Small Changes Big Differences

Clear your waste

2007-06-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Waste Generation
Recycling
Environmental Health

On a nice Wed afternoon, I was roaming around Singapore Botanic Garden to practise my photography. I have got suce nice photos taken during the trip but some sighting that I came across makes me think a little.

I saw this along the pathway in Botanic Garden !

A closer view for you.

If you thinking...How long had this been there?.. Look again

Come on, the Botanic is a place of such beauty this kind of waste should not be left around. I guess its time for NPark to do some serious work!

Read to living earth more friendly

2007-06-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

This is the lastest book I am reading. Go grab a copy(got my from kinokuniya) or simply ring me up to borrow this book. If you are willing to change a little, read this book and start action! I am not totally done with it yet and if I come across any good ones... I will be sharing on this blog! Happy reading!

(The Rough Guide to Ethical Living Duncan Clark - Author )

Eco-Shopping

2007-06-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Waste Generation
Global Warming
Recycling
Consumerism
Threaten Biodiversity

Shopping is a great past time indeed. The culture of "shop till you drop" is going to reappear among many Singaporean as the Great Singapore Sales comes round once again. With GST increasing to 7% from the previous 5% starting from 1st July, I think people will be going all out to finish the much needed shopping list this month. Here are some tips about shopping in a more sustainable way.

Bring your own bag to reduce using plastic bags
Buy only products and brands that are fairly traded and companies that bothers to care for the environment
Buy local product as far as possible, because imported goods from faraway land means increase emission during transportation.
Buy products which can be recycled at their end-life.
Buy recycled products.
Look out for the energy saving stars on electrical goods.
Choose products that are not “thickly” packaged, the wastage on packages can be reduced.
Buy things only because you need not because they are on sales.
Buy second-hand goods to avoid wastage and to encourage reusing.
Don’t buy products made from threaten animals.

I guess shopping is a way of lifestyle for some of you. Just consider a little more and buy lesser. The world can become a better place for our future generation to live in.

To drive or not to drive?

2007-06-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Global Warming

I have not yet secured my driving pass. Since I never wanted to buy a car, taking driving lessons had always been seen as a waste of time to me. Just a while ago, a friend asked me if she should learn driving. I encouraged her to go ahead. As for myself, I guess sooner or later I need to be able to drive too. Unless there are cheaper and more energy efficient vehicle for me to buy, I dun think I will drive in Singapore. The public transport system in this country is comprehensive enough for us. If you currently own a car, hey it is just fine. Choose to take the train at time, especially during weekends when you need to go town. Parking is expensive the ERPs can cost you much. If everyone drive lesser. WOW ! Car pool/sharing is good too. Before you jump into the decision on buying a car consider the waste of resources and the energy wasted to make these vehicles.

*Please drive if you really need, yet at other times give your car a rest, take the train. That little time you are not driving, the CO2 emission is also reduced remember?

Eco Action 5 June 2007

2007-05-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Global Warming

I didn't attend the brief, but I will just be following the basic instructions here. So on June 5th, lets do it together, switch off unnecessary lighting and office equipments. Remember to tell your colleagues why you are doing this to spread the word around!

WOW!

Take Cold Showers = Save Electricity!

2007-05-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Energy Wastage
Global Warming
Saving Water

When cycling in Pulau Ubin this morning, I was nearly knocked out by the heat. I used much water to cool myself down. The day went smoothly except that I quit earlier than the group. I was back home finally at night (In between went to Alvan's place and later the gang come over my house for dinner and games). It was time for me to shower and clean up. The heat gathered from the morning some how still lingers in my head a little. Took a cold shower as my finger refuse to switch the heater ON. My mum who is quite an expert in self-help remedy told me that taking cold shower has many benifit as compared to warm shower.

This then came upon me, how much energy can be saved if people staying in hot places like Singapore can take cold shower everyday without the heater? I will find out more on the actual saving in electricity but as of now take this with you: Take cold showers = save electricity!

* Oh yah if you noticed the related environmental issues I added Saving Water too..... HOW?
I believe at many times when anyone take a nice warm shower, tendency to stay under the running waters is longer.

* One step further if you think too much can mean doing without the heaters. But I think at times we should still be rewarding our body a nice hot shower after a day of hard work huh?

Have better reception when you stand by the windows

2007-05-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Energy Wastage
Global Warming

Some of you may know that I recently moved into my new place. Some of you may also know that I had been complaining about certain blind spots in my house that I have low/no signal reception. I filed complaint to * hub but apparently they will not be doing anything soon! Makes me think a little of the situation, I get angry (since our whole family uses * hub). Imagine having to stand by the window at home when you need to use the mobile phone. Until my friend Ray, reminded me the concept that indoor usage of mobile phone require more power to get connected. I figured out that a little change of location when we use our mobile phone can make big differences in energy saving. Keep your phone near the windows when you are at home. If you need to use your phone, stand near a window. You will use less power to get connected by doing so.

Save the plastic bag today, Save our earth tomorrow!

2007-05-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

Environmental Issues:
Waste Generation
Non-biodegradable Waste
Toxic Waste
Global Warming

The 'Bring Your Own Bag Day' (BYOBD) happens in Singapore every first Wed of the month. As for me I decided to do it everyday! As far as possible, I always bring along a backpack or sling bag when I go out (whether I am going shopping or not). To help spread the word and culture around, I go one step further whenever the cashier/sale person give me a shopping bag. I will proclaim loudly, "Save the plastic bag today, Save our earth tomorrow". By doing so, sometimes the next shopper behind/beside me will somehow feel a little "paiseh" (embarrass) to take the plastic bag also. Also the culture of using less plastic bag can be spread to more people.

*My personal golden rule of my thumb...... When you really need a plastic bag at times, go ahead take one just make sure you will reuse them. Don't just throw them away!

Foreword

2007-05-28T04:27:00.000-07:00

"Small Changes Big Differences"
Have you done your part to save our planet today? Wondered how can we as individual can make much difference? Well with this blog, you can make the small changes in your daily living yet makes big differences towards our environment. Small ways yet big results! Be it, fighting global warming, conserving nature or reducing environmental health impacts, this blog can act as a platform to suggest you ways to make THE Differences! Share with me your little changes and how meaningful they are to you. Ecological Footprint; are your set of "prints minifootprint" ? Try This for a start: http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp