Balik Kumpung Event @ Bottle Tree Park 10/10/10

Our study group is setting up a booth @ 10/10/10 Balik Kumpung Event @ Bottle Tree Park to share information about Global Warming & Solution to GW.

For more details about the event, pls visit:
http://carnival-bottletreepark.blogspot.com/

See you there :>

GW Study Group Activities on Sep

Our Study Group participated in 2 Community center events in the month of Sep.

05 Sep : Green & Grin Event @ Seragoon Community Center
We put up exhibition panels on Climate change , showed DVD on climate change.
We also conduct Global Warming talks to about 50 participates.

11 Sep: National Recycling Week @ Hougang Hub organized by Aljunied Town Council & Punggol Community Center
We set up exhibition booth, put up Display panels, showed DVD on climate change and also
conduct Global Warming talks to participants of the event. The GOH of the event, MP of Aljunied GRC, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang visited our booth and talked to our young members wearing animal costumes :>

Trailer: Climate Chaos in the South

This is a trailer to the environmental movie: "Climate Chaos in the South".
A team of TV crews went to 4 areas that is heavily affected by Global Warming: Africa: Burkina Faso & Togo, South America: Ecuador and Asia: Bangladesh.

They found that climate change is already severly impacting the above regions. Crew members spoke to both local people as well as experts about the ever-increasing danger of poverty in the regions.

What once seemed to be merely an environmental problem, appears to be turning into a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe. While the necessity to reduce climate change is obvious, the South must learn to adapt to what is now inevitable.

Produced by WERELDMEDIATHEEK

Flash Floods, Climate change, Tipping points and Solutions

We are now facing extreme weather condition in Singapore.

In Feb 2010, we have the driest month in 140 years of record keeping.
[only 6.3 mm of rain (less than 1cm) fell in Feb 2010. Compared to the monthly average of 160mm.]

Feb 2010 driest month since records began in 1869:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1040778/1/.html

In Jun, we have 2 flash floods :
15 Jun, 100 mm of rain falls within 2 hrs. [Orchard Road Flooded]
25 Jun, 100 mm of rain falls within 1.5 hrs [Boon Lay, Bugis, Thomson Rd flooded]

News report on Orchard Road Flash Flood, 15 Jun:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_541187.html

25 Jun Flash flood:
http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/25/flash-floods-come-to-the-neighbourhood/
Photos for Orchard Road 15 Jun Flood:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/photosgallery/gallery_20100616170420.htm
……..

In other parts of the world, China, Austria, Europe, are also hit by floods while Russia is facing the worst drought in decades.

South China Floods: [Jun 2010]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_South_China_floods
Chinese Ministry of Water Resource Website [referencing Xin Hua She]
http://www.mwr.gov.cn/english/news/201007/t20100701_227796.html

Austria floods:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Victorian_storms

Central Europe Floods:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Central_European_floods

Droughts in Russia: [Jul 2010]
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/world/Medvedev-calls-for-urgent-action.6417662.jp
………..

Are these extreme weather conditions a result of Global Warming/ Climate change?

NASA Director Jame Hansen on extreme Weather conditions & Global Warming: [2 mins]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSz4F4jknlc

African Minister, Mr Samuel Nkomo, speaks about how climate change causes irregular weather patterns in Zimbabwe, Africa: [2 mins]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHt3L8_okM0

…………

Scientists are now warning about Climate Tipping points. Crossing the tipping points may lead to irreversible climate change. The following are some of the tipping points that the scientists surfaced:
Complete Disappearance of Arctic Ice
Accelerated melting of Greenland and Antarctic Ice leading to sea level changes.
Rainforest dieoffs.
Ocean Acidification leading to coral reef bleaching and disruption in ocean food web.
Melting of Arctic permafrost and release of Methane from Ocean Methane Hydrates

1. NASA Director Dr James Hansen on Arctic/ Greenland & Antartic Ice melt Tipping points:
http://solveclimate.com/blog/20091123/tipping-points-melting-ice-rising-oceans

2. Thomas Lovejoy, world-renowned tropical biologist, on Amazon Rainforest Tipping point:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50194
3. Arctic seabed Methane stores destabilizing: [Permaforst melts/ Clathrate Gun Tipping point]
http://www.physorg.com/news186920485.html

4.Climate Tipping points [Wiki]:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipping_point_(climatology)

………

Many scientists are now warning that we are running out of time to save the planet.

