As the dust settles on another busy work week, I felt both the weight of accomplishments and the tugging fatigue of tasks completed. Amid the hustle and bustle, I left my journal blank.

The weekend arrived in time, offering me some respite and time to reflect. I picked up the book on Laozi’s Dao De Jing 《道德经》, my memorabilia from my work trip to Chengdu a month ago.

While this is not about ESG topics but merely my personal reflections on some of Laozi’s teachings, you may look at it from a personal and universal perspective and apply them to any wider context. The beauty of universal principles is that, they have limitless potential applications.

Laozi/Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism 道家, left us profound teachings about balance and simplicity. His wisdom is particularly relevant when juggling the demands of modern work life. This newsletter explores how we can apply his principles to conserve energy for the most vital endeavors and cut away the excess that drains us.

The Principle of Conserving Energy

Laozi famously said,

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Frantic effort is not always synonymous with success. In a week filled with meetings, deadlines, and multitasking, it is vital to prioritize tasks that align with our core objectives.

To conserve energy:

· Focus on the essential: Before diving into our day, take a moment to identify our top three priorities. These should be tasks that drive meaningful progress rather than making us appear superficially busy.

· Work in rhythm: Just as nature has cycles, we too should honor our personal energy patterns. Schedule demanding tasks during our peak productivity hours and leave lighter work for times when our energy wanes.

· Delegate wisely: Letting go is an act of strength. Entrust tasks that others can handle, thereby freeing ourselves for what only we can do.

Through conserving energy, we align ourselves with nature’s effortless flow, ensuring that our efforts are impactful without exhausting our resources.

Now apply that to the area of environmental conservation. Are we conserving nature in the most effective way? Are we creating excess, are we working with the rhythm of nature and are we focusing on what we can do best? What other insights do you find?

Cutting Excess with Simplicity

Another core teaching from Laozi is the value of simplicity.

“To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day.”

As we reflect on our week, we must ask: What clutter — physical, mental, or emotional — has been weighing us down?

To cut excess:

· Streamline processes: Are there tasks that could be automated, shortened, or eliminated entirely? Reducing redundancy allows us to channel energy into high-value activities.

· Declutter our lives: An organized environment fosters clarity and focus. Spend a few minutes at the end of each week tidying up our living and working space.

· Build better habits for focus: Allocate time for important tasks and eliminate distractions when working, e.g. silence the phone or put it away during deep thinking or important meetings.

Simplifying is not about doing less because we feel lazy — it’s about doing less so we can achieve more with intention and purpose.

Now think about the consumeristic impulses we have, and the inflated lifestyle that we are so used to. Are we wasting our mental and physical energy on excess and distractions? Should we still be accumulating non-essential information and things when in fact they are cluttering our mental and physical space? What further insights do you find?

Aligning with Taoist Perspectives

Finally, reflecting on the week through the lens of Laozi’s teachings has shown me some light in embracing the concept of “Wu Wei” “无为” or effortless action.

This does not mean non-action; rather, it suggests that we should approach tasks with calm efficiency, allowing things to unfold naturally. By letting go of resistance and excess effort, we often find that solutions would emerge more freely, and our work becomes less of a struggle and more of a flow.

I look forward to applying these insights in the day-to-day of the coming weeks. May we all be wiser, happier and better people through consistent daily improvements.

We had the privilege to be part of the official entourage visiting Chengdu’s Tianfu New Area. It is fast emerging as a global exemplar of sustainable urban development, built around the concept of a “city within a park.” The New Area also includes Tianfu Ecological City, a satellite development planned as a prototype for low-carbon urban living, designed to consume 48% less energy, 58% less water, produce 89% less landfill waste, and emit 60% less carbon dioxide than conventional developments.

I had my first-hand experience of the “city within a park” for my morning jog around the Qinhuang Lake, which is just a stone’s throw from our hotel, benefitting from the fresh air and accessible tranquility of nature.

