All About Environment National Environment Agency Youth Environmental Envoy (YEE) . . . . 4 The Earth’s Cryosphere in a Warming World – Seminar Report . . . . . 5 Can Anyone Be A Leader? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Profiling an Environmentalist, Profiling Dr Ashok Khosla . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Interview with Dr. Khosla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 9th Issue
March – May 2009
ISSN 1793-7272
Printed on recycled paper Not For Sale The official e-publication of ECO is also available at www.eco-singapore.org Recycle and pass it forward
A Growing Controversy: Nuclear Peace or Nuclear War? . . . . . . . . . 11 Design for Good – The Urgent Need for Green Architect(ure) . . . . . . 14 4 green ways to save dollars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Let’s Eat Slowly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Corporate Sustainability: Green Golf Clubs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The cometh of Eco-tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Care for your environment, and your body too! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
VOLUNTEER EDITOR Ng Pak Shun editor@eco-singapore.org
Foreword from the editor
VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Heather Chi Yuhui Balasingam-Chow
VOLUNTEER WRITERS Baby Ruth Villarama Philline Donggay Ahalya Vijayasrinivasan Kenneth Goh Ryan Teo Jefferson Tan
VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS Dominic Khoo Han
ART DIRECTOR Amy Ong www.amyong.com
Express! More than 40 years ago, “What the World Needs Now is Love”, according to the popular song bearing the same title. Today, the world still needs love more than ever to survive the waves of global problems – economic crisis, threat of terrorism, regional instability – the list goes on. What do these developments mean for all of us who care about the environment? We could accept that environmental issues might not occupy as much global consciousness now as we desire. We could despair silently of the kind of cyclical amnesia that somewhat mirrors the “occasional” procrastination in our personal lives. Alternatively, we could continue to arm ourselves with better knowledge of how the environment matters in our individual, corporate and national decisions. We could persist in doing our little part for our immediate surroundings, no matter how insignificant it may seem, no matter how unappreciated it may be. This issue continues on the themes of previous issues, with a mixture of articles to equip, motivate, and persuade our readers. We hope to equip you with a better understanding of important global issues and their relationship with the environment. We hope to motivate you with profiles of people who have made a difference to the environment in their different spheres of influence. We hope to persuade you to make minor changes in your lives that can have significant impact for the environment.
Pak Shun, Editor
Writer’s Profile
Baby Ruth Villarama For the past eight years Ruth has been involved in documentary production for television and multimedia in the Philippines and abroad. Having begun with producing video projects for international organisations, Ruth has since covered the denuding environment in the Philippines and been commissioned by the ILOUNDP to expose child labour practices, for which her production group received an award at the 2007 UN film festival in New York. Currently, Ruth is completing
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documentaries for National GeographicEDB, Mediacorp, Singapore,- highlighting environmental and humanitarian issues in the Philippines – and Voyage Film Media (www.voyagefilm.com), for whom she works as Senior Producer. Philline Donggay Philline works as Content Producer and Editor for the Singapore-based online private members club and luxury magazine, Diane Fay (www.dianefay.com). Amidst the fancy brands, the exclusive resorts, and the high-profile events she writes about, this 25forever female is a conservationist at heart. Starting in her teenage years, Philline has volunteered in nature preservation projects and composed
Besides eating, he counts reading up on celebrity gossip and listening to feelgood music as therapy. Environmental Awareness segments for television. Now she is resolved to learning everything she can about Sustainability and doing her every bit to reduce her carbon footprint. (She shops only vintage and recycles used facial tissue for toilet use, to her flatmate’s horror.) She cried on ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, more than any other dramatic film she’s ever watched, and would vote for Al Gore as World President. Pak Shun is a civil servant who likes to write and comment on how others write! ;) He hopes to make a positive contribution to the environment by first understanding the latest discussions and arguments with regard to climate change and global warming, and then ensuring that others are aware of these issues as well. Kenneth Besides counting green as his favourite colour, Kenneth is a self-confessed newbie to the environmental scene who has a disdain for using plastic bags. Writing for ECO EXPRESS! should (hopefully) count as a baby step to greater awareness for the environment for him. A passionate foodie, he enjoys flexing his leg muscles by joining the queues in front of any Sunday Times certified food stores. He loves exploring food haunts around Singapore and is a freelance writer for a Food Magazine.
Heather is a 19-year old freelance writer/reporter who is currently pursuing in a degree in Geography at the National University of Singapore in order to pursue her life mission of engaging in development work in the Southeast Asian region. She has founded a local anti-hunger group, Food for All, to support local food rations programmes, increase awareness of hunger and food security issues as well as encourage food appreciation. In addition, she is very involved in local civic society, and volunteers with groups such as Shan You Counselling Centre, ONE (SINGAPORE), The Choice Initiative, ECO Singapore, Social Entrepreneurship Forum, SYINC, Migrant Voices and the Pop and Talent Hub Market. She is also a published poet and firmly believes in the power of writing to advocate and inspire. Yu Hui works as an analyst by day, churning out reports and insights in digital marketing activities. He does his little bit to reduce his carbon footprint, like turning off one of the bathroom lights and blacking out his monitor if the computer hasn’t been used for a while. Gwendoline and Sye Yuet are avid environmentalists who are currently interning at ECO Singapore.
EXPRESS! is a lifestyle magazine published four times a year by the Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore) or ECO Singapore for short, the leading NonGovernmental Social Enterprise for youth under the Registrar of Societies Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore) 87 Beach Road #06-01 Chye Sing Building Singapore 189695 tel. 6333 5543 fax. 6333 5537 www.eco-singapore.org news@eco-singapore.org The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore). No responsibility is accepted by the organisation or its volunteers for the accuracy of any statement, opninion, or advice contained in the text or advertisments. All materials appearing in EXPRESS! are the exclusive copyright property of the ECO. No part of EXPRESS! may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore).
