Climate Conversations: #LetsTalk about Climate Change 12 June

Climate Conversations has organised a session to discuss their concerns on climate change and its impact on the people who matter to us. This is open to everyone, especially to those who do not know where to start. More details below!

It’s affecting all of us. Let’s talk about how it’s going to impact our lives, our families and our neighbours and what we can do about it.

Join with us and others who care about our home and our future to learn what’s at stake, and what you can do.

Climate conversations are a way to have meaningful conversations with friends and family that inspire them to care for our environment and our future.

You don’t have to be environmentalist to come. We welcome people who have questions, are confused, worried or simply curious.

We know that many people are concerned about climate change but don’t feel that they can act or know what to do.

Together, we can be part of creating a brighter future. Join us at …

Found.
128 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188655
Tuesday, 12th June
6:30 pm for 6:45 pm – 9:00pm

Places are limited. RSVP to assure your place.

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Haze, It’s Complicated: Documentary Screening & Director Q&A

At this month’s Green Drinks, we are pleased to partner The Hive Lavender to present a documentary screening of Haze, It’s Complicated, plus Director Q&A. Written and directed by Professor Isaac Kerlow, this documentary feature was produced by the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

Haze, It’s Complicated presents the scientific facts behind the issue of peat haze as well as points of view and opinions from local and regional stakeholders. The burning of the peat forests throughout tropical Southeast Asia creates pollution, and this posed significant challenges to human health and the economies of the region during the second decade of the 21st century. The problem of peat haze pollution has been somewhat mitigated in recent years but in spite of this positive progress a few of the critical issues are yet to be solved. A complete solution to this complex issue will not be a simple one.

Date: 30 May (Wednesday)
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Venue: The Hive Lavender, 6 Floor, Vanguard Building, 1 Kallang Junction
Admission Fee: Free
RSVP: Book your seat here!

A big thank you to The Hive Lavender for letting us use their wonderful venue this month!

See you then, bring your friends!

Got a green business idea? Join ClimateLaunchpad!

ClimateLaunchpad, the world’s largest green business idea competition, is coming to Singapore! ClimateLaunchpad is where start-up creation begins. Fixing climate change, one start-up at a time. For Singapore residents, submit your application by 25 May! More details below.

What is ClimateLaunchpad?

ClimateLaunchpad is the world’s largest green business ideas competition. Our mission is to unlock the world’s cleantech potential that addresses climate change. The competition creates a stage for those ideas. ClimateLaunchpad is part of the Entrepreneurship offerings of EIT Climate-KIC.

What do we do?

There are a lot of great ideas out there for improving lives and reducing emissions. Some of them remain in the idea stage, never taking the next step and becoming viable. Some of them need an extra push. They need a bit of mentoring. Some training. The benefit of experience. They need lessons from entrepreneurial failures and successes. With coaching and support, a number of ideas can become reality.

This is where we come in. The team at ClimateLaunchpad supports new cleantech startups. We do this with partners in 35+ countries. ClimateLaunchpad offers training, coaching, and support.

What kind of ideas is ClimateLaunchpad looking for?

Your idea can be an innovation in renewable energy, a sustainable transition in the food chain, a mind shift in urban mobility or any other way to tackle climate change. As long as it’s in the cleantech domain. That means it’s “a scientific innovation that uses existing technology to do more with fewer resources, and has a commercial driver.” Check out this video from Explania for a thorough explanation of the cleantech space. Even if your idea is still on the back of a napkin, you’re most welcome to join. Not sure if your idea fits the bill? Contact us, we’re happy to help.

What can I win?

Prizes in the National Finals differ per country, however, all top-3 teams get to compete in the Grand Final. The top ten teams at the Grand Final win direct access to the EIT Climate-KIC accelerator, where great ideas grow into great businesses.

All other Grand Final competitors will get a chance to pitch their idea in front of the review board of EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator to gain access to the programme.

Last but not least: the Winner of the Grand Final receives € 10,000, the runner up gets € 5,000 and the idea that comes in third place wins € 2,500.

All prize winners are responsible for any taxes, wire transfer costs and other possible costs relating to the prize money.

How does the competition work?

ClimateLaunchpad helps you get your idea battle-proof. There are three rounds to the competition:

Round 1: Boot Camp
A National Jury selects a minimum of 7 business ideas per country for participation in ClimateLaunchpad. These teams first participate in the 2-day (National) Boot Camps. You’ll be invited by mail. Find more information on your country page.

Round 2: Intensive coaching and national finals

In the weeks after Boot Camp you will attend six intensive coaching sessions. You’ll perfect your pitch, value proposition and business model. After that, you’re ready to rock your National competition where you’ll pitch in front of the National Jury. The Top-3 of each country will enter the Grand Final.

Round 3: Grand Final
In this ultimate final you’ll pitch your idea in front of leading investors and entrepreneurs. You’ll receive valuable feedback and get a chance to discuss your idea in more detail during network sessions. The jury will select fifteen finalists to compete for the ultimate win: access to EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator and prize money.

Thinking of signing up? Make sure you submit your entry by 25 May 2018! Find out more about ClimateLaunchpad here!

Save the Date: Fashion Revolution Day Singapore – 28 April, 11am

An organisation on a mission to raise awareness of the social and environmental impact of the fashion industry, Fashion Revolution returns to Singapore on Saturday 28 April, 11am onwards, for an action-packed day of events!