Tianfu New Area also includes the Tianfu Central Legal Services District (CLD), a pioneering provincial-level legal hub in China, reshaping how legal services integrate into urban planning and economic development. More than a courthouse — it’s a legal innovation ecosystem designed to support global commerce, arbitration, IP, dispute mediation, and judicial modernization within a smart-city context. By clustering international legal bodies, judicial intelligence systems, professional services, and legal education in one area, it positions Tianfu New Area as a hub for rule-of-law development and high-end legal innovation in Western China.

The main event of the trip was the China and Southeast Asia Integration and Alignment Conference on Legal and Business Basis, at which we were invited to share about our firm and our new practice areas, including Sustainability and ESG. We thank Hon and Company (HK) for this friendly invitation and opportunity.

We’ve also visited Sichuan Henghexin Law Firm 四川恒和信, one of the largest and fastest growing local law firms and learned so much from their impressive growth. I am particularly impressed by their 44 page annual social responsibility report, which made an insightful read during my flight. And we are truly grateful for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Last but not least, what is a trip to Chengdu without some hotpot and R&R. The real difference to an amazing trip is the company — I am so grateful to be on this trip with my wonderful colleagues, and to the new and old friendships bonded over a few days.

P.S. What more can I ask if I get to visit Zhuge Liang’s place (武侯祠) twice in a single trip? 刘备三请诸葛亮，我们可是常去他家喝茶（姬）呢！

Like & Follow TheGreenBunnySG on Medium.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read the other published articles by TheGreenBunnySG:

Read my other publications on Medium: Coffee Stories: Unpacking the Environmental Impact of Our Favourite Brew; Green is a Trendy Word; A Case of Reusables; Is Poverty Real in Singapore?; Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

Art has always been my love. Thinking that it would not make the most practical career choice, I, like the most of us, settled in a “safer” career path, such as lawyering.

Nevertheless, I am privileged to have an ongoing connection with Art. Just this weekend, I was invite to two private art events, both featured one of my favorite contemporary artist, Coplu.

It was love at first sight, when I set my eyes on his works online in around 2014. I was immediately drawn to the overflowing positivity of the artist’s energy and expression — the vibrant colours, cute style and heartwarming messages about love, dreams, family and hope. His art works spoke to me directly, without a word, overwhelming me with waves of joy. I might have drawn a copy of his work on an A4 piece of paper, with the hope that one day I could own a piece of the treasure.

Fast-forwarding to now, a decade later, fate brought his works before me in a single weekend through a private art collection sale and a gallery event by Ode To Art Gallery at Anti:dote Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford. More magically, Coplu, the artist himself, was in the same room, spoke with and autographed for me.

I could not express my gratitude enough for everything that has led me to the now, the present, to appreciate his works in proximity and to realize my dream of owning a piece.

Despite the years passing, Coplu’s works have never failed to inspire me and cheer me up. Communicating directly through image motifs such as hearts (love) and clouds (dreams), his works also evoke immediate emotional resonance through vibrant colours and imaginative stories.

In the current collection “Treasures of Love”, I’ve found new messages in works such as “Spreading the Seed of Love for Rich Hearted Generations Behind” and “Nature’s Gesture for Lovers of All Colours”. Beyond the romantic and family aspects of Love, we are inspired to expand our Love to Nature and Mankind and across time and space.

I am, in my feeble attempt to use words to describe my connection with Art, doing my part for share inspiration and joy with you, my readers. I wish we all will, in our own ways, find solace in Art and life. Quoting Coplu’s quote to me in the autograph -

“Life is beautiful.”

As a proud first-generation Singaporean, I’ve always taken pride in my clean and efficient homeground. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that living in Singapore is getting more expensive by the day.

Singapore: The World’s Most Expensive City and Its Growing Divide

In recent years, Singapore has consistently ranked as the most expensive city globally. This isn’t just a title — it reflects the everyday reality for many of us, who are grappling with skyrocketing living costs and a growing income gap.

