Peace with nature in a world of turmoil

4 SEPTEMBER 2023: The book launch of Peace with Nature: 50 Inspiring Essays on Nature and the Environment unfolded on September 4, 2023 inside the iconic National Library. The event resonated with the essence of unity and dedication towards a sustainable future.

The Guest of Honor, Mr. Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, graced the occasion with his presence, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to environmental preservation. Mr. Lee’s inspirational address illuminated the importance of the book’s mission, emphasizing the urgency of forging a harmonious relationship with the natural world.

CEO of the National Library Board (NLB), Mr. Ng Cher Pong, also shared his insights during the event, highlighting NLB’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote environmental awareness. His presence served as a testament to NLB’s dedication to fostering a culture of environmental stewardship through literature and knowledge dissemination.

The launch ceremony, attended by a captivated full house, brought together a diverse array of attendees, including the book’s contributors, their friends, and family. The palpable energy in the room underscored the collective enthusiasm for the book’s message and mission.

Following the speeches, the three dedicated editors of Peace with Nature graciously engaged in a signing session.

One of the most heartening aspects of the event was the announcement by Professor Tommy Koh, an editor of the book, that all royalties from the book will be donated to Nature Society Singapore.

The overwhelming response from the attendees is a testament to the growing awareness and commitment to preserving our planet.

Why read “Peace with Nature”?

Immerse yourself in the captivating tales that focus on Singapore’s diverse biodiversity, including the awe-inspiring tales of primates, colugos, otters, butterflies, dragonflies, stick-insects, birds, coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grasses. Delve into the riveting accounts of conservation efforts to protect and preserve cherished locations like the Lower Peirce Reservoir, Chek Jawa, Sungei Buloh, the Rail Corridor, and Singapore’s very first marine nature reserve.

In her touching foreword, President Halimah Yacob highlights the significance of this anthology, remarking, “The essays in ‘Peace with Nature’ serve as a poignant reminder that preserving our natural world is not only a collective responsibility but an affirmation of our love for Singapore and our commitment to its well-being.”

About the book

Written by esteemed contributors such as Piyush Gupta (CEO of DBS Bank), Euston Quah (Economist), Jessica Cheam (Founder, Eco-Business), and Winston Chow (SMU), this collection provides a good overview of environmental management and the conservation of nature in Singapore and lays down a marker for future environmental efforts.

The anthology comprises 50 powerful essays penned by passionate Singaporeans and friends, uniting scientists, lawyers, economists, engineers, bankers, government officers, and civil society members under a common love for nature, the environment, and the Lion City. Each essay delves deep into personal perspectives, experiences, and expertise, forming a collective voice dedicated to safeguarding Singapore’s precious natural heritage.

Contributors celebrate the invaluable contributions of NGOs, such as the Nature Society, Herpetological Society, and Waterways Watch Society, all of which have played instrumental roles in nurturing Singapore’s environmental landscape. The anthology also shines a spotlight on the remarkable dedication of scholars, the government, and the private sector in their unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable and pristine “City in Nature,” even in the face of limited space and the pressing challenges of climate change.

Why “Peace with Nature” matters

The book’s esteemed editor, Tommy Koh, a distinguished Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emeritus Professor of Law at the National University of Singapore, alongside Lye Lin-Heng, an Honorary Fellow of the Law Faculty, and Shawn Lum, a renowned botanist and forest ecologist, have meticulously curated these essays to foster a sense of urgency and shared responsibility towards the environment.

Targeted at general readers who are interested in Singapore’s nature, flora and fauna, the editors hope that Prof Koh’s vision of Peace with Nature resonates and inspires readers to contribute to ongoing efforts to make the vision a reality.

Where to find “Peace with Nature”

Readers may also find out more about the book or order a copy on https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/13561. The electronic edition is also available on leading eBook platforms.

About the Editor(s)

Tommy Koh is an Ambassador-At-Large, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an Emeritus Professor of Law of the National University of Singapore. He is the Patron of the Nature Society (Singapore) and was made a champion of the Earth by the UN Environment for his leadership role at the 1992 Earth Summit. He was the President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. For this and other achievements in negotiations, he was given the Great Negotiator Award by Harvard University.

Lye Lin-Heng, PBM, is Hon. Fellow, Law Faculty, National University of Singapore, where she taught Environmental Law and Property Law for many years. She is Hon. Advisor and former Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL). She was Vice-Dean (Graduate Programs) and initiated the NUS multi-disciplinary M.Sc. (Environmental Management) [MEM] programme, chairing the programme from its inception in 2001 till her retirement in 2019. Her publications include books on Singapore’s Environmental Laws. She is Hon. Advisor to Nature Society (Singapore) and was on the board of WWF Singapore. She was a member of the Board of Governors, IUCN Academy of Environmental Law and its co-Chair, Teaching and Capacity-Building Committee.

Shawn Lum is a botanist and forest ecologist. He taught at the National Institute of Education for over 20 years before moving to the Nanyang Technological University Asian School of the Environment in 2015. His work has largely focused on the dynamics and capacity for regeneration of isolated pockets of tropical rainforest. Shawn is a member of the Nature Society (Singapore) and served as its President from 2015 to 2023. He was born on a large island (Honshu), raised on a much smaller one (Oahu), and has made his life on an even smaller one (Singapore).

About World Scientific Publishing Co.

World Scientific Publishing is a leading international independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research and professional communities. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organisations like the Nobel Foundation and US National Academies Press to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. The company publishes about 600 books and over 170 journals in various fields annually. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit www.worldscientific.com.

For more information, contact WSPC Communications at communications@wspc.com.