SINGAPORE: Haze, when it occurs, helps to block out direct sunlight, preventing extreme heat in Singapore, according to an academic.

The last time haze blanketed Singapore was about six months ago.

The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached over 100 then, in the unhealthy range.

While there are negative effects from the haze, such as respiratory problems, many fail to see the benefits it also brings to the environment.

According to Dr John Yong, Natural Sciences & Science Education, National Institute of Education, "The haze now has two functions. First it reduces the amount of sunlight reaching Singapore and the haze also helps in developing more clouds and these clouds actually reflect off the sun, energy from reaching Singapore.

"The end effect is that Singapore will actually have less of the warming effect. If we do not have the haze, we'll have the full impact of the sunlight, that means we'll have very, very hot days.

But if you have the haze, it sort of removes about 20 per cent of the sunlight so that beneath the clouds formed because of the haze, you'll have a more conducive environment for the people and also for the plants and animals."

A cooler Singapore could possibly mean reduced effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions such as intense heat or freezing temperatures.

Taking climate into consideration, choosing the right kinds of plant for Singapore is also crucial to the survival of animals.

"In the longer term, we might find that trees which grow in more seasonal places, in Southern Thailand or in Vietnam, which are adapted to a dry season, and burst into flower as a response to dry weather…these might become more appropriate [in Singapore] than some of the trees that are adapted to ever-wet conditions. So we'll be constantly looking at our species mix of things to plant," says Dr Geoffrey Davison, Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board.

Besides paying attention to plants to deal with climate change, Singapore has also invested in environmentally friendly technologies and green buildings. - CNA/yy