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Singapore well-equipped to survive a climate change 'catastrophe', study says

This article is more than 12 months old

Melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, warmer oceans and increasing temperatures. 

Is Singapore capable of dealing with climate change? 

The answer might be yes.

According to ND-GAIN Index, Singapore has been ranked 15th - out of more than 178 countries - in best coping with climate change. ​

The study, conducted by the University of Notre Dame in 2013, "summarises a country's vulnerability to climate change and other global challenges in combination with its readiness to improve resilience."

A country's vulnerability score is calculated based on the assessment of six sectors - Food, Water, Health, Ecosystem Services, Human Habitat and Infrastructure. 

Readiness is evaluated by looking at a country's economic, governmental and social standpoint.

Singapore received a healthy individual score for both factors, ranking 40th least vulnerable and 6th readiest country.

Improvement

Human Habitat - Quality of trade and transport infrastructure

Perception of quality of trade and transport related infrastructure (e.g., ports, railroads, roads, and information technology), from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). 

The report shows Singapore's quality of trade and transport related infrastructure as having risen rapidly between 2007 to 2013.    

Deterioration

Health - Medical staff

Number of medical staff per 1000 people (including physicians, nurses and midwives).

However, the report shows Singapore's medical staff score as having dipped between 2003 to 2010, remaining stagnant thereafter.  

The rest of the statistics can be found here.

Top 10 ND-GAIN Index rankings

1. Norway 

2. New Zealand 

3. Sweden 

4. Finland

5. Denmark

6. Australia 

7. United Kingdom

8. United States

9. Germany 

10. Iceland 

Source: The Independent, ND-GAIN

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