Asean Power Shift by 350 Singapore

350 Singapore, a team in Young NTUC, is a Singapore Chapter to the global 350.org movement. Climate Scientists such as Director of NASA, Dr James Hansen, have advised that to keep the planet in a safe zone, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere should be kept at 350 ppm (parts per million).  However the current CO2 level in the atmosphere has reached 400ppm.

In Jul 2015, 350 Singapore organized an ASEAN Power Shift event in the United World College of South East Asia in Tampines. It is a 3-days youth Conference held from 24 Jul till 26 Jul.

The event aims to bring together youths from 10 ASEAN countries to a common platform where they will form an aligned position towards the climate negotiations in COP21 in Paris, learn about each other’s environmental initiatives and experiences, and provide networking opportunities to catalyse more ground-up climate initiatives.

350 Singapore invited 200 youths from 10 ASEAN Countries to participate in this event. The organizing committee invited Earth Society to send representatives to attend the event. To support this wonderful initiative, Earth Society members attended the event.

During the 3 days conference, we attended lectures by Keynote speakers, workshops on Environment Activism conducted by various NGOs and listened to youth delegates present their position on Climate change.

Dr Vivan Balakrishnan, Minster for the Environment and Water Resource, graced the occasion and addressed the youths during the second day of the conference.

During the event, we networked with many youths and various NGOs who send representatives to attend the event. (e.g. WWF, Sharksavers, Eco Singapore, PM Haze and Urban farmers.)

We observed that to cut down on carbon footprint and promote an Eco-friendly lifestyle, ALL the meals served during the 3 days Conference are Vegetarian meals. 

We are hugely encouraged by this gesture as it shows that the youths are aware of the huge impact our diets have on the environment.

Straits Time Reporter, Ms Jessica Cheam attended the ASEAN Power shift event and wrote an Article about the event (published in Straits Time on 04 Aug)

Inspiring Asean youth on climate change:

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/inspiring-asean-youth-on-climate-change

More info on 350 Singapore and the Asean Power Shift event can be found in 350 Singapore’s Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/350sg

Bravo to 350 Singapore and we hope that they can organize ASEAN Power Shift every year to promote awareness and action on Climate change among ASEAN youths.

Assembly Talk @ Jurong Secondary (21 Jul)

Jurong Secondary held a Green Month in the school compound between 06 Jul to 31 Jul 2015. Mr Kor Chun Heng, a teacher in Jurong Secondary school, invited Earth Society to conduct a Global Warming Assembly talk to the Sec 3 students on 21 Jul.

On 21 Jul, Earth Society members reached Jurong Secondary at 7.30am. We conducted a Global Warming talk to Sec 3 students from 7.50am to 8.30am. Students listened attentively to the talk. 

After the talk, students who are interested in the topic came forward to get more info from us.

Ms Norliyana, a teacher who attended the talk, wrote the following feedback for us: “So much useful information was shown in the talk. This will help students to reflect and think about how to help the environment.”

Assembly Talk @ Bedok Town Secondary (10 Jul)

Ms Jeannie Yee, Environment Education Advisor in Bedok Town Secondary school, invited Earth Society to conduct a Global Warming Assembly talk to the school cohort on 10 Jul.

On 10 Jul, Earth Society members reached Bedok Town Secondary at 11.25am. We were greeted by Ms Lee Yue Zhi, a teacher in the Eco Committee. We conducted an Assembly talk for the Sec 1 to Sec 5 students from 11.40am to 12.30pm. Students listened attentively to the talk and actively participated in the quiz at the end of the talk.

Ms Jeannie Yee approached us after the talk and mentioned that she had heard an environmental talk conducted by Mr Low at Chai Chee Secondary in 2010. We were pleasantly surprise that she could remember the talk after so many years.

We set up a booth at the school canteen from 12.30 to 1.30pm to pass more info to students and teachers. We left the school at 1.30pm.

Feedback from teachers/ students:

Very entertaining talk with many videos and relevant information presented. Presenter was confident and clear as well. Students seemed to really enjoy the presentation. Thanks!

- Lee Yue Zhi, Eco Committee Teacher, BTSS

I find that the talk was very informative and I learn many things about the environment. I was really surprise that our environment is getting worst. I will take the advise given and try to save the Earth.   - Lim Siew Min, Sec 4, BTSS

I’m quite surprised that many things have happened to our Earth. I enjoyed listening to the talk.    
-  Li Ying, Sec 4, BTSS

I learn about global warming which is already happening around the world. I will try to eat less meat to help the environment.   – Shafik, Sec 3, BTSS.

Assembly Talk @ Deyi Secondary (09 Jul)

Mr Freddy Goh, Subject Head (Geography) in Deyi secondary school, invited Earth Society to conduct a Global Warming Assembly talk for the Sec 1 and Sec 2 students on 09 Jul.

On 09 Jul, Earth Society members reached Deyi Secondary at 12.45pm. We conducted an Assembly talk for the lower secondary students from 1 to 2 pm. Students listened attentively to the talk and actively participated in the quiz at the end of the talk.

After the talk, we set up a booth at the canteen from 2 to 2.30pm to pass more info to students and teachers. 
We left the school at 2.30pm.

Feedback from teachers/ students:

The talk was informative. Major aspects of causes and impacts of Climate change are covered. Presenter is clear and engaging. - Mr Freddy Goh, Geography Subject Head 

Though a repetitive subject, we really do not think about our world. The presentation taught me facts that I did not know before. I appreciated the effort put into the presentation. - Aniruddha, Sec 2, Deyi Secondary

The talk was engaging with slideshow, relevant pictures and interesting videos.

- Brenda Lee, Sec 2, Deyi Secondary

The presentation was engaging with videos and activities. – Remeo Ian, Sec 2, Deyi Secondary

Company Lunch talk @ Keppel Logistics (02 Jul)

Mr Cris Chiam, Logistics Executive of Keppel Logistics, invited Earth Society to conduct a company lunch talk for 25 employees on 02 Jul. Keppel Logistics held an EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) month in Jul and Mr Cris Chiam scheduled our environment talk as part of the program.

On 02 Jul, Earth Society members reached Keppel Logistics at 11.45am. We conducted a Global Warming talk for the staffs from 12 to 12.45 am with a 15 min Question and Answer session after the talk.

Keppel Logistics staffs listened attentively and responded positively to the talk. Many staffs signed up on our email list after the talk.

Feedback from Staffs:

It is very informative and in real time. Putting things into perspective of our current situation. Hope that this could be driven both upstream and downstream (to government and population alike) to drive the message across. The Human story shouldn’t stop here.- Tan Jun Hong, Logistic Executive

It is a very good presentation. I’ve gain a lot of knowledge through this session. Thanks!        

- Khoo Chai Heng, Manager

The talk is very useful. It is an eye opener to care about our environment. I would recommend it to all groups of people. - Zul Hilimi Vin Khailid, Safety and Security officer

The presentation is very informative and educational. The presenter is very good in explaining the information. 

– Cris Chiam, Logistics Executive.