Green Pulse

Humanity will never achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the century unless the building sector figures out how to become truly green.

Synopsis: Every first and third Sunday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Who hasn’t escaped a scorchingly hot day by seeking refuge in a nicely chilled shopping centre? Or, for those in cold climates, in a toasty warm office or cafe? 

But have you ever wondered how much energy it takes to cool, heat and power the buildings in our cities and towns? It’s a lot.

In fact, the building sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions – about 39 per cent of all energy-related CO2 emissions come from buildings and the materials used to construct them. 

Humanity will never reach net-zero emissions by the middle of the century unless we can make buildings truly green. So, how is the building sector responding to the climate challenge?

How are building owners and managers cutting emissions and what more can they do? What regulations are there in Singapore and the region to encourage greater energy efficiency and retrofitting of older buildings to help them go from brown to green?

To learn more about this, ST's climate change editor David Fogarty hosts the Singapore-based head of ESG consulting & sustainability services at global real estate agency CBRE, who also happens to be named David Fogarty.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:55 How large are the emissions from the building sector and how fast is the sector growing?

2:50 What can be done to cut emissions? What steps are being taken now?

5:09 What are embedded emissions? And how great is the challenge in cutting carbon emissions from making building materials?

7:17 There are regulations incentivising energy efficiency in buildings, including retrofitting. Are these making a difference?

11:49 In David Fogarty's role, some of the key trends he is seeing, such as green leasing

15:10 What will the buildings of 2050 or 2060 look like?

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

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The role of militaries, and conflicts, in driving global warming can no longer be ignored.

Synopsis: Every first and third Sunday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Even in peace times, militaries are huge emitters of the greenhouse gases that drive global warming. The US military with its global network of bases, has a particularly large carbon footprint - and outsources it to host countries who must account for it under their own reports to the United Nations. 

Humanity is at war in two places currently - Ukraine and the Middle East - with several other low-level conflicts in different parts of the globe, and military expenditure on the rise.

Historical data shows that past wars produced staggering amounts of greenhouse gasses. The destruction of forests in Vietnam in the 1960s by the US’s use of the chemical herbicide Agent Orange is estimated to have generated emissions in the range of 300-400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) - about seven to eight times the annual emissions of the country of Switzerland. 

The burning of oil wells by then-dictator Saddam Hussein's army in 1990 as western coalition forces drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait, generated probably more than 400 million tonnes. 

Until recently however, the carbon emissions of wars and militaries were not seriously considered. When the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in 1997, the United States pushed for the exclusion of bunker fuels - essentially transport fuel for ships and airplanes, much of which is used by its military. 

That is slowly changing. While militaries’ carbon footprints are trending downwards in line with other economic sectors, as economies broadly become more fuel efficient, conflicts sharply spike CO2 emissions, and any increase in geopolitical conflict risks diverting taxpayer funding from climate adaptation and mitigation programmes. 

There is now a clear view in the United Nations, that this dilemma must be addressed, says University of Zurich climate policy expert and senior founding partner of Perspectives Climate Group Dr Axel Michaelowa, in conversation with Straits Times Global Contributor Nirmal Ghosh in this episode of the Green Pulse podcast. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

3:30 Impact of Agent Orange on forest destruction during the Vietnam War; carbon emissions in the range of 300 to 400 million tons 

4:57 Conflict in Gaza - the destruction of buildings and emissions of 30 to 40 million tons 

6:10 How 10 to 15 years of opportunity for mitigation was lost due to the United States advocating to exempt the need to report and cover emissions from ships and planes - driven mainly by military. 

9:05 With US bases outside of its country, these substantial emissions would be accounted under the country where the base is located. 

11:25 The indirect consequence of geopolitical conflicts on increased carbon emission

14:13 International recognition that carbon emissions from militaries and conflicts need to be accounted for. 

Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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Tipping points are a grave threat but it’s not too late for humanity to reduce the risks. 

Synopsis: Every first and third Sunday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

The world is on the brink of major changes to the natural world that could have truly devastating consequences for billions of people. 

These are parts of the natural world that are at risk of abrupt and irreversible changes. For instance, runaway melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets; collapse of a key ocean circulation in the Atlantic; melting of permafrost; dieback of the Amazon rainforest and warm-water coral reefs. There are many more. 

What’s causing this? Man-made global warming is a major reason. So is pollution and over-exploitation of resources. 

Planetary tipping points represent one of the gravest threats to humanity, yet many people seem unaware of the danger. And some of these tipping points might be close to, or already past the point of no return.

Yet, there’s still time to stop others from occurring if we act fast. 

To learn more about this, we speak to Professor Tim Lenton, Director of the Global Systems Institute at Exeter University in Britain. Tim recently led the biggest study yet into global tipping points. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:29  What are planetary tipping points and why should we be concerned?

2:23  What are some examples and how close are we to some of these tipping points?

4:06 And what are the major tipping point risks for Asia?

9:01 Tell us more about the danger from a cascade of tipping points, where one major planetary change causes a domino effect of triggering other tipping points?

