Surviving the Outdoors in Singapore so You Can Actually Appreciate the Environment

Our sunny Singapore island offers many exciting outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, cycling, and even kayaking! That is… if you can beat the sweltering heat and somehow motivate yourself to leave your air-conditioned room. The science behind the increased heat is important for a small nation like ours to understand. Fortunately, there are tips and tricks that we can adopt to help us stay cool and breezy in our tropical climate so that we can head out and appreciate our outdoors safely and comfortably.

Urban Heat Island effect

The urban heat island effect (UHI) describes an increase in temperature found in dense urban areas such as Singapore. Nature reserves occupy only 4.48% of Singapore's total land area, which is a stark contrast to our neighbour Malaysia, which has 62.3% of its land area forested. Higher temperatures do not just cause irritation and discomfort; they have a slew of negative health impacts, like increased mortality and morbidity, especially among low-income and vulnerable populations such as the elderly.

Ways to beat the UHI effect

Nature is our best friend for stopping the mercury from ticking upwards! Embracing greenery relaxes our senses and provides us with respite from the devilish heat.

Integrate green roofs and green walls into building designs: Greenery and plants help to reflect off solar radiation from the sun to keep buildings cool. They reduce peak surface temperature by up to 17 degrees Celsius!
Advocating for more green spaces to be established: Green spaces with large shade can cool surrounding temperatures as vegetation undergoes evapotranspiration during photosynthesis to release water vapour.
Immerse yourself in the many nature reserves in Singapore: Taking a hike in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve might be just the cool getaway you need away from the urban heat in the city.

Extreme exposure to UV rays

Sunny Singapore recorded extreme levels of UV radiation in late March. The UV index hit 12 on a scale of zero to 15 on March 27, 2024. While UV exposure might be seasonal, it is important that as the climate shifts, we learn how to protect ourselves from these harmful rays. Overexposure can cause a plethora of health issues, such as damage to skin and eyes and suppression of our immune system.

Ways to beat UV rays

Cover up! Staying stylish and covered with accessories goes a long way in fighting UV exposure.

Sunscreen of grade SPF 30 to 50: The higher the SPF, the better the protection from the sun. Sunscreens should be applied to the skin 15 minutes before exposure and reapplied every 2 hours in ongoing sun exposure.
Accessories such as hats, shades and umbrellas: Blocking direct sunlight from reaching you will help mitigate the impact of UV exposure. Plus, it keeps you fashionable!
Avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Plan your day well and avoid direct sunlight within this timeframe! A mixture of outdoor and indoor activities will ensure you are well-protected and comfortable.
Always check the UV index before engaging in any outdoor activity: Visit NEA’s website at https://www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/weather/ultraviolet-index and use the index to see if it is safe to continue outdoor activities.

Written by: Kai Wen

06/2024

References

Abdullah, Z. (2024, April 8). Extreme UV index levels? what you should know about applying sunscreen. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/extreme-uv-index-levels-what-you-should-know-about-applying-sunscreen

Malaysia Forest Information and Data. Malaysia Forest Information and data. (n.d.). https://worldrainforests.com/deforestation/2000/Malaysia.htm#

Wong, N.H., Tan, C.L., Kolokotsa, D.D. et al. Greenery as a mitigation and adaptation strategy to urban heat. Nat Rev Earth Environ 2, 166–181 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-00129-5