Singapore’s proactive approach to water management makes it a global model

Singapore, despite having no natural freshwater sources, has developed a pioneering approach to meet its water needs through desalination, wastewater recycling and rainwater harvesting.

Tim Schauenberg reports for Deutsche Welle.


In short:

  • Singapore’s "four national taps" strategy includes imported water, desalination, local catchment and wastewater recycling (NEWater).
  • The country collects rainwater over two-thirds of its surface and plans to cover 90% by 2060, using green infrastructure like parks to prevent flooding.
  • Singapore has invested in advanced desalination and wastewater treatment, aiming for self-sufficiency by 2061.

Key quote:

“They've educated their community about their water situation, about their water challenges, and about the solutions that they've chosen to push.”

— Peter Gleick, hydrologist and founder of the Pacific Institute

Why this matters:

With climate change increasing water scarcity worldwide, Singapore’s success demonstrates how strategic planning, technology and public education can help ensure water security even in water-stressed regions.

Read more: Scarcity of fresh water intensifies globally due to climate change and poor management

View of the beach and palm trees from above

Florida House to consider ban on local ‘net-zero’ policies

The work that more than a dozen local governments have undertaken over the past 15 years to combat climate change could be eliminated if legislation making its way to the floor of the Florida House gets passed into law later this year.

A view of a village on hills above the ocean

Rising seas and development push Mexico’s Ikoots community toward relocation

In the Indigenous Ikoots community of Cuauhtémoc on Mexico’s Pacific coast, worsening coastal erosion and flooding are forcing residents to consider relocation.

A man taking a photo of a wall covered in mold

A hotter, wetter South becomes a breeding ground for mold

In Asheville, a housing crisis is colliding with mold, a poorly understood health threat that ballooned in the wake of Helene.
A man's hand scattering seeds onto a farm field

Extreme weather having an impact on farmers’ mental health

Climate change is exacerbating feelings of uncertainty and hopelessness among Canadian farmers, researchers say.

A word map with words like misinformation, misleading, and inaccurate in large type

Podcast: Why science communication fails

In this episode of The Great Simplification, researcher John Cook explains why simply debunking false claims can backfire and how identity, tribalism and flawed reasoning shape what science people accept.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally in 2016
Credit: actionsports/BigStock Photo ID: 125165264

State of the Union: Trump’s plan for rising energy costs — pump oil, make data centers pay

Amid a lengthy State of the Union speech, President Trump pledged to shield Americans from higher electricity costs driven by energy-thirsty AI data centers.

A natural gas power plant at sunset

Data center developers asked Trump for relief from pollution rules

Though the companies weren't granted exemptions, their requests illustrate the data center industry's desperate quest for energy.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.