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Friday, September 14, 2012

华文讲座 @ 柔佛五福城市购物中心(7月15日)

马来西亚柔佛州的五福城市购物中心 Sutera Mall 在今年7月中至8月举行EM & ME  And 5Rs(Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Responsible) 展览,向人民提倡再思考/ 减少/再用/ 再循环和尽责任的环保理念。五福城市的黄先生 Mr Sean Ng 邀请全球暖化研究小组在7月15日到购物中心举办两场华文讲座。


刘先生在7月15日到达五福城市,受到 Sutera Mall 陈先生 Mr Larry Tan 的热情招待。










刘先生参观了五福城市的环保展览,并在2点和5点进行两场40分钟的《全球暖化》讲座。每场讲座皆有40位在Sutera Mall 购物的人士出席。刘先生在讲座中呈现了全球暖化对世界的影响(包括近年来在马来西亚发生的水灾、泰国的水灾、非洲的旱灾等),也呈现了科学家们提出的解决方案。购物人士们都专心地聆听讲座。刘先生在讲座结束后分发环保手册/环保影碟给购物人士,让他们能从中获得更多的环保讯息。


希望将来会有更多购物中心举办环保展览,提倡绿色生活,鼓励人民一起加入环保行列,减低暖化、保护地球。

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Up-coming Environment Workshop @ Kampong Senang on 08 Sep (Sat) 2 to 4pm



Global Warming Study Group is organizing a FREE Environment Workshop this coming Sep holiday to raise awareness on Global warming and Solutions to Climate change.

We welcome people who are concern about environmental issues to attend the event. :>

Event Details as follows:

Environment Workshop
Title: “Global Warming : It’s Science, Effects and Solutions” by Mr Low ck
Date: 08 Sep 2012 [Sat]
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 mins walk from Aljunied MRT station ]

The session consists of a 45-mins Environment Presentation, and a Question & Answer session.

The Environment presentation showcases the effects that Global Warming has on various parts of the world. [including Arctic Ice melts/ Sea level rises/ extreme weather conditions/ droughts/ floods etc.] It features various solutions that Climate scientists recommended to halt climate change. The talk also touches on world 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.

For more info on Global Warming Study Group, pls visit:

"Let's work together to halt Global Warming" Facebook Group:

*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, commented on Climate change.]
…………
Below are some questions to ponder:
Have you wondered why so many extreme weather events (droughts/ floods etc) are occurring on the planet?

How does Global Warming affects the World?
How does Global Warming affects Singapore?
 
What is the “New normal” in Weather patterns that Climate Scientists and politicians have observed in recent years ?

How extensive is the Drought in US and how has it affected world food prices?

Why are we seeing so many floods (Floods in China/ North Korea/ Philippines/ Taiwan/ Pakistan) in recent years? 

Why are climate scientists so concerned about the melting of Ice shelves in the Arctic, Greenland & Antarctica? 

What gases, other than CO2, are contributing to global warming?

UNEP scientists recommended some measures to “buy the world another 20 years to deal with climate change”. What are those effective measures?

When the world population rise to 9 billion (an addition of 2 billion people) by 2050, how are we going provide enough food to feed the world?

What ways do UN scientists recommend to Save Water during World Water Day 2012?

What can a common citizen (like you & me) do to reduce green house gas and conserve the world’s food and water resources?

If you are concern about the above issues, pls consider to attend the workshop. :>
Cheers n onwards,
Low ck

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

GW Seminar @ Singapore Polytechnic (24 Jul)


Ms Chia Chew Lin, a Lecturer in Singapore Polytechnic, invited GW Study group to conduct a 45 mins Seminar for 30 Environmental Engineering students on 24 Jul.

Students listen attentively to the presentation and responded very well to the seminar.






