PAP's candidate for West Coast GRC, Desmond Lee, highlighted two existing programs related to sustainability at a press conference today (June 30).

The minister who has had experience with the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Social and Family Services, spoke about climate change being a "natural, long term severe crisis that will come upon us".

Climate change is a long term severe crisis

The minister who was previously a Member of Parliament (MP) in Jurong GRC, was revealed to be contesting for West Coast GRC for GE2020.

At the press conference, Lee touched on one of the longer-term challenges that Singapore will face:

"For sustainability, it's important long term work and the pandemic reminds us that whilst you can hunt for a vaccine for COVID-19, there is no vaccine against climate change.

And this is work that we need to constantly build on. The fact that there is a major crisis now should not be derail us. In fact, all the more we should amplify the emphasis we should put on this natural, long term severe crisis that will come upon us."

After highlighting that the work on climate change is one that needs to be constantly built upon, Lee highlighted two sustainability initiatives that he had worked on.

Green towns & gardening initiative

He said that he "will look into the possibility of green town initiatives" for West Coast GRC.

The Housing Development Board's (HDB) new Green Towns Programme, an existing initiative that has been launched in Tampines, Choa Chu Kang and Nee Soon.

He also spoke about making an effort to green the spaces in West Coast GRC.

"I look forward to working with residents of West Coast, the industries and businesses in West Coast, and young people in West Coast to make a big effort to plant and green our estates."

Lee also updated on a recent initiative called 'gardening with edibles' programmes by National Parks Board (NParks).

Through the initiative, residents in Singapore can get to try some urban farming at home.

Lee said that about 400,000 households have signed up for the free seeds distributed by NParks.

He added that getting people to value food will help to "contribute to the overall narrative of sustainability".

Top screenshot via West Coast GRC/Facebook