Anticipate a surge in escalating heatwaves and intensified rainfall, especially under Singapore’s worst-case scenario as revealed in the third climate change study.
SINGAPORE: In the worst-case scenario of climate change, Singapore may see more extreme weather conditions by the end of the century, including longer and more frequent dry spells, more intense daily rains, and an increase in the number of extremely hot days.
According to Singapore’s third National Climate Change Study, “energy-intensive, fossil fuel-based development” would continue to cause high carbon emissions.
On Friday, the Centre for Climate Research Singapore unveiled a regional study, released on January 5th, shedding light on anticipated shifts in crucial climate variables. The comprehensive report delves into changes expected in temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, sea level, and alterations in means and extremes.
In response to the findings, Wong Kang Jet, Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment Agency (NEA), emphasized the immediacy of climate change as a pressing challenge for humanity. The consequences, reverberating globally, pose particularly acute threats to small island nations like Singapore.
During a symposium, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, disclosed the study’s outcomes and introduced a data visualization portal based on its insights. In her announcement, Ms. Fu highlighted that the study’s third version indicates a future marked by more extreme climate conditions, encompassing elevated temperatures, intensified rainfall, and prolonged and frequent dry spells. These conditions may give rise to additional challenges, such as disruptions in water and food supplies.
She highlighted that instances of extreme weather have been witnessed worldwide, including in Singapore, which matched its historical peak temperature of 37 degrees Celsius in May last year.
“The combination of heat and high humidity in our environment poses significant health risks. The anticipation is that such occurrences of extreme weather will not only become more frequent but also more intense. Many of us are understandably concerned about the potential exacerbation of these conditions and how well-prepared we are,” she expressed.
“Empowered by these projections, our commitment is to safeguard a sustainable, resilient, and habitable Singapore for the generations to come, mirroring the dedication of our forefathers who ensured the same for us.”
Increased Occurrences of Extremely Warm Days and Heavy Rainfall
Singapore’s climate projections derive from three distinct global warming scenarios outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report. These scenarios encompass low, moderate, and high carbon emissions trajectories.
In the low carbon emissions scenario, the international community successfully achieves net-zero targets post-2050. The primary objective here is to restrict global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
On the other hand, the moderate emissions scenario involves some mitigation efforts, characterized by greenhouse gas concentrations peaking around mid-century before gradually decreasing. Despite these efforts, carbon dioxide concentrations still surpass current levels significantly.
In the high emissions scenario, it is presumed that the ongoing increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, propelled by fossil-fueled development, will persist at a rate akin to the present. This trajectory leads to exceptionally high concentrations of greenhouse gases.
As per the most recent research findings, Singapore is anticipated to experience an elevated temperature, with the rate of annual mean temperature increase per decade expected to escalate. Over the preceding four decades, this increment has been recorded at 0.24 degrees Celsius.
