Rankings

I just read about another ranking exercise, this time by Foreign Policy Magazine. There are a slew of rankings (Mercer, PERC, Global Liveable Cities Index etc), which is the best city, best global city, best, best ,best,best etc etc etc. Then I saw the 2010 Failed States Index - do they really have to rub it in? Perhaps the rankings should be to measure how governments have improved the lives of their people.  We can't compare a developing one with a European city, can we?

All that packaging

It's Mid-Autumn Festival this Sunday and a lot of us will be purchasing mooncakes (lotus seed paste pastries with salted egg yolks).  The pastries come in decorated boxes either made out of tin, cardboard and even wood! The bakeries are getting rather elaborate in their designs each year.  I was wondering why they can't take back the boxes, or just use less packaging, or even use packaging that can be recycled.

Last week, my colleagues had purchased mooncakes from a certain bakery, and the packaging comprised of two 2mm thick circular cardboard discs of >30cm in diameter.  These 2 discs were held together with pink rope.  It was rather a waste. My colleague said I could take them home.  I am going to make a nautical belt from the rope, and wall decorations, or even a photo frame from the cardboard discs.  Photos later!

Here they are! Had lots of fun making them with my son.

In danger of being cut

I read this article in the Guardian about how thousands of green energy jobs in the USA are under threat from the end of US grants.  A lot of promise came out of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with the Obama administration channeling a lot of money into the US economy in the hopes of creating jobs, and a green economy.  


Actually, G20 countries had come together promising a Global Green New Deal.  This means not just reviving the global economy and boosting employment, but also accelerating the fight against climate change, environmental degradation and poverty.  But I feel that governments can dish out a lot money to kick start green industry, but in the end what is needed is policy change to drive it.  The Climate Change bill (which originally would have included a cap & trade system, and that electric utilities meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency) in the US would have helped the Americans, but it has stalled. 


The Europeans are also cutting back due to budgetary pressures - Germany & Spain.  Hopefully, our government won't cut back on subsidies and grants under the Energy Efficient Programme Office, or may be there will be a change in policy that will drive the market? Who knows. 

62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer (and other discarded electronics)

I recently blogged about greener electronics. According to today's My Paper, the amount of e-waste collected in Singapore has increased over the years, with collection of e-waste peaking during IT product sales, electronics fairs and the festive seasons.  NEA had featured its E-waste Take Back Project during last week's Recycling Week (also organised by NEA).  According to their website, we could drop off our unwanted electrical and electronic items - such as cellular phones, computers, printers, household appliances - at  West Mall, Junction 8 Shopping Centre, NorthPoint Shopping Mall and Changi Simei Community Club on 10 September 2010.  It doesn't say whether we can still do this though, but I hope it will be an on-going programme!!


Well, if it isn't there are other things we can do!


I found this "62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer (and other discarded electronics)" in the library and I knew I had to borrow it!  There are so many things you can do.  There's a sharpener from a mouse, earrings from keys, a lampshade, and even a table from an old scanner, but my hubby thinks that I'm no good with tools other than a sewing machine.  We shall see!!

Who cares about F1, support G1!

The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) will host its inaugural green campaign the Singapore Green One (Singapore G1) come 19^th September 2010. Singapore G1 is a family event in which the aim is to raise awareness of green transport technologies and green alternative energy through educating and engaging the public.

Event Details As Follows:

Event Date Venue Admission Time	: : : : :	Singapore Green One – G1 19 September 2010 The Float@Marina Bay Free, open to public 2.00pm – 7pm
For more information please visit www.SingaporeG1.sg

Singapore G1 Event Highlights:

SOAP-BOX CAR RACE  

Eco-friendly due to zero carbon emission and made from recyclable plastics, the soap-box car race will be making its debut during Singapore G1. Thirty local schools will be participating in this race in which SEC will provide ready-made soap-box cars for schools to assemble, decorate and design. A fun an exciting race to support.

ECO-RACE*

Designed by local tertiary institutions, ten eco cars will race each other in the eco-race.  Vehicles in this race can use any kind of technology and fuel – from conventional petrol to biofuels, solar or hydrogen.

It feels like Hong Kong

We're now into our 10th year in Singapore.  Just last week my hubby said that Orchard Road feels like Causeway Bay in Hong Kong ie. extremely crowded. In fact, Singapore's population has expanded from 3 million when we first arrived to 5 million in Jun this year.  That's a lot of people on this island of ~700sq km, but Dr Liu Thai Ker (Chair of Singapore's Centre for Liveable Cities) thinks that Singapore has space for 7.5 million!!!  There's been a lot of grouses from the public abt why we need to grow, but I think pple are important for a city to remain dynamic and grow.  But we need to make sure that we don't end up like a crowded concrete jungle - good urban planning that takes environmental considerations into play is needed.  And, with all the urban renewal going on, I think it would be good for the government to incorporate sustainable construction & design techniques as well.  My current peeve at the moment is the public transport system here.  I'm not saying that it's bad, but I wish the trains were more frequent and the network was expanded to accommodate our growing population.  My friend got a job offer in the east of the island and it takes him an hour and 45 minutes to reach the office door-to-door by train.  If he takes the bus, it would take longer. So, now he's buying a car because that would take him 45 mins!! That's definitely not the way.

What do you think?

Not blogging that much these days

Haven't been blogging for a while. Got swamped at work as usual and then get home poofed. Very sorry if I haven't replied any of your emails; in fact, I haven't even been checking. Hope to check more frequently. Today's a holiday!! Woo Hoo!! Selamat Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends :-)