March 27 marks Earth Hour, a global environmental movement to protect the planet. First kicked off in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund in Sydney, Earth Hour has been making waves around the world, encouraging people to switch off their lights for one hour. More than a symbolic event, it unites people together in raising awareness about climate change.
However, due to Covid-19, Earth Hour will continue online with live performances, virtual spotlights and discussions on how to your part to save the planet. But there are also other on-ground activities to partake in right here in Singapore. Beyond switching off your lights, we're also here to help you start your zero-waste journey. Here's how you can do your bit and get involved.
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On March 27, Earth Hour is taking over the social media feeds of millions around the world – and yes, that includes Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – to drop a must-watch video. It aims to recreate the same unmissable sight you see around the world on Earth Hour online, and that includes cities with the lights turned off. It also invites you to see our planet in a new light, as well as the issues we face and our place within it all.
Local fashion label Pazzion and its sister cafe are going hand-in-hand to support Earth Hour and raise awareness on the various issues that our planet is facing. On March 27, all Pazzion stores in Singapore will turn off all non-essential lights from 8pm to 9pm. The cafe in Jewel Changi Airport will use candles to light up the tables as diners continue to enjoy their meal. On top of that, shoppers who bring their own bags from March 26 to 28 will receive $5 in a single receipt (with a minimum spend of $50) and customers at Pazzion Café will receive a free collapsible cup with a minimum spend of $10.
For some local goodness, check out this series of shorts put together by filmmaker Eileen Chong, Viddsee, and WWF Singapore for Earth Hour. As part of the Kosong Plan campaign for a low carbon, climate-resilient Singapore, the series follows Eileen as she embarks on an adventure to unearth various methods to help the country reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Along the way, she meets experts that would school her about climate change, share some tips and tricks on reducing waste, debunk some of her mindset, and awaken her sense of care for the environment – plenty of takeaways to incorporate into your own daily lives. Watch The Kosong Plan on Viddsee.
Every year, Singapore plunges into darkness from 8.30pm to 9.30pm for Earth Hour. The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) annual demonstration encourages millions around the world to turn off their lights for an hour to raise awareness on climate change. And not just your lights too – you can go beyond by switching off your electrical devices such as mobile phones. Afraid of the dark? Fire up some scented candles for a relaxing ambiance.
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It's not the 90s anymore – life in plastic, isn't fantastic (sorry, Aqua!). But you don't have to leave the concrete jungle to live in an actual jungle to go green. You can do your bit to be kinder to Planet Earth by making a commitment to eliminate plastics, cut down on consumption habits, and practise zero-waste. And it's not that difficult! Small changes in your lifestyle can eventually make a difference in the movement.
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Even if you’re just Marie Kondo-ing your sweet digs, donating your pre-loved clothes, books and furniture instead of sending them to the bin can go a long way. As the saying goes: “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” By prolonging the lifespan of the items, you help reduce dependence on disposable or cheaply made single-use products that end up filling the landfills. You can either drop them at the Salvation Army, swap them at the Fashion Pulpit or sell them off. Otherwise, you can get them on the recycle cycle.
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There may be that nagging fear that going green equates to spending more, but it could also save you some money. Part of living sustainably is to make conscious choices, especially when it comes to shopping. Start off by buying sustainable products to replace those currently in your lifestyle such as bamboo straws, reusable sanitary pads, eco-friendly clothes made from linen, or even swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles.
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Sustainable dining is on the rise and knowing where your food comes from is a good start. Besides eating local, you can also dine at restaurants in Singapore that are investing in making an effort to source produce from local farms and eco-friendly organisations that have little carbon footprint or producing minimal waste when it comes to running their business.
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Branch out into living sustainably by growing some plants and even your own food. You don’t even need a whole plot of land to grow them – you can tend to them on your balcony or even indoors. A few square feet on the window ledge or at the corridor provides enough sunlight for the seeds to grow into edible herbs, fruits and veggies. Plus, by doing so, these plants help clean the air by absorbing pollutant gases. You could also learn a thing or two from the local farmers and their produce.
If you're going all Greta Thunberg, sign the Voice for the Planet petition. This petition will be presented during key global conferences this year, letting world leaders know that your concerns about climate change and effects on nature and that you demand urgent political action to protect Planet Earth by all means necessary.
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