Sustainable Living

There's no escaping it: we all have a role to play in sustainability. Individuals, businesses and governments all need to do their part if we're going to avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change. But what about universities? What role can they play in building sustainability? Turns out, institutions of higher education can make a big difference.

In a post-pandemic world, rocked by geopolitical crises, the future of cities has never been more uncertain. Whatever they should look like in the future, leaders should always place humans and their needs at the forefront of city development, said Professor Lily Kong, SMU President and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences.

President’s State of the University Address 2022 Singapore has long been known as a garden city, and with good reason. The city is home to an abundance of greenery, from the carefully manicured gardens of the Botanic Gardens to the lush foliage of Pulau Ubin.

There is no silver bullet for propelling global development, resilience and advancement. Still, a circular economy plays a critical role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss — all while tackling social needs as we journey together towards a green recovery.

Over many decades, university has been the final stop for many students before they venture into adulthood. It stands as an institution that tests and challenges those who enter, providing them with knowledge to be ready when it matters most-the real world.

It has been six years since 196 countries signed the Paris Agreement to mitigate the effects of man-made climate change, and two since Greta Thunberg delivered her powerful speech at the UN Climate Change Action Summit.

Wander through a housing estate in Singapore, even in the midst of pandemic restriction measures, and chances are you would find groups of elderly residents mingling at void decks, pavilions, gardens and playgrounds. Loneliness is a feeling experienced by millions across the globe during lockdowns and social distancing initiatives.

The stats on plastic waste is nothing short of staggering: In Singapore alone, about 900 million kilogrammes of plastic waste is discarded every year, with just four per cent of it recycled.

The growth of the gig economy is one of the many changes that have arisen due to the pervasive reach of new technologies over the past decade. Jobs such as the Grab driver and Foodpanda delivery person arose due to the launch of new digital platforms.