Urgency of Situation

1. Scientists on How much time to halt climate change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Y7TYWL8LQ
[Dr James Hansen, Dr Rajendra Pachuari speaks on the urgency of climate change ]

2. James Hansen on "President has 4 years to save Earth"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/18/jim-hansen-obama

3. Al Gore: Arctic Ice Cap May Vanish By Summer, 2014
http://kdka.com/national/gore.arctic.ice.2.1369046.html?detectflash=false
4. Climate 'Tipping Points' May Arrive Without Warning, Says Top Forecaster
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209191445.htm

………….

However, the solution is at hand.

Scientist have found that Agriculture [particularly animal agriculture] plays a huge part in environmental destruction and green house gas emissions.

They recommend that the fastest/simplest way that an individual can do to reduce green house gas emission is to go on a “less meat, more veg” diet. [The type of diet that we have 30 years ago. Mostly plant-based with a bit of meat on special occasions.]

1. World leaders on Climate Change :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXnbIjZQY_g
[including US President Obama/ Philippine president / Taiwan President etc]


2: United Nations : Eat less meat to save the planet [May 2010]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7797594/Eat-less-meat-to-save-the-planet-UN.html
3. NASA director, Dr James Hansen on less coal, less meat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbtat_9wbQ


Given the urgency of the situation and the grave situation on our planet, we have to use all possible means to halt climate change.

These includes green energy, 3Rs and a global shift away from meat products. [More veggie, less meat.]

The “More veggie, less meat” Solution will also help to conserve the food and water resources in the world. [ Half of the world’s food is feed to the animals & 70% of the world’s water is used by the Agriculture sector. : / ]

This solution is getting a lot of attention around the world.
Various “Meat-out Day” “Meat-Free Day”, “Veggie Day” campaign are springing up around the world [Taiwan / US/ UK / Philippines / Germany]

These campaigns urges people to go meat-free at least one day a week to protect the environment, conserve the worlds’ resources, to protect the animals & to be Healthy. :>

Going Veggie once-a-week [as a start] make people more aware that there are veggie options around and that preparing veggies meals are easier than preparing meat meals. :> : )

Now-a-days, with all the soy-based mock meat available, a mock-meat veggie meal may even taste very close to the actual meat meal. [So there is even no sacrifice in taste :>]

Let’s work together to protect the environment and halt climate change.

Yours sincerely,
Low ck

Earth SOS (part 1): The Crisis

This is a video that is produced by a group of dedicated and concern citizens world wide.
[There are common folks from Austria, France, China, US, Thailand, Hong Kong, Africa etc.. in the video]

Among the cast are Singaporeans who are friends of our study group.

The following are the write up for the video :
"As we head towards the worst-case scenarios on the climate crisis, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of IPCC (UN's panel on climate change), said that humanity fails if we do not act on time. The Nobel Price Laureate concluded: "Science leaves us with no space for inaction now." The people have the right to know the truth and decide for themselves. You can help by inviting your friends to watch this video at: www.Earth-SOS.com"

The following are the links for SOS video 2, 3 & 4:
Earth SOS video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8U4AqZXgD8
Earth SOS video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f5QVLqTezo
Earth SOS video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey8MqkVfCMA

Pls watch and pass it on.
Low ck

Feedbacks for GW talks conducted on Mar & Apr 2010

Feedback from participants of Global Warming Seminar [English] at Art of Living
[7th Mar at NTU & 20th Mar 2010 at Little India] :
25 participants each [total about 50 pple]

After your presentation at NTU Art of Living Event, a few NTU student participants declared that they would adopt a veg lifestyle. - Mr Adam Fazlur, Trainer, Art of Living

It was indeed a pleasure to know you and thank you for the great work that you do for our planet . You have inspired and enlightened many of us, we will continue to work with you in spreading this truth to as many people as we can. We are totally with you on this.
Let me know of your other Global Warming talks, I want to attend.
- Mr Raja, Trainer, Art of Living

Very informative, very impactful. High impact video though it do not show the horrors of animal killing and the torture of animals by the industry.
-Mrs Vijay Rai, Legal Counsel, Trainer , Art of Living

Very interesting information on the idea of how vegetarianism can control Global Warming. Excellently presented. - Aditi Chatterjee, Nanyang Business School Student

Wonderful, insightful, need to go out & spread the word - Art of Living student

Thought provoking, include consumption cycle after effects. - Sagar, Volunteer, Art of Living

