EP 7.1: Are Activists the Enemy? Academia and Climate Justice Activism in Singapore

How do academic institutions and their actors play a role in promoting social change? Specifically, what kind of research, education, and mediums can we develop in order to take action for climate justice? What are some developments in the environmental movement in Singapore? 

In this episode of the Climate Kopitiam, we interview Isaac and Prof. Kenneth Paul Tan, both of whom contributed chapters to a recently-published book by Ethos Books - We Are Not The Enemy: The Practice of Advocacy in Singapore, and discuss the above questions. The book collects the perspectives of various advocates and activists in Singapore from different backgrounds, from lawyers and journalists, to artists and community organizers. 

In the first part of the conversation, we focus on their respective chapters in the book, and discuss how academic institutions and their actors fit into the climate movement, especially in the Singaporean context. We also discuss this in terms of how it has evolved, including emerging activism strategies. 

There’s a part II, where we go into other topics, including the role of education, and other forms of media like theatre and films, in helping people learn about the climate crisis and also develop skills that could be relevant. 

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Introduction 

(00:47) About the book ‘We Are Not the Enemy’ and their respective chapters

(09:00) Academia, students, and environmental movement in Singapore

(16:20) Intersection of environmental and justice movements in Singapore

(24:30) Bureaucratic exhaustion and new activism strategies

References:

• We Are Not The Enemy: The Practice of Advocacy in Singapore can be purchased at https://www.ethosbooks.com.sg/products/we-are-not-the-enemy-the-practice-of-advocacy-in-singapore 

• Academia.sg 

• Teh Tarik with Walid

• Socialservice.sg