After my previous post, I got curious about the views that youths age had towards sustainable living. So, I decided to conduct an interview with my friend to see from a perspective different from that of my own and those of my fellow BES companions. This friend was also from NUS and is an undergraduate from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Thus, I began my interview.

1. How do you perceive climate change and how would it’s impact affect the world?

My friend mentioned global warming and rising sea levels as the impacts that came to mind. I wonder if this is as these impacts are those that are more commonly publicized in media. She mentioned how she think climate change would change how we live our lives and thus showed how she viewed climate change and its threats that it poses.

2. How then do you see yourself being affected by climate change and its impacts?

She is of the opinion that climate change will affect her life, yet other countries may feel the impacts of climate change first. The main threat being sea-level rise. Her answer also displayed an awareness of the effects of climate change and increasing weather volatility. Overall she did not think that the issues would affect her imminently.

3. Do you see your current lifestyle as one that is sustainable? Could you perhaps share some examples with us?

She does not think that she is leading a sustainable lifestyle.

4. Do you think that as an individual it is possible to impact such a huge issue like climate change in any meaningful manner?

My friend thinks it is possible and that any small action is important to prevent a pervasive culture of powerlessness. The idea can this can be a spark that lights a collective movement to take greater steps in climate action. After all even CEOs and ministers are individuals and if they recognize climate change they can then make push changes to increase sustainability.

5. What are the obstacles or reasons do you think is preventing you from living a more sustainable or eco-friendly lifestyle?

Obstacles that were raised were

Cost – Sustainable lifestyle is too expensive (Certain items like clothing)

Convenience – Too used to certain standard of living

These reasons are reminiscent of the responses from my survey. Perhaps I can suggest looking towards reducing ones consumption would be cheaper and more sustainable yet there will be a “reduction” in ones standard of living.

6. How then do you balance your believe that Climate Change is serious and perhaps your “resistance to make changes in your lifestyle”?

Having more knowledge and environmentally conscience people around would motivate her. Over time sustainable living may become a habit. Secondly, currently the impacts of climate change are not yet obvious here in Singapore and thus feels that she at times turns away and “ignores” it.

7. Do you think that corporations and the government have a role to play in making sustainability more palatable in terms of convenience or cost-wise?

I think her response suggest a lack of awareness of government policies and perhaps also a need for greater action on the government’s part as well. She also thinks that innovation on the part of companies would help to increase sustainability but perhaps did not mention that companies at times counter-act sustainability.