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National Environment Agency Youth outh Environmental nvironmental Envoy nvoy (YEE)
By Hannah Leong Yoke Fun
YEE is a NEA-run course that aims to nurture and build a network of youth who will become leaders and change agents in moving their peers and the community towards environment ownership and sustainability. Hannah is a YEE from the batch of 2006, and is actively involved in environmental work at NTU as well as other organisations, such as ECO Singapore and the National Parks Board (NParks). EXPRESS! caught up with her to hear her thoughts about the impact of the YEE course on her life. What are the most important things you learnt from the YEE course? How have you benefited from the course? The course taught us various strategies and tools we could make use of to bring about change, in particular for society and the environment. I found especially useful the way they taught us to see the bigger picture, how Nature, Society, Environment and Well-being are all intricately linked and that all these four aspects need to be equally addressed when dealing with environmental issues. Knowledge of these strategies and tools has helped me in the planning and implementation of many subsequent projects and campaigns. How have you applied what you learnt in your personal life? What I found particularly impactful and useful was the use of the “amoeba” analogy to explain societal changes. How the amoeba feeds is that it extends a “foot” to reach for its food, after which the “nucleus” of the amoeba follows, and finally the “butt” of the amoeba moves as well. In society, the “foot” represents the change-makers, or in the case of environmentalism the activists, campaigners, etc. This is the small group of people that first reaches out to what is new. The sluggish “nucleus”, where the bulk of the amoeba lies, lags behind but eventually moves as well, going with the flow. The “butt” represents the cynical and apathetic people, who refuses to move until it is impossible not to. I have applied this analogy with Earthlink, the environmental club in NTU, to address issues on the NTU campus. Earthlink is much like the “foot” that reaches out to raise environmental awareness on campus. The key is to influence a critical mass of people within the “nucleus”. There will always be people at the “butt”, but nevertheless we should focus on the task ahead and not be held back by them. Could you share with us some highlights of your involvement in environmental work since the YEE course? Earthlink NTU • BYOB Campaign: Initiated a 1-week BYOB campaign at all retail outlets on campus last academic year. The campaign has since expanded to once-a-week, in line with the nationwide campaign. • Recycling: Earthlink coordinates recycling programme on campus, in collaboration with the Office of Facilities and SembEnviro, a local recycling company. ECO Singapore • RE-live! 2008: This inaugural environmental carnival engaged the public on the importance and ease of living a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. • NYEF 2008: The NYEF is a biennial forum that engages youth to discuss, recommend and take action on environmental issues Would you recommend the YEE course to others people? Yes, especially if you are leading/planning to hold a leadership position in an environmental organisation/event. The YEE course also gives you the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, who can provide necessary assistance in future organisations/project involvements. E
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For designing of advertorial, please contact Amy Ong at contact@amyong.com for further details.
The Earth’s Cryosphere in a Warming World – Seminar Report
By Gwendoline Lim and Loy Sye Yuet
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s part of the ECO Singapore’s internship programme, two interns attended a seminar on 30 Jan 2009 at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) by Jeff Obbard, Associate Professor in the Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Project Director (Bioenergy and Climate Change) at the Tropical Marine Science Institute at the National University of Singapore. The seminar, entitled “The Earth’s Cryosphere in a Warming World”, addressed the issues regarding the impact of anthropogenic global warming using the latest scientific findings. The seminar paid special emphasis on the cryosphere - the Earth’s ice and snow cover, as it is seen as an important indicator of climate change. Alterations in the cryosphere may eventually lead to rise in sea levels, which could potentially disrupt the lives of approximately ten percent of the world’s population living in coastal areas less than ten meters above sea level. We would like to share with you three takeaways from this seminar: 1. We must be convinced that inaction is costly against climate change. Just like any other global crisis, we have two options in tackling climate change – take action or maintain status quo. From the economic standpoint, scientists and economists argue that the costs incurred from not responding to climate change would far exceed that of taking action in the long term. According to the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, efforts to mitigate climate change will cost us around 1 to 2% of global GDP, but inaction could lead to an overall reduction of 20% in global GDP by year 2050! 2. We can all help to mitigate the effects of climate change. Unlike the economic crisis, climate change is a global problem that all of us can do something about, through our collective efforts to change our daily habits and lifestyle choices. For example, we should not only turn off our monitors or set our computers to standby mode when not in use. We might not be aware, but
electrical energy is still lost when on standby. Instead of leaving the computer on standby, we should shut it down completely. In addition, we should cultivate the good habit of taking quick showers instead of long baths. This not only saves water, but brings down the level of electricity usage as well (for hot baths). In all these instances, energy savings will definitely reap great cost savings to the individual, and reduce our carbon and ecological footprint. 3. The scientific and political communities must work together to address climate change issues. The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that “it is a lack of international political will, not technological innovation that is preventing us from reducing carbon emissions.” Prof. Obbard explained that scientists are often ahead of political leaders in the quest to prevent and reverse the negative effects of climate change. This phenomenon highlights the need for cooperation and communication between the scientific community and the political masters. Fortunately, the scientific community is increasingly becoming an integral part of international policy conferences, such as the annual United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) Conference. No doubt, scientists and politicians may have different areas of focus, but a greater exchange of ideas will facilitate the implementation of research findings into concrete actions for the world to mitigate the effects of climate change. E
Switch off your laptop instead of leaving it on the standby mode
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Can Anyone Be A Leader? By Baby Ruth Villarama
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Participants of the British Council leadership and management workshop visit an Indonesian international school for children to lecture on what climate change is all about.
et me share with you my story. I was rushing through my video scripts as my boss in Singapore was already fuming with deadline notices. Good thing I was in Manila. I could only sense her fumes through text messages, emails and phone calls; nevertheless I knew I had to finish the script on time. For many years I earn my living by researching and writing stories for people from various walks of life. Initially I thought that had always been enough. Never in my dreams would I have thought of writing a short story about my own experience beyond the four corners of my notebook. “I think you’re the one they are looking for. British Council needs to send somebody from the Philippines to study leadership in developing climate change solutions. Since you’d like a break from your deadlines, this could help you,” a friend in Turkey sent through chat messaging. British Council programme officer Eman Ragaza gave the call, did some background checks, interviews and more interviews. A few days later, he dropped the bomb, “It was a tough decision to make and I hope you will understand... if I ask you to prepare your passport because you are flying end of this month to learn how to be a leader, will you?” I am no leader. I’ve
The view from the top of the Gunung Geulis resort pictures the remaining rich forestry of Indonesia. The city is considered as the cleanest in the country but is currently under threat of resources over consumption.