The following are some feedback from the students:
* I feel this talk is meaningful to me. Starting from today, I will reduce my meat consumption, get the protein from beans and eat a Happy Meal. I will also promote this lifestyle to my friends to do a part to conserve the food and water resources and save our planet.  – Zhang Yi,  SP student

* Very Well done. This Seminar has taught me more about ways to save the Environment.                     – Calvin Lee, SP student

*Information about water spent in the Agriculture sector is rather interesting, not many people know about it.
                                                                                                                        – Darryl Goh, SP student

Ms Chia commented that the seminar is very informative, up-to-date and contains good videos that illustrated the impacts of the problem.

Assembly Talk & Booth @ Nanyang Primary School (23 Jul)


Ms Rebacca Goh, Subject Head NE/SS of Nanyang Primary school, invited GW study group to conduct 2 Assembly talks and set up a booth in the school on 23 Jul.




We conduct an Assembly talk for P2 students on 8am and a talk for P4 students on 9am. We set up a booth at 9.30am and manned the booth till 11.30am.










The following are some feedbacks for the Assembly talk:

Teacher’s Feedback:
It’s a very educational talk. The interesting videos convey strong messages to the students. The speaker is a very confident presenter.  
– Ms Rebecca Goh, Subject Head NE/SS, Nanyang Primary Sch

Very informative and engaging talk. Keep it up! 
– Mdm Chua Deak Her, Teacher, Nanyang Primary Sch

Excellent and Wonderful talk!   – Mdm Neo Hui Wan, Teacher, Nanyang Primary Sch

Students’ Feedback:
I have learned about Global Warming and the consequences for our actions. From today onwards, I will encourage my family members to eat more fruits and vegetables, conserve water and use renewable sources to save the Earth.             – Gan Hui Min, NYPS student

I like it. I learn that Earth is in Danger and we need to help it. I will not eat meat on Thursdays and try not to take my mum’s car but cycle to school.             – Bai Yun Xuan, NYPS student

I like the talk as it let me learn more about how we can save the Earth. Thank you for taking the time to speak to us.     – Ryan Chan Rui Yan, NYPS student

I like the talk. I learn that animals consume a lot of food and water and if we didn’t rear so many animals, there would be less hungry people in the world. I want to contribute by avoiding beef and pork.     – Alexa Lee, NYPS student

The talk teaches me that we have to save our world before it is too late and shows us ways to fight Global Warming.        – Lim Wei Siang, NYPS student

Assembly Talk & Booth @ Zheng Hua Secondary (20 Jul)


Ms Sally Neo from Zheng Hua Secondary invited GW study group to conduct an Assembly talk and set up a booth on 20 Jul. We conducted a talk from 11.30am till 12.15pm and set up a booth from 12.15 till 1pm.
Ms Nafisah assisted us to run through the slides in the hall (before the talk) and set up the booth.
Students’ Feedback:

I am more enlightened about the challenges that the world is facing. Most people are ignorant and oblivious towards the ordeal others are facing. I think the talk was very knowledgeable. I’ll try to help the world by going meatless on Thursdays. 
                        – Siti Khaimunise, student 

I like the talk because I have learnt and gain a lot of knowledge from the talk. I have learnt how to save the world and the importance of saving the world. I have also learnt what are the harmful effects of Global Warming.         - Tan Wei Lin, student

I loved the talk! It was really interesting and I now understand Global Warming better and know how to prevent global warming. I have learnt the effects of global warming and at least 1 billion people in the world are hungry and have no water to drink. I would recycle, reuse and reduce. I would also try not to eat meat on Thursdays.       – Teo Yu En        
                                                                                                
I think the talk is very educational as it promotes awareness for people to know more about Global Warming and how we can save the Earth. I think the presentation was good, but it seems quite wordy, I think more pictures would be good.            – Elizabeth Tan, student   
                       
I learn something that I never knew. I am aware of Earth’s current issues now. Many thanks for your talk.                                                                                             – Jatisefia Bin Wahid, student

Sunday, August 5, 2012

ITE Eco-Conference (13 Jul)


Ms Peggy Ong, CEO of Pro-teach, invited Mr Low to attend the 2012 ITE Eco-Conference held in ITE College East on 13 Jul. This is the 2nd year ITE organize the Conference and this year’s theme is “Green Citizen – A Lifestyle Choice”.

