1) http://tinyurl.com/econsreading1
2) http://tinyurl.com/econsreading2
3) http://tinyurl.com/econsreading3
4) http://tinyurl.com/econsreading4
5) http://tinyurl.com/econsreading5
5) http://tinyurl.com/econsreading5
Singapore has many accomplishments, her economic prosperity, a world-class shipping port, a clean and green city, 5 national taps (water sustainability for a small nation without natural water sources) and close ties with both the Eastern and Western powers.
However, Singapore -- and us Singaporeans should not be complacent --- the many developing countries, such as China are catching up at fast rates and hence the prevalent need to stay relevant globally.
One example of China catching up with Singapore is Shanghai's port becoming the busiest port and widening the gap between Shanghai and Singapore, alongside Ningbo, Shenzhen and other ports in China are also catching up with Singapore.
Shipping means revenue for ports and this show that Singapore's place as the world's busiest port is no longer undisputed, but there are competitors swiftly catching up as well.
Singapore is a small, but global country, hence the need to stay relevant globally since we greatly rely on trade for revenue.
Besides economic, trade revenue and our global relevance, another thing that Singapore should not take for granted is our clean and green city as well as our water sustainability.
Our streets may be clean and trees may be visible on our sidewalks, yet the phenomenon of littering has not disappeared from our streets. Instead of relying on the initiative of individual citizens, our 'clean' street facade is maintained by an army of foreign workers or elderly cleaners.
Simply put, our streets are 'cleaned', not clean. It is a fact that most of us get complacent of our clean city, whilst forgoing our individual responsibility as citizens to keep our city clean.
Our water sustainability is also something many Singaporeans are complacent for.
As we turn on our tap and see the water that gushes through, we forget that nearly a few decades ago, water had to be transported via buffalo carts and water had to be rationed when dry spells and droughts hit. Our 5 national taps --- especially our renewable sources of NEWater and desalination plants --- have to sustain our dense population (which may/may not include grass along the sidewalk, local farms, etc)
Reservoir catchment levels may not always be dependable, since the amount of water from reservoirs depends largely on the rain levels.
Meanwhile, our water treaty with Malaysia will not last forever --- one of the two treaties has already expired --- and this 'tap' never reliable in times of dry spells.
While Singapore may have made many achievements in this half a century, it would be simply foolish for us to be complacent of what we've achieved, but rather to look at what we can do better and improve on it.
However, Singapore -- and us Singaporeans should not be complacent --- the many developing countries, such as China are catching up at fast rates and hence the prevalent need to stay relevant globally.
One example of China catching up with Singapore is Shanghai's port becoming the busiest port and widening the gap between Shanghai and Singapore, alongside Ningbo, Shenzhen and other ports in China are also catching up with Singapore.
Shipping means revenue for ports and this show that Singapore's place as the world's busiest port is no longer undisputed, but there are competitors swiftly catching up as well.
Singapore is a small, but global country, hence the need to stay relevant globally since we greatly rely on trade for revenue.
Besides economic, trade revenue and our global relevance, another thing that Singapore should not take for granted is our clean and green city as well as our water sustainability.
Our streets may be clean and trees may be visible on our sidewalks, yet the phenomenon of littering has not disappeared from our streets. Instead of relying on the initiative of individual citizens, our 'clean' street facade is maintained by an army of foreign workers or elderly cleaners.
Simply put, our streets are 'cleaned', not clean. It is a fact that most of us get complacent of our clean city, whilst forgoing our individual responsibility as citizens to keep our city clean.
Our water sustainability is also something many Singaporeans are complacent for.
As we turn on our tap and see the water that gushes through, we forget that nearly a few decades ago, water had to be transported via buffalo carts and water had to be rationed when dry spells and droughts hit. Our 5 national taps --- especially our renewable sources of NEWater and desalination plants --- have to sustain our dense population (which may/may not include grass along the sidewalk, local farms, etc)
Reservoir catchment levels may not always be dependable, since the amount of water from reservoirs depends largely on the rain levels.
Meanwhile, our water treaty with Malaysia will not last forever --- one of the two treaties has already expired --- and this 'tap' never reliable in times of dry spells.
While Singapore may have made many achievements in this half a century, it would be simply foolish for us to be complacent of what we've achieved, but rather to look at what we can do better and improve on it.
