Finally, I would like to look at environmental identity in the local context. Going from a macro perspective to a micro level, I shall attempt to make some suggestions on how our environmental identity can be further developed and maintained in today’s society.
Laws and regulations on land use can consider avoiding unnecessary upgrading and development plans. The fast-changing land development in all areas (residential/commercial) may be associated with alienation and placeless-ness. A related point is place memory. It was mentioned that a large proportion of childhood memories consists of outdoor environments, positive nature experiences in childhood contribute to the development of environmental identity in adulthood. However, when the look of Singapore’s landscape changes too fast, we may forget the childhood memories along with the space. The lack of place attachment and damage to place identity can subsequently weaken environmental identity, in turn discouraging environmentally responsible behaviors.
Incentives for activities in nature areas can be provided as well. For instance, subsidies can be given to companies which organize their retreats in nature areas. The government can also provide more funding to schools, to encourage students to go on excursions to nature areas, whether locally or overseas. As a child growing up in Singapore, I have been on trips to the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park with the school. However, there are still various parts of Singapore which I have not been to, or heard of, until I took this class module in university. By exposing people to more natural settings in Singapore, we can develop attachments to these places and become personally involved and concerned with the relevant environmental issues.
A strong environmental identity involves positive attitude towards the environment. However, that is not enough to promote environmentally responsible behaviors. Recalling from the theory of planned behavior, we also need a perceived control of the behavior in determining behavioral intention. Raising awareness about the environment and its issues can help increase our perceived control over the environmentally responsible behavior. With both knowledge and concern about the environment, the person can be more equipped and motivated to engage in environmentally protective behavior.
Hence, in terms of education, many things can be done to promote awareness and care about the natural environment. For example, the National Parks website offers abundant information on the different nature areas in Singapore, such as the nature reserves, parks and gardens. There are also volunteer opportunities such as gardening and leading guided walks. Active participation helps in learning more about nature. Through such volunteer programmes, one can also meet other volunteers who are likely to have high environmental identities. Hence, their environmental identities can be strengthened through such social support. Here, I propose that Nparks can organize more talks around schools and corporations to share about Singapore’s natural environment so as to stir interest among Singaporeans, as well as to promote environmentally responsible behaviors.
When looking at companies, I suggest that more team-bonding activities and retreats can be organized in nature places instead of commercial areas like resorts, hotels, or restaurants.
Schools can organize their activities, such as Sports day or Enrichment day, in nature places. In terms of curriculum, environmental awareness can be integrated in various classes, early in our education. For instance, we learnt about the universe and the solar system since we were in primary school. Schools can emphasize how an individual is part of a much larger system. This helps students to understand a little about the concept of environmental identity.
NParks provides various education programmes for people of different age groups. This serves as a good opportunity for families to attend workshops or classes on environmental knowledge together. Besides family bonding, parents can also learn from the workshop and practise environmentally sustainable behaviors at home. In this way, they serve as role models for their children, who are able to apply what they learn from the workshop to practice. Parents should also educate the young ones in the house on how to take care and interact with pets, should they have their own at home. In this way, children can empathize and develop competence on how to interact with the pet.
On the individual level, one can make an effort to be aware of the nature places in Singapore. Also, taking time to explore these places instead of simply reading about them online. Knowing the alternative places for reflection, solitude and entertainment can be useful when it comes to stress-coping. Many people, including myself, sometimes complain about how small and boring a small country like Singapore can be, and how it is suffocating and stressful. We want to go to Bintan or Bali for a getaway. However, if we know more about the natural environments in Singapore, we can ‘escape’ from stress for a while, without actually getting out of the country.
In my conclusion, I would like to remind that environmental identity is almost always associated with social group identity. In the theory of planned behavior, subjective norm is part of the model in affecting behavioral intention, illustrating how a person’s behavior is influenced by the approval or disapproval of significant others. Social norms are powerful because people like to do what other people do. Thus, to support and maintain one’s own environmental identity, it is important to have a social support network that encourages it. Be around like-minded people today and nurture your environmental identity!