Green Pulse

The Straits Times
  • 4.3 (3)
  • Nature

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society. Podcaster: Audrey Tan Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

  1. 6d ago

    Haze and a Godzilla El Nino: How is Singapore preparing?

    Singapore is also testing out solutions to tackle heat without air-conditioning. After three years of clear skies, the haze is back in Singapore. One contributor to the pollution is the El Nino weather phenomenon, which causes drier, hotter weather in South-east Asia.  This causes fires typical of Indonesia’s agroforestry landscape to burn harder and longer.  So how is Singapore responding to the double whammy of haze and hotter weather?  Green Pulse host Audrey Tan talks to correspondents Shabana Begum and Ang Qing on what they have observed while reporting on these conditions.  Highlights (click/tap above): 2:13 The impacts of El Nino in South-east Asia 7:39 How people in Singapore are responding to the heat and haze 13:50 Are people in Singapore heat-tolerant or heat-avoidant? 15:53 Solutions to help people adapt to heat without air-conditioning 20:24 What are the global impacts of El Nino? Read Qing’s and Shabana’s related articles: Solar-powered air-con, freeze-tech and ‘fan-jakketos’ among innovative cooling gadgets on the market: https://str.sg/b6WC Emergency visits for respiratory cases up even with small spikes in PM2.5 levels: S’pore study: https://str.sg/mVPv Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Host: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis  Follow Green Pulse Podcast every Tuesday as we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag YouTube: https://str.sg/fapS Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Haze and a Godzilla El Nino: How is Singapore preparing?

  2. Oct 5

    Singaporeans arguing over land use is good, but ugly extremes must be avoided

    Conservationists must make their pro-nature arguments to the mainstream, says ST’s Bhavan Jaipagras.  Synopsis: Every Tuesday, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society. Recent announcements about new developments coming at the expense of nature areas in Singapore have reignited the perennial ‘conserve versus develop’ debate.  Such discussions were first sparked when housing plans for the Gillman and Maju estates, on which secondary forests have grown, were revealed in July. In August, plans for a new western island – built by reclaiming several of Singapore’s southern islands – generated further discussion on the issue. Host Audrey Tan discusses with ST’s senior columnist Bhavan Jaipragas how the national debate on this can be more constructive.  Our Green Pulse podcast has returned from a hiatus and every Tuesday from October onwards, host Audrey Tan will highlight how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society. Each episode also comes with a video version - with more show links below. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:59 Initial reactions to the responses to the Gillman and Maju developments  8:54 Who are the players involved in Singapore’s ‘develop or conserve’ discussions?  11:56 Who should arguments made by both sides be pitched at?  17:38 Possible to bring in the intangible benefits of nature in public discussions?  21:54 How to improve consultation process between government and conservationists Read more: More green spaces to be retained in Gillman Barracks, Maju Forest: Alvin Tan: https://str.sg/tjCJ Timeline, reclamation profile of new western island not yet determined: Chee Hong Tat: https://str.sg/FUPJ Read more from Bhavan Jaipragas: https://str.sg/b49w Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Host: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis  Follow Green Pulse Podcast every Tuesday as we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag YouTube: https://str.sg/fapS Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Singaporeans arguing over land use is good, but ugly extremes must be avoided

  3. Apr 20

    Singapore’s green paradox: Planting trees while losing forest cover

    Our hosts try to make sense of conflicting developments in this city state. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times provides you with a South-east Asian perspective to global environmental challenges. Trees can keep urban environments cool, and Singapore has been leveraging this “superpower” of nature by expanding its tree-planting efforts. There is a plan to plant a million trees across the country by 2030, while organisations are rolling out microforests and skyrise greenery to beautify and cool down concrete environments. Yet, at the same time, Singapore is also cutting down secondary forests to meet other national needs, including for housing and industrial purposes. How can we make sense of this green paradox? Listen to the discussion on this episode of Green Pulse, and stay tuned till the end for a special announcement! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:50 How has Singapore’s greening strategy changed over the years? 11:40 What are some existing tools used in Singapore to make decisions on which secondary forest plot to conserve or develop? 18:15 Can Singapore consider an EIA law or biodiversity offsets? 25:25 Do Singaporeans recognise the inherent value of nature? Green Pulse LinkedIn newsletter: https://str.sg/green-pulse-nl Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Singapore’s green paradox: Planting trees while losing forest cover

  4. Apr 6

    How can Singapore beat the heat and high electricity prices without aircon?

    Improving people’s ability to withstand hotter weather is one part of Singapore’s adaptation plan. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times provides you with a South-east Asian perspective to global environmental challenges. As Singapore’s hottest month of the year, May, approaches and global energy volatility drives up Singapore's electricity tariffs, how can Singapore beat the heat in 2026? In this episode of Green Pulse, hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty explore Singapore’s upcoming National Adaptation Plan and its focus on heat resilience. Beyond national cooling strategies, they also share practical ways to lower your energy bills and stay cool without aircon. From individual cooling hacks to the latest on climate adaptation, discover how individuals can thrive in a hotter city-state.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:50 What is climate adaptation? 3:58 To cope with rising heat, we need tailored solutions for different groups of people. 8:30 El Nino is looming. It’s time to prepare for sizzling temperatures. 10:30 Apart from heat, what are the other climate impacts facing Singapore? 16:02 Are adaptation investments bankable? Are they wise bets for business? 21:03 Better climate risk assessments and new financial tools are needed, too. 23:25 Top tips for keeping cool as the mercury, and energy costs, rise. Green Pulse LinkedIn newsletter: https://str.sg/green-pulse-nl Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How can Singapore beat the heat and high electricity prices without aircon?