 During the conference, a panel of professionals shared on how to live sustainably with hundreds of students and staffs. SEC Mr Jose Raymond presented on “Green Citizen”, NUS Prof Paulin Straughan presented on “Littering behaviour – A Sociological Perspective”, NParks Mr Wong Tuan Wah presented on "Conserving & Managing Singapore’s Biodiversity ” and Ms Peggy Ong presented on “The Diet with Amazing Healing powers”. The panels also answered the questions raised by the audience. Students and staff benefited a lot from the wisdom of the panels.

During the event, 3 ITE colleges and industry practitioners set up Exhibits to showcase technologies, product and projects on sustainable living.

More info on the ITE conference (including presentation slides of the speakers) can be found at : http://ecocityzone.net/index.php?s=ite+eco-conference

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

FREE Assembly talks/ Seminars on Global Warming for Term 3 & Term 4

Looking for meaningful programs to fill up the Assembly time slots in Term 3 & Term 4?

Ever wonder how Global Warming is affecting the planet and what we can do to help to reduce global warming?

Our Global Warming Study group offers the following FREE Assembly programs for schools:
Primary schools :                                25 mins presentation + 5 mins Quiz
Secondary schools/ ITE/ NTU:           35 mins presentation + 10 Min Quiz

The presentation shows the effects of climate change on the world (i.e Arctic Ice melt, Droughts, floods, Sea level rise etc) and features various solutions that scientists recommended to curb climate change. (i.e. Plant trees, Eat less meat, Green Energy, 3Rs)

For the past few years we have conducted FREE Assembly talks / GW Seminars in the following schools / companies/ NGOs:

Primary Schools :  
Eunos Primary school, Nanyang Primary, Innova Primary, Sembawang Primary, Radin Mas Primary, Northland Primary, New Town Primary, CHIJ Kellock Primary, GreenRidge Primary

Secondary Schools/ ITE / JC/ Poly/ Universities :  
Hwa Chong Institute, Bedok Green Secondary, Zheng Hua Secondary, Chai Chee Secondary, Tampines ITE, St Andrews JC, Singapore Poly, NTU

Our seminars in Companies/ NGOs can be found in the following link:

If your school is interested to invite us to conduct a FREE Assembly program in Term 3 or Term 4, pls send an email to cklowck@yahoo.com.sg to book a date. Booking would be on first-come-first-serve basis. However, we would give priority to schools that have not engaged us for GW talks previously.

For schools that have already engaged our GW Assembly talks previously, you may consider to invite us to conduct Contact Time talks with teachers to further discuss the environmental topics. The Contact time talks can be 30 mins to 45 mins depending on the time slot the school allocates to us. If you like our Assembly talk, pls help to recommend the talk to neighboring schools so that everyone can join in to help the environment. 

Thanks for your continuous effort to promote environmental awareness among students and staffs.

Cheers n onwards,
Low ck

UNEP 2011 Report “Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone"


In Feb 2011, UNEP (UN Environment Program) published a report “Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone"

The report shows that:
The projected rise in global temperatures could be cut in half in coming years if world governments focused on reducing emissions of two harmful pollutants - Black Carbon and ground-level ozone, including Methane - rather than carbon dioxide alone.
The study further shows that a fairly aggressive strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions under current reduction scenarios "does little to mitigate warming over the next 20 to 30 years". With carbon dioxide reductions alone, global temperatures are still projected to rise by more than 2 degrees Celsius by 2050 over pre-industrial levels.
But reducing black carbon and ground-level ozone reductions would delay the warming for another 20 years, until 2070, according to the study.
The following are additional info on the report:

