Collaboration is key to tackling global challenges, DPM tells young scientists

A strong spirit of collaboration will not only see the world through the Covid-19 pandemic, but will also be crucial in tackling other global challenges like climate change, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

- Cheryl Tan

Addressing young scientists at a virtual summit, he cited how thousands of scientists had contributed to the climate field after American scientist Eunice Foote discovered the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide in 1856 and made a conjecture on how it could influence global temperatures.

He said: “Today, with this body of knowledge, we are able to robustly model the effects of climate change. In other related fields, scientists have made clean energy sources more viable – from solar to wind and, increasingly, hydrogen.”

“New discoveries and innovations have enabled sustainable human development at a reduced cost to the environment,” he added in a pre-recorded opening address at the virtual 2022 Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS).