the airline will grant the refund even if the flight was oversold. Alaska Airlines has a similar policy, but will refund the additional seat only if the flight was not full.
Singapore Airlines staff will, at no cost, shift larger passengers so they have an empty seat next to them as long as one is available on the flight. This applies to travellers who are “unable to be seated without impacting their own safety or those around them”, though the airline did not state how this is defined.

SIA staff will shift larger passengers so they have an empty seat next to them as long as one is available on the flight. PHOTO: ST FILE
Companies do not need to give extra seats away for free – the middle ground is charging a lower price. KLM, for instance, offers a 25 per cent discount to guests of size for their second seat.
Larger seats, costing more, could be demarcated in a “comfort zone” section of the plane, similar to the Scoot-in-silence quiet cabin that the budget airline reserves for those aged 12 and up.
Airlines might reserve exit row seats for those with larger-than-usual measurements, be they plus-size or tall passengers. And if flights are not full, check-in agents could, upon request, offer to block out a free seat next to larger folks.
Airlines, of course, must weigh the commercial viability of such decisions. But I believe some responsibility lies with the non-plus-size majority to make the journey easier for larger folks.
One might groan inwardly if the baby seated next to you begins to wail, but it is poor form to express frustration to the desperately exhausted parents.

Similarly, it is no picnic to be assigned a seat next to someone large. But the kindest approach is to grin and bear it, keep snarky thoughts private and if necessary, request politely that you both try to keep within the armrests. The flight will be over in a matter of hours, but any hostility you express might stay with them for much longer.
In the past few decades, the democratisation of air travel has given us cheaper flights and more routes. Travellers and airlines should take reasonable measures to ensure that everyone can fly comfortably and without discrimination.
S, from earlier, says: “We have to be realistic about how other people will relate to us, but I hope this won’t discourage overweight people from seeing the world.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Should regular-size i.e., normal, passengers subsidized obese passengers?

US woman campaigns to get airlines to offer free seats, bigger restrooms for plus-size travellers​

Ms Jae’lynn Chaney suggested that plus-size passengers be provided with an extra free seat, “or even two or three seats depending on their size”. PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM JAEBAEPRODUCTIONS/INSTAGRAM, PEXELS

Eileen Ng
Correspondent

APR 17, 2023

A plus-size woman in the United States has started a petition to get airlines to provide free extra seats and bigger restrooms to accommodate larger travellers, in a move that has divided opinions.
In her change.org petition, content creator Jae’lynn Chaney said the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must “protect” bigger-sized travellers by requiring airlines to implement a clear customer-of-size policy that prioritises passengers’ comfort.
The petition, with the hashtag #BodyEqualityinTravel, has been signed by more than 5,600 people.
Ms Chaney suggested that plus-size passengers be provided with an extra free seat, “or even two or three seats depending on their size”.
For plus-size passengers who purchase extra seats on their own, the 26-year-old said airlines should offer a refund.
She also said airlines should have larger restrooms and that all new airplanes have at least one wheelchair-accessible restroom, adding that such change will improve accessibility for passengers of all sizes and abilities.
“Let’s just state facts, plus-size travellers need more space,” Ms Chaney, who is from the US city of Vancouver in Washington state, said in a TikTok video.

“We are not asking for special treatment or luxury accommodations. We simply want enough space to travel comfortably, without being discriminated against because of our size.”
Currently, there are no minimum seat dimensions that airlines have to adhere to, said flyer advocacy group FlyersRights.
The group said US airlines’ seat pitch – the distance from one seat back to the next – has shrunk by 7.6cm to 17.8cm since 1970, while seat width has decreased by more than 2.54cm.


Ms Chaney cited instances where she and her fiance, who is also plus-size, were subjected to discrimination and discomfort when they flew.
“Being forced to occupy only one seat can result in pain and vulnerability, as well as poor treatment from fellow passengers, including hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to (plus-size passengers),” she said.
Ms Chaney acknowledged that there would likely be additional costs associated with her demands, but believed it would be worth it.
“Implementing policies to accommodate plus-size passengers may come with associated costs, but these costs must be weighed against the benefits of creating a more welcoming and inclusive travel experience,” she told Fox News.
Her petition and social media posts have touched a chord with people.
“I am plus size and I get the discomfort, but I feel like it’s my responsibility? If it’s too tight, then I either deal with it or buy myself another seat,” said Ms Abby Espejo Enriquez.
Another person, with the user name Syr.Ben, said the FAA “has bigger things to worry about” than Ms Chaney’s petition.