Open to the public and held at hip new co-working space The Hive Lavender, the day long event includes a panel talk on the circular economy of fashion in Asia hosted by Green Drinks, a clothes swap by Swagalls, hands-on DIY and textile workshops by Singaporean upcyclers Agy Textile Artist and Taikensonzai, a free screening of the award-winning documentary RiverBlue and an ethical fashion show hosted by conscious online retailer ZERRIN.

The event, which takes place during Fashion Revolution Week 2018 (23 to 29th April) will mark the fifth year of Fashion Revolution, the world’s largest fashion activism movement founded to radically change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased. It also marks five years since the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh, where 1,138 people were killed and many more injured on 24th April 2013.

In Singapore, Fashion Revolution’s message of conscious consumption is more relevant than ever. A city with an appetite for deals and cheap clothing, the latest NEA statistics showed that Singaporeans produced 156,000 tonnes of textile and leather waste as recently as 2015, only 8 percent of which was recycled. Acknowledging this global and local crisis, this year the Singapore government has officially declared 2018 as the Year of Climate Action, and seeks to increase its support of green initiatives that tackle waste.

Through this year’s event, the volunteer committee at Fashion Revolution hope to do their part to show Singaporeans that living a greener lifestyle and shopping more sustainably is accessible to all, and can be done in style!

Fashion Revolution Day kicks off at 11:00 am at The Hive Lavender on 28 April. The public can find out more information and updates on its ​official facebook event page​ and RSVP here!

21 – 28 March: Celebrate International Day of Forests 2018

The International Day of Forests (21 March) is initiated by United Nations in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of forests. From 21 to 28 March, you can join the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Forests by having a meal at eateries that use sustainable palm oil which help protect our forests, home to diverse (and adorable) wildlife.

One of the main causes of deforestation in Southeast Asia is the clearing of land for palm oil plantations. Sustainable palm oil, on the other hand, is produced by companies that do not engage in practices that harm the environment, such as deforestation and burning. Your support for these companies will motivate more to adopt sustainable palm oil which will protect our forests and stop the haze.

The following local eateries have switched to sustainable palm oil: VeganBurg, NomVNom, B3 by SMUAA, Siloso Beach Resort, TungLok, Crystal Jade, Grain, Singapore Zoo, IKEA and Old Chang Kee.

You can show your love to forests by sharing a picture of you and your friends at the eatery using #LoveForest #GoHazeFree #SustainablePalmOil. The campaign will culminate on 28 March with a show of support to Old Chang Kee outlets island-wide. Remember to tell them you are there to support them and thanks them for caring for our forests!

This campaign is organised by People’s Movement to Stop Haze (PM Haze), in collaboration with Climate Conversations, and supported by National Youth Council, Singapore Institute of International Affairs and Young NTUC.

Find out more about PM.Haze and its initiatives here!

Earth Hour 2018 in Singapore

WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, is back in Singapore – and bigger than ever with a festival of family fun and entertainment.

From 16 to 25 March, experience nature through Great Panda Quest by spotting WWF’s Pandas in the city, and get inspired by brands leading Singapore’s green movement at the Earth Hour Marketplace.

On 24 March, join some of the biggest local acts for the 60+ Countdown Bash and watch the Singapore skyline dim before your eyes. As lights go out across the globe for Earth Hour, plug in to a global conversation about the planet and make your voice count with #Connect2Earth.

DETAILS:

Events:	Great Panda Quest | 16 – 25 March 2018, Daily Earth Hour Marketplace | 23 – 25 March 2018, Daily 60+ Countdown Bash | 24 March 2018, 6pm – 9.30pm
Where:	Open area near The Float @ Marina Bay
Tickets:	FREE ADMISSION

For the latest updates and event details, please visit our Facebook event page pand.as/EarthHour.

Ten ways to be more eco conscious this year

There are many ways to do our part for the environment that we love. Here, we highlight 10 ways to act on it – it is afterall, the year of climate action! ;)

1.Go meat-free at least once a week. Animal agriculture contributes significantly to global warming as well environmental issues such as deforestation, soil erosion and habitat loss, among others. Our food choices can make a huge impact on the health of the planet, so whether it’s Meat Free Monday, being a weekday vegetarian, or going completely vegetarian or vegan, be part of the movement to have an earth-friendly diet. Learn more about vegetarianism from Vegetarian Society (Singapore), do check out their events! 

2. Be a a mindful visitor to nature spaces locally or overseas, consider picking 10 pieces of litter wherever we go. If we collectively removed 10 pieces of trash from the natural environment, it would make a noticeable difference. Visit 10 Pieces for more information on this movement.

3. Eliminate food waste at home. Plan your meals in advance to minimise wastage and save vegetable peelings to make vegetable stock. Have you got excess food or condiments that is good enough to share with others? Download the Olio app to redistribute food items to others who might need and want it. Keen on the topic of food waste and want to do much more? Join SG Food Rescue on their weekly veggie hunt!

4. Buy nothing other than essentials. Instead of caving to shopping impulses, buy only what you need. The more your own, the more things you need to take care of. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this? Will I use this often? Can I borrow this from a friend or rent it from someone else?” Consider sharing instead of owning, and use sites like Rent Tycoons or Lendor and be part of the sharing economy.