Hi there! Welcome to this little
space where I will be sharing on some environmental issues that I feel strongly
about. Please feel free to drop me a comment for any opinions :)
Recently, I've been concerned over the topic of wastage. Wastage of the very things we use in everyday life. From food to water to plastics, humans are wrecking the environment because of our waste.
Sadly I cannot deny that I am indeed, also guilty of wastage myself. As I believe most privileged people living in the developed nations would be too. One of the most apparent thing that we waste would be food. Yet not many people would identify that as a problem, nor see the long list of negative environmental and economical impacts.
The buffet and high end dining has seen rising popularity in Singapore over the recent years. This is because as people become more affluent, food becomes more affordable. Thus they are more likely to overspend and order more than enough food. Furthermore, being able to sit down to a plentiful feast, has always signified wealth and contentment. For instance, in Singapore, the amount of food waste generated has increased by about 48% over the past 10 years (MEWR Singapore, 2015)
Sumptous spread but is it too much?
Is this a common occurence for you?
As the adage goes, "
Prevention is better than cure". Hence the reason why I feel so strongly
about wastage is that it is entirely preventable. Should we be able to adapt to
a new, less wasteful lifestyle, we would be able to get to the root of the
problem.
Unfortunately, I believe that itself requires some form of legislation and government intervention. However, I am glad that at least, this problem is receiving some recognition and more is being done to savage the situation.
FACTSHEET ON FOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT. (2015, March 11).
Recently, I've been concerned over the topic of wastage. Wastage of the very things we use in everyday life. From food to water to plastics, humans are wrecking the environment because of our waste.
Sadly I cannot deny that I am indeed, also guilty of wastage myself. As I believe most privileged people living in the developed nations would be too. One of the most apparent thing that we waste would be food. Yet not many people would identify that as a problem, nor see the long list of negative environmental and economical impacts.
The buffet and high end dining has seen rising popularity in Singapore over the recent years. This is because as people become more affluent, food becomes more affordable. Thus they are more likely to overspend and order more than enough food. Furthermore, being able to sit down to a plentiful feast, has always signified wealth and contentment. For instance, in Singapore, the amount of food waste generated has increased by about 48% over the past 10 years (MEWR Singapore, 2015)
Sumptous spread but is it too much?
Is this a common occurence for you?
Food wastage has environmental and economic impacts. When food is thrown away, all the
vast quantities of water, fertilizer and land used in its production are thrown
down the drain too. The fuel that is burned to process, refrigerate and
transport it also adds to the environmental cost. It is as if the amount of
resources being wasted is more than double the that of the amount of discarded
food. Thus amplifying the problem. Moreover, a large sum of money is also needed to dispose of the food properly.
This problem is expected to worsen as the world’s population increases. Especially when the global middle class expands by 2030.
This problem is expected to worsen as the world’s population increases. Especially when the global middle class expands by 2030.
Unfortunately, I believe that itself requires some form of legislation and government intervention. However, I am glad that at least, this problem is receiving some recognition and more is being done to savage the situation.
References:
FACTSHEET ON FOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT. (2015, March 11).