However, Ms Chaney has also received support for her suggestion.
“Seating space is ridiculously small for both large and tall people. Airlines need to make seats larger for everyone’s comfort, especially on long flights,” said Ms Karen Newman.
Some also shared their experiences of being discriminated against due to their size.
“I have experienced discrimination on a plane, not just by other passengers (but) by airline staff. I haven’t flown for 10 years because of my experience with discrimination and bullying as a plus-size traveller,” said Ms Sally-Ann Bentley.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Sports Illustrated caving in to the woke movement.

Martha Stewart’s Sports Illustrated cover underscores rise of older women​

At 81, Martha Stewart is the oldest cover model in the history of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. PHOTO: AFP

May 16, 2023

Lifestyle icon Martha Stewart is making history in the 2023 swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated, joining the growing ranks of older women revelling in the spotlight at ages when they are typically forced to the sidelines.
At 81, she is the oldest cover model in the history of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, breaking the record set last year by Maye Musk, who was 75 at the time of her appearance. Also on their own covers this month are actress Megan Fox, model Brooks Nader and singer Kim Petras. Stewart’s cover was shot by Ruven Afanador, a photographer she has worked with in the past, according to MJ Day, SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief.
“For me, it is a testament to good living, and all of us should think abut good living, successful living, and not about ageing,” Stewart said on Monday on The Today Show. “The whole ageing thing is so boring.”
The magazine has made a habit of featuring women of all ages and backgrounds in recent years, including 2021 first-timer Kathy Jacobs, who was 57 at the time, and return shoots with former SI models Christie Brinkley and Paulina Porizkova. Television host Padma Lakshmi, 52, is also featured in the 2023 issue.
Day, Afanador and their teams worked with Stewart and all of their models to prioritise comfort and trust. The magazine is published by Arena Media Brands LLC.
“It’s a mission we have as a brand to have these really important conversations about women and what we essentially don’t need to be up against,” Day said. The goal is to shatter pre-conceived notions about what is possible, she said.
Hollywood is also increasing its focus on older women. Last year, 10 of the top-grossing films featured a leading actress who was 45 or older at the time of release, according to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at the University of Southern California. That is up from just one film in 2007. By comparison, 35 films released last year featured male actors who were 45 or older at the time of the release.

On the 2023 awards show circuit, actors including Angela Bassett, Jennifer Coolidge and Michelle Yeoh used their acceptance speeches to highlight how Hollywood had once counted them out.
Ageism hurts women outside of Hollywood, too. A 2015 paper by researchers with the National Bureau of Economic Research found that age bias disproportionately impacts older female workers, and particularly those near retirement age.
“There’s just so many things we have to fight against – telling us, ‘no’ or what we can and can’t be or do,” said SI’s Day. “If we can help that a little bit and change that conversation, then job done.” BLOOMBERG

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Unpleasant consequences of supermarkets’ plastic bag charge​

AUG 18, 2023


The move by supermarkets to charge for plastic bags is leading to more unsanitary and unhygienic Housing Board estates and rubbish chutes.
In the Toa Payoh HDB estate where I live, unbagged waste is being thrown into rubbish chutes, leading to foul smells. Relatives who live in other estates have the same problem.
Supermarkets and their customers are also impacted by the plastic bag rule. Customers without their own bags and who do not want to pay for the bags can be seen walking home carrying bulky food items. Others resort to stuffing their pockets with the plastic bags meant for packing fresh produce.
At self-service checkout counters, other customers and cashiers have at times given me long, hard stares whenever I carry five to 10 plastic bags during my grocery shopping trips. Once at a supermarket, three cashiers in five minutes accused me of stealing eight plastic shopping bags that I had paid for. They apologised after I showed them my receipt.
Instead of making the world greener, the new plastic move is creating new problems. People are helping themselves to the bags meant for produce, while those who buy the bags are looked on with suspicion.
There is a better solution. Disposable, biodegradable bags made from corn starch and lactic acid have been available since the 1990s. They have much smaller carbon footprints than either plastic or even fabric bags.

Eric J. Brooks

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

People will stare. Just accept it. How many can you educate?

