Green Pulse Episode 26: A Covid-19 tide of trash; and implications for marine life
16:00 mins
Synopsis: Green Pulse is an environmental podcast series at The Straits Times which analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
The Covid-19 lockdowns have led to improved environmental outcomes in some instances, such as improved air quality, but the outlook is not all rosy. On the back of Singapore’s Year Toward Zero Waste in 2019, a survey done by alumni from the National University of Singapore’s Master of Science (Environmental Management) programme found that 1,334 tonnes of additional plastic waste, equivalent to the weight of 92 double-decker buses, was generated from takeaway and delivery meals within the 8-week circuit breaker period between Apr 7 and June 1.
Globally, the rise of disposables in the form of single-use plastics, face masks and personal protective equipment due to hygiene concerns has led to concerns that these items may end up as litter in public places, and eventually make their way into the ocean. This could have implications for marine biodiversity.
Tune in to this episode to find out more, as The Straits Times chats with Ms Shaleen Shahrin on the survey findings and Dr Neo Mei Lin, a marine biologist at the Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, on the implications of marine debris on life underwater.
Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) & Ernest Luis
Edited by: Adam Azlee
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag
Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV
Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB
Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2
Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6
Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu
---
Discover ST's special edition podcasts:
Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa
The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2
Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB
Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn
---
Discover more ST podcast series:
Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7
Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN
In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt
Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m
SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR
#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad
ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE
Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas
Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ
Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL
Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!
#greenpulse
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.