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S’pore is Heating Up 2 Times Faster Than The Rest Of The World & It’s Partly Caused By S’poreans

Boon Hun

2019-01-14 , 10:07 am

Last Updated on 2021-01-07 , 1:33 pm

If you’re thinking that Singapore is getting hotter by the day, you’re not wrong.

Because that’s what the weather experts here (read: Meteorological Services Singapore, the MSS) is saying as well.

And they have even more dire news for Singaporeans.

Singapore isn’t just heating up. It’s heating up faster than the rest of the world.

S’pore Is Experiencing Higher Rising Temperature

According to the MSS, the heatwave we’re experiencing isn’t temporary. It’s here to stay, and it’ll get worse as the years pass.

Singapore’s average temperature is increasing by 0.25 degrees Celsius every 10 years.

Currently, Singapore’s daily temperature range from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius. By 2100, it’ll be 37 degree Celsius.

Add in the high humidity we’re experiencing all year round and you’re looking at a possibly lethal combination.

Yes, the saying, the sun’s going to kill me could be taken literally.

Why Humidity Can Kill With The Right Conditions

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the previous few unfortunate cases of heat exhaustion.

With high humidity, the body isn’t able to sweat as much. And we all know sweating helps the body to emit heat from the body.

So your body has to work harder to keep it cool.

And this leads to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Both of which are lethal to us if not treated fast enough.

The Reasons Why This is Happening

There are two reasons why this is happening. One is global warming.

And the other is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, caused by human activities and heat trapped by our buildings and roads.

When temperatures were taken at the same time at two different locations: Lim Chu Kang and Orchard Road, it was found that the temperature differs by almost 5 degree Celsius.

Lim Chu Kang was measured to be at 24.8 degree Celsius while Orchard Road measured at 29.1 degree Celsius.

And It’s a Vicious Cycle

When the weather’s too hot, what do you do? Switch on the aircon to cool the room down, right?

Ironically, this is one of the factors that contribute to the UHI effect, which in turn, increases Singapore’s temperature even more.

Which will make Singaporeans turn on their aircon on even longer.

So on and so forth.

So What Can You Do?

By yourself? Nothing much.

But if Singaporeans collectively decide to cut down on air conditioning, try not to contribute to the global warming effect and (at the same time), save their wallet some dough, then you might just see the heating effect slow down.

HDB has designed their units to be more eco-friendly. Windows are faced away from the sun and windows are placed for better ventilation of the house.

But Singaporeans will still be switching on their aircon because they’re used to the temperatures in their offices (which are typically air-conditioned).

Wear lighter colour clothes so that you’ll not be stifling in the heat, but remain (marginally) cooler in the face of the climate.

P/S: Don’t think that 2100 is far away and not for you to worry about. The temperatures are going to increase throughout the period.

So if you can’t tahan the heat now, you’re definitely going to be uncomfortable till 2100. #JustSaying

Featured Image: taka1022 / Shutterstock.com