Green Pulse Podcast

How we can beat the heat in Singapore

At our Green Pulse Podcast recorded in front of a live audience, we discuss the need for awareness about the growing risks from Singapore’s steamy temperatures.

Audrey Tan

and

David Fogarty

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Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

As the mercury rises, so does the need for awareness about the growing risks from Singapore’s steamy temperatures.

From left: Guest speakers Assoc Prof Jason Kai Wei Lee from NUS’ Heat Resilience and Performance Centre and director of MOM’s Occupational Safety and Health Division Jaime Lim, hosted by Audrey Tan and David Fogarty, ST’s Green Pulse Podcast hosts.
PHOTO: Ariffin Jamar

Even if you’re not aware, we’re all affected by rising temperatures, especially when combined with Singapore’s high humidity.

Heat is changing our behaviour and many of us actively avoid being exposed to it by limiting our time outdoors. But that can reduce our true potential by curbing exercise and access to fresh air and by spending more time in front phones and televisions, harming our vision – and even reducing vitamin D intake.

But for those who work outside, they have fewer choices. And those without regular access to air-conditioning are also at increasing risk.

Fortunately, much is being done to help people and educate them on the growing threat from rising temperatures caused by climate change and hotter urban environments.

And for this special episode of the Green Pulse podcast, co-hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty - who are also ST’s assistant news editor and deputy foreign editor respectively - speak with a dynamic duo who have helped shape Singapore’s response to heat.

They are Associate Professor Jason Lee, director of the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre at National University of Singapore and Ms Jaime Lim, a director at the Occupational Safety and Health Division at the Ministry of Manpower.

This episode was recorded and filmed on Aug 12 at The Fashion Pulpit in Jalan Besar, in front of an intimate live audience of about 95 people.

It was the fourth ST Podcast Live! session - emceed by Kiss92 radio presenter Juliana Yeow - and the event was also celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025 - with two more dates remaining in October and December.