Excellent and enthusiastic presentation. I strongly suggest that a mention of diary be included. Diary products also causes methane emissions, need refrigeration and need plenty of water. Go Vegan. - Sandeep Jaganath, Art of Living Volunteer

It was very good and forces me to think about our Earth. It gives us information about global warming and what we can do to stop it from our side. Thank you so much for it.
- Ishila Singh, Hello Technology

The Seminar is very inspiring ! I have heard ages about howe a veg diet is more healthy and kinder to animals but was never convinced enough. After the seminar that you give at NTU 3 weeks ago, I’ve been fully veg and proud of it! Thanks !
- Lim Yi Shan, Management Executive [EMA]

Very good information. I like it. You passed the CD which is very useful. I will pass the CD to my friends for more people to participate. Go green. I’m proud that I am VEGETARIAN !
- Madhuei Asbe, Doctor

Excellent Information. Would help if it was a little more concise. Good presenter. GO VEG! Made an impact on me! Thanks.
-Rashmeet Sangari, Johnson & Johnson, Procurement Manager

It’s good to know what problem is occurring and change our selves to start thinking about what we can do. Presentation was good. I understand very well and am aware of how to take part.
- J. Gayatri Komar, NTU Student

Thanks for the Information & Link you have provided. I was initially shocked from those facts & surprisingly turned vegetarian. Since the day i haven't touch the meat. Thanks to you for this wonder - Dalwinder Singh
............

Feedback from participants of Global Warming Seminar [Chinese] at Yi Guan Dao Temple/ Ai Xin Society on 25 Apr 2010 [80 person attended]

Very good. Hope the talk can let more people to hear it so that more people can learn to be a vegetarian, do recycle. Translation is important so that people from different races can listen to the talk too.
……..
1. Very meaningful.
2. Hope to be published in school.
…….

Good but too short.
Full documentary is more convincing - Chew, Ai Xin Society
…………
Very informative, Lots of things we normally don’t know.
……
It’s very clear and interesting.
讲解的很透彻、很明白。
直接了当/一针见血的把问题传达给我们。让我会更积极地去保护地球、爱护生命！
谢谢你们。
。。。。。

After the seminar, let me understand the important of organic farming. Before I only thought it is for own health and now I do understand it does contribute to our planet Earth as well, thank you for sharing the information.
……..

Excellent - Alice Chiong Poh Suan
……..
1. Very good.
2. It is advisable to introduce to cc [community center] & practice monthly by putting banner with the assistance from government sector. – Amy Lok, Ai Xin Society

Global Warming Seminar at Aljunied Area on 19 Mar [Fri] evening [7:15pm to 9:15 pm]

Feb is the driest month in Singapore in 140 yrs of record keeping.

The rainfall last month is only 6.7 mm [almost 1/3 of the 18.7 mm in previous years]http://news.sg.msn.com/cna/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3915611

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1039859/1/.html

We are now seeing scorched land every where in Singapore. Most of the grass patches are turning yellow because of insufficient water. : (

Does this phenomenal sets you thinking about what is happening to the world?

Singapore has enough water for all to drink, but what about the Droughts that is now happening in Phillipphines/ Vietnam/ China [Si Cuan]/ Africa/ Austria / US ?

Does the people have enough water to grow their crops [which is used to feed the world] ?

Do the people have enough water to drink?

Do these questions make you ponder about Global Warming?

What will happen to the planet if the world’s temperature increases by 1,2,3 or 5 to 6 degrees?

How much time does leading scientists think the world has before we reach a point where climate change becomes irreversible?

Do you wish to know what effective measures prominent scientists such as NASA’s director Dr James Hansen and UN IPCC Chairman Dr Rajendra Pachauri recommend to curb global warming?

What are the latest findings of Climate scientists in March & Dec 2009 Copenhagen conference in Denmark?
……..

If you are concern about the above issues, you are invited to attend a FREE Global warming Seminar by our Global Warming Study Group on the 19 Mar 2010 [Fri] at Kampong Senang Aljunied [Near Aljunied MRT].

You are welcome to bring your friends and family to attend the event :> : )

[ If you have attended previous Global Warming seminar and find it informative. Could you help to recommend the event to your friends/ family who are concern about the environment? :> ]………….

Event Details:

Seminar and Q & A

Title: “Global Warming : It’s Science / it’s Effects and Solutions”
Date: 19 Mar 2010 [Fri]

Time: 7:15pm to 9:15pm

Cost: Free
Venue: Kampong Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre & Eco Harmony Kitchen Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent, Unit 01-205 (at ground floor of block)[Near Arjuni MRT station]

The session consists of a 1 hr presentation and a 45 min Question & Answer discussion.

The presentation showcases the effects that climate change has on various parts of the world. [including Arctic Ice melts/ Sea level rises/ extreme weather conditions/ droughts/ floods / stronger hurricanes etc.] It studies the possible dangers if human continue ‘business as usual’ and explore possible solutions to climate change. The presentation features interviews with top climate scientists [such as NASA Director and UN IPCC scientists] and showcases what scientists & environmentalist recommends as the effective solutions to climate change. It also touches on issues such as deforestation, factory farming, food & water shortage, and world hunger.

The Q&A would encourage further discussions in line with the questions that participants asked.

Speaker profile:
Mr Low Chip Khoon is a teacher in a local school and a leader of a Global Warming Study Group in an Eco-friendly association. He has researched into the subject of Global warming since the end of 2007. Recently, spurred by the urgency of the situation, he has compiled his research information and shared with teachers / colleagues and association members. He has conducted Global warming assembly talks and GW sharing sessions during Contact Time in school. He has also shared GW information with interested parties via hospital talks, company lunch talks and environmental dialogue sessions with NTU/NIE/NUS students. He believes that, provided with the necessary information, many people will choose to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle to curb global warming & preserve life on the planet.

The first 50 people who register by sending an email to cklowck@yahoo.com.sg would get a FREE Video CD containing documentaries on Global Warming [Including what Top World leaders, such as US president Mr Obama, Environmental Activist Mr Al Gore, Top Climate Scientists NASA Director Dr James Hansen, United Nations Scientists, have to say on Climate change.

We do accept on-site registration.

Feedbacks of GW Talk @ Chai Chee Secondary School on 22 Feb 2010

Feedbacks of Global Warming Talk conducted at Chai Chee Secondary School on 22 Feb 2010
Attendance : 800 students, 60 teachers
..............

Feedback from Chai Chee Principal, Mr Ang

To Mdm Ho, Eunos Principal,
We had an assembly talk given by your teacher, Mr Low Chip Khoon, on global
warming. It was a very interesting and engaging talk enjoyed by both
teachers and pupils. Mr Low's presentation has definitely heightened our
pupils' interest on the topic and engaged them through his passion and
enthusiasm regarding the topic.

We would like to put on record our heartfelt thanks to your school for
releasing Mr Low to share at our assembly and for his generosity in sharing
with us his knowledge on the subject matter.

Thank you very much and good day.

Mr Ang
Principal/Chai Chee Sec
.........

Feedback from Teachers:

The talk is very informative and engaging. Mr Low knows his content very well and is able to engage the staff and students. I personally have learnt a lot from the talk. --- Mr Anwar (HOD PE/CCA)

Mr Low's presentation is informative and interesting. He spoke with passion. In fact, when the teachers were having lunch in the lounge, they asked me so many questions about whether vegetarianism can truely help. I said of course. At least, there is some awareness. --- Ms Kong Su May (HOD PCCG)

The talk is very relevant to the Sec 2 students as the topic is in the Geography syllabus. It is very informative and serves as a prelude to the topic that they will learn in Term 3. The information shared is very relevant and made `real' to the students. --- Ms Lim Siew Lian (HOD DM)

The speaker was so informative and engaging. I lost interest in Geography since I was in sec 2 but Mr Low rekindled my interest in Geography at one -sitting yesterday. He prepared his talk so well and delivered it with great conviction and passion. I am now 'in' for saving the environment in a more conscious manner. Thank you for spreading the message, Mr Low!
--- Mrs Elsie Tan, AED (counselling) FTSC

Mr Low did a great job in giving useful and current information that delivers the reality of the situation. We have learnt alot about our world and the consequences of our actions to our own environment. Not only did I enjoy the learning but the flow of the delivery and the use of speeches and videos were great too. Thanks. --- Mrs Rosini Haniff (SH/History)

The talk does create awareness on myself and also the students that I spoke to. Hoping very much that all of us will unite and do something to slow down the process. I am sure every one of us does care for our mother nature in one way or another. Every little effort counts. --- Mdm Radziah (Mother Tongue Teacher)

Thanks for the information. --- Ms Jieru Wu (Maths Teacher)

Very enriching....at least we know the consequences of eating beef..and the need to try to go green...also the importance of the 3Rs... Thanks!
--- Mr Tan Joo Huat (Maths Teacher)

It was an enlightening and interesting presentation. --- Mrs Mohana Sivaprasad (Geography teacher)

Thank you for approving Mr Low to come our school to share with us on the Global Warming during our assembly talk. It was an informative talk who had made quite an impact on our students and teachers. Many teachers have feedback to me that his talk has brought them to be more aware of the urgency of doing something to the Global Warming. Many of them are willing to eat less meat to help reducing the Global Warming. Hopefully all of us are going to put in effort in many ways to help reducing Global Warming before it is too late.

--- Ms Tan Foong Heng (Environment Club, Teacher-in-charge)
Ms Tan attended Mr Low’s talk at Nature Society & decided to invite Mr Low to Chai Chee Secondary school to present the talk to the school

Global Warming Talks conducted in 2009

Global Warming Talks conducted in 2009

Jan 2009 Eunos Contact Time Talk: 50 teachers

04 Mar 09 Talk at Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd: 30 pple [Mr Stone's friends]

11/12 Apr SAFRA Eco-green event Talk: 15 pple

24 Jun Starlite GW talk: 15 executive
18 Jul Starlite Quality Day Talk: 100 company workers + exe + suppliers.

May 2009 Eunos Assembly Talk 30 mins 1200 Students n Teachers

19 Jun 09 Kampong Senang GW talk 1 40 pple

29 Aug 09 NUS Climate change Symposium 150 students

05 Sep 09 Kampong Senang GW talk 2: 20 pple

19 Sep 09 Vegan Bread Factory Talk (2 sessions) 50 pple

01 Oct 09 Nature Society Talk: 35 pple

Oct 09 Eunos Assembly Environmental talk: 1200 teachers n students

14 Nov Kampong Senang annual dinner: 200 guests

28 Nov Kampong Senang Talk 3: 10 pple
29 Nov Kampong Senang Chinese Talk I: 5 pple

05 Dec VegGenz organic restaurant Talk 10 pple

09 Dec Ginguan Center Talk 1 Upper changi: 10 pple
16 Dec Ginguan Center Talk 2: 10 pple
20 Dec Ginguan Center Talk 3: 15 pple
23 Dec Long Win air-Con company talk: 15 pple

20 presentations in 2009
Till end of 2009, 26 presentations.

World Leaders on Climate Change 1

World Leaders speak on Climate change 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQKQoM-c_0

Many world leaders speaking on Climate change

Invitation to attend Global Warming Seminar at Aljunied Area on 16 Jan [Sat] afternoon

Event Details:
Presentation and Q & A
Title: “Global Warming : It’s Science / it’s Effects and Solutions”
Date: 16 Jan 2010, Saturday
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: FREE
Venue: Kampong Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre & Eco Harmony Kitchen, Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent, Unit 01-205 (at ground floor of block)
[5 minutes walk from Aljunied MRT]

The session consists of a 1 hr presentation and a 45 mins Question & Answer discussion.

Drying Rivers, Lakes and Reservoirs

Share a documentary on Drying Rivers, Lakes and Reservoirs,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anXSPQyADac

Due to Global Warming, Seas, Rivers,Lakes and underground water reserves in the world are drying up. These impact the livelihoods of hundreds of millions people.
World’s major rivers drying - one-third are gone or going. Groundwater wells for 3 billion people are drying up.

Top 10 global river systems drying, ebbing away:China’s Salween River, Europe’s Danube, South America’s la Plata, North American Rio Grande, India’s Ganges, Pakistan’s Indus, Africa’s Nile and Lake Victoria, Australia’s Murray Darling, Southeast Asia’s Mekong-Lancang, China’s Yangtze … due to dams, over-extraction, overfishing and climate change.
The documentary also spells out the various lakes and rivers in Africa, America, Europe, Asia, India & China that are drying up.

We have to adopt more measures to conserve water and take a hard look at how we use water. The Stockholm water insititute states that 70% of the world's water is used by the agriculture sector with animal agriculture using a large portion of water. In Nov 2009, Lord Stern and Al Gore has urged the world to take more plant-based diet as the animal industry uses excessive amounts of water. [UN report states that producing 1kg of beef requires 15,500 litres of water. Producing 1 kg of maize only needs 900 litres of water.]
We have to heed the call now.