According to WWF , Singapore has the largest carbon footprint per person than any other city in Asia. This fact was initially a surprise for me, as I arrived in the spotless city, where recycling bins are available on almost every street corner. It was only after a few days of living in overly air-conditioned buildings, noticing the excess of shopping and the lack of local produce that I began to question the sustainability of this city. It made me realize that one always has to dig a little deeper and inquire a little more to discover the truth of what is green and what is not. I must admit that the rest of the world should take note of what Singapore is doing to reduce what could be an even greater footprint.
The subway system is one aspect of the city’s green initiative that should be copied by cities around the world. It is clean, on time and highly organized.
Machines are at all the subway entrances to ensure the purchase of a ticket. Maps are close by so that you know exactly where to go and what type of ticket is needed. We were so excited about the efficiency of the system that we bought the wrong ticket but it was a fun adventure and little time was lost.
My favorite part of the subway was the concept of recycling a ticket. If only more public transport systems worldwide would follow their lead. I initially found the price of a one way ticket to be a little steep only to discover that on a $2.50 ticket, $1 is reimbursed if the card is recycled at the point of purchase of any of the stations.
What a brilliant way to reduce the use of paper tickets that often create a confetti carpet at the exit of subway stations around the world.
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