Proposal Presentation 1

The environment department presented their proposal on light pollution and recycling today.

Here are the various points asked/raised/discussed:

1. Light pollution

• Our objectives were not focused enough (great complexity in our project)
• Questioned about our ability to be able to convince the whole population that our project is worth it. (eg. why should they change their bulbs?)
• Case study of Japan and Korea to know more about their efforts towards changing light bulbs.

2. Recycling

• More feasible idea - come up with a programme package for primary school children ; a creative approach to promote recycling amongst primary school children ; different methods to approach the topic of recycling
• Proposed "recycling day" needs more refinement

These are the points raised today.

Groups, please look into the roots and shoots website to look for potential roots and shoots members to collaborate with us so that we can take our projects global.

At the same time, do take some time to look at some of the existing projects that are inside the project database. Perhaps, we can modify some of the ideas or some inspiration will be generated from these existing ideas.

At the same time, please take a look at Saturday's (24/02/2007) Straits Times. Under the Saturday section, page 12. This article talks about Australia banning the use of incandescent bulbs and pushing for fluorescent bulbs. From nothing to a ban in incandescent bulbs, great push isn't it? Can we model it?

Similarly, in Sunday's (25/02/2007) Sunday Times, page 22. The article talks about "vampire" sockets. Not sure what they are? Read the article about it ! At the same time, it mentions about global warming, carbon emisisons in general.

Lastly, I will like to draw your attention to today's (26/02/2007) Straits Times. Under Home Section, page 6. This article talks about the measures taken/planned/proposed by the Singapore government to cut down carbon emissions and to cope with climate change. This article might just make you have some ideas for other possible environmental-related projects (a collaboration with a government organisation?).

Woa ! See, there are so many articles on the newspapers to help generate ideas for projects. So do look out in the newspapers for these articles. You might want to cut out these articles and keep them for reference in the future. This can also act as a brainstorming process. For those who do not have the newspapers and would like to have one copy of the article, please let me know and I will pass you the article.

Thanks !

Wei Pin

More Ideas on Light Pollution

More activities have been thought for the project on light pollution.

Here are the activities:

• We could source for manufacturers to offer us energy-efficient and low cost light bulbs. After which, we can sell the light bulbs to raise funds for other projects in Roots and Shoots
• A table showing the different amount of energy used and saved can be done up to educate the public on the importance of using energy-efficient light bulb
• As mentioned in the previous post, we can source for schools in SEA to collaborate with us on light pollution as the awareness in SEA is low.
• We can invite experts in this area to give a talk to students

These are the ideas generated today

Wei Pin

Heal the Earth with your passion and compassion

Please Update me on your Environmental Projects

Dear All,

Please update me on your environmental projects by giving me descriptions of what your project is about. This is so that I can put it on the blog and others can get to know what we are doing for the environment. Besides giving me a project description, please send me the names of your group members which are involved so that others who are interested to join know who to look for. You can send me your project details via my email. My email is mirkwood_elf254@hotmail.com. Thank you and have a Happy Lunar New Year!

Philemon
3I

Light Pollution

One of the ideas that we have is on light pollution.

There was a discussion held in the afternoon together with Philemon's brother, Philip, on light pollution.

Some of the points discussed:

• The general awareness of light pollution in South-East Asia (SEA) is low ; However, in some US states, they are doing very well at curbing light pollution
• Light pollution occurs when excessive and unnecessary light is spilled out, harmining the environment, animals
• Light pollution disrupts astronomy studies and have a harmful effects on migratory birds

Here is a basic overview of the activity we can do:

• Organise a talk for students on light pollution (Rationale being to raise awareness of light pollution)
• As mentioned earlier, light pollution affects astronomy studies. Therefore, we can have a star-gazing session and we can learn more about the effects of light pollution on astronomy studies. (Philip mentioned that we can tie in with the JC astronomy club)
• Tentative date for star-gazing should be on 25th May (Time to prepare, get response)

That's roughly the activities for now. More will be brainstormed and implemented.

Wei Pin

We are destroying the environment now. In the future, the environment destroys us.

Environmental Blog

Hi everyone out there, this blog belongs to the environmental department of the Hwa Chong Roots and Shoots Club.

We will be posting our discussions and ideas that our department have on this blog.

That's about all !

Wei Pin
Be environmentally friendly, throw recyclable materials into the recycle bins.