Interreligious Earth Day Dialogue 2026 - Ms Goh Hanyan

1. Good afternoon. I am happy to join leaders and youth representatives from Singapore's diverse religious communities as we mark Earth Day today. 

2. Caring for our environment transcends religious boundaries, even as each faith tradition teaches us to respect it in their own way: 

   1. Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism speak of stewardship, caring responsibly for creation. 

   2. Islam teaches us about being khalifah fil ard, stewards of the Earth, responsible for the environment. 

   3. Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism emphasise harmony with nature and all living things. 

   4. Sikh, Jain, and Baha’i teachings remind us of interconnectedness between humanity and the environment. 

3. The call to be responsible stewards of creation resonates across traditions. 

SINGAPORE'S YEAR OF CLIMATE ADAPTATION 

4. Right now, this call to stewardship comes at a particularly dire time for our environment. 

   1. First, the intensifying effects of climate change. Records around the world are being broken in recent years - the hottest year, most intense rainfall, heaviest snowstorm, longest wildfires. 

   2. Second, global climate action is under strain. We are operating in a more uncertain and complex global environment amid geopolitical conflicts, like the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  

5. In such uncertain times, our planet will face the impact of climate change more severely and sooner. As such, we must be prepared for new climate realities and their physical impact.  

6. Singapore will not be spared from the impact of climate change. 

   1. As a low-lying nation, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to the threat of rising sea levels. Mean sea level is expected to rise by up to 1.15 metres by 2100. Coupled with storm surges and high tides, sea levels could rise by up to 5 metres. To paint this scenario more vividly, this means around 30% of our island will be underwater if we do not do anything today. 

   2. Rising temperatures will lead to hotter days and more frequent warm nights in Singapore. This will affect our health and well-being and have implications for our liveability and daily activities. Imagine, empty playgrounds hours on end because it is simply too hot for our children to play outside. 

   3. Our water and food security will be threatened by more frequent supply disruptions and shortages.  

   4. Our businesses will likewise face climate risks such as damaged infrastructure, reduced productivity, and supply chain disruptions. 

7. Hence, we must respond decisively to adapt to our changing climate. As Singapore transitions to a climate-impaired and carbon-constrained world, we must prepare our infrastructure, businesses and people today to be more resilient. 

8. To do so, we are developing our first National Adaptation Plan – our long-term strategy to build a climate-ready nation.  

   1. We have designated 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation to galvanise collective action on adaptation.  

   2. We invite all segments of society from individuals to communities to businesses to participate actively in the engagements that we will be organising this year and build our National Adaptation Plan together. 

FAITH AS A FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION 

9. As for the first steps in this strategy, your own communities are in good stead.  

   1. I am glad to see many of you have started your own initiatives to galvanise environmental action in your communities – including workshops on eco-friendly practices, beach clean-ups, and the use of energy-efficient fittings in places of worship. 

10. By undertaking these actions, we show respect for the resources entrusted to us. We show that caring for the environment is practical and aligns with the values and principles of our faiths.  

11. I am particularly encouraged by the many youth representatives here today.  

    1. You are the generation that will inherit the consequences of today's choices. 

    2. However, you also have agency and can be a force for change. You are the generation with the passion and ideas to create solutions and make things happen. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP AND ACTION 

12. So where do we go from here?  

    1. Today’s dialogue is a great start to discuss our shared goals, challenges, and strategies when it comes to climate adaptation.  

    2. Take the lessons gleaned today and share them with your own networks.  

13. The government will conduct a series of engagements, including focus group discussions and a public exhibition.  

    1. We want to engage our people and businesses on why climate adaptation is important to all of us, and why we need to start preparing today. 

    2. We encourage you to share your experiences in responding to the impact of climate change, and your ideas on how we could contribute to Singapore’s adaptation efforts. 

14. By tapping on the collective minds of citizens, businesses and civil society, we will enhance our nation’s climate resilience to safeguard our way of life, including those with more needs such as the elderly, the young and lower-income households.   

15. We will provide more details later this year and certainly welcome your active participation. 

16. In the meantime, start acting. Many community stakeholders, such as yourselves, are passionate about climate action and have innovative ideas.  

17. This is where our SG Eco Fund comes in, to fund community projects that support environmental sustainability. In fact, some organisations here have already received funding: 

    1. PERGAS for creating an edible garden on the rooftop of its premises; 

    2. The Turning Point Halfway House for using black soldier fly larvae to process food waste and convert it to fertiliser for its gardens; and 

    3. Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation for implementing self-help recycling zones and organising an E-sports competition on environmental education! 

18. To place a sharper focus on adaption, from 1 May, the SG Eco Fund will launch a new $5 million Climate Adaptation Package.  

    1. This will go towards projects addressing heat resilience, flood protection, water conservation, and promoting local produce.  

    2. I strongly encourage you to take this chance to kickstart your initiatives. 

A CALL TO STEWARDSHIP 

19. As we mark Earth Day 2026 and the Year of Climate Adaptation, I invite you to see this moment as a call to deeper stewardship in protecting our shared environment.  

    1. The challenges we face are significant, but they are not insurmountable when we work together with shared purpose and values. 

20. Each of you have unique strengths to contribute.  

    1. Some may excel at education and awareness-raising. Others may be skilled at community mobilisation, caring for the vulnerable, or have expertise in sustainable practices.  

    2. When we combine these strengths, we create a powerful network in support of climate resilience. 

21. I encourage you to consider how you can be part of Singapore's climate adaptation journey.  

    1. Partner with government agencies and other organisations to amplify your impact.  

    2. Most importantly, help your communities see environmental action as an expression of their deepest values and commitments. 

CONCLUSION 

22. Let me conclude by encouraging you to become ambassadors in your communities by sharing what you learn and discuss today.  

23. I look forward to seeing how our religious communities will lead by example in Singapore's Year of Climate Adaptation, inspiring others to see environmental stewardship as both a practical necessity and a sacred responsibility. 

24. Thank you, and I wish you meaningful discussions ahead.