Housing and the Environment

Sand Shortage §

1. Negative environmental impact
   1. Roads, construction material (concrete and glass) and land reclamation requires enormous quantities of angular sand that must come from coasts, lakes or rivers.
   2. This leads to sand being removed from these places in countries that use the sand domestically or export it to other countries.
   3. Sand dredging distrupst/destroys aquatic habitats and ecosystems
   4. Alsdo reduces stocks of fish/seafood which affects the livelihood of people that rely on fishing as a source of income
   5. River bed dredging can contribute to river bank collapses that damange the property people living along the banks
2. What will happen if this continues
   1. Biodiversity/species loss from damaged ecosystems
   2. Increased vulenerability to high tides, floods, tsunamis and rising sea levels due to loss of coastal sand and shrinking river deltas
   3. Sg may face increased construction costs as countries that export snad to SG may restrict or ban exports, leading to a future shortage

Save forests or build 4-rooms? §

1. Negative environmental impact
   1. Forests cleared for new development land uses (commercial, residential, etc.) - almost half of existing secondary forests in SG could be cleared
   2. Natural wildlife habitats destroyed could drive wildlife into urban areas leading to conflict with people
   3. Reduced vegetation cover increases likelihood and severity of flash floods
2. What will happen if this continues
   1. Loss of biodiversity and threats to endangered species may lead to species loss
   2. Reduced carbon capture contributes to impacts of climate change
   3. Increased costs of managing flash foods yes this is intentional wdym

SG’s mounting trash problem §

1. Negative environmental impact
   1. SG is running out of landfill space as more than half of Semakau Landfill has been filled - remaining space expected to last just over a decade
   2. Exported waste may end up in unregulated dumps that cause health problems and environmental pollution
   3. ‘Incineration of waste in SG emmits carbon and other air pollutants
2. What will happen if this contiunues
   1. Constructing another offshore landfill is very costly and will harm the marine environment
   2. Exporting waste (especialy recyclables) is also costly and may not be sustainable if other coutnreis ban imports