Let’s look at the numbers. For instance, in the first quarter of 2024, the median price for private residential property in Singapore soared to approximately SGD 2,000 per square foot. That’s a staggering 25% increase from SGD 1,600 just five years ago. Similarly, rental costs have surged. The average monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the Central Business District now stands at SGD 6,500, up from SGD 5,200 five years ago.

Food and transportation have also seen significant price hikes. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs about SGD 30 per person today, compared to SGD 25 five years ago. Car ownership costs have doubled over the same period. Even public transport, while still relatively efficient, has become pricier; a monthly pass now costs SGD 150, up from SGD 130 five years ago.

Why Are Costs Going Up?

The rise in living costs is not unique to Singapore; many developed and developing countries face similar challenges. However, Singapore’s situation is aggravated by specific local factors, including but not limited to the following:

1. Susceptibility to Supply Chain Issues and Rising Material Costs: Singapore’s heavy reliance on imported goods means that global supply chain disruptions and rising material costs hit us harder. As a result, everything from construction materials to everyday products has become more expensive.
2. Market Dynamics: Singapore’s appeal as a desirable place to live and work has driven up demand for residential properties. With limited land and high population density, the supply of housing is constrained, leading to higher prices. Although the government has introduced cooling measures like increased stamp duties, the market remains robust, keeping prices high.
3. Taxes and Charges: While Singapore’s tax regime is generally attractive, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has gradually increased from 7% to 9% over the past decade. This increase affects both businesses and consumers. Additionally, the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for car ownership has doubled, further driving up living costs for many households.

Income Disparities and Relative Poverty

Despite the soaring costs, income growth hasn’t kept pace. According to the Ministry of Manpower, the median monthly gross income for full-time employed residents in 2024 is SGD 5,500, a modest 3% increase from 2020. This hasn’t been enough to keep up with rising living costs, widening the income gap.

A recent study by the Institute of Policy Studies showed that people between the ages 21 and 34 are less likely to have seen their social status rise than those who are older.

While income inequality is said to have declined over time, which is attributable to the redistributive effect of the taxes through subsidies and vouchers given to lower income groups, the difference in income between the top and bottom 10% could be a gapping 10x or more — The bottom 10% of households earned $2,336 monthly, while the top 10% earned $32,901 monthly (based on an online source not independently verified by the author of this article)

Societal Implications

The soaring cost of living and increasing income disparity are reshaping Singaporean society. High living costs place a significant burden on lower and middle-income families, raising concerns about social mobility and economic inclusivity. Younger generations are finding it increasingly difficult to buy homes, which affects their ability to build wealth and achieve financial stability.

For many, especially those not in the top income brackets or the newly wealthy immigrants, the high cost of living is prompting consideration of relocation. Some are looking to neighboring countries like Thailand or Indonesia for more affordable living options.

The government is aware of these issues and has introduced measures like the Progressive Wage Model to boost wages for low-income workers and various housing grants for first-time homebuyers. However, balancing economic growth with affordability remains a challenging task.

Concluding Thought

Singapore’s position as the world’s most expensive city highlights a broader issue: rising living costs are outpacing income growth. The growing income gap and relative poverty underscore the need for continued policy innovation to ensure that Singapore’s prosperity benefits everyone. But it does not mean that policy innovation alone could solve all the problems. Social innovations from the ground-up play a crucial role to supplement top-down policies in addressing societal implications. Last but not least, self-help is the best help. It is time for everyone to wake up to the new reality and accept the changes and adapt accordingly.

References:

1. According to the 2024 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey, which benchmarks the cost of living in major cities worldwide, Singapore has once again claimed the top spot, surpassing other high-cost cities like New York, Hong Kong, and Paris. The EIU publishes an annual Cost of Living Index that ranks cities worldwide based on their living costs. The latest report can be accessed through the EIU’s official website or their published reports: https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/cost-of-living/
2. Various real estate agencies and property analysts provide regular updates on housing prices and rental costs. Examples include reports from URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) (https://www.ura.gov.sg/) or property websites like PropertyGuru (https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-news)
3. LTA Statistics: https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/who_we_are/statistics_and_publications/statistics.html
4. Ministry of Manpower statistics website: https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/homepage.aspx
5. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/youth-social-status-ips-study-2089046
6. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/inequality-cna-explains-gini-coefficient-4132316#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20Singapore's%20Gini%20coefficient,on%20key%20household%20income%20trends.

