Personal Response : Domestic recycling rate dips to 19% despite 'Go Green' push

I refer to the article "Domestic recycling rate dips to 19% despite 'Go Green' push", from The Straits Times, Thursday, March 26, 2015.

Summary

Singapore residents are recycling less despite the push to encourage people to go green, including equipping each public housing block with a recycling bin. The domestic recycling rate fell to 19% last year from 22% in 2010, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said. The drop was due to a 30% increase in food waste output over the period. This has caused concerns among environmentalists, who say more needs to be done to engage and educate residents.

Personal Response

In this article, I agree with Mr Eugene Heng, founder and chairman of green group Waterways Watch Society, saying that, "Education is a slow process - if people are not aware of the benefits of recycling, there is no incentive for them to do so." I feel that yes, it is important to recycle, we all know that. But in fact, I feel that the world has to even recycle more. Reason being, if we don't recycle, waste like non-biodegradable plastic would increase and this would occupy even more land spaces and they would always have a limit to it, besides more resources have to be used to produce even more things as there is little recycling. Most importantly, we must know the real reason behind recycling. If people fail to understand this, there is no point in recycling. Recycling is actually the key to reducing the impact on the environment. We recycle is to do our part to reduce waste. For example, I do my part in recycling in school, by recycling unwanted newspaper and bottle caps or tabs. I feel that if everyone does our little part to aid recycling, the pollution and negative impacts would decrease. Thus, everyone has to put in their effort, not only to recycle, but learn the purpose of it.
Therefore, I agree with the environmentalists' point of views - to engage and educate residents more.

Kenneth Kwan 2B (30)

Debate over PSLE not a simple one

Summary

Currently, there is still a debate going on about the necessity of PSLE. Most people think it is necessary, but there is a small number who think it is redundant and unneeded. They provided several reasons like how it makes children undergo unnecessary stress which in turn would affect their health, and that it is not a good gauge on one's ability due to young age. 

RESPONSE

I feel that in the society, intellectual, industrious and honest people are preferred. This brings me to the point on how I think that PSLE is needed. PSLE is the first hurdle you pass that brings you closer to completing your educational journey, such as taking your A levels. Preparing children in handling the stress that they are subjected to, it lets them have the feel of how a national exam would be like. Furthermore, children's brains soak up information like a sponge—it is good for them to begin learning at a young age and test their memory. Hence, I think that PSLE is beneficial for children.

Personal Response

Article: 10 weeks' jail for manager fined for taking bribes

Summary:

A building received bribes from a cleaning company in exchange for not complaining about their services. The manager was found guilty of collecting a total of $22,800 over a period of three years. He was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail on Thursday. 

Response:

I feel that corruption should not be condoned in all kinds of organizations and governments. We should act upon our values of honesty and integrity and should not be tempted by material gains like money. In order to ensure a stable and efficient organization or government, incorruptibility should be practised at all levels of work, be it the Chairman or the deliveryman. 

Personal Reponse

My personal response to the article: Active ageing: Time to step it up

Summary

The government has stepped up boldly to serve more love to older Singaporeans. The government is paying back that population now grown old. The government has taken giant steps for senior citizens but there are still other steps, including some which the people have to take themselves. First the government has to consolidate the gains of our first 50 years. What is needed is the "whole of government" approach, led by the Housing Board and the Ministry Of Health to tackle this problem. Healthcare and eldercare as such, should be community-base and decentralized. The government is also promoting values over people. For example, with a large older population will come a large number of dementia cases. Older people who stay active and engage through participations in programmes organized by the People's Assosciation, voluntary welfare organizations, and faith groups, have a better chance of remaining mentally healthy. Another example would be after helping Singaporeans meet the challenge of the first of "life's knowns", namely change, the government should help older Singaporeans meet that of  another of life's knowns, namely death.

Response

After reading this article, I feel happy that the government is finally paying more attention to the older generation. I personally feel that the elderly are a very important part of our society, they are like the roots of our nation, binding us all together, giving us knowledge and wisdom to aid the society in growth to be a better country.The elderly are the one's that contributed in nation building. These elderly served us during the early years of Singapore’s nationhood in the uniformed services, unions and the community, former political leaders, and others contributed in many other ways and raised the next generation of Singaporeans. Without the older generation, Singapore would not have grown from a third world country to a first world country. In addition, Singapore is currently facing an aging population. Hence, the government, helping to subsidies healthcare can reduce the stress on the current generation that might be struggling to pay for their parents healthcare. As we progress on to be a higher standard of society, we must not forget about the people that help us build our nation. Therefore, I feel that it is a good move for the government to serve more love to older Singaporeans.

Personal Response

My personal response to the article "More Responsible Use of Internet is Needed"

Summary:

This article said that some people had the temerity and the ingratitude to falsify a death notice about Mr Lee Kuan Yew before he actually died and with malicious intent. Freedom of speech does not allow people to do this kind of offensive things as whether or not people like him we cannot deny that he has kept Singapore peaceful and safe. The author also said that there were recent reports of bad behavior by bloggers and influencers. He thinks that more responsible use of the Internet is needed and authorities need to take firm action against the creators of the hoax website.

Reflection:

I agree with the writer that the authorities need to mete out harsh punishments to the creators of the hoax website, especially with the recent reports of bad behavior by bloggers and influencers, to serve as a warning to irresponsible Internet users. I feel that it is indeed appalling to see people making a fake death notice about Mr Lee Kuan Yew. It shows their audacity and their ingratitude to someone who transformed the lives of Singapore for the better. Without him, those perpetrators may not even have the privilege to be using the Internet. They may disagree with his policies, but they should at least show some respect. Majority of Singapore and even leaders around the world wish him well yet they made a fake death notice about him and cause a rather large commotion. Internet users should be more sensitive to others' feelings when they post things on social media and be more responsible.

Personal Response

My personal response to the article "Active ageing: Time to step it up".

Summary
The Government has stepped up to serve more love to older Singaporeans by introducing Medishield Life, which is a universal life insurance and protects all Singaporeans against large health costs. The Government has also taken giant steps to assure older Singaporeans that they can age-in-place, or age together with their peers in a new and dedicated type of senior housing that comes with its own healthcare plan. Healthcare and eldercare, as such, should be community- based and decentralised. The Government are also trying to promote value in the older people, as well as investing in them by launching the SkillsFuture Credit initiative which is announced in the Budget in order to promote life-long learning.

Response
Firstly, i feel that the government are very responsible for the well-being of the people. As we have an age-ing population, they have stepped up to provide the older generation with many privileges. Secondly, i feel that Singapore should promote the mindset in people that there is value in older people. The society should value them for their accumulated skills, knowledge, and wisdom. Lastly, the country should also continue to invest in older persons by allowing them to take courses and remain active and engaged. As the saying goes, "Lifelong learners, caring citizens", it is never too late to learn and we should care for our society.