Forum: My son is autistic, but some people still stare​

OCT 5, 2023

I refer to the commentary “Meet someone who looks different? Don’t just stop and stare” (Oct 2).
I have an autistic son who is 17 years old, 1.8m tall and loves to run and bounce when he is happy. He does it anywhere and at any time which pleases him.
He will also put his scrunched-up face close to someone else’s face. Not for any reason, but because he is autistic and he does unexplainable things.
It is obvious that my son is not neurotypical. Stares from strangers are common. I am open about his condition. My approach is to immediately inform the person who is staring that my son is autistic. This often elicits the response, “Oh, it’s OK”, followed immediately by the person looking away, sometimes awkwardly.
At times, I get kind remarks, questions and even special treatment for my son. Some start to recognise him and greet him kindly when they chance upon us.
However, there are times when people continue to stare even after I say that my son is autistic. On one occasion, it prompted me to tell the person that staring does not cure autism. That worked.
To all the parents of atypical children who have to endure stares, let us continue to educate the public that the world is shared by all of us, typical or otherwise.

Lela Luorno

 

[steffychun]

No customer is entitled to walk into any food outlet and expect to be served.
A food outlet is a private enterprise, it is not obliged to take in any customer that wants to eat there.
Under the law of contract, there must be offer and acceptance.
The offeree is the customer (diner) who makes an offer to eat at the food outlet.
It is up to the food outlet whether or not to accept the offer.
If it accepts, there is a contract.
if it does not, it means that the food outlet can turn the customer away.

Paralympic swimmer Sophie Soon in stand-off over guide dog at Rocky Master outlet in Hougang​

Paralympic swimmer Sophie Soon with her guide dog, Orinda. ST FILE PHOTO

Anjali Raguraman
Correspondent

Mar 9, 2023

SINGAPORE – Paralympic swimmer Sophie Soon was involved in a confrontation with a Rocky Master employee when she patronised the cafe at the Hougang 1 mall on Wednesday night, accompanied by her guide dog and her mother.
In a video taken by Ms Soon and posted on Facebook, the female employee was seen speaking on the phone before telling Ms Soon – who is visually impaired – and her mother to sit outside its premises with the guide dog.
Ms Soon’s mother then asked the woman why they were being discriminated against, adding that guide dogs are allowed in restaurants by Muis, or the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.
Asked what would happen if Ms Soon posted the video, the woman in the clip said: “Police report.”
“This happens practically every time I visit a new restaurant, which is a few times a week,” the 25-year-old told The Straits Times. Her guide dog, Orinda, has been with her since January 2022.
“It’s always the same when I go to a restaurant I haven’t been to before, where the staff on the ground have to check with management, and then I have to end up waiting 10 to 15 minutes.”
But this time, there was a half-hour delay before Ms Soon and her mother were seated.

Ms Soon claimed they were given three conditions by the employee in the video for remaining in the restaurant: the dog must be leashed, it must not be fed, and customers must not complain about the dog.
“As said many times before, guide dogs are allowed by law into all restaurant establishments, including halal establishments, as supported by Muis,” Ms Soon wrote in the caption accompanying the video.
In Singapore, guide dogs wear a yellow harness with text indicating that they are working dogs.

Guide dogs are approved and allowed in halal-certified premises, according to a Muis advisory.
The Housing Board and the National Parks Board’s Animal and Veterinary Service allow guide dogs to live in HDB flats. The National Environment Agency and the Singapore Food Agency also allow guide dogs in restaurants, foodcourts and cafes.
“How many more times do guide dog users have to be discriminated (against) before businesses finally educate themselves on the guide dog laws in Singapore?” Ms Soon wrote in the video caption.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Rocky Master said it does not discriminate against any diner.


“However, we are mindful to be considerate towards other diners who might not be comfortable with certain dining environments,” the statement said. “Hence, we ask that guide dogs be leashed... and preferably be seated at (the) outdoor seating area where possible.”
Rocky Master then said that the employee in question “may not be very experienced in handling such situations”, and that she checked with her superior before making any decision.
“Even under the circumstances of being filmed, she and the rest of the team maintained their composure and did their best to accommodate and fulfil your requests,” the statement added.
“We understand from our outlet manager that the staff (member) was traumatised due to the incident. We have since reached out to our staff member to express our care and concern.”
This is not the first time Ms Soon has had to address concerns by members of the public about her guide dog.
In November 2022, she uploaded a TikTok clip to address a Stomp story that quoted a passenger on an MRT train saying that she was worried Ms Soon’s dog might suddenly attack her and her baby, who was in a pram.
In the video, Ms Soon explained that guide dogs spend the first two years of their lives undergoing intensive training, including many tests and socialising.