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always believed I’m just a follower with wishful hopes on what I dream my regular route Commonwealth and EDSA roads could be one day - 60 km/hr moving traffic in rush hour, rubber-finished fine roads, museum-like subways, trains that arrive every 2-3 minutes, smokeless vehicles and not so many buses fighting over passengers. I dream seeing the view of the Pasig River (in Philippines) with little vintas (small houseboats) or ferries cruising while people fished and walked on well-lit side streets, because the roads would offer conducive options to do so. It seemed like a far-out vision and I am not sure if it would happen in my lifetime, but I never thought I could find some initial answers in a place called Bogor, Indonesia. Bogor is a two-hour drive from Jakarta. At first impression, the place is very similar to the Philippines. It is like Los Banos, Laguna by distance with a reminder of Tagaytay for its breathtaking view. It is like Subic for the villas inside the Gunung Geulis Resort, like Baguio for one of the presidential mansions and botanical garden it hosts, and almost like Mindanao for the lifestyle displayed by our Muslim brothers and sisters living in the area. I felt the trip never really went far from home. Faces were the same as that of Filipinos and, regardless of language and religion differences, everybody appeared to share the same hope for a better life. Bogor is considered the cleanest city in West Java,
with approximately 800,000 popula-tions in the central business district and some 2 million in the suburban areas. But according to one Indonesian working for the local government, the place is now under threat of over-development as the population increases every year. “Everybody wants to do everything in their own way. Our acquired democracy from Suharto has turned into demo-“crazy” now,” said Zeki Muhammad, one of the local participants in the Leadership and Management Training who had also come to seek answers on change for his community. From my six days of experiencing Indonesia and diverse young minds converging to find a common solution to the current problems we all face, I realise a leader is not just one person pulling the rope together to bring everyone onto safe grounds. It is about team-work and being self-motivated to initiate something we are dying to start for ourselves and for other people. “Help me to help you,” said Edward Kellow,
head of training from Lead International in London. It is said that leadership is found in helping someone fulfill a dream. “But first thing first, you have to initiate it. You have to find practical ways to plan and deliver your actions. Find people with common dreams as yours and open yourself to feedback as leadership is about everyday learning as well,” he said. Within six days of learning the rules of management, we came up with a pledge before the minister of environment at the posh Sultan Hotel, Jakarta in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the British Council in Indonesia. The pledge spoke about strengthening the Indonesian policy to take courageous steps in developing climate change solutions. From there, I am assured that Zeki’s community and the province of Bogor will be taken care of by the local government of Indonesia. Perhaps good change would also spread throughout the 17, 508 islands and beyond. I am home now - overwhelmed, tired and faced with tighter deadlines. After the trip, did something change? I think, yes. More than convincing the Indonesian ministry of environment to strengthen its policies on climate change with the help of 29 other young people, I realise that I can be part of a system that creates the change I want to see and, for that, I am a leader. So, what’s your story? E
Education is the best way to spread the good change. British Council climate champions from the Asia and Pacific Regions share stories to some 105 young students of TKK SDK school in Sentul City as part of their leadership and project management training on how to develop solutions to climate change problems at an early age. Emerging leaders from the Asia and the Pacific Region gather together to present their action pledges before the Indonesian Minister of Environment at the posh Sultan Hotel in light of the 60th Anniversary of British Council in the country. The pledge urges the government to take concrete actions on climate change and strengthen ties with other sectors present in the occasion - media, British Council officials, government, community, education groups and private stakeholders.
Practice makes perfect. Participants from the British Council Asia and the Pacific leadership training practice their pledge lines for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the British Council in Indonesia, which aims to strengthen ties between regions in solving climate change.
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Profiling an Environmentalist, Profiling Dr Ashok Khosla By Philline Donggay
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t the Bloomberg Office, an unassuming man steps out of the studio after a TV interview. He looks around, and like a person perfectly content, he smiles at the world. He is Dr Ashok Khosla, the former Director of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). It is often mentioned that Dr Ashok Khosla was the person who inspired Al Gore, the former US Vice-President and well-know climate change advocate. The Professor makes the humble clarification that he taught Al Gore in the first course on the environment at Harvard. If he were in fact Gore’s inspiration, he would probably never admit with his most humble of demeanours, considering he was awarded the Sasakawa Environment Prize in 2002 by the UN Secretary General. As the current President of global environmental think-tank, the Club of Rome and Founding Member of the Factor 10 Institute, Dr. Khosla has also served on the board of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Alliance for a New Humanity, the World Future Council, the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). He has recently been elected President of the world’s oldest and largest environmental group, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Development Alternatives (DA), the first social enterprise ever set-up in the Third World, also runs under Dr Khosla’s management. DA combines the objectives of a civil society organisation with those of a profit-oriented business by promoting products and technologies that are both environmentally-friendly and commercially-viable. For 25 years, DA has successfully introduced these alternative solutions to the masses. At a more fundamental level, DA has sought to challenge technology choices, consumption patterns, production systems and the existing designs of our institutions to ensure the long-term ecological health of this now very fragile planet. In her nomination of Dr Khosla to the Sasakawa Environment Prize in 2002, Barbara Pyle, then Vice-president of CNN and Turner Broadcasting Network, and another UNEP Sa-
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sakawa Prize Laureate, summarised Dr Khosla’s contributions into the following 12 categories: 1. Developing Countries and the Environmental Problematique 2. Developing Countries and Global Environmental Negotiations 3. Information and Environmental Management 4. Environment and Poverty 5. Environment and Sustainable Livelihoods 6. Sustainable Livelihoods and Human Fertility 7. Grassroots Democracy and Managing the Local Environment 8. Environment Friendly Technology in a Poor Economy 9. Renewing Environmental Resources 10. Environmental Awareness 11. Building Effective Institutions for Sustainability. 12. Environmental Institutions for the Future: Building the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders As the new IUCN President, Dr Khosla’s contributions to the environment will continue to be significant. Specifically, his presence at the 2009 G8 Summit will raise the international profile of issues relating to the environment and sustainable development. Dr. Khosla boasts an impressive track record of bringing change on the world stage. Representing the UNEP in the 1970s, he essentially dictated the environmental policies of the UN. He described the experience as an “ego-trip” but recognised the need for ground-up action, tackling problems of the “global south” starting from his home country India. Working first-hand with India’s poor through DA was, for him, “greatly fulfilling.” The various technologies he developed have also been transferred and replicated across the globe, wherever such environmentally-friendly technologies can be appropriately applied. Now, in the prime of his life, Dr. Khosla continues unrelentingly to improve the livelihoods of the poor, as well as inspire action amongst the wealthy. When asked about the motivation behind his work, Dr. Khosla mentioned how he felt the society has made a huge investment on him, and that was why he wanted to give back in any way he possibly could. E
Interview with Dr. Khosla
By Philline Donggay
E: In terms of the Environment and Sustainability, what would you like to see achieved in your lifetime? AK: Overall, the health of the environment and the sustainability of our civilization have taken quite a beating over the past few decades.
E: What are your top priorities as IUCN President? AK: The natural systems that make life on our planet possible are in serious trouble. Species of all kinds, ranging from large mammals to tiny microorganisms, are going extinct at a phenomenal rvvate – a rate that is unprecedented in Earth’s history. Our lands and seas, which are the habitats on which we and other species survive, are getting degraded rapidly. And the ecosystem processes, the biological cycles that clean our water, refresh our air and maintain the health of our soils, are getting disrupted. During my four-year term, I plan to build the capability of the Union to intensify worldwide efforts to save and revive all these three aspects of what we call “biodiversity”. E: You are set to join the G8 Summit. What does that mean to IUCN? AK: The G8 Summit is an annual meeting of the Heads of the Governments of the top 8 economies of the world. It is not really open for just anyone who wishes to attend to come in and join it. But it does have to deal with the major issues that we all face. Since biodiversity is, like climate change and other environmental problems, one of these (major issues), the G8 will no doubt have it often on its agenda. Whenever it does, they need to have the world’s top experts present to advise them – and IUCN is certainly one of these. I expect that IUCN will be under considerable pressure to be there on such occasions and normally I or the Director General will be expected to represent the Union. The purpose of being there is, of course, to influence policy and to promote conservation of biodiversity.
I believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave behind a world that can provide the generations that follow us with all that they need to lead healthy, fulfilling and dignified lives. Within our lifetimes, we have to do all we can to make this possible. Otherwise our children will not forgive us. And the awesome potential of our civilization to achieve great things will be lost. E: Does poverty complicate the combat against climate change? AK: Climate change is largely caused by a rise in the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases result from excessive use of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, oil and gas. It is also caused by deforestation, land degradation and the emission of gases from landfill wastes, thawing of permafrost and agriculture and livestock. Most of these activities are the side-effects of affluence. However, the poor also have to survive. In eking out a rudimentary existence, they sometimes also damage the land and forests. And this can lead to emission of greenhouse gases. However, the amount of impact a poor person can have on the emission of these gases is trivial compared with what a citizen from an industrialized country can do. E: Is it true that a technology/method exists to teach people to read and write less than 35 days to a cost of USD $60? AK: Yes, we have developed a technique that uses very sophisticated memory techniques
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Interview with Dr. Khosla By Philline Donggay
such as image morphing, infotainment and story-telling, with which a totally illiterate person can learn to read a newspaper and write a poem in a little over a month. The classes require 90 minutes a day and can be taught by a high school graduate with the help of a computer. Using laptops, the classes could be held in remote villages in the 3rd World and the total cost is no more than $60 E: Why is education the key to combat climate change?
AK: Education is the key weapon in the fight against climate change. First, it enables people to understand the problem and how to deal with it. Second, it enables people to find jobs and livelihoods that are different from those that cause this problem. And, third, as mothers and fathers become educated,
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they tend to have smaller families – slowing down the growth of the world’s population and thus greatly reducing the emission of carbon dioxide into the air. E: How can we support IUCN and Dr Ashok Khosla? I hope to mobilise IUCN and its worldwide constituencies to dramatically raise the profile of biological diversity issues and promote large scale action to save life and the life support systems of our very fragile planet. Each nation, each community and each household will have to be sensitised to the importance and urgency of these issues and informed on how they can contribute to a safer and better world. You can help IUCN by working to strengthening its ability to bring its message to all and by not accepting any failure in this effort. For more information on Dr. Ashok Khosla’s work, visit www.khosla.in. To learn about the projects and programs of Development Alternatives, visit the official website www.devalt.org. For information on IUCN, click on www.iucn.org. Philline’s first encounter with Dr Khosla was in April 2008, at a Diane Fay (www.dianefay.com) lecture “The Greening of Business.” In September of the same year, Diane Fay invited Dr. Khosla to Singapore once again to discuss “The Economics of Sustainability”. This time, Philline was one of Dr Khosla’s escorts for the day. And along with two other colleagues, Philline ‘hung-out’ with the great Professor, escorting him through media interviews, campus visits and the lecture, attended by many of the region’s top business, academic, and political leaders. Her boss Camilla Hall - who has trained her thoroughly in Corporate Social Responsibility, has kindly given us the permission to republish this exclusive interview. E SOURCES: http://www.khosla.in/inspiration.aspx http://www.devalt.org/mission.htm http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/ Default.asp?DocumentID=273&ArticleID=4048 http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/ Default.asp?ArticleID=3175&DocumentID=271
A Growing Controversy: Nuclear Peace or Nuclear War?
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By Ahalya Vijayasrinivasan
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ehind every successful industry is the solution applied through science and technology. Scientists have done the unthinkable, surpassed every expectation, and awed the human race with their ingenious inventions, theories and ideas. However, one answer eludes even the greatest thinkers: what are we going to do when we use up fossil fuels? We cannot even begin to describe our dependence on fossil fuels. Many scientists and international agencies have predicted that Peak Oil Production will happen around 2010. We are fast-approaching the wane of what will soon be known as the “Oil Age.” Are we to abandon all hope of retaining our modern comforts and return to life, caveman-style? Or do we have access to a feasible alternative? Global nuclear energy consumption and production The use of nuclear power, once a taboo subject especially after World War Two, is spreading. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, as of July 2008, “30 countries are operating 439 nuclear reactors for electricity generation and 14 countries are investing in the current construction of 37 new nuclear plants.” Nuclear reactors generate a good 14% of the world’s electricity. France leads the way by producing 77% of its electricity through nuclear means. The largest global consumer of energy, the United States, currently produces 20% of its power from 104 nuclear reactors. The developing world isn’t very far behind. China produced around 60 billion kWh of nuclear power in 2007 and has plans to build 90 more reactors. India only has 13 operating reactors right now, but the recently signed Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement opens her doors to a huge market of previously unattainable nuclear reactor technology and fuels. Does this mean we have found a safe, reliable, and sustainable alternative energy source to keep the world running? Not necessarily. Quality, not quantity
“All the waste in a year from a nuclear power plant can be stored under a desk.” – Ronald Reagan
The Nuclear Arms Stalemate between the Soviets and the Americans during the Cold War.
One of nuclear power’s main attractions is that the most commonly used nuclear fuel, uranium, can be found on every continent and is 40 times more abundant than silver. Further, a very small amount of refined fuel is enough to produce huge amounts of nuclear energy. Although nuclear power production produces much less waste than fossil fuels, this waste is highly toxic in nature and could lead to major safety issues if not disposed of properly. Painstaking steps have to be undertaken to ensure protection against the high levels of harmful radiation from the energy production process. The process of spent nuclear fuel disposal When removed from the reactor, spent nuclear fuel has to be cooled in large pools of water stored in steel-lined concrete basins. After cooling, they are transferred into dry-storage con-
Oil Production is expected to peak around 2010
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A Growing Controversy: Nuclear Peace or Nuclear War? By Ahalya Vijayasrinivasan
Percentage of energy production through nuclear means (country-wise) Spent Nuclear Fuel (recently removed from a reactor) submerged in water for cooling in a UK Reprocessing Plant
Brazil - 0.01 Kazakhstan - 0.6 Pakistan - 1 India - 1.4 China - 1.5 Mexico - 3.2 Netherlands - 4.9 South Africa - 5.7 Russia - 11.4 Argentina - 13.8 Canada - 19.1 USA - 22 UK - 25.8 Czech Rep. - 28.2 Germany - 29.3 Finland - 29.5 Japan - 30.7 Ukraine - 34.2 Spain - 35 Korea RP - 35.5 Switzerland - 36.8 Slovenia - 38 Hungary - 43.8 Bulgaria - 45.6 Slovak Rep. - 49.1 Sweden - 51.1 Belgium - 55.8
00 10 Percent
20
30
40
50
60
70
waste disposal techniques have been tried and tested, most people are unwilling to accept their reassurances. Will the human race be giving up the evils of fossil fuel waste for an even bigger one? Global warming crept up on us when the economy was riding the highs of sweet crude. Countries have struggled since then to keep their carbon emissions under Kyoto Protocol-mandated levels. Will we face the same problems with nuclear fuels?