Like & Follow TheGreenBunnySG on Medium.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read the other published articles by TheGreenBunnySG:

Read my other publications on Medium: Coffee Stories: Unpacking the Environmental Impact of Our Favourite Brew; Green is a Trendy Word; A Case of Reusables; Is Poverty Real in Singapore?; Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

As I started my day with my daily cup of coffee, a thought struck me: what are the environmental and social impacts of our coffee consumption?

This curiosity sparked the idea for The Greener Life series. It made me realize that in order to make better decisions about our everyday habits, we need to be informed about what we consume. And what better way to start this journey than with a cup of coffee?

In the first episode of Coffee Stories, let’s dive into the environmental impact of coffee production. As one of the world’s most traded commodities, coffee has a significant environmental footprint, which can be broken down into four key areas:

1. Deforestation & Land Use

Coffee farming is a major driver of deforestation in Central and South America. Over the past two decades, approximately 2.5 million hectares of tropical forest have been cleared to make way for coffee plantations. This deforestation has serious consequences for biodiversity and climate regulation.

2. Water Use

Producing coffee is water-intensive. On average, it takes about 140 liters of water to produce a single cup of coffee. This high water usage can strain local water resources, leading to shortages that affect both communities and ecosystems.

3. Biodiversity

Monoculture coffee farming, which involves growing a single crop over a large area, reduces local biodiversity. This practice makes coffee plants more vulnerable to pests and diseases, often resulting in increased pesticide use to manage these problems.

4. Carbon Emissions

From cultivation to your cup, coffee production emits around 15.3 million tons of CO2 annually. The major sources of these emissions include land use changes, coffee processing, and transportation.

Sustainable practices in coffee production aim to mitigate these environmental impacts. In the next episode of Coffee Stories, we’ll explore these sustainable practices and discuss their relevance to us as consumers. Stay tuned to learn how we can make more eco-friendly choices with our daily brew.

References:

HSBC Expat — “Why ESG Matters: How sustainable is your morning coffee?”

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read my other publications on Medium: Green is a Trendy Word; A Case of Reusables; Is Poverty Real in Singapore?; Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

It is not that we don’t care about the world at large anymore. In fact, now is the time we are more inspired and ready to take some real actions. Regulations and standards are converging; initial green-washing skepticism waning; market participants are getting more educated on the topic, the path forward seems to be clearer with specific actionable steps. The green trend is catching fire across businesses large and small, and at the same time, capturing the hearts of early adopters and entrenching itself as longer term consumer habits. It takes only a quick scan around any café in Singapore to see a significant proportion of reusable muggers, with or without any external incentives.

Yet, the buzz seems to be killing the vibe. It is almost like an antithesis of “cool” to be common. Perhaps this is the inevitable fate of becoming prevalent. Mass adoption is not sexy. Hopping onto the popularity bandwagon and becoming part of the norm is just so “uncool”.

If losing its charm is the cost to pay for mass adoption, then it may be, sadly, inevitable.

But I would like to propose instead that the time is now.

The time is now to wake up from the illusion of saturation and resist the temptation of boredom.

Before we get desensitized by the buzz, let’s dig a little deeper. The topic may not seem as intriguing because it is not new anymore, but it is now ready to deliver on promises of many interesting discoveries with its multitude of applications. There is much more to a greener lifestyle than just about carrying the reusable mugs. A more sustainable business is not only about reporting or cutting carbon emissions. Think about new practices, processes and technologies. Imagine the new business opportunities. Contemplate on every possible facet of daily life that could be turned in so many varied ways. Are we excited?