She added that the dogs have to undergo a further three to four weeks of training with their handler before being allowed into the majority of public spaces.
“The only two spaces they’re legally not allowed in are restaurant kitchens and surgery rooms,” she said.
Ms Soon told ST that as a person with a disability, having a guide dog allows her to do the same things as an able-bodied person. “They empower us so much to be able to live an independent life,” she said, referring to such dogs.
“When people say ‘go to another restaurant’, that’s not the point... The law supports us fully to be in there.”
She added: “At the end of the day, just like everyone else, I need to eat dinner... I have a life to live.”

In the US, they would shoot her so she should be grateful.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

The world according to Mr. Tan: all buildings, malls, shopping centres etc. must put up signs to inform visitors that PMD users are not allowed to park anywhere they like.

Man calls for parking zone for mobility scooters after elderly parents get ‘advisory’ at AMK Hub​

The man and his parents were having lunch when a security guard approached them and asked them to move the scooters. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF TAN CHIN HENG

Kolette Lim

Nov 14, 2023

SINGAPORE – Mr Tan Chin Heng’s family lunch outing at AMK Hub on Sunday was interrupted when a security guard took issue with his elderly parents’ mobility scooters, which were parked next to the escalator on level two of the mall.
Speaking to The Straits Times, Mr Tan, 47, said his 86-year-old father and 75-year-old mother have been using personal mobility aid (PMA) scooters for about six years as they are unable to stand or walk for prolonged periods.
He added that they have been living in Ang Mo Kio for more than 40 years and his parents have entered AMK Hub with their PMA scooters regularly.
On Sunday, while they were dining at Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe, a security guard approached them and asked them to move their scooters to level one, without specifying a designated space.
They were also issued a parking advisory, which read: “Please be advised that your vehicle is parking indiscriminately within AMK premises. Please park in the designated parking lots provided to avoid obstruction.”
Mr Tan said his parents became very worried and decided to leave the mall immediately. They did not finish their meal.
“When the elderly see a piece of white paper, they immediately think it’s a fine and are scared of burdening their children.”

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Mr Tan said if the mall has specific rules about PMA scooters, it should have put up signs to inform visitors.
“If we knew (about the rule), we would have chosen a place that was elderly friendly or PMA-friendly for our meal,” he added.
In response to ST’s queries, a spokesperson for AMK Hub said the mall’s security guard advised the family to move the scooters for “the safety of other visitors”.
“We would like to assure all that AMK Hub is an inclusive mall for shoppers of all ages and abilities. The safety and well-being of our shoppers, tenants, and employees are of utmost importance to us,” the spokesperson added.
AMK Hub has not confirmed whether there is a designated parking space for PMA scooters on the ground floor.
Mr Tan shared his encounter on TikTok on Sunday. His post has since amassed over 200,000 views and 900 comments.

Netizens’ opinions were divided. Some said scooters should not be parked in the mall, while others felt the mall’s management could be more flexible and compassionate towards elderly PMA users.
Mr Tan said he understood the need to follow the mall’s regulations, but such rules should be made clear to all visitors.
He said malls should also consider carving out several designated parking zones for PMA scooters.
“We should consider the ageing population. Some elderly would prefer to use PMAs as not all of them want to be pushed in a wheelchair,” he added.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Fireworks come at a cost to environment​

NOV 23, 2023

I was disappointed to read the report, “Ring in 2024 at Marina Bay with special fireworks, light projections“ (Nov 20), at a time when Singapore is striving to be a cleaner, more eco-friendly country (Singapore aiming to have emissions reach net zero by 2050, Sept 6).
Such fireworks displays may not be in line with the goals set by the Government to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainability.
Over the years, efforts to do more for the environment, such as planting more trees, waste reduction, embracing green energy and choosing eco-friendly transportation options, have been encouraged.
However, the potential environmental impact of fireworks is at odds with these efforts.
Fireworks are visually appealing, but they come at a cost as they release contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulphur dioxide, that affect air quality and the environment.
There is also the debris, like plastic, paper, metals and chemicals, left behind after the fireworks displays.
Singapore is committed to significant pollution reduction by 2030 and aims for complete net-zero emission by 2050.