  5. Mar 16

    Higher energy prices, war in Middle East: A boost for renewables?

    As the Middle East conflict sends oil and gas prices soaring, Green Pulse hosts discuss if geopolitics will break ASEAN’s fossil fuel addiction. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times provides you with a South-east Asian perspective to global environmental challenges. The war in the Middle East is causing energy prices around the world to spike, due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz – an important shipping route for oil and gas – and attacks on fossil fuel production facilities.  For energy-importing nations, the volatility is no longer just an economic concern. It’s a matter of national security. Coming on the heels of the war in Ukraine, the latest crisis poses a difficult question: How can Singapore and its ASEAN neighbours insulate themselves from global shocks?  Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss energy security and the role of renewables in this episode.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 3:19 Everyone is scrambling for fossil fuel supplies. Is this the time to be talking about renewables? 5:54 This latest energy crisis needs to accelerate the birth of the ASEAN Power Grid. 7:06 What lessons did the world learn from the 2022 energy crunch? 14:45 Boosting ASEAN’s energy resilience limits the region being held hostage by geopolitics.  19:17 ASEAN needs a clean-energy champion. Who will step up to rally the region? Green Pulse LinkedIn newsletter: https://str.sg/green-pulse-nl Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Higher energy prices, war in Middle East: A boost for renewables?

  6. Mar 2

    Why is S’pore even considering nuclear energy?

    Fossil fuel supply chains are unstable, and renewable energy alone can’t meet all its energy needs.  Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Singapore is exploring the use of nuclear energy to meet its energy needs, and has taken several steps to build its knowledge and expertise in this area.  But why does the small city-state even need to consider such a controversial energy resource, especially given historical nuclear incidents?  And why is the business-as-usual option to continue with fossil fuel use no longer as viable as before? Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss the global nuclear renaissance, and Singapore’s role in it, in this episode.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 2:05 How is the global nuclear renaissance shaping up? 3:47 Let’s talk about Singapore’s nuclear context.  10:32 Historical concerns vs benefits - can new nuclear tech win over critics? 14:33 Singapore’s energy conundrum – ensuring stable, secure and affordable power 17:41 Is nuclear energy safe? And what steps are needed to boost safety? 23:47 Are we there yet? Is fusion energy the future? Read more on The Straits Times: https://str.sg/sLPM Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Why is S’pore even considering nuclear energy?

  7. Feb 16

    30 by 30 no more: What is S’pore’s plan for local food production?

    As local farms keep closing, will stockpiling, import diversification and global partnerships be enough to safeguard Singapore’s food security?  Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. The past few years have not been fertile ground for the growth of Singapore’s local farms. Many agri-food businesses have closed or scaled down their operations amid a high operating cost environment. Last November, the Singapore Food Agency finally announced that it will be dropping its original “30 by 30” target, under which Singapore aimed to produce 30 per cent of its nutritional needs locally by 2030.  There are other efforts in place to safeguard the food import-dependent country’s food security, such as import diversification, stockpiling and global partnerships. But with climate change wrecking havoc on crop yields and recent geopolitical events disrupting long-standing bilateral relationships, can Singapore afford not to have a strategic plan for local production? Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss the challenges in this episode.  Have a listen and let us know what you think! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 3:38 Why do farms in Singapore keep closing?  10:49 What are the four pillars in Singapore’s approach to safeguarding food security?  12:48 With climate change affecting crop yields, how effective will import diversification and intergovernmental pacts be in ensuring food security? 16:05 Other than securing supplies of food, what are other areas to look at to boost food security? Read more on The Straits Times: https://str.sg/sLPM Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 by 30 no more: What is S’pore’s plan for local food production?

  8. Feb 2

    From Greenland to deep sea mining: Is geopolitics killing climate action?

    Yes, it’s a scary time. But more than ever we need to talk about climate and nature.  Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Right now, it seems we’re in an ‘ice age’ for climate action. Geopolitics is all we can talk about and it’s pretty much wiped climate change and nature from the headlines. Wars and conflict, trade rows, attacks on climate policies and science and the fracturing of multilateralism have created a more fraught and uncertain world.  Some countries and businesses have weakened their environmental targets and policies, even as the climate and nature crises worsen. So what can be done? Can the shift to bilateral and regional climate and energy agreements replace unified global action? Can renewable energy remain a powerful uniting force? And how can we get climate and nature back into the headlines? Join hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions and more in the latest episode of The Straits Times’ Green Pulse podcast.  Have a listen and let us know what you think! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:51 For all the talk of fossil fuels, renewables are stealing the show 7:59 Rush for resources and the Greenland reality check 12:59 Weakening of multilateralism is changing the way we talk about climate and nature.  18:51 Focus on climate and nature might be in a rut. What will it take to refocus minds? 25:33 The human touch. Journalists need to put people at the centre of their environment stories. Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    From Greenland to deep sea mining: Is geopolitics killing climate action?
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society. Podcaster: Audrey Tan Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Information

  • Creator
    The Straits Times
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Straits Times
  • Show Website
    Green Pulse

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