Summary of the roundtable discussions

On 9th of March, our class had three pleasant and interesting discussions. There were supporters, non-supporters and a moderator for each topic discussed. The first discussion was about the green chemistry, the second was about carbon-capture and storage method and the third was about using bio-diesel.

The first group discussed about the necessity of green chemistry in Singapore. They were mainly concerned about the bio-degradable plastic bags. The supporting team stated that the government should implement the process of making bio-degradable plastic bags, which will in turn also reduce the green house gas emitted into the atmosphere. They also strongly agreed the necessity of the bio-degradable plastic bags as they are renewable and less polluting to the environment. The opposing team argued that, the implementation of such bags plastic bags will be expensive and people will prefer buying cheap normal plastic bags.

The second group discussed about the well known topic to all students in EG1471, Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) method. The supporting team stated that the CCS method will benefit the countries to reduce the global warming. The CCS system has its own leakage warning device associated with it, so that any damage from disasters like earthquake can be prevented in advance. The opposing team argued that, the usage of CCS technique is not useful to all the countries because developing countries like India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam can spend the money on other more important issues in their country other than spending on CCS method. They also talked about the spacious problem that will arise to countries which are not surrounded by water.

The third discussion was about the usage of bio-diesel made from soya bean. The supporting team stated about the advantages of bio-fuel and the simplicity of making it from soya. It is less expensive and it will also reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment. But the opposing team argued that regardless of its expensiveness, the engines using such bio-diesels will get damaged if not properly cleaned. The big disadvantage is that the bio-diesel has high freezing point, so that the diesel may get freeze in cold countries.

In my opinion, all the three discussions were thoughtful but they also have their own advantages and disadvantages in them. The disadvantages can be reduced by doing more research in that field.