To stay true to these goals, we need to rethink the inclusion of fireworks in celebrations.

Chong Ling Eng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Women on S’pore boards: Going beyond numbers or ‘tokenism’​

Loh Boon Chye

The proportion of women who sit on boards of the biggest 100 companies on Singapore Exchange has tripled in the last decade. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

NOV 27, 2023

SINGAPORE – Men typically outnumber women in boardrooms, but it was women who collectively made their presence felt at the recent Council for Board Diversity forum attended by 160 directors of listed companies, statutory boards and institutions of a public character (IPCs).
Around 80 per cent of those who attended were women. Add an all-women line-up of speakers, including then President Halimah Yacob, and the forum was easily a showcase of Singapore’s female talent.
Indeed, latest figures from the council – which I co-chair with Mrs Mildred Tan, who also chairs the Tote Board Singapore – show that a record number of women are entering the boardroom.
The proportion of women who sit on the boards of the biggest 100 companies on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has tripled in the last decade, from a mere 7.5 per cent in 2013 to today’s 22.7 per cent.
Demonstrating their unique position in exemplifying board diversity, statutory boards are at 32 per cent, having made swift progress from 23.3 per cent in 2018. And at the 100 largest IPCs, women hold 29.5 per cent of board positions.
With the longer-term ambition of achieving greater gender balance on boards, far more work must be done in advancing board diversity. The Council for Board Diversity, the Corporate Governance Council, SGX, as well as the Public Service Division and Charity Council, have all supported developments in this regard.
Recent amendments to SGX disclosure rules and the code of governance for charities and IPCs placing emphasis on succession planning and diversity in board composition both give diversity a strong boost.

Real diversity, not tokenism​

I’ve been asked a number of times: Wouldn’t it be faster to set a quota? Yes, it would – but quotas can also be met with perfunctory appointments that fuel chatter on tokenism.
Certainly, no capable woman (or man) wants insinuations that their board seat is because of chromosomes rather than capabilities.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accelerating progress in women’s representation on boards. Norway was the first to introduce a 40 per cent gender quota on the boards of listed companies in 2005. In the European Union, every stock-listed company needs to have at least 40 per cent female non-executive directors by mid-2026.

Here in Asia, Malaysia and Hong Kong require publicly traded firms to have at least one woman director.
Rather than quotas, some jurisdictions set reporting obligations and aspirational targets. Britain, for instance, saw sustained progress in women’s participation on boards when it introduced targets as a business-led initiative, and has only now piled on pressure by requiring listed companies to meet a 40 per cent minimum, or, in accordance with listing rules, explain why they have fallen short.
In Singapore, the Council for Board Diversity has voluntary targets for the immediate term: top 100 listed companies – 25 per cent by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030; statutory boards – 30 per cent, a target achieved in 2022; 100 largest IPCs – 30 per cent as soon as possible.
In the case of listed companies, revised SGX listing rules requiring companies to disclose their board diversity policy, with targets, plans and timelines, as well as progress, are bolstering Singapore’s business-led, voluntary approach.

The intent is to encourage organisations on their journey of board diversity without being too prescriptive. By embracing diversity organically, they will naturally put more effort into ensuring a culture that values and maximises the contributions of all, as opposed to if diversity is simply a result of unthinking compliance.
Madam Halimah, our first female Speaker and president, articulated Singapore’s approach best during her fireside chat at the forum: “We are not asking for soft options such as, ‘you must have X number of women’.
“We want a situation where you look at the requirements – experience, skill sets and capabilities – of the board or company, and then you look for women in addition to men who can perform them.
“Diversity does not have to compromise meritocracy. Appointments are very much on one’s own merits. But reflect diversity in the selection process and give opportunities to those who are most able to do the job.”
Of course, supply (the quantity of diverse board-ready candidates) must be met by demand (the willingness and ability of boards to appoint these candidates). Focusing solely on developing the pipeline, or only on stimulating growth opportunities for diversity, is addressing only part of the board diversity equation.
To this end, the Council for Board Diversity has introduced the CBD Circle, a new outreach programme to advance board diversity.
Initial activities include thought leadership and networking opportunities for a sharing of boardroom perspectives, to enliven discourse and to bridge board-decision makers with board-ready candidates. Our recent forum is the circle’s most prominent event to date.

