Join Hands for a Real Greener Deal
October 27, 2009 by Eugene
Filed under Education and Environmentalism, Nature and Biodiversity, Singapore
This article is contributed by Trina Tan.
The word “green” probably has many meanings in different nations with different culture and religions. Green could mean envy, money, nature, health and life. Green is also the official religious colour in Islam. Recently, there seem to be a unifying meaning for green. The word green is now seen to convey the message of saving the environment.
In Singapore, the word “green” would imply energy saving light bulbs, biodegradable products, solar powered houses, green buildings and of course, not forgetting the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. But why is the word “green” not directly linked to protecting and conserving biodiversity? Is it because we humans are selfish?
We forget that we take actions to reduce our energy consumption not just to save our precious fossil fuels and reduce gas prices, or to reduce global warming and the resultant erratic weather patterns. We take actions ultimately to save the environment and its highly inter-linked and complex ecosystems and biodiversity.
Singaporeans has learnt about how to recycle, or take the public transport instead of driving but many are unequipped with the knowledge on the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. Once we understand these concepts, we will realize how our daily actions have such big impacts on the millions of species on Earth whom we share with.
Plants, animals and the natural world are fascinating, and we have spent centuries learning about them and from them. Many of our problems are solved by solutions from nature – using bacteria as medicine and discovering gravity from apples falling. While we try to change and adjust our bad human habits that lead to the destruction of Earth and the extinction of species, we ought to also put in more “greener” efforts to help the environment directly.
As a small nation with little natural resources, let us not forget that even the flora and fauna in Singapore are also defined as resources. These plants and animals are part of the ecosystem, which humans depend on. Singapore has already given up a large portion of its original tropical rainforest to build Singaporeans a better home, causing the extinction of many species that once used to live alongside with us. Now that you feel a tinge of guilt, you ought to do a part in protecting whatever nature spots we have left in the form of fragmented forestland, mangroves and swamps.
This remaining precious land is home to many species, some of which are unique only to Singapore. Going green is on one hand, like what we have been told, saving water, switching to fans instead of air conditioners, reducing the use of paper and plastic bags, and changing our light bulbs to energy saving ones, etc. On the other hand, it is also to do our part to protect and conserve the biodiversity that we have as a nation, because these plants and animals are born and bred here. They too, are “Singaporeans”.
There are many ways to care for our flora and fauna directly, like actively participating in mangrove and beach clean ups which are organized by environmental groups such as Toddycats, Nature Society, and the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore. Not littering in parks and rivers will also help. As the future lies in the hands of the children today, education and sparking interest among the young in areas of biology and biodiversity will shape Singapore towards a future of being a nature loving society.
Last but definitely not the least, one can also provide resources and support to the organizations that help to preserve and conserve our environment. Singapore is very lucky to have agencies like the National Environment Agency and the National Parks Board that do their part in protecting the environment and conserving nature in Singapore.
Even with the current nature enthusiasts, there are still many more “positions” that are open to help protect Singapore and the Earth. These positions have almost no criteria except to be passionate in preserving Nature’s creation. I hope you would send your resume in for this position soon.
The Weather Stations: A Site-Specific Dance Performance
October 22, 2009 by Eugene
Filed under Climate Change, Singapore
The ARTS FISSION Company presents
The Weather Stations
A SITE-SPECIFIC DANCE PERFORMANCE
27 & 28 Nov 2009 8pm
The National Geographic Store, Vivo City Singapore
Ticketing: Standard $35 | Friends of ARTS FISSION $30
How we have forgotten to watch the weather and heed the signs as apocalypse.
Into the Freezing Chamber we go.
Let the Arctic ice cool
Our burning head and
Etch our awe to nature in frozen memory
The Weather Stations reflects modern people’s detachment to nature and their environment even in the face of extreme climate changes. The site-specific dance performance at the museum-like National Geographic Store allows the roving audience for an intimate, gallery viewing experience with intriguing distance between performers and audience.
Dancers in dramatic costumes with Pianist Shane Thio playing a wired harpsichord, and nanyin musicians performing ancient instruments add to the theatre intensity and urgency of our planet in peril.
The Weather Stations is the first of the four modules under the larger dance project titled LOCUST WRATH, an original creation initiated by Choreographer Angela Liong in collaborations with Composer Joyce Beetuan Koh and other artists and scientists on the theme of climate change and the impact on arts, culture and humanity.
Media Enquiries:
Dawn Pereira-Humphries
Arts Manager / Project Manager
Email: dawnpereira@artsfission.org
Website: www.artsfission.org
Performance concept:
The Weather Stations explores the natural elements with reference to Asian cultures as well as the flux and changes caused by climate change.
In the dance performance, the natural elements slide and regroup themselves through rotating solo dances that roll into duets and trios, etc. The interplay of the elements’ physical property adds coloration to the familiar weather phenomenon. Recurring motifs to evoke effects of climate change on the environment and people will be featured in different dramatic scenarios.