In the course of my work I am privileged to know of new innovations that promise greater futures. From alternative proteins, agri-tech, material science, new energy to waste treatment, I am so much inspired on their potentials to change our world in big ways. Despite the buzz that numbs my brain sometimes, I am still hanging on the trend and keen to do my part to make the topic sexier. There is so little time but so much more to be done, including with TheGreenBunnySG to share more information engagingly and effectively.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read my other publications on Medium: A Case of Reusables; Is Poverty Real in Singapore?; Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

I read a Bloomberg article on how reusable cups had turned into collectibles, complete anti-theses to reuse and reduce.

Since sustainability had become the buzz word few years back, my own collection of reusable coffee mugs grew. It was not intended. Some were corporate gifts and conference freebies, meaning to spread the positive message. But the message was lost along with the mugs, chugged away and forgotten, until one early morning I needed to take away a hot cup of coffee for a road trip, I rinsed away the dust.

Overconsumption is the root of all evil. I talked about it too in my previous article on Conservation & Choices. When it is a conscious decision to (over)consume, and in the case of the “Stanley” tumblers, to collect, greed is perhaps to blame. “It’s going to have to start with them (the business) to slow this down,” says the collector about the business of “Stanley” tumblers. Or is it the invisible free hand of the market dynamics to blame?

But in the case of those reusable mugs hidden at the back of my cupboard and my mind, they were wastage created with good intentions. I could, arguably, not have brought them back home, or to have given them away for adoption as soon as I realized their redundancy. Would that help the makers realize that their gifts were not as useful as they thought? Or should I have forced myself into the habit of bringing around mugs even when my bag or my hands are full?

It often starts with a craze to follow a trend. And it is a process of trial and error to figure out which conservation actions actually work in practice. At least we all try, so I am not criticizing any efforts. But I do caution against the marketing that oversells the use case (or in this case, reusable case) to well-meaning businesses and consumers. Ultimately, it is not just what you buy but how you use that determines the effectiveness of a proposed product or solution.

Subscribe to the Green Bunny Newsletter on LinkedIn or through the Website.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read my other publications on:

LinkedIn: Is Poverty Real in Singapore?; Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Where Every Organization Finds a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain; Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — Reflections on Tips to Becoming a Successful Generalist;The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My footprints 2022;

Medium: Is Poverty Real in Singapore?; Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

I might risk a backlash by just posing the question. But please don’t jump into conclusion just yet based on the title alone.

I don’t grow up privileged enough to not understand the concept of poverty. Of course, what is “privileged” and “poverty” are subjects of definition and context. I fully appreciate that living safely and comfortably in Singapore is already a privilege in itself. And to have the opportunity of good education, beyond basic literacy; to have a financially independent life; to stay healthy and safe, and to be able to enjoy luxuries of travel and entertainment, are all dreams beyond the imagination of many people who are in the same world at the same time as me.

But to put it into context, many Singaporeans have such privileges which are often taken as given. Known for its economic prosperity and high living standards, the question then is whether the concept of poverty is truly relevant in a highly developed society such as Singapore.

In my course of social impact work, I have worked on projects with beneficiaries from the lower income category (defined as households with combined income lesser than S$1,900 or per capita less than S$650). When measuring the social impact created and aligning with the UN Social Development Goals, I often hesitate whether Goal №1 No Poverty should be cited.

It may be a matter of context, that poverty in the global context has a larger degree of deprivation due to its extremity. Would it be fair to compare the low income group in Singapore with starving communities in Africa? The UN concerns itself with poverty in the more extreme sense. Its statistics suggests that 736 millions or 10% of the world’s population still live in extreme poverty (defined as living below approximately US$2 a day); and 1.3 billion people lives in multidimensional poverty (calculated using an index measuring 3 dimensions — monetary, education and basic infrastructure services).

It is therefore hard to categorize poverty in Singapore according to the same measurements by the UN.

Poverty is not the same in Singapore. But that does not mean poverty is not real in Singapore.