Harnessing the diversity advantage​

Philosophical views and moral imperative aside, the spirit of increasing board diversity lies in its ability to improve objectivity, address complex issues and enhance innovation.
This was the message that came through during the forum’s all-women panel, put together precisely to highlight Singapore’s strong talent pool of women who have risen to the highest rungs of leadership in their fields.
Among them were Professor Cheong Koon Hean (chairman, Centre for Liveable Cities), Ms Chew Gek Khim (executive chairman, The Straits Trading Company), Ms Geraldine Chin (chairman and managing director, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific), Ms Euleen Goh (chairman, Sats) and Ms Diaan-Yi Lin (senior partner, McKinsey & Company).
Diversity, they all agreed, must be viewed in its broadest sense – beyond and in addition to inherent attributes such as gender and race. It is a combination of diverse perspectives, skills and experiences that enhance an organisation’s sense-making of opportunities and risks.
In Ms Goh’s words: “Boards need as big a radar screen as possible.”
As a chief executive and a board practitioner myself, I could not agree more. I’ve seen first-hand how cognitive diversity broadens market insight, open new doors to networks and opportunities and drives effective strategies.
But getting the “right” diversity into any room is only the beginning. Inclusion is what puts diverse perspectives to work.
This was a salient point raised by the panel. Boards, especially their chairs, must create an environment where ideas are respected, valued and debated, ensuring that decisions are informed by a range of viewpoints.
Singapore needs diversity to flourish. Both because it’s a social tenet that we hold dear, and for the competitive advantage it brings us on the world stage. Statistics on board composition are a valuable indicator of progress, but we cannot be all-consumed by the chase for numbers.

In tandem with efforts designed to meet targets or expectations, we need to build an environment that unlocks diversity’s potential.
Gender diversity is the first important step.
Let me borrow from Ms Goh again: “I’m all for all diversity. But there’s a reason for gender diversity – it’s the most visible reflection of a company’s culture and values. It’s the first step in demonstrating that diversity, equity and inclusion are upheld as values by an organisation.”

• The writer is the co-chair of the Council for Board Diversity and chief executive of the Singapore Exchange Group.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Self-checkout comes with its own host of problems​

JAN 22, 2024

While I agree with Mr Jeffrey Law (Don’t ask supermarket staff to do everything at self-checkout counters, Jan 19), the question is whether supermarket self-checkout is as efficient as it is made out to be.
Often, you still have to wait in line. The checkout kiosks bleat and flash when you fail to set a purchase down in the right spot. Scanning items can be hit-or-miss – wave a barcode too vigorously in front of an unresponsive machine, and suddenly you’ve scanned it two or three times.
Then you need to locate the usually lone employee charged with supervising all the finicky kiosks, who will show her exasperation while scanning her ID badge and tapping the kiosk’s touch screen from pure muscle memory.
There is little evidence that self-checkout is reliably faster than the traditional cashier system, and that feel of convenience has always been largely a trick of perception.
Trained cashiers can scan and bag goods faster than even the most enthusiastic shopper.
But actual checkout speed tells only part of the story.
Self-checkout has a psychological effect: As long as the shopper is taking an active part, it seems to go faster.

But sometimes the user is a less digitally savvy senior forced to use a kiosk because there aren’t enough cashier counters open.
There is also the issue of theft, as the act of bagging your own stuff creates opportunities to make it out the door without paying for everything, including pilfered plastic bags.
Losses from unscanned and mis-scanned items at poorly designed kiosks are a trade-off that retailers are well aware of.
The self-checkout system is not about efficiency or convenience for companies. It is about saving costs by making customers do the scanning and bagging instead of hiring cashiers.

Roland Paul Ang

 

[knowwhatyouwantinlife]

Forum: Self-checkout comes with its own host of problems​

JAN 22, 2024

While I agree with Mr Jeffrey Law (Don’t ask supermarket staff to do everything at self-checkout counters, Jan 19), the question is whether supermarket self-checkout is as efficient as it is made out to be.
Often, you still have to wait in line. The checkout kiosks bleat and flash when you fail to set a purchase down in the right spot. Scanning items can be hit-or-miss – wave a barcode too vigorously in front of an unresponsive machine, and suddenly you’ve scanned it two or three times.
Then you need to locate the usually lone employee charged with supervising all the finicky kiosks, who will show her exasperation while scanning her ID badge and tapping the kiosk’s touch screen from pure muscle memory.
There is little evidence that self-checkout is reliably faster than the traditional cashier system, and that feel of convenience has always been largely a trick of perception.
Trained cashiers can scan and bag goods faster than even the most enthusiastic shopper.
But actual checkout speed tells only part of the story.
Self-checkout has a psychological effect: As long as the shopper is taking an active part, it seems to go faster.