Washinton Post : "Global warming rate could be halved by controlling 2 pollutants, UN study says"

NASA: "Cleaning the air would limit short-term climate warming"

Summary of the Articles:

1. Limiting Methane & Black Carbon could reduce ½ the warming that we will otherwise face over the next 40 yrs.   [Reduce 0.5 Deg C of warming]
2. Adopting 16 control measures to reduce Black Carbon, Ground level Ozone and Methane would save 2 million lives a yr and save 50 million tons of crops a year.
16 control measures include:
For black carbon, for example, we looked at the impact that replacing traditional cook stoves with cleaner-burning options, putting particle filters on vehicles, or banning the burning of agricultural waste might have. For ozone, we looked at measures like fixing leaky gas pipes, limiting methane emissions from mines, upgrading wastewater treatment systems, and aerating rice paddies.

3. Limiting Black Carbon, Ground level Ozone and Methane could reduce 2/3 of the warming in the Arctic over the next 50 years.
Adopting the 16 control measures could mitigate about two-thirds of the warming we'll likely otherwise see in the Arctic over the next half-century.
4. Reducing black carbon and ground-level ozone reductions would delay the warming for another 20 years
………..

The Full Report [37 pages] can be found in the following link:
UNEP Feb 2011 Report “Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone”
…..

Mr Bill Clinton, former US President, spoke about the report in Apr 2011.
He informs that Methane (from Animal Waste and Urban Garbage dumps) takes 12 years to disperse in the atmosphere while CO2 can take 100 years. He mention about the UN Feb 2011 report and informs that making an aggressive effort to reduce Methane & Black Carbon in the atmosphere would buy the world another 20 years to deal with the CO2 issue.

Mr Bill Clinton on Climate change and Methane (4 mins)
…..

During Dec 2011 UN Climate Change conference in Durban, Mrs Maneka Gandhi, long time environmental advocate and member of the Indian parliament, also speaks about the importance of reducing Methane to reduce Global Warming:


Maneka Gandhi declares COP17 must deal with Methane: (video) 7 mins

………..
  
The following is a compiled documentary showing the relation between Animal agriculture and Methane: (5 mins)

Animal agriculture causes 36% of Global Methane emissions.
Burning forest caused 40% of black carbon emissions.

Thus, to reduce Methane and Black Carbon, we need to reduce animal industry and reduce the burning of forest.

We can help by reducing meat consumption (to reduce animal industry) and supporting measures that protect the forest. (reduce the burning of forest, plant trees etc)

One way to start is by adopting meatless days to help the planet:
www.veggiethursday.sg
http://www.meatfreemondays.co.uk/

Let’s do all we can to help the planet.

Share a Song on World Hunger

In July 2011, Africa experienced the worst drought in 60 years. The drought caused severe food crisis across Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya and threatens the livelihood of 9.5 million people. Tens of thousands of people died from hunger in Southern Somalia. The situation causes UN to declared famine in Southern Africa. (the first time in 30 years.)

In view of the situation, Sami Yusuf, a talented British singer of Iranian origin & UN Celebrity Partner for WFP(World Food Program), composed a beautiful song to raise funds to the UN WFP. The song was titled “Forgotten promises”. It shows humanity singing with one voice in solidarity with the drought victims and renewing pledge to deliver on forgotten promises.
Proceeds generated by the song was donated to the UN World Food Program (WFP)

Share with all the song. “Forgotten promises”- Sami Yusuf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKV2oeS4vw8

To learn more about the LiveFeed campaign, pls visit www.LiveFeedAfrica.org

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Assembly Talk & Booth @ Bedok Green Secondary (25 May)

Mrs Tang-Lee Choon Tien, EEA / Environment Club teacher, invited GW Study Group to Bedok Green Secondary School to conduct an Assembly talk and set up a booth in the school on 25 May. Team members set up a booth near the school’s canteen and manned the booth from 10 till 1pm. Mr Low conducted the Assembly talk to students from 11:30am to 12 pm. The talk was very well received by the teachers and students.


