Say no to straws

Straws are made from polypropylene (ie a version of plastic) and most likely not biodegradable. We take them for granted. They're used for box drinks, in restaurants, at the hawker centres, food courts., you name it, they are there. They contribute to our waste.

At the McDonald's in HK ,I noticed they were trying to discourage people from using straws. I don't know how effective their campaign is though.

I saw this via Fun Finds for Mom, a place that sells glass reusable straws! They look like something you would use in the laboratory! But I'm not sure about giving them to kids though. Better stick to drinking directly from the cup....

another project?

I saw this on Outsapop.... I think it could be another refashion project!

Back to basics with my bread

My trusty bread machine broke down. I have no idea why. The buttons just refused to work. So.... it's back to the old way of kneading and getting my hands (and my son's) to do the work. :-)

My wish for Earth Hour (tomorrow!)

a) people don't light up candles in lieu of switching on their lights - more heat and CO2

b) people don't buy the flourescent light up sticks - creates waste

c) people switch off their air-cons

Bud Cosmetics

My latest purchase from Bud Cosmetics. You can find them at E2 (Novena) or at the Mandarin along Orchard Road. I love the range of organic products they have.
I bought a Fushi shampoo for my forever problematic hair (oily scalp that never seems to go away - tried using baking soda & apple cider vinegar but it came back (maybe it's hormones?). Now I alternate with shampoo), 100% lavender scrub, and Logona compact pressed powder (this is my 3rd purchase and I like it.

Altered Couture

I hope they sell this in Singapore. :-)

Pics - from Stampinton & Company

究竟香港重可唔可以住人?

That's what my friend on Facebook asked (loosely translated as "is HK still liveable?"). Why? Because the Air Pollution Index went up to 495 today, and the max readable is 500!!!! To me, the HK government is blind. Isn't anyone doing anything about it? It's been 20 years already!!! Do we need to wait another ?

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?hightlight&20100322&56&655595

Pic: Courtesy of AP via BBC

Tiger parts being sold in Singapore

This is so sad. I can't believe it is happening in Singapore. Does this have anything to do with 2010 being the year of the Tiger?

Watch the video here >> http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php

The press release from ACRES is here:


PRESS RELEASE
19 March 2010

UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN TIGER PARTS IN SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE, 19 March 2010 – A 3-month undercover investigation by ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) has revealed that 59 out of 134 jewellery and antique shops visited in Singapore offered alleged tiger parts for sale. Evidence of the 59 shops selling alleged tiger parts was recorded on video.

Approximately 159 alleged tiger claws, 303 alleged tiger teeth and 38 pieces of alleged tiger skin were found on sale during the investigation, which was conducted from December 2009 until February 2010. Tiger parts are used for various purposes such as traditional medicine, jewellery, lucky charms and novelties.

Singapore has previously been recognised as playing a role in the trade of tiger products from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, for both domestic trade and international re-exports.1

Although all commercial tiger trade has been banned since 1987 by CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which Singapore is a party to, there has been an approximate 50% decrease in wild tiger populations since the ban.

Less than a century ago, more than 100,000 tigers roamed the world’s jungles and forests. Today, less than 3,200 remain in the wild. Three subspecies of tiger have become extinct within the last 50 years and, despite the inclusion of Asian big cat species in Appendix I of CITES, the illegal trade in specimens of nearly all these species has escalated and further threatens their long-term survival in the wild.

Singapore joined CITES in 1986 and ratified the Convention in 1987. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority is the CITES authority in Singapore. AVA administers the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (ESA), which lists all CITES species in its Schedules. Under the ESA, it is an offence to import, export and re-export any CITES species without a permit from AVA. The possession, sale, offering or exposing or advertising for sale or displaying to the public of any illegally imported CITES specimen is also an offence. The penalties, on conviction, are a fine of $50,000 (per species), not exceeding an aggregate of $500,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) (Prohibition of Sale) Notification, the domestic sale of tiger specimens is prohibited. Any person who sells, offers or exposes for sale or displays to the public any tiger parts and products, commits an offence. The offender shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for each species (but not to exceed in the aggregate $100,000) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or to both.

“It is important to note that anyone who advertises for sale any tiger parts contravenes the above Act, even if the products turn out to be not authentic. By making a claim that the product is from tigers, the dealer is potentially driving up the demand for tiger parts, which directly contravenes the spirit of CITES and the local legislation meant to enforce CITES” said Ms. Anbarasi Boopal, Director of ACRES Wildlife Crime Unit.

Key findings of the investigation include:

The demand for tiger parts and the amount of tiger parts being stocked by the shops appeared to be higher over the Chinese New Year period in this year of the tiger, as reported by a shopkeeper.
At 52 shops, the alleged tiger parts were openly on sale.
28 shopkeepers mentioned that an order for more tiger parts could be placed with them, and the delivery time ranged from one week to three months or more.
7 shopkeepers recognised that tigers are protected animals, that it is illegal to sell tiger parts, and that tiger parts are customs-controlled items.
The alleged tiger parts were claimed to originate from Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Lao and Cambodia.
“The investigation findings showed the presence of an illegal trade in alleged tiger parts in Singapore and that there is an immediate need for continued serious efforts to curb this illegal trade. The investigation findings and footage have been submitted to the AVA and we look forward to working closely with the AVA” said Mr. Louis Ng, Executive Director of ACRES.

“As long as there is demand, there will be supply. Legislation alone is insufficient to bring a complete halt to the illegal trading of endangered species and their parts. We must do more public education and awareness so demands for them can be curbed and supply will then terminate” said Dr. Lim Wee Kiak, Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC.

Contact:
Louis Ng (ACRES Executive Director)
Email: louis@acres.org.sg Hp: +65 9796 8592

Palm Oil

Apparently, Nestle and Unilever have dropped their major palm oil suppliers. So what happens to the livelihood of the people who depend on them? Wouldn't it be better to force the suppliers to act sustainably?

Pretty flowers all in a row

Check out my latest reconstruction.

Cut out your flowers and sew them onto a t-shirt. Add a button!

Sentosa Resorts World

Well, Sentosa Resorts World has opened, but I wonder what will happen at the Marine Life Park that is going to open soon. There was a lot of hoo ha about them bringing the whale sharks into Singapore and having them live in a tank. No one at the Resorts have mentioned whether the whale sharks will come or not, but it's still mentioned on their website and the Sentosa attractions website too.

Pic courtesy of http://www.sentosa.com.sg/

Natural Soap

A friend just came back from a trip to India and where she stayed they used natural soap.