Shiu Hong Wong

Speaking Topics

Occupational Health Hazards in the Green Economy

There is overwhelming scientific consensus that the Earth's climate is warming, and it is primarily a result of human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) and deforestation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Numerous scientific studies and assessments from organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have provided robust evidence of the reality of global warming and its impacts on the environment and society. No nation or country is spared from its effects. Authorities around the world are responding to climate change in various ways, with efforts ranging from international agreements and policy frameworks to national-level initiatives and local actions. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a comprehensive national sustainability roadmap launched by the government to guide the nation towards a more sustainable and resilient future. It outlines strategies and initiatives across various sectors to address environmental challenges, mitigate climate change, and promote green growth. The plan covers key areas such as sustainable energy, climate action, green infrastructure, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and water conservation. It is a living plan which continues to evolve, charting ambitious and concrete targets over the next 10 years to strengthen Singapore’s commitments under the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, with the intent to achieve our target of net zero emissions by 2050. As this green revolution gains traction, it expands job opportunities in traditional ‘green’ industries such as waste management and landscaping. The introduction of new technologies, substances and work processes also creates new jobs in sectors such as sustainability management, carbon trading, recycling, renewable energy, green buildings and so forth. Such developments bring about new risks and challenges for workers and employers, which, in turn, may require political, administrative, technical, and regulatory approaches to safeguard worker safety and health. Those of us in the medical community should also keep a lookout for any emerging occupational health issues and take timely actions to mitigate their effects. The purpose of my sharing is to provide an overview of the potential occupational health issues we may encounter in the Singapore workforce.