The following are some feedbacks for the Assembly talk:

Teacher’s Feedback:
A scientific and richly informative talk that is expertly and engagingly presented. Wonderfully done. I learnt so very much.
– Mdm Lim Tze Mien, Vice-Principal, Bedok Green Secondary Sch

 ‘We found your talk very informative .The videos used - relevant, able to sustain students 'attention. Your supporting photos, Scientific evidence and speeches of famous world leaders- were all effective in transmitting your message to the audience. I have no doubt that your presentation and passion had impacted many of the students and teachers. Thanks once again for sacrificing your time to share your passion with us. Keep up the good job in environmental education.’
                       - Mrs Tang-Lee Choon Tien, EEA / Environment Club teacher

'The talk definitely raised awareness of presiding issues'
‘Very effective speech. Now I fully understand why eating less meat results in less destruction to the earth. I will definitely play my part."

Students’ Feedback:
I learn more about global warming and what is happening to Earth. I hope more people will take initiative to help the world. – Cheryl Mah, BGSS Student

I learn how to help the environment by doing things like eating more vegetables and conserving water. I will do all I can to save the Earth as a lot of people are suffering. – Nursalihah bte Adbul Rahman, student

I have learnt that we can help to reduce global warming by having one meatless day a week.
                                                                                                                – Ow Soey Jing, student

Good luck for your future talks in other schools. I will try my best to save the Ecosystems and encourage my friends to do so. – Tan Jian Jing, student

Booth @ Chestnut Drive Secondary (22 May)


Mdm Liaw from Chestnut Drive Secondary invited GW study group to set up a booth during the school’s green event on 22 May.


Team members set up a booth to distribute Climate change booklets to interested student from 10am to 12 pm.

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During the event, students participated in song performances and dress up in outfits made of recycled material (eco-fashion show). Students also visited our booth to obtain more information on climate change

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Assembly Talk & Booth @ Innova Primary (30 Apr)

In celebration of Earth week, Ms Ang Hwee Tit invited GW study group to Innova Primary to conduct an assembly talk and set up a booth on 30 Apr.
Mr Low conducted the assembly talk from 7.40 till 8.15 am. He presented on the effects of Climate change on the world (including Arctic Ice melt, Droughts, Floods Sea level rise etc). He showcased various solutions that scientists recommended to curb climate change. (i.e. Plant trees, Eat less meat, Green energy, 3Rs). At the end of the presentation, Mr Low conducted a 5-min Quiz, students participated actively in the Quiz.   

After the talk, team members set up a booth at the school canteen. We distribute "Eco-websites on climate change" leaflets & MRT card holders to the students. We also distribute free copies of Climate change Booklet to the teachers. We manned the booth from 9 till 12.30pm.


The following are some feedbacks for the assembly talk:

Teacher’s Feedback:
“Excellent variation of presentation with video and powerpoint. Informative, clear and impactful message.”   - Margart Yeo, Innova Primary teacher

“Very informative. I like the part about food and the environment, something that I didn’t know. Would recommend to others and adopt the lifestyle.”
– Ms Fio Ang Hwee tit, Environment Co-ordinator, Innova Primary teacher 

“Very informative and interesting.”   - Mr Chong TK, Innova Primary teacher

Students’ Feedback:
I like the presentation. It is very interesting. I have learn a lot about Global Warming
                                                                                     . – Syarwina Ridwan, Student

I am going to try my best to save the Earth because billions of people are homeless and had no food to eat.                                               – Nur Zafirah, student

The talk is full of excitement, I can relate to the videos (before and after). I can help by saving water and eating less meat           - Regina, student

I like the talk. I learnt how to save Mother Earth. I will shorten my shower from 15 mins to 5 mins.        
– Jing Yi, student

I like the talk because it is interesting and I learn a lot. For example: Do not cut down trees, eat more veggies and less meat. I will cycle or walk to school.
                                                                     – Clement Ho, student

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

GW Talk @ Family event (28 Apr)

Mdm Glow, a friend of Mr Low, invited Mr Low to her house to conduct a GW talk to 16 family members. Mr Low gave a 30 mins presentation on the how Climate Change is affecting the planet and what we can do to reduce global warming and preserve the food and water resources in the planet. Mdm Glow especially catered for an eco-friendly veggie dinner to treat her guests after the talk.