According to the Borgen Project, out of 136 countries, Singapore currently ranks 26th in the most income disparate, which makes Singapore the second most income unequal country in Asia. According to official statistics, 1 in 10 families in Singapore is a low income family.

Singapore has also been ranked recently as the most expensive city to live in, sharing the crown with Zurich. According to official statistics, the average household expenditures is around S$4,900 per month. In this context, poverty is real for the low income group in Singapore.

While we fly the Singapore flag high and find pride in being a Singaporean, let’s not forget to be real and find livelihood and solutions for a significant proportion of the population that shares our reality. Let’s work at defining the needs of our society and making it more prosperous overall — alleviating poverty that is real and not just the extreme.

Subscribe to the Green Bunny Newsletter on LinkedIn or through the Website.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read my other publications on:

LinkedIn: Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Where Every Organization Finds a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain; Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — Reflections on Tips to Becoming a Successful Generalist;The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My footprints 2022;

Medium: Conservation & Choices; Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

Our daily actions are required to meet the urgent demands of the global climate crisis, I sometimes wonder if my little efforts, e.g. not using a straw for my drinks or bringing my own carrier bags (or pay for them), actually count in the larger scheme of things.

Theoretically our individual actions are important. The individuals are the consumers. Consumption is the culprit of emissions. While the direct emitters are mostly corporations and industries, they are just the producer and supplier of the products consumed. So if everyone reduces their consumption (in all products and services) by a certain percentage then technically the total emissions should be reduced by the same proportion.

The choices of consumption also matters theoretically. By choosing to consume lower-emission options (price aside), the consumers can reduce emission by the difference.

Conservation and choice are, however, not so straight-forward in practice.

Human nature is counter conservation because of greed. It needs to be regulated, but regulations could only be done sporadically and specifically, which in turn, has only limited effects and unintended consequences.

One example is the requirement for supermarkets in Singapore to charge for the use of plastic bags. While the regulation seems to be successful in “forcing” people to cultivate the new habit of bring their own shopping bags, I sometimes wonder how effective it actually is in reducing plastic consumption. After all, people will still buy the single-use plastic bags when they need to use them, for mostly bagging rubbish or some other reasons. Charging is a superficial remedy which seems to me more like a transfer of costs from merchants to the consumers rather than actually affecting the actual “need” to use the plastic bags.

How about providing paper bags to consumers instead? Now that is a question of choice that helps to save the difference in emissions. It helps to transform the need to use plastic bags into the need to use disposable bags. But who should bear the higher cost of using the lower-emission option? Should it be the merchants or again be passed on to the consumers?

Ultimately if one believes that consumption is the root of all evil, then each of us should pay for the true costs of all our consumptions. But in the olden days when the plastic bags were given out “free”, I am sure that the merchants have already factored in the costs and reflected them in the prices of the goods sold. So, is charging consumers extra for plastic bags actually fair? How about sharing the costs of using a lower-emission alternative instead? At least the consumers will feel that the extra charges is more justified.

While we all want to do good, or at least, do less harm, there is always a cost involved in our choices. The attribution of the cost affects behaviour, and a better justified attribution could incentivize behaviour and promote the right attitude towards change for the better.

Small actions can make big differences when they are done consistently and collectively. Consistency and collective efforts require the right attitude and motivations. Let’s not stop at what we have and question if there could be better solutions to move ahead together towards a greener Earth.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read my other publications on:

LinkedIn: Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Where Every Organization Finds a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain; Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — Reflections on Tips to Becoming a Successful Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My footprints 2022;

Medium: Female Entrepreneurship — Unique Opportunities & Challenges; ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain; Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life

It is trendy to tag female empowerment, and necessary to include gender diversity. In business, female entrepreneurship is getting attention for various reasons. Startups competitions are held specifically for female founders, causing not just the male counterparts to question whether it is fair.

