What are the relevant initiatives?
(Do identify & evaluate distinct initiatives!)
 Reducing land pollution
 Conserving nature
 Ensuring clean air
 Ensuring sustainable water supply
 Ensuring clean water, etc
L1
L2
L3
Writes about solutions for Singapore’s efforts at environmental conservation without focus on the question
Describes Singapore’s efforts at environmental conservation in ensuring a sustainable future
Agrees with statement and explains
3m: weak but sound
4m: sound
5m: strong and sound
Refer to Textbook pp. 158 – 161
Clean land
Clean air
Clean water – building partnerships
Singapore’s methods to ensure a steady water supply for future generations can be sustainable. PUB, the national water agency, has implemented a water supply strategy known as the “Four National Taps Strategy”. We have diverse sources of water – water from local catchment areas, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. Even though our water agreement with Malaysia will expire in 2061, our three other National Taps ensure that Singapore can be self-sufficient and obtain fresh
water supply from local sources. Not only do we have 17 water catchment areas to increase our supply of water, technological initiatives like NEWater and desalination have contributed up to 40% of our water supply. Our technological advancements can only benefit Singapore in the long term, as it is predicted desalination can supply
Singapore with 30% of its water needs by 2061, another step towards selfsufficiency. Not only do these initiatives meet our current water needs, they are
also projected to meet our future needs. Therefore, our efforts at ensuring water supply can be sustainable.
1
2
3-5
Prepared by Miss Yeo SE, HCI (High School), 2011

L4
L5
Next, efforts at conserving nature can be sustainable. The government has identified 19 sites, which constitute 5% of Singapore’s land area, as places rich with biodiversity. There are also three key nature reserves, namely Bukit Timah Nature
Reserve, Sungei Buloh and Labrador Nature Reserves. These areas are protected by legislation and development is not allowed, therefore preserving wildlife and our
rich biodiversity for the present and future generations.
OR
Disagrees with statement and explains
However, Singapore’s efforts at waste management are not sustainable, for the effects are harmful for our environment. In Singapore, the lack of land forces us to incinerate our waste and the burning releases dust particles into air which is a form of pollution in itself.
More than 90% of rubbish is incinerated at 4 incineration plants at Ulu Pandan, Senoko, Tuas and Tuas South. Not only does incineration contribute
to air pollution, it also harms our health. According to Neil Tangri from the international Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA), incineration creates dioxins where none existed before. Dioxin is known to increase rates of cancer growth and incinerators are thus a major contributor to a whole range of major health problem.
An offshore landfill has been built at Pulau Semakau to help alleviate the problem of air pollution but the landfill is expected to be full by2040. Therefore, given that our efforts at waste management are unable to meet our present and future needs, they are unsustainable in the long run.
Considers arguments for and against the statement
Combination of both sides of L3.
NOTE: Given reason MUST be explained. Award 7m if given reason is explained and the other side identified / and described.
6m: 1W(weak but sound)+1 or 2 (weak but sound)
7m: 1 W+1 S(strong and sound)
8m: 1S + 1 S
9m:1S+2
As L4, but reaches a balanced conclusion explicitly addressing “how far” i.e. builds upon yes/no analysis of L3/L4 to reach a balanced conclusion, e.g. shows relative importance of different reasons, distinguishes between impact on different groups, over time etc.
9m: weak but sound attempt
10m: a sound attempt
I agree to a large extent that Singapore’s efforts at environmental conservation can be sustainable. Our efforts at conserving nature and water have long-term benefits and while incineration plants and landfills are not feasible long-term solutions, recycling rates have improved significantly in Singapore, thereby reducing our reliance on and the harmful effects of incineration plants and landfills. Therefore, our efforts at environmental conservation can be sustainable and effective in the long-term.
6-9
9-10
Prepared by Miss Yeo SE, HCI (High School), 2011