France - 75.3 Lithuania - 76.4 80
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tainers made of steel and concrete. If the spent nuclear fuel is reprocessed, a highly radioactive, sludge-like residue remains. The residue has to be solidified and stored in a similar way within stainless steel metal canisters. None of the waste can be moved until they are stable and safely stored in this state. While these canisters can be stored above ground temporarily, this is not a permanent storage option. Environmental factors, like wind and rain, could compromise the measures taken against emission of harmful radiation. The only globally accepted safe and permanent storage option available is in deep underground repositories. Even after the waste is stored underground, it has to be monitored constantly against leaks at least until its radiation decreases to safe levels. Between a rock and a hard place Although global warming is one of mankind’s biggest environmental problems right now, replacing fossil fuels with nuclear fuel wouldn’t make our lives necessarily any easier. Even though policy makers and politicians constantly remind us that our safety will not be compromised and that nuclear
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World War Two, the Cold War. What next? Even if we don’t, the propagation of nuclear power production presents a much bigger, more violent problem. When “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” were unleashed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War Two, the world saw the horrific capabilities of nuclear power. To this day, people living in these areas are still being affected by the radiation from those bombs. Then came the nuclear arms race between the superpowers during the Cold War. The Americans had confidence in what they thought was their monopoly on nuclear knowledge and uranium. But, in 1949, the Soviets shocked them by detonating a bomb that was similar in destructive power to Fat Man. It wasn’t long before both governments were investing billions of dollars in the race to declare nuclear supremacy. Although nothing terrible ever happened, the Cold War irreparably changed the face of nuclear power. It made us fully appreciate what could happen in a war fuelled by the technology we have now; it also allowed scientists to discover new, more destructive nuclear weapons. The world has become like a ticking nuclear bomb. Developed nations can launch an attack on any part of the world with the special air-strike nuclear missiles developed during the Cold War; together, the United States and Russia have 24,000 nuclear weapons. Developing nations like India and China are expanding their nuclear power sectors and dabbling in nuclear weapon testing. Some countries like Iran are trying to spend large amounts of money and attention on nuclear fuel usage and development. And with ever-increasing tensions along the India-Pakistan border, who is to say that nuclear weapons will
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not feature in a possible war between two countries belonging to the ‘Nuclear Club’? The Future If the past is anything to go by, the future of nuclear power doesn’t seem very promising. Disasters like Chernobyl and the nuclear weapon testing scandal at Bikini Atoll are prime examples of what can go wrong and how badly innocent people could get hurt. On the other hand, nuclear power does seem like a perfect alternative to fossil fuels – nuclear fuel is abundant, energy production capabilities are high, and very small quantities of wastes are produced. What’s not to like about nuclear energy? Pose that question to the people who discovered the energy capabilities of fossil fuels. Crude oil and coal were the cornerstones in a then- emerging high-tech, industrialised era. Developing countries depended heavily on coal to fire up their industrial economies and wealthy countries became the largest consumers of crude. This intense usage of fossil fuels, however, led to a phenomenon that is rapidly becoming a household name: global warming. It is evident that everything we do has environmental ramifications and we must bear these in mind. We need to develop a globally standardised, safe and reliable method of disposing
radioactive wastes resulting from nuclear power production. This process must be continually and closely monitored. We cannot affordany slip-up, not in a world which electricity needs could potentially be solely dependent on nuclear power. And what about nuclear power plants? When these structures become common, it is of utmost importance that we are able to ensure that what happened at Chernobyl never happens again. Who will regulate individual plants’ safety procedures with thousands of nuclear power plants dotting Earth’s landscape? Then there is the possibility of nuclear warfare. A nuclear war would devastate the environment, kill thousands of people and make regions of Earth uninhabitable for prolonged periods of time. If and when nuclear fuels become more widespread, how can we be sure that all countries are going to be equally responsible with the resources they have access to? For example, they will need to prevent nuclear materials from falling into terrorists’ hands. They will also need to present a united front against the possibility of a nuclear arms race, which could lead to possible nuclear attacks. Unfortunately, as of today, these questions and problems remain unanswered. However one thing is for sure: if the above concerns cannot be adequately addressed, nuclear power cannot be a reliable answer to the world’s energy problems. E
Black Uranium Ore The Fat Man Mushroom Cloud resulting from the Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki rose 18km into the air on 9th August 1945.
Total CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Year 2000, by Country
Total CO2 Emissons (million metric tons carbon)
45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000
USSR/Russia United States
1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005
0 - 10 10 - 100 100 - 500 500 - 1000 1000 - 1600
US and USSR Nuclear Weapon Stockpiles from 1945 to 2005; most weapons were p roduced during the Cold War Period.
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Design for Good – The Urgent Need for Green Architect(ure) By Wang Ye
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Hailed at its time in the mid-20th century as the lightest, strongest and most cost-effective structure, the geodesic dome was designed by Buckminster Fuller to cover the maximum possible space without internal support. Thousands have since been constructed around the world, particularly to offer inexpensive shelter to homeless families in Africa. By 1957, he had refined the design so that an enormous auditorium-sized geodesic dome was assembled in 22 hours in Honolulu. (http:// www.designmuseum.org/ design/r-buckminster-fuller) The 30 St Mary Axe, designed by British architect Norman Foster in 1997, uses half the energy consumed by typical office towers through a system of natural ventilation and insulation created by huge shafts that run up and down 41 floors. (http://www.fosterand partners.com)
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am fed-up when people use “green” as a buzzword. We are working in neighbourhoods when sustainability is a matter of life and death for people.” These remarks were made by Cameron Sinclair, Executive Director and Co-founder of Architecture for Humanity at the Principal Voices 2008 debate, held last year at the Red Dot Design Museum. The topic “Design for Good” explored the direction of future architecture and how eco-conscious designs would be necessary for us to stay within the environmental limits of our planet. As we finally come to terms with the reality of climate change, buildings have come under the spotlight, as they are significant contributors of greenhouse gas emissions as well as a major source of energy consumption. The challenge today is to bring sustainable architecture to a large scale, and in an economically viable way, for it certainly takes more than talk. In 2006, Sinclair made his TED price wish to develop a community that actively embraces innovative and sustainable design to improve living conditions for all. Two years on, his wish has been granted with the launch of the Open Architecture Network, an open source online platform where designers can share ideas and review designs. Together with the One Laptop per Child initiative, simple sustainable building designs could be accessible to remote corners of the world, and potentially improve the lives of 100 million slum dwellers and disaster victims. Sinclair noted that while the term “sustainability” has increasingly become a confusing concept, it simply refers to low-cost maintenance through innovative designs that minimise energy consumption
by employing renewable energy sources. “In the projects I’ve done, I’m always very concerned that they actually work well for the people who use them”, said Peter Head, Director of Arup and fellow panelist. Indeed, architecture extends well beyond just creating a spectacular skyline. How can we build an eco-city that engages the community while preserving its cultural roots? The way the people have lived there, the way they have interacted with nature, and with each other, are all the little details that Head feels are extremely important to be considered in designing an infrastructure of which the community can take ownership. Moses Wong of Temasek Design School offered the perhaps clichéd analogy that the new generation of architecture students must design with their heart, not simply with their head. Of course, clichés are most often very true. Sinclair then took a further step to examine the ethical footprint of the designer. “What about the labour
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utilised in the construction of the building? Are they ethical?” he questioned. The designer has to be aware of the whole impact of his project, so that is within his responsibility as well. This idea is not new. Designer and theorist Buckminster Fuller coined the term “4D design” in the 1920s to argue for design considerations beyond the three dimensions of space to also the attendant consequences for humanity instead of only immediate personal gain. However, such considerations are certainly more pressing now, as design today finds itself shouldering a massive responsibility: to reduce poverty by providing simple, cost-effective and self-sustainable homes, and to minimize energy
consumption and dependence on fossil fuels through large scale implementation of green buildings. What would it take to realise all these? One thing is clear, we must start thinking and implementing ideas soon, or else we will run out of time. E
According to the TED website (http://www.ted.com), TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives. The TED Prize is designed to leverage the TED Community’s exceptional array of talent and resources. It is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals, who each receive $100,000 and, much more important, the granting of “One Wish to Change the World.” These wishes have led to collaborative initiatives with far-reaching impact.