When it comes to the discussion about fairness, it is often not just a simple measurement of equal opportunity per se. It is a statistical fact that a real funding gap exists for businesses ran by females. UBS has provided some shocking insights, including but not limited than the following:

• Despite statistics saying that women generate more than twice returns per dollar invested, top female founders raised less than a quarter of what their male counterparts raised.
• The companies founded by female are valued at only around 7% of those founded by male.
• Generally, 87% of top founders are run by all-male founding teams.

Without digging deeper into the assumptions behind these numbers, it may be a sweeping statement to say that it is unfair for women in business purely based on these statistics alone. The numbers are not direct proofs of unfairness. Arguments for choice and acknowledgment of gender differences would highlight that a 50–50 equal ratio is meaningless. But are the current proportion of representation the best it could be? The differences in societies and cultures seem to play a significant part in the ratios, which debunks the myth that gender differences are fundamental and natural.

Comparing across culture and society, it seems that there are room for improvement to invite more women into business and for them to perform better in business too. Education is key, but the receptiveness of the market seems equally, if not more, important.

From my personal experience as a serial entrepreneur, there are unique gender challenges in business and at work. Explicitly or otherwise, the capabilities and/or the professionalism of a female leader is often doubted by common prejudices and personal opinions. Honestly I have gotten quite frustrated at times during business networking that some men did not respect me as a businesswoman or professional lawyer and seemed to have some other agendas when they talked to me under the pretext of business. It was a waste of my time and energy, and that challenge seems quite common and more specific to women. Pitching was difficult too, given my soft-spoken nature. Investors would often associate that gentleness with weakness, judging me to be lacking in grit or leadership. Putting on a stronger front also backfired a few times. Men and women too, are put off by that style and considered it aggressive and unpleasant. Deduct points again, still no funding.

Of course, perhaps my business cases were weak to begin with. The super strong deals would still get funded regardless, that’s what they say. Putting female entrepreneurs through a harsher trial by fire could be the reason by the females eventually made higher returns than their male counterparts. But isn’t that just a justification for double-standard?

On the other hand, not all is lost for women. Being women provides unique opportunities too. Perhaps it opens doors more easily in a male-dominated world. It is true that during business networking, I often find it easy to begin a conversation with someone new because men generally approach me first. Although I seriously doubt any women would be really proud of that, especially in the business context. And given the growing trend of female-specific investments and business opportunities now, the playing field is being levelled by skewing opportunities in favor of women.

I cannot conclude from my personal experience whether overall it is easier to be a female entrepreneur or leader. It is also hard to generalize as the experiences vary across cultures and from person to person. While there are days I wish I was born a man (although I hardly understand the reality of being a man), most days I am happy being a woman trying my best in all that I do.

If life gives me harder lessons, I take it as the learning required for me to improve faster. If life is sweet and gentle to me, I accept it as the reward for not giving up.

Reference: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealth-management/women/insights/2021/funding-gap.html

Subscribe to the Green Bunny Newsletter on LinkedIn or through the Website.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is informational only. Nothing in this note shall constitute legal, investment or professional advice.

Read my other publications on:

LinkedIn: ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Where Every Organization Finds a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain; Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — Reflections on Tips to Becoming a Successful Generalist;The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My footprints 2022;

Medium: ESG for SMEs in Singapore? S Integration & Implementation I — How to Think about Impact Integration in Social Enterprise; Let’s Talk about Governance; The Social Aspects of ESG — Every Organization Needs a Soul; Carbon Credits — Quality Matters; On Greenwashing: Greenwashing Behaviours to Avoid as an Organization; Why I Still Believe in Blockchain;Chat GPT is Not Your Best Friend Yet — and Here is Why; Living a Colourful Life; Carbon Taxes & Credits — An Introduction; 3 Reasons Why Every Business Should Incorporate Sustainability; Master of None — 3 Key Tips to Success as a Generalist; The Fool-Proof Guide to Setting up an ESG Framework & Policy for Businesses, Investors and Investment Managers, Part 1 of 5; Gone with the Red — Ep.1; My Footprints 2022; More than Just Words — embracing a greener life