With many problems facing the modern world, solutions can seem far away. Still, issues like racism, religious discrimination, sexism, climate change, deforestation, and traffic congestion can make life seem unlivable.
However, one country managed to find an almost absolute solution to many of these issues. Which country is that? It's The Garden City of Singapore.
Known for its clean streets, best airport, social harmony, and green islands, Singapore is a city-state that the world should take as an example.
Fresh air is everywhere
Walking in Singapore is like walking inside a never-ending garden. Even the buildings are covered with trees and plants. They have many initiatives, such as
Clean & Green Singaporewhich inspire people to keep their country beautiful.
A green plan for the future
One fantastic project is the ambitious
Green Plan movement, which aims to create a sustainable green city by planting one million trees by 2030 using 50%of Singapore's land. It also wants to reach net-zero emissions to fight global climate change. Pretty cool, right? Well, they didn't stop there.
Even the waste is clean
Their waste treatment is unlike any other in the world. Pulau Semakau is the island where all the waste ends. You might imagine a landfill filled with garbage and bad smells, but Semakau is neither. Surprisingly,it's smell-free, green, and vivid, with no waste to be seen. Actually, it's are sort-like island.
But how can a landfill be so clean?
All of Singapore's waste go to Waste-to-Energy plants to be burned and used to generate power. After that, the ash is taken to be disposed of in Semakau Island.
Unfortunately, the landfill's space is not unlimited, and it might be filled entirely by the year 2035. So, again, how will Singapore deal with such a problem? With a master plan, of course.
The Zero Waste Masterplan
This plan is set to
reduce,reuse, and manage all types of wastessuch as electronics, food, and packaging. The ultimate goal is to cut down on waste by 30% by 2030, thus saving Semakau and keeping a fresh country. It's a true example of the many solutions Singapore managed to do.
Where being clean is a serious thing
Fresh air doesn't stop at planting trees and treating waste
. Being one of the cleanest countries globally, Singapore takes this seriously. There's almost a fine for any littering, not flushing the toilet, or even chewing gum.
If you were caught throwing trash in the ground, you'd be
fined up to $10,000! Not just that, but you'll also have to clean public places wearing a vest to let everyone know you have committed the crime of littering.
Similar to that, gums are banned. You'll also be fined if caught with a piece of gum or using one.
But why prohibit these tasty treats?
Surprisingly, there's a good reason behind this law. Singapore had to deal with gum stuck in every place, literally. So something had to be done to stop the heavy and expensive work of scraping off gum from keyholes, mailboxes, and public transport and spaces.
They even implemented
effective systems to keep the water fresh and clean for use. This was possible by recycling water in a production plant, collecting rainwater, and desalinating seawater. Then,the water goes through multiple quality checks to ensure it's spotless, fresh, and sparkling.
It might sound too much, but walking in the streets of Singapore, enjoying the clean sidewalks, fresh air, clean water, and mesmerizing sights is an experience completely worth it.
Harmony is a principle
In the end, no matter how many laws and projects you have,the people make all the difference. And in Singapore, the people live incomplete harmony. So it's not just a word but a
principle in reality.Many races and religions live in Singapore, the largest of which are Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Mostly, these people are religious, with
70% of them seeing religion as a core principle.The government took the initiative to ensure the comfort and safety of all people living inside the country by implementing two acts.
Keeping harmonious religious communitiesMaintenance of Religious Harmony Actfocuses on providing enough freedom to follow your religion without conflict with others' beliefs. You have the absolute right to believe in anything as long as you let other people feel safe and keep following their religion.
Limiting any racism
With Singapore being in the middle of many countries in Asia, many races moved to live there.
The Penal Code Act criminalizes any mistreatment, hatred, or any type of racism towards people.
A great side of having many ethnicities from different places is the different cultures that come with it.
Celebrations never end in Singapore
In Singapore, there's always something to celebrate. The Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year, the Malays have Eid Al-Fitr, the Indians celebrate Diwali, the festival of light, and the Christians enjoy Christmas.
Let's not forget the many festivals that happen and are a must-visit for everyone all around the world. The best of which is the food festival that allows you to experience the fantastic food Singapore has to offer. Plus, Singapore Heritage Fest provides a place to celebrate and learn about the country's different cultures. Finally, if you're a sports fan, you'll be amazed by the Formula One night race of the Singapore GrandPrix, the first of its kind. These are only to name a few, but many festivals have found a home in this lively city.
This is how Singapore manages to keep people together, living in a comfortable space, having fun, and expressing themselves and their cultures. It's not just the harmony that exists but also the best safety measures.
A haven for everyone
To keep everyone on the same page, a place where people can feel at home and safe is necessary.Singapore took this issue and decided to make their city one of the best places on earth to live in.
Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world
It has a super low crime rate that most people there never witness one. And in case they do, they immediately report it to the authorities. This is another example of how self-discipline, transparent government,and a strong economy can achieve miracles. And it's not just about personal and public safety.
It's a near-corruption-free city
The vigilant eye of the law, the good salaries, and well-educated people helped make Singapore one of the least corrupted countries in the world. That also comes to the strict laws that make these offenses not worth it. Add to the equation a good education and watch the society thrive.
On the road, but not there yet
Still, with all these unexampled traits of a country that managed to solve many problems in 56 years, some issues remain. For example, the high prices made life hard for people with low-paying jobs, and inequality still exists. Life is expensive in all aspects. Even health care and education are cheap, and businesses find it hard to compete, especially start-ups.
But life is one step at a time, and Singapore is many steps ahead.