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4
green ways
to save dollars By Kenneth Goh
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ith the global economy plummeting to its lowest levels since the Great Depression, recession is already a certainty in Singapore. But that doesn’t give you the excuse to abandon eco-friendly habits in your frantic search for ways to tighten your purse-strings. Here are four eco- and walletfriendly tips to get recession-ready.
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Go Thrift-(Shop)
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Cut Energy
While “The Cash Converter” may not be the first place that hits your mind when you think of shopping, this “cash and recycle” store concept presents a unique two-way traffic of buying “second-hand” goods or exchanging unused items for cash (see, you recycle and earn money, too!). Of course, your goods must be in working condition and fit for resale. The process is fuss-free, with instant cash paid once the price has been mutually agreed upon. One person’s rubbish could very well be another person’s treasure, so you never know what could end up in your catch among the myriad of second-hand wares from household goods such as TVs, electrical appliances, hi-fi to sporting gear, and even jewellery. Your (dieting) wallet will be happy to note that most are them are at lower-than-market prices, allowing you to reduce spending and consumer waste while recycling your goods at the same time – a definite win-win! Singapore currently has five Cash-Converter stores at Tampines, Jurong, Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio and Admiralty. Visit http://www.cashconverters-asia.com for more details. Another alternative is the aptly named Salvation Army’s line of Family Thrift Shops. Most of the items are donated by the public and given a new lease of life at lower prices. You can expect books, vintage jewelery or clothes (which are oh-so-chic), coats and many household equipment, all screaming, “I’m cheap!” The Family Thrift Shops have branches at Upper Bukit Timah Road and Upper Serangoon. Visit http://www.salvationarmy.org for more information.
iPod, Blackberry, Laptop. The essential must-haves of every self-respecting urbanite. Rather than ditching these important, but energy-sapping gadgets away (and risk heart-attacks), a more practical and sensible approach would be to reduce their power consumption or use them more efficiently. Although they are power-suckers, let’s face it, they save so much hassle and simplify laborious tasks into breezy clicks. Sadly, the appetites of such electronic equipment are not as bite-size as they look. While they are innocently left on standby mode or charging for hours, they drain valuable energy, especially for those which are left running 24/7. Enter: “The Power Strip” - a line of multiple sockets that allows multiple electrical devices to be plugged in at the same time. The good: it draws power from a single source and branches it out to the various devices, drawing from close proximity. This helps to cut down a significant amount of energy when setting up computer or audio-video systems, which consist of many devices. With a flick of a switch, all the connected devices or rechargeable stuff, can be switched off or on (more towards off, please) conveniently. Improved technology has allowed some strips, such as the Eco-strip, to automatically stop supplying power to a fully-charged device. These power-strips can be easily found at hardware stores such as HandiFix or in your friendly neighbourhood shops.
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3 Light-ten your electrical bill About 20% of the utilities bill of an average household goes to electricity. To shed figures off your bill, switch to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), instead of the cheaper, but inefficient, incandescent bulbs. Studies have shown that CFLs use between 60% and 80% less energy than the latter in the long run. (This varies with different brands of CFLs.) Let’s do the math: a CFL has a longer shelf life of 8,000 to 15,000 live hours, whereas the shelf life of the average incandescent bulb is a mere 1,000 hours. Effectively, any savings in bills after using a CFL for 500 hours go straight into your coffers. This works out to saving up to $30 per CFL used. Furthermore, an average CFL weighs around 450g. Multiply this by 2,000 times for transportation and you help to save some 900kg of greenhouse gas emissions. CFLs have come a long way in terms of light quality and versatility. Technological leaps have created a much eye-pleasing “soft-white” light. CFLs have also become more flexible, coming in dimmable and three–way fixture versions. One tip: due to its small amount of mercury (6mg per watt), do not toss your CFLs directly into the bins or risk mercury poisoning - cancer-causing mercury fumes can diffuse into the air. Instead, double-wrap the tube in several plastic bags. That way, you help recycle plastic bags, too. Phillips has a few models of CFLs, such as the Genie 18W CDL Series. You can find such models at the ubiquitous Harvey Norman or Best Denki stores islandwide.
Recycle what you eat Travel back to school recess days with the nostalgic “blast-from-the-past” lunch-box! Packing food to work or school looks set to be in vogue with rising prices of commodities like rice, oil, sugar (you name it), which, in turn, increases the cost of eating at the hawker centres or food courts ($3 seems to be the new $2.50, if you want to feel sufficiently full). The perennial stalwart of packed lunch is still the fuss-free sandwich and fruit combo. Packing lunch need not be an elaborate affair, given the very hectic hours in the morning. Instead of cooking from scratch, why not recycle last night’s dinner? You can re-use ingredients like the veggies or meat, re-heating them as sandwich fillings or a simple dish of fried rice. Recycling aside, you also minimize waste by not dumping dinner leftovers. Besides, you will also be eating from a reusable plastic container, lunch bag and metal utensils from home – all non-disposables. Just rinse them with water and they are good for another round. Heat can come courtesy of the pantry’s microwave oven. To complete the circle, bring any food waste home and put them in your kitchen’s compost pile as organic fertilizers. So, pack in and save up. E
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Let’s Eat Slowly By Kenneth Goh
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hink Slow Food Movement and, chances are, most people would take the term literally. However, more than simply appreciating your food at a snail’s pace, the internationally-renowned Slow Food Movement is waging a battle against consumers’ diminishing interest in the food they put into their mouths– from its origins to its production and, of course, its impact on the environment. Hands up if you ever thought about the carbon footprint of your imported steak or savouries...or bothered about whether the mass production of food and livestock was good for the planet or human health. The 19-year-old movement, which boasts some 85,000 members across 121 countries, was founded by the Italian gastronome and journalist Carlo Petrini. He wished to raise public awareness of the social and ethical implications on the food choices we make – along the confusing aisles of supermarkets or over menus at a restaurant. So what are the main tenets of this revolutionary movement?