The highlights of the performance include collaborations with theatre director Lim Jen Erh, original score by Composer Joyce Koh, Pianist Shane Thio playing on an electronically-wired harpsichord and two nanyin musicians performing 1500 years old ancient music from southern China.
Viewing Format:
The roving audience moves in different groups between four preset weather stations located in various parts of the National Geographic Store. These locations include the Freezing Chamber and the Gallery with metal poles that provide interesting spatial challenge as well as unique viewing perspective.
Each weather station is a micro-environment connected to natural elements like ice, wind, rain, swirling eddies, or thunderstorms that reflect the dynamics of different meteorological phenomenon. The performance of the four stations happens simultaneously and in repetition to allow audience to linger from station to station.
The viewing expeditions will cumulate into a destination depot where all audience and performers will congregate at one place and witness the finale conclusion of a planet in peril.
Performance Duration: 45-minutes with no intermission
Number of Performers: 9 performers (6 Dancers and 3 Musicians)
Performance date/time: 27 & 28 Nov 2009, 8pm
Audience capacity per performance (standing room only): 300
Ticketing Enquiries:
The National Geographic Store: check in-store
The ARTS FISSION Company: tafcl@singnet.com.sg and 6238 6469
William Cho’s Photography Showcase
October 20, 2009 by Eugene
Filed under Nature and Biodiversity, People and Lifestyle, Singapore
William Cho is a freelance graphic designer/photographer, check out his photography showcase at Flickr. Excellent photos taken in Singapore, and also include photos taken in Taiwan, Bali and Saigon.
Here’s a preview of some Singapore photos:
Pulau Ubin, where time stood still
Photos credit: William Cho
Human Tidal Wave for Global Day of Climate Action
October 16, 2009 by Eugene
Filed under Climate Change, Education and Environmentalism, Singapore
This announcement is from ECO Singapore.
Be part of a breathtaking image for the most important cause of our generation.
We’re expecting hundreds of people wearing nothing but blue to meet at SMU before converging on LASALLE Campus Green, once there, we will perform a short dance and then disperse. Help us to raise awareness and support for the prevention of Climate Change.
Simultaneously, people in every corner of the world will be taking similar action, from climbers with 350 banners high on the melting slopes of Mount Everest to government officials in the Maldive Islands holding an underwater cabinet meeting to demand action on climate change before their nation disappears.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct 24, 1:30pm to 4:30pm
WHERE: Register at SMU, T-Junction (beneath Li Ka Shing Library)
WEAR: BLUE!
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162570697406&ref=mf
All of this is to show global support for ambitious, fair and binding action on climate change. World leaders will be meeting in Copenhagen soon to reach a new agreement on Climate Change. We need them to go further than they intend to go: to get carbon levels below 350 parts per million.
Wear everything blue you can find – shirts, pants, shoes, but ESPECIALLY your head as we’ll be taking Aerial photographs.
Register at SMU at 1pm. We will learn a short dance at SMU before we move to LASALLE College of the Arts to flood the campus green and perform the dance.
Please register at http://www.350.org/TidalWaveSG
Registration is limited to the first 350 who join, so be quick!
Want to be even more involved?
We’re looking for VOLUNTEERS to help martial the crowd
VOLUNTEERS EMAIL: volunteer@eco-singapore.org
We’re looking for ACTORS to take on special surprise roles within the crowd
ACTORS EMAIL: wave@skinnedkneeproductions.com
This is part of ongoing events throughout the day, including vegetarian food and drinks and a wacky walk.
Check them all out at http://350sg.com/
Or join the facebook event for the whole day:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=150264939405&ref=ts
Singapore International Energy Week
October 16, 2009 by Eugene
Filed under Energy and Transportation, Events, Singapore
Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2009 is a platform for international and regional policy makers, industry players, and academics, to discuss pertinent energy issues and strategies affecting the world today.
Taking place from 16 to 20 November, SIEW 2009 builds on the theme “Clean Energy: Sustainable Solutions for Urban Cities” to bring together leading figures in the energy industry for a week of high-level discussions on key issues around energy security, sustainability, financing and innovation.
Jointly organized by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Energy Studies Institute (ESI), SIEW 2009 comprises a comprehensive schedule of conferences, exhibitions and networking sessions.
Programme highlights include:
- Dr. Daniel Yergin, co-founder of Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) and author of “The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power”, speaking on The Future of Energy
- Mr. Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) speaking on world energy trends
- IHS CERA Energy Summit on the energy trilemma of energy security, environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness
- Conferences and trade fairs – covering electricity, electric vehicles, green technology, finance, renewable energy, standards, sustainable cities and smart grids
For more information, visit www.singapore.iew.com.sg
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