Global warming and rapid urbanisation have prompted countries all over the world to deploy cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. Here in Singapore, our government has long recognised the importance of sustainability with the introduction of “garden city” vision in 1967 to the current “city in a garden” vision. But what can you, as an individual, do to contribute to a greener and more sustainable environment to live in? Read on!
What is sustainable living?
In a nutshell, sustainable living is basically efforts of an individual or society to reduce their carbon footprint, and you can easily do so by practising the following.
1. Reduce waste
Over the last 40 years, the amount of waste in Singapore has increased by seven-fold! Did you know that Semakau Landfill – Singapore’s first and only landfill – is expected to run out of space by 2035? Just like how we avoid clutter in our house for our well-being, we need to reduce waste to minimise the junk in the world.
There are many ways to reduce waste, and one of the easiest ways (sometimes easier said than done!) is to avoid plastics. Create a basic zero waste kit comprising of a reusable food container, straw and cutleries. Use it to ‘tapau’ (takeaway) your meals from the hawker stall and remember to tell the uncle or aunty “No straw, please” the next time you order a drink!
Try to avoid products with excessive packaging. Sometimes they are difficult to avoid as they come with almost everything from fresh produce to toothbrushes! Always make sure you #RecycleRight. Do not throw everything into the blue recycling bin, as this causes contamination to the rest of the recyclables, which would have to be incinerated or end up in the landfill.
2. Make informed choices
As a consumer, you have the power to make a difference! The moment you opt to buy local or support small businesses, you support the local economy as well as reduce carbon footprints generated from transportation.
Keep in mind that some products with the ‘eco-friendly’ tag can actually be a ‘greenwashing’ attempt by companies to mislead consumers into buying their products. Always read the labels, compare products and try to choose brands that promote sustainability.
Here’s a little trivia. Did you know that a pair of jeans require an average of 68 litres of water, 1.5 kilowatts of energy and 141 grams of chemicals to produce? That is a lot of energy required just so you can look good in that new pair of jeans. Perhaps consider buying second hand instead?
3. Reduce energy consumption
One of the biggest contributors to global warming is the emission of greenhouse gasses, created through burning of fossil fuels for electricity, and most of us are unwittingly contributing to this in exchange for our daily comfort, especially when working from home.
By reducing your energy consumption, you can save on bills and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Unsure of how you can save electricity at home? Read this.
Make sustainable living part of your legacy planning
No man’s an island. That’s why sustainable living is important, as it ensures a liveable environment for our future generations. This good intention to ensure our future generations live on with minimal disruptions is not that different from the main purpose of getting a life insurance.
As nobody can predict the future, it is important to plan ahead and protect those that we love. With Online Life Protection from Tiq by Etiqa Insurance, you can choose from whole life and term life plans, as well as the amount of protection that you need, from S$50,000 all the way to S$2 million. Optional add-on of critical illnesses coverage is also available with DPI (Direct Purchase Insurance) plans. For the uninitiated, you may find this useful.
Life’s short, and while we are all for the YOLO spirit, it would be nice and sensible to think about how we can do our part and give back to the Mother Earth, so that our future generations can continue to thrive.
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Information is accurate as at 20 October 2020. This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K). Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. As buying a life insurance policy is a long-term commitment, an early termination of the policy usually involves high costs and the surrender value, if any, that is payable to you may be zero or less than the total premiums paid. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before deciding to purchase the policy. If you choose not to seek advice, you should consider if the policy is suitable for you. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Tiq by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.
A digital insurance channel that embraces changes to provide simple and convenient protection, Tiq’s mission is to make insurance transparent and accessible, inspiring you today to be prepared for life’s surprises and inevitabilities, while empowering you to “Live Unlimited” and take control of your tomorrow.
With a shared vision to change the paradigm of insurance and reshape customer experience, Etiqa created the strong foundation for Tiq. Because life never stops changing, Etiqa never stops progressing. A licensed life and general insurance company registered in the Republic of Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Etiqa is governed by the Insurance Act and has been providing insurance solutions since 1961. It is 69% owned by Maybank, Southeast Asia’s fourth largest banking group, with more than 22 million customers in 20 countries; and 31% owned by Ageas, an international insurance group with 33 million customers across 16 countries.
Discover the full range of Tiq online insurance plans here.