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Why Go Slow? Given today’s unapologetically industrialised style of farming, the rate and quantity of food production have overshadowed the imperative of conserving and sustaining Mother Nature. Environmentally unfriendly agricultural practices, such as the widespread use of chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds, have contributed to a slew of environmental woes-global warming, rising tidal levels, shrinking biodiversity, the list goes on. Additionally, blithely unfair trade practices have trapped millions of subsistence farmers and workers in the vicious poverty cycle while they grow large quantities of crops for the profit of “big business”. Against this backdrop of agricultural and economic practices, the Slow Food Movement promotes the use and consumption of slow food, defined as clean, eco-friendly and all-natural wholesome foods appealing to the senses. For Slow Foodies, everyone – whether farmer, urbanite, rich, or poor-has the right to enjoy good, clean and fair food that neither harms the environment nor compromises farmers’ rights and consumers’ health. This movement strives to strike a fine balance between enjoying one’s gastronomy, without tipping the environmental equilibrium. More specifically, the Slow Food Movement aims to be the bridge between producers and co-producers, thereby strengthening cooperation and understanding from the bottom-up. The movement considers us regular people as co-producers rather than passive consumers. As co-producers, we should take the initiative to learn more about our food – the production processes, the problems faced by the various parties (farmers, traders) en route to their kitchens.
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The Slow Food Movement is also taking the defence of our food biodiversity to a bold new level. To Slow Foodies, genetically engineered crops and seeds are No-Nos as they cause genetic pollution, which contaminates and upsets the natural environment. The movement has specially set up the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, which preserves local food traditions and promotes small-scale quality products. It has since spearheaded a few internationally known projects such as The Ark of Taste and Presidia. In its 12th year, The Ark of Taste is a growing online catalogue of foods from around the world that have been forgotten or are on the verge of social extinction. More than 500 varieties of animal breeds, fruit and vegetable have been recorded, in a bid to rediscover and promote lost food and flavours. Visit http://www.slowfoodfoundation.org/eng/ arca/lista.lasso to access the tongue-tingling food catalogue. What do the Slow People do? As the farmer poet Wendell Berry says, “eating is an agricultural act”; it follows that producing food must be considered a “gastronomic act”. One of the most interesting aspects of the Slow Food Movement is the concept of “Eco-gastronomy”, which cements the symbiotic relationship between planet and palates. This involves Slow Foodies supporting local small producers and taking time to learn about culinary traditions and protecting them from extinction. Slow Foodies would then translate their beliefs into actions by organising local and, sometimes, international tasting sessions and festivals. A notable event that happened recently was the annual five-day Slow Food Festival in Germany, where the world congregated to taste endangered foods and attend wide-ranging food seminars and workshops. Indeed, such programmes would also educate children about the taste of food and nurture an
appreciation of a healthy diet. The Slow Foodies have also gone as transnational as the agribusinesses they fight. The movement has spearheaded a series of campaigns including the Slow Food Manifesto in defence of raw milk cheese in 2001 (see http://www.cheese.slowfood.com) and The Slow Food Manifesto for Quality. In 2008, the movement launched its timely Manifesto on Climate Change and the Future of Food Security in the joint Terra Madre-Salone del Gusto series of conferences held in October in Torino, Italy. The manifesto focused on the pressing issues faced by today’s industrial globalized food system, such as the shift in climate caused by energyintensive agricultural methods and solutions to mitigate them, centered on sustainable ecological and organic farming.
Enjoy eating - slow
Closer to our shores Originating in gastro-manic Italy, this tireless movement has stretched way beyond its shores with an extensive network of 1,000 convivia (small local chapters). Singapore has her very own Slow Food Movement Covivia since October 1999! The 75-member strong group meets every last Saturday of the month for lunch. Events consist of multi-course meals at different restaurants drawn from a diverse range of cuisines. For more information, drop by their website at http://www.slowfood.org.sg! E
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Corporate Sustainability: Green Golf Clubs? Keppel Golf Club shares some tips. By Ryan Teo
M
ost people view golf clubs as resourceintensive infrastructure. The very nature of the golf course requires clearing of a large plot of land and extensive maintenance of the grounds with water, fertilizer and electricity. However, a recent visit to Keppel Golf Club (KGC) showed us that golf clubs could implement certain measures that help to preserve the environment and save electricity and water, while also shaving costs. Even though these measures were still in the infant stages of implementation, good progress has been made at KGC. Situated close to HarbourFront MRT station, KGC boasts facilities such as an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a bowling alley, a gymnasium and restaurants. It is also home to one of the few remaining pockets of natural biodiversity in Singapore. It has a small mangrove swamp that provides a valuable resting place for migratory birds and wildlife. Mr Desmond Chua, Senior Manager (Golf Course & Golfing), shared with us that caring for this small gift of nature provided the impetus for the club to consider other areas for improvement. Mr Masran, Assistant Manager of Maintenance & Housekeeping, gave us a walking tour to explain the efforts that the club has undertaken in environmental conservation. Employing a systematic approach, KGC has chosen to “divide and conquer” the problem by looking at four individual areas, namely water, lighting, airconditioning and electricity. Mr Masran explained that water management was very important to KGC to preserve the pristine condition of the golf course. He shared that KGC has started experimenting with a new sprinkler system, which could save up to 50% of the course’s water usage. KGC was also considering proposals to change the bathroom taps to water-saving ones. In the area of lighting, Mr Masran explained that KGC has installed motion sensors within some areas to optimise lighting usage. He also noted that the club was considering different types of lighting to replace the current energy-inefficient
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ones, such as LED lighting and T5 lighting with electronic ballast. However, KGC did face difficulty in replacing the existing floodlights with energy-efficient alternatives. Mr Masran revealed that despite these energy-saving measures, the bulk of the energy costs still came from air-conditioning. Following the National Environment Agency’s recommendations, the club has set its air-conditioning temperature to 25°C for its offices. It has also taken the measures a step further by using fans whenever possible. Mr Masran also mentioned that KGC would perform regular maintenance of the air-conditioning system to preserve its performance. However, he admitted that the system could be better optimised if the current system was changed to a central air-conditioning system. Mr Desmond Chua was happy to share with us how the club promoted environmental awareness among staff and members. A popular activity organised by the club was the cleaning up of the mangrove swamp, which brought both members and staff together. KGC also hosts several dedicated birdwatchers regularly. For an organisation to turn “green”, it requires commitment and understanding from the senior management down to the junior staff. However, this involves a change in daily usage habits before undertaking investment in retrofitting or adding other infrastructure. Organisations also have additional financial impetus in the current negative economic climate to reduce costs. So, is your next golf game going to be environmentally friendly? E
The cometh of Eco-tourism
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By Jefferson Tan
M