14:29  The good news is that there are steps humanity can take – positive tipping points. What are some examples?

17: 40 But humanity has already caused major changes to the planet. Does that mean we have to adapt to a rapidly changing world no matter what we do? 

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

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Human development is rapidly destroying the natural habitat for recovering wildlife populations such as tigers.

Synopsis: Every first and third Sunday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

The success of India’s conservation efforts conversely means that rising wildlife populations increasingly, have nowhere to go. Wild tigers are being spotted in many small towns and villages - from the mustard fields of Haryana near New Delhi, to the mountains of Bhimtal in Uttarakhand.

In many cases, accidental encounters have resulted in human casualties, and the big cats have had to be tranquilised and relocated to jungles or rescue centres out of harm’s way. Clashes of humans with elephants have also taken a weekly toll in some Indian states.

In this episode, we look at why a rethink is necessary to manage growing wildlife populations. ST's global contributor Nirmal Ghosh speaks with two field conservationists who are working the ground in and around wildlife habitats across India. 

They are the director of The Corbett Foundation Kedar Gore and the president of the Wildlife Conservation Trust Anish Andheria. Both experts give their first-hand account of the implications of the growing interface between people and wildlife, and debate new solutions for India. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:55 Are we reaching the limits of wildlife conservation, as shown in India?

7:33 Lessons learnt from human-wildlife negative interaction

14:33 On the new debate on limited hunting, like in a few places in Africa, to generate revenue and reduce conflict - how feasible is this in India's context? 

17:25 Why controlled hunting comes with many risks and why regulation is difficult to achieve in India

21:29 How aware are local communities of the larger threat of climate change and a warming planet?

24:55 On habitat restoration work that started in 2017 

Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

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Renewable energy is cleaner and more affordable and is poised for rapid growth in South-east Asia once key roadblocks are overcome. 

Synopsis: Every first and third Sunday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Green Pulse is starting off 2024 with an appropriately green theme -- renewable energy. Specifically, the investment opportunity for green power in South-east Asia. 

The region is one of the world's economic growth engines and it is hungry for power to drive that growth, fuel its factories and lift millions out of poverty. 

And yet it remains deeply dependent on polluting coal, oil and gas. But cleaner wind and solar, and increasingly battery storage, are becoming more competitive and compelling investment choices. So what is the outlook? Are we on the cusp of a green revolution?

ST's climate editor David Fogarty hosts Mr Edward Northam, head of Core Renewables and head of Asia-Pacific for Macquarie Asset Management Green Investments.

Singapore-based Mr Northam is a veteran of the clean energy space and they both discuss an investor's point of view of the opportunities for the region. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:23 What are the opportunities for green energy investment in SE Asia?

2:57 Edward Northam on what he sees as the best opportunities in terms of countries and technologies

8:26 What are three key roadblocks to faster investment that need to be overcome?

12:25 Industry veteran Northam on his background and Macquarie’s green investments

19:55 How is Singapore helping SE Asia accelerate the green transition?

22:03 Green investment is good investment: The way of the future?

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

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True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

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A fund to pay highly vulnerable countries for loss and damage from climate impact, was finally initiated at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai. 

Synopsis: The Straits Times' climate editor David Fogarty is at COP28 from Nov 23 till Dec 12 in Dubai, the United Nations climate change conference.

The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is a remote chain of about 80 islands, many of them mountainous, with a total population of over 300,000 people. It has suffered devastating cyclones, rising sea levels, coral bleaching from warming oceans and other impacts, costing its people and the economy dearly.

Each major disaster drains the budget and sets the country back, with damaged houses, roads, schools and hospitals needing to be repaired or rebuilt.

Vanuatu has long championed the idea of a fund to pay highly vulnerable countries for the loss and damage from climate impact. And it has been a strident voice pushing for big polluting nations to face up to their responsibilities for the human rights impacts caused by their emissions. 

Vanuatu, along with other Pacific island nations, is calling for a total phase out of fossil fuels to try to save their nations at COP28. 

In this episode, recorded at COP28, ST's David Fogarty hosts Mr Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, who is a leading voice for ambitious climate action.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

0:56 Why is Vanuatu so vulnerable to climate change impacts?

3:14 How are the worsening impacts affecting people and the economy?

5:51 Vanuatu’s role in pushing for big polluters to take responsibility for the impact of their emissions

11:50 Australia is a major donor but also a major fossil fuel exporter. How best to manage that relationship?

17:50 Is there a limit to what Pacific island nations can withstand in terms of climate impacts? What does the future look like?

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

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Can burning fossil fuels be phased out before the world gets too hot to live in?

Synopsis: The Straits Times' climate editor David Fogarty is at COP28 from Nov 23 till Dec 12 in Dubai, the United Nations climate change conference.

Every year, the Global Carbon Project releases its Carbon Budget, which projects global fossil fuel and land use emissions. The Global Carbon Project is a consortium of scientific institutions and the annual carbon budget study involves more than 100 scientists. 