But sometimes the user is a less digitally savvy senior forced to use a kiosk because there aren’t enough cashier counters open.
There is also the issue of theft, as the act of bagging your own stuff creates opportunities to make it out the door without paying for everything, including pilfered plastic bags.
Losses from unscanned and mis-scanned items at poorly designed kiosks are a trade-off that retailers are well aware of.
The self-checkout system is not about efficiency or convenience for companies. It is about saving costs by making customers do the scanning and bagging instead of hiring cashiers.

Roland Paul Ang

What pilfering rubbish...self checkout is about profiteering by charging u 5 cents for a plastic bag that probably only costs 1...and why would u be obliged to pay? Cos there are death eyes of many staring at you from the queue behind, and hence u pai seh, u pay, nothing about cutting costs, nothing about saving the earth, just plain old profiteering

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Amount of carbon dioxide to be removed by $27m facility just a drop in the ocean​

MAR 05, 2024

I question the ecological and fiscal wisdom of investing $27 million to remove some 3,650 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the ocean yearly (PUB to build world’s largest facility to help remove CO2 from ocean, Feb 27).
The article states that by removing the CO2 from the sea, the seawater can absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere when it is pumped back into the ocean. Does this absorption of additional CO2 – a minuscule fraction of all the carbon dioxide the world economy pumps into the earth’s atmosphere – make the world a better place?
We are spending $27 million on a project that provides no ecological benefit to the world – and no material benefit to Singaporeans. This money could have been better spent on the physical infrastructure or economic security of Singapore’s people.

Eric J. Brooks

Article below:

PUB to build world’s largest facility to help remove CO2 from ocean​

Once fully operational in 2025, the facility can remove 3,650 tonnes of CO2 from the ocean yearly. PHOTO: EQUATIC

Cheryl Tan
Correspondent

FEB 28, 2024

SINGAPORE – As part of its efforts to tackle climate change, Singapore will be constructing the world’s largest facility to boost the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
The US$20 million (S$27 million) plant, once fully operational in 2025, will be able to remove some 3,650 tonnes of CO2 from the ocean yearly, while helping PUB to decarbonise its water treatment processes, the national water agency said on Feb 27.
When the seawater is pumped back into the ocean, it has the capacity to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere.
The plan comes after two smaller pilot facilities – one in PUB’s R&D desalination plant in Tuas, and the other in the Port of Los Angeles – proved successful in removing CO2.
Both plants, which were set up in April 2023, are each able to remove some 100kg of the greenhouse gas from the ocean each day.
The technology, designed by American start-up Equatic, works by pumping seawater from adjacent desalination plants through electricity. This leads to a series of chemical reactions that split the seawater into hydrogen and oxygen. The dissolved CO2 is combined with minerals in seawater like calcium and magnesium to produce solid limestone – essentially trapping the CO2 for at least 10,000 years.
The process mimics the natural formation of seashells, and the solid calcium and magnesium-based materials can either be stored on the ocean floor, or potentially be used for construction materials if found viable.

The new plant known as Equatic-1, which will replace the one in Tuas, will demonstrate if the CO2 removal technology can work on a larger scale to meet PUB’s targets.
The planned facility will also produce some 300kg of hydrogen daily, which can power the plant or be used in other industrial applications.
Equatic-1 is expected to begin operations in the last quarter of 2024, starting with one tonne a day, with help from a multidisciplinary team comprising researchers and technology-scaling experts from the start-up and the Institute for Carbon Management at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This will be scaled up to 10 tonnes per day in the second quarter of 2025.