Mr Kevin Chan, a family member who worked as a Senior Broadcast Engineer commented on the talk “Very knowledgeable and well presented. Good information for everybody. Open up the realization of Global Warming.”

华文讲座 @佛教青年弘法团(4月28日)


佛教青年弘法团(Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission)的陈彩玲老师邀请全球暖化研究小组在428日到弘法团中心举办《地球健康由我做起》讲座。陈老师是在去年轻安村举办的《身心灵健康与环保研讨会》上听了刘先生的演讲,才认识全球暖化研究小组的。今年机缘成熟,陈老师再邀请刘先生到弘法团中心举办讲座。

讲座当天,145位小学生、15位中学生和50位学生家长出席讲座。刘先生在讲座中呈现了全球暖化对世界各地的影响(包括南北极冰川融化、各地旱灾/水灾、海平面上升等)也呈现了了科学家们提出的解决方案 [保护雨林、减少吃肉、绿色能源、减低/再用/再循环(3Rs)等]。学生和家长们都认真、专心地聆听讲座。刘先生在讲课结束后设了一个《有奖问答》项目,学生们都积极举手、踊跃参加。这次的讲座非常成功。临别时,陈彩玲老师还邀请刘先生下次再到弘法团中心举办环保讲座。

以下是一些师长的反馈:
 
讲座会非常棒!小朋友、大人、老师们都获益良多。希望能为中学生们多办一次讲座。     - 陈彩玲,佛教青年弘法团教师

The speaker is very knowledgeable on the topic and bring great awareness to the children and parents. Very encouraging. Mr Low interacted with the audience well.
                            - Jenny Wee, Program Co-ordinator, SBYM

I would like to say thank you to Mr Low and the organizer for conducting such a wonderful sharing to let everyone know and change their habit to save the Earth and ourselves.         
-  Mr Melvin Koh, parent of student in SBYM

UN World Water Day & Global Water Usage

UN World Water Day Website:

United Nation’s World Water Day falls on 22 Mar 2012.
This year’s theme for UN World Water Day is “Water and Food security”. UN is educating the public on the link between water usage and food production. “The world is thirsty because we are hungry”

There are some educational clips (available for download) in the UN website:

From the clips, UN informs that “A person needs to drink 2 to 4 litres of water a day. BUT we virtually eat 2000 to 5000 litres of water (embedded in our daily food) !

Producing 1 kg of wheat requires 1,500 litres of water, but producing 1kg of beef requires 15,000 litres of water (10 times as much!)  

UNFAO states that “Agriculture accounts for 70% of total water usage”.
& “90% of our total water consumption goes to produce today’s Food. ”  
It takes 1000 times more water to feed the human population then it does to satisfy it’s thirst.”
……..

The UN website also has some materials about water footprint of products.

Under the “Education Material” there is a “Water for Food Wall Chart” which shows how much water is needed to produce various food that we eat.

……..

UN recommends the following: 
When a billion people in the world already live in chronic hunger and water resources are under pressure we cannot pretend the problem is ‘elsewhere’. Coping with population growth and ensuring access to nutritious food to everyone call for a series of actions we can all help with:
  • follow a healthier, sustainable diet (i.e. Eat more vegetables, eat less meat)
  • consume less water-intensive products
  • Reduce food wastage: 30% of the food produced worldwide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitively lost!
  • produce more food, of better quality, with less water.