And this year’s study predicts that fossil fuel carbon emissions will reach a new record in 2023, driven largely by strong growth in coal, oil and gas consumption in India and China. On top of this are carbon emissions from land use, such as deforestation and fires globally. 

And the world could hit the 1.5 deg C key temperature limit within 7 years at current rates of emissions, the study says.

In this episode, recorded at COP28, ST's David Fogarty hosts leading climate scientist Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, who coordinates the Global Carbon Budget study. He is also Chair in Mathematical Modelling of the Climate System at the University of Exeter in Britain.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

4:07 Key findings from this year’s Global Carbon Budget analysis

6:38 What are the trends for fossil fuel emissions in India and China?

9:38 Which findings from this year’s study concern Professor Friedlingstein the most, and which give him hope?

12:00 Is the world any closer to a global peak of emissions?

14:56 The land and oceans absorb a lot of CO2; will they remain in good shape as the world warms?

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

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At the COP28 climate talks in Dubai from Nov 30-Dec 12, a first-ever dedicated Health Day has been set aside today on Dec 3. 

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

From heatwaves and floods triggering illness and death to air pollution from burning fossil fuels killing millions of people a year, climate change really is a global health crisis and requires urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. 

Yet for nearly 30 years, the annual UN climate conferences, or COPs, have failed to focus on the escalating human impacts from climate change. Negotiators have focused more on cutting greenhouse gas emissions than on the link to health. 

In this episode, ST's climate editor David Fogarty hosts Dr Maria Neira, the World Health Organisation's top public health and environment official, to talk more about the importance of such issues on the COP's first-ever Health Day. 

They discuss why it is so urgent that nations take action now to tackle climate change and why doing so could be the ultimate public health opportunity.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:06 Why is the climate crisis a health crisis? Key connections

6:53 Why haven’t UN climate talks focused more strongly on the link between climate and human health? 

9:48 Dr Maria Neira: “If we reduce the bad quality of the air we breathe every year, we could save at least 5 million lives.”

11:37 Tough action against climate change could be the ultimate public health opportunity

13:34 Dr Maria Neira: “The moment people connect health and climate change, I think there will be an incredible increase in the sense of urgency.”

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Better protection, waste management imperative for coral reef survival.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Coral reefs occupy only about 0.2% of the ocean floor, yet they are home to a quarter of all marine life. But oceans absorb most of the heat trapped in the atmosphere due to increasing greenhouse gases; this has caused oceans to warm and become more acidic, and there has been a lot of damage to corals. The corals can recover, but can they keep up? 

In this episode, The Straits Times’ US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh discusses the risk to, and the resilience of, coral reefs, with experts on either side of the world - Jennifer Pollom in Florida, executive director of the Ocean Conservation Foundation and director of conservation for Rainbow Reef Dive Centre, and marine ecologist Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director at St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory in Singapore.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:42 Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered six mass bleaching events between 1998 and 2022 - with back-to-back events in 2016 and 17.

02:58 In Key Largo, month over month photographs of massive deterioration 

04:51 In the Gulf of Thailand, some low levels of bleaching in the shallow waters - but it's nothing like what was seen in 2016 in Southeast Asia.

05:55 Heat waves are pretty typical in South Florida, but this is the largest bleaching event that we've basically ever seen.

08:08 Human anthropogenic stress - like sedimentation - has a huge additional, negative synergistic effect with global warming. 

10:16 Instant morbidity in shallow reefs in Florida 

11:17 Huge concern for the future because the reefs are what everybody comes to, to see, to snorkel, to scuba dive, and also to fish. 

12:38 There has been a rise in conservation tourism in Southeast Asia - a good thing overall. 

14:15 In Indonesia over a million corals have been transplanted, but only a fraction actually followed throughStandards on what constitutes green investments: Why this is important 

18:27 Wish list : more protection, more waste management 

Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Fa’izah Sani & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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Technology has the tools to help all of us cut our emissions. But to be credible, big tech firms also need to cut their own large carbon footprints. 

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

A lot of technology at the centre of our lives, from data centres to laptop computers to video streaming and our data-hungry mobile phones, requires a lot of energy. So, what is the solution? And can clever technology really help all of us cut our carbon footprints?

Who better to tell us about this than Ms Kate Brandt, the chief sustainability officer for Google. The tech giant is also developing products and services that help people around the world cut their emissions.

ST’s climate change editor David Fogarty hosts Ms Brandt to discuss Google’s initiatives to cut emissions right across its operations and some of the new technologies that can help its billions of daily users shrink their carbon bubbles. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

4:14 What are people searching for regarding steps they can take to cut carbon pollution?

7:21 How is tech/AI saving people during extreme weather events, such as early warning systems?

09:53 Steps Google is taking to cut its own emissions

13:57 What are some of the climate tech tools available, or soon to be available, in Singapore?

16:17 Ms Brandt's reflections from her discussions with political and business leaders at the New York Climate Week in September 2023

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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Feedback to: [email protected]

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Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

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#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.