As PUB’s water treatment processes, including desalination, are energy-intensive, it is looking to invest in research and development to reduce energy use and help capture and remove CO2 from its operations. The agency has a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.
The new plant will be equipped to remove some 10 tonnes of CO2 a day – a hundred times more than each of the two existing pilot plants.
PUB said the processed seawater will be further treated to reduce any potential impact to the marine environment. “PUB and Equatic will closely monitor any environmental impact arising from the operations of the demonstration plant (Equatic-1) via an independent consultant,” said its spokesman.
Once the new facility proves successful, Equatic will scale and commercialise its technology globally, said Professor Gaurav Sant, co-founder of the start-up and director of the Institute for Carbon Management.
On a commercial scale, the plant will be able to remove some 110,000 tonnes of CO2 yearly, equivalent to the carbon emissions of 25,000 people.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Tuas water reclamation plant on track for 2026 opening despite rising costs
PUB to set standards for coastal protection infrastructure against rising sea levels
A number of US start-ups are making headway in technologies to remove ocean-based carbon dioxide. For instance, California-based firm Ebb Carbon is planning to use electricity to make ocean water more alkaline, which would help absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere. It is planning to build its first small-scale plant in the Californian city of Pasadena to remove CO2 for storage underground or to be used for industrial processes.
RunningTide, based in Maine in the United States, signed an agreement with Microsoft, which aims to be carbon-negative by 2030, to remove and store some 12,000 tonnes of CO2 from the ocean by growing seaweed, which absorbs CO2 as it grows.
A 2018 report by the United Nations’ top climate science body – the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – projected that around 100 to 1,000 gigatonnes of CO2 will need to be removed by the end of the century in order to limit global warming to 1.5 deg C.
Some methods of CO2 removal include planting new trees and using direct air capture technologies that suck CO2 from the atmosphere for permanent storage deep underground. Ocean-based means can also be used, and these involve harnessing various physical and chemical properties of the ocean to enhance its ability to store carbon.
Oceans are a natural store of CO2, absorbing around 30 per cent of CO2 emissions from human activity.
However, the increased uptake of CO2 has caused warming oceans, ocean acidification and oxygen loss, destroying many marine ecosystems and habitats. This affects the ocean’s ability to continue providing food, supporting livelihoods and insulating the world from the worsening impacts of climate change.
The costs of technologies that remove CO2 from oceans still remain high, and it is unclear what their impact might be on the ocean ecosystems, or if they could still be viable at a larger scale.
The project is funded by PUB, the National Research Foundation and the Institute for Carbon Management.
Once Equatic-1 is operational, carbon credits will be generated through the process, each representing a tonne of CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere.
PUB said that the credits will be allocated to each of the three project partners according to the proportion of funding that they had put in.


Equatic has already entered into agreements with companies like Boeing for the purchase of carbon credits from future commercial plants.
PUB added that it will continue to study the potential of integrating the technology as part of the desalination process in its plants, to determine which stage of the process would provide the most benefits in terms of net carbon abatement.
For example, capturing carbon dioxide from seawater at the beginning of the desalination process could help lower the overall energy requirements of desalination.
PUB’s chief engineering and technology officer Pang Chee Meng said: “We are pleased to further our collaboration with UCLA and Equatic to develop a solution that has potential synergies with PUB’s desalination plants.
“We firmly believe that technological advancements, delivered in partnership with academia and the private sector, hold the key to addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Why choose drug abusers for a remembrance day?​

MAR 04, 2024

I was puzzled to read about Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam’s announcement in Parliament that a Drug Victims Remembrance Day will be marked on the third Friday of May starting this year (S’pore to mark Drug Victims Remembrance Day every May, Feb 29).
The intention is to remember drug abusers, their families and loved ones as victims of drug traffickers and the lucrative drug trade.
While the motivation behind doing this is laudable, I wonder if it is misconceived in that the real victims are their innocent families, their loved ones and the wider community.
More often than not, drug users are hardly innocent victims as many of them turn to crime and add to their family’s and societal misery by feeding their drug addiction.
Drug traffickers and their syndicates look for vulnerable groups, including the young and impressionable, to exploit. Once addicted, these abusers themselves turn to crime, including trafficking, to feed their habit.
Is there any reason to single out drug abuse for a remembrance day, considering that there are other forms of abuse and addictions like alcohol consumption and smoking, which have a similar impact on families, loved ones and society?
The causes of addiction of whatever form are numerous and complex and worthy of further study and research. Such abusers are often hardly victims and their plight self-inflicted.

I applaud the tough stand the Government takes against drug abuse and trafficking and the commendable efforts to rehabilitate abusers, but to single them out as victims is hardly appropriate.

Winston Chew Choon Teck