y mum recently returned from her muchhyped trip to Bhutan. On the day of her return, our family went to pick her up. Before we even got to say, “Welcome back, mum,” we were bombarded with a barrage of information about the country. She waxed lyrical about its beautiful Taktshang Monastery, which sits precariously on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the valley floor, its perpetually jovial, gregarious and considerate people, and their extremely clean, litter-free roads. As mum put it, “They don’t have any road cleaners there lah.” But most of all, she was struck by the pristine, seemingly untainted environment and a nation with its culture relatively still intact. “That,” she said, “was eco-tourism.” Well, that got me pretty interested. I was intrigued by the notion of maintaining responsible travel to natural areas that protects the environment but also improves the welfare of the local people. Bhutan has placed restrictions on the number of tourists permitted to enter the country per year. For the fortunate 21,000 who manage to get in (by 2007 figures), they have to spend a minimum of US$200 per day. These tight regulations are seen as a way of protecting the environment and cultural traditions of the Bhutanese. In addition, visitors experience activities that are minimally invasive to the environment. These include trekking in primary forests, looking out for the national bird, the black-necked crane, in the Phobjikha Valley, to joining a Buddhist rite to the “tsechu”, honouring Guru Rimpoche who travelled around the Himalayas spreading tantic Buddhism. For these “upscale” eco-tourists whom the Bhutanese government is targeting, they can be heartened to hear that their money is put to good use. Local education programmes and even one of the world’s first environmental trust funds have been funded from their contributions. With “green” being the “in” thing, eco-tourism has been increasingly sought after throughout the world and incorporated into tour
packages by agencies such as “ResponsibleTravel”, “I-to-I” and our local “STA Travel”. From cycling trips along villages by the Mekong, low impact camping in Yellowstone Park, volunteering at Skaftafell National Park in Iceland, to purchasing carbon credits (though controversial) for your flight down to the Chalalan ecolodge in Bolivia, the notion of responsible travel has never been stronger among travellers. However, many critics have lamented that tourists are “green-washed” into going for such tours that claim to be “environmentally friendly”. Strictly speaking, eco-tourism does not simply imply environmentally non-damaging travel. Rather, it is about how one’s visit may also
Takshang Monastery
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The cometh of Eco-tourism By Jefferson Tan
Picturesque Countryside Black-Necked Crane in Phobjikha A Common Scene in Bhutan Classrooms
improve both existing environmental programmes and the lives of locals. Skeptics charge that the locals in many countries do not actually benefit from these eco-tours. In Bulgaria, a 2003 report found that one of the factors impeding the eco-tourism industry was the people’s anxiety about appearing backward and uncivilised with regard to how visitors would view their practices. To solve this, however, government policies play an important part. Regulating logging practices for timber industries and encouraging more people to join the tourism industries are some ways governments could prepare their people for eco-tourism. In addition, growing evidence suggests that, rather than being protected,
many national parks, forests, reefs and other natural habitats are increasingly damaged by constant tours. With the seasonal influx of visitors, how can there be no impact on ecosystems with their cycles forged after hundreds of years? Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica was such a “victim” of its own popularity. Developers built many hotels in the area, and the attendant high visitation rate threatened the population of monkeys and other wildlife. In Asia, careless tourists have damaged the reefs of many islands. Some even remove a piece of coral as a souvenir for their trip! Such action contradicts the original intent of eco-tourism, that is, responsible travel.
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Nonetheless, for many “green fighters” of the day, it is heartening to see a whole new generation of “green kids” being so enthusiastic about protecting the environment and sustaining it for future travellers and their own “green kids” as well. Well, that brings us back to my own “green mum”. After we finally said hello to her, she rattled on about the famous Buddhist parable of “Thuenpa Puenzhi” (the “Four Friends”). It talks about the importance of the role played by each of the four animals: the peacock that found the seed and planted it, the rabbit who watered it, the monkey who fertilised it and the elephant who guarded it day and night. However, most importantly, when the tree finally bore fruit, they worked together by stacking upon one another to reach it. The work of these “Four Friends” symbolises peace, harmony and cooperation. This tale has led the Bhutanese government and people to embrace the notion of maintaining and respecting a peaceful coexistence with nature. Indeed, if we work together to protect the environment through eco-tours, we could look forward to reaping the fruit ourselves. E More info: If you’ll like to go on your own eco-friendly travel, try Singapore-based STA Travel, http://www. stavtravel.com.sg/.
Care for your environment and your body too! By Wang Ye
“A
worthwhile firm must have a purpose for its existence. Not only the everyday work-a-day purpose to earn a just profit, but beyond that, to improve in some way the quality of the community to which it is committed.” (The Mission of Kiehl’s since 1851) It was just last year when the sixth and seventh Kiehl’s stores were opened in Singapore. At the opening of the sixth store at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Khiel’s launched a new line of designer tote bags, created by eight of Singapore’s very own local celebrities, including JJ Lim, Hossan Leong and Mindy Ong. Partnered with the Singapore Environmental Council (SEC), each design embodied poignant messages to save our environment, aligning with the theme “You can change the world with Kiehl’s”. Selling at an affordable price of $18, 100 percent of the sales proceeds will go to the SEC to support its environmental causes. In addition, Kiehl’s presented a cheque for $30,000 to SEC President Howard Shaw. Since its founding over 150 years ago as an old world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood, Kiehl’s has always embraced the spirit of giving back to the community. Though it has had many philanthropic efforts throughout its history, including notable efforts for AIDS, it decided to be “a big voice for the environment” this year, according to brand manager Michelle Chew. And as with many of its previous campaigns, the company goes well beyond mere fund raising. For example, Kiehl’s recently began sourcing its organic argan oil through a fair-trade relationship with the Targanine Cooperative, so as to ensure that women in Morocco receive a fair price for their products. “Sometimes it’s not about the business. After all, recycled plastic is more expensive and uglier than new plastic, so it is quite a big challenge for a retail business,” explained Chew, noting how Khiel’s has been using recycled and recyclable materials for their simple, effective packaging in order to be more environmentally friendly. Despite all of its efforts, sometimes the hardest thing is just getting people to care. “If it affects you, you’ll feel for it,” said Irene Ang while explaining the design of her bag, pointing out how living in the comfortable shades of Singapore allows us to easily feel far removed from both the causes and effects of a damaged environment. Yet her simple answer to the “why bother” question was that as global citizens, whatever happens to the planet affects us all. It was a theme clearly echoed through the event, embodied well in the design on JJ Lim’s bag of SAVE – Simple Act, Vast Effect. Kiehl’s efforts enable us to appreciate that it is time to remove the idea that saving the world is tedious. And the truth is: it is simple, and the choice is ours. E
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Contact us today to be in our next issue! Details Mailing Address: ECO Sphere, 87 Beach Road, Chye Sing Building, #06-01, Singapore 189695 Phone: +65 6333 5543 Fax: +65 6333 5537 Email: editor@eco-singapore.org Website: www.eco-singapore.org
EXPRESS! is ECO Singapore’s official free quarterly magazine focused on environmental issues from a youth perspective for the youth. It was launched by a team of volunteers in 2005 and remains as one of the leading youth-oriented environmental magazines in Singapore. The EXPRESS! family believes that we can do much more by sharing our opinions and hopes on environmental issues with other youths.