Env/ Health talk @ LGT Bank (May)

On 20 May 2022, LGT Bank (Singapore) Ltd. (LGT Bank) kicked off its first "Lunch and Learn" series with a talk on "Compassion and Veganism". Mr CK Low from Earth Society spoke on the impact of meat on the environment and the health benefits of a vegan diet. 

During this session, Mr Chin-Mong Koh, Executive Director, LGT Bank, shared his personal vegan journey and how adopting a vegan diet has led to positive health benefits. 

Mr Low started his presentation with the impact of producing meat on the environment. Livestock farming contributes to 15% of the world's greenhouse gas, uses 70% of the world's agricultural land and consumes more than 50% of the world's crops. It takes 2 kg to 10 kg of grains to produce 1 kg of chicken/pork/beef. Producing 1 kg of vegetables and rice uses 200 litres to 2,500 litres of water, while 1 kg of meat (chicken/pork/ beef) uses 4,300 litres to 15,400 litres of water. The United Nations (UN) has recommended that developed nations cut their meat consumption by half to reduce greenhouse gas and conserve the world's food and water resources.

In addition, Mr Low highlighted the drawbacks of overeating meat versus the healthy benefits of transitioning to a vegan diet. High meat consumption is linked to obesity and increases heart disease and cancer risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) report shows that eating 50 g of processed meat (e.g. one hot dog) every day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. Moreover, the animals produced by factory farms live in congested conditions and are fed with growth hormones, antibiotics and grains. In contrast, vegetables/plants are rich in fibre, protein, vitamins and nutrients. Some doctors in the USA promote the Whole-Food, Plant-based diet to prevent/ reduce chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Even athletes such as bodybuilders, Olympic cyclists and marathon runners show improved sports performance when changing to a plant-based diet. Mr Low encouraged the staff to adopt Meatless Mondays and gradually increase the number of vegan days for health and the planet.

After the talk, Mr Koh shared the health benefits of adopting a vegan diet (e.g. reduced body aches, no more joint pains, better skin complexion). He also shared that vegan food is delicious and encouraged the staff to adopt two vegan days a week to better health and protect the environment. 

The company especially catered Vegan Burgers (from VeganBurg) for the 70 employees who attended the event. The employees enjoyed the Vegan Burger lunch very much, were engaged during the presentations, and actively participated in the Question and Answer session. 

Feedback for the talk:

Very educational and heartfelt presentation. This message of veganism needs to be widely communicated and internalized. Thank you. – William Chia, Investments, LGT Bank

The presentation was very insightful and well-received. The speaker was very engaging. – Mariam Ashroff, Sustainability Management, LGT Bank

Informative and happy to learn more about Climate change/ Human/ Animal kingdom. Perhaps the speaker can introduce some recipes and make them interactive. – Doreen Chan, Investments, LGT Bank

Very informative sharing! Thank you for taking the time to share with us. – WJ, staff, LGT Bank

Online Biodiversity Loss talk @ CHIJ Toa Payoh Pri (Apr)

Ms Lim Siew Choo, Teacher-in-charge of Earth Day Activities in CHIJ Toa Payoh Primary, invited Earth Society to conduct a Biodiversity Loss talk for the school on 20 Apr.  This was the 3^rd time the School invited us to speak to the students.

On 20 Apr, Earth Society team joined the school via Zoom at 12.20 pm. Mrs Jennifer Kwek, Level Head Science, hosted the session and invited the P1 to P6 classes to join in the session.

We conducted a Biodiversity Loss talk for the P1 to P6 students from 12.40 pm to 1.10 pm. We presented on Overfishing, Deforestation, Climate change, Loss in Biodiversity and Factory farming. We also touched on issues such as No Shark fin, reduce Factory farming and Meatless Mondays. We also introduced some Environmental heros such as Shark Savers, Sea Shepherd and Dr Jane Goodall to the students. The students listened attentively to the talk.

Teachers’ Feedback

-  The talk was very engaging and informative, with interesting videos to illustrate the points mentioned.

- The talk was very insightful and all of us learnt a lot. The Duration is just right.

-  The speaker is very clear in his presentation and language used is appropriate and suitable for the primary students

Online GW talk for UOB Client (Apr)

Ms Maureen Tan, Marketing and Business Development Manager (Workplace Banking) in UOB Bank collaborated with Earth Society to provide an online Global Warming talk for their client (Reda Production Systems) on 14 Apr. Ms Sherloy Teo, Senior Relationship Manager (Workplace Banking), hosted the online session.

On 14 Apr, Earth Society joined Ms Sherloy Teo (via MS Teams) at 1.40 pm. We conducted an online Global Warming talk for about 30 staffs from 2 pm to 2.45 pm. We presented on the effects of Climate change on the world and showcased various solutions that scientists recommended to curb climate change. (Plant trees, Eat less meat, Green energy and 3Rs). We also touched on the issue of deforestation and world hunger. Reda Production Systems staffs listened attentively to the talk.

After the talk, Ms Sherloy Teo shared with the staffs on UOB deposit Accounts available for the staffs (eg. UOB One Account, UOB Lady’s Savings Account).

We are glad that UOB Bank is collaborating with Earth Society to provide Environmental talks for their clients. Let’s hope the green message spread far and wide.