What does it take to make us live more sustainably?
Not a drawn-out affair like climate change, but a rude shock in the form of Covid-19, says a study of Australians by the University of Queensland.
Not a love for the environment, but "personal practical benefits", finds a study of Singaporeans by OCBC Bank. Cost, convenience and feel-good vibes are important, experts added. No wonder reusable container lending services are struggling in Singapore.
Consumer behaviour can be immensely hard to change, especially if habits are entrenched in the bustle of daily life.
Will more climate-induced weather events help create the needed jolt to the consumer consciousness? Let's hope we're better than that, as we face increasingly punishing droughts and floods.
Inclusivity also took a debatable step forward this week. A law against gay sex is on its way out in Singapore, but upcoming legal tweaks will make same-sex marriage more elusive. Studies show that LGBTQ+ acceptance has increased in Asia Pacific, but progress remains deeply pockmarked.
Times are changing. Are our mindsets and actions changing fast enough to match?
Australians have largely ignored scientists' climate warnings, while the media has blamed catastrophic floods on poor infrastructure. But the pandemic has jolted the country towards more sustainable lifestyle habits, research finds.
Consumers are citing cost as a key barrier to living a sustainable life in the island state, according to the latest OCBC Climate Index. But the same survey finds more Singaporeans purchasing brand new, non-essential items more frequently.
The country's first ever container lending service Barepack Singapore will soon be shutting down local operations. Sustainability leaders say more regulation is needed before reusables can compete with single-use.
Covid-19 didn't kill events, but it did change them. Teymoor Nabili and Veemal Gungadin tell the Eco-Business Podcast how a pandemic transformed the way sustainability events are conceived and organised.
Sarawak is most severely affected, and in some instances, entire beachfronts have been 'swallowed' by stronger waves, but its stories and losses have not been well-documented in Malaysia
The marine mammal's departure could cause knock-on effects in the local ecosystem, and increase the risk of a global die-off of dugongs. Researchers are calling for more urgent, evidence-based conservation efforts.
