Tools For Survival
Summary
Chan Chun Sing said that while water was Singapore’s main existential challenge over the past 50 years, securing clean, renewable, and sustainable energy will be the country’s biggest challenge in the next 50 years because water technologies such as desalination and recycling depend heavily on energy. Speaking at Singapore World Water Day, he explained that Singapore already has the technology to process much of its water but must now focus on making these processes more energy-efficient while managing rising water demand. With total water demand projected to almost double by 2065, the government is encouraging households and businesses to conserve water through programmes by PUB, improved water-saving technologies, and initiatives such as the SG Water Saver Programme, alongside long-term projects like new reservoirs and coastal developments to strengthen Singapore’s water resilience.
Application
For resource-scarce island states like Singapore, technological advancement is not merely beneficial but essential for survival. With limited land, water, and natural resources, the country cannot rely on conventional resource extraction like larger nations. Instead, innovation allows Singapore to overcome these geographical constraints by developing solutions such as advanced water recycling, desalination, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Through technology, the nation is able to maximise scarce resources, reduce external dependence, and “punch above its weight” despite its small size.