Marine Parade Town Council helps residents reduce energy use

Channel NewsAsia 20 Jan 08;

SINGAPORE: Figures from the Department of Statistics show that in just one decade, domestic electricity consumption jumped 43 per cent while the population grew by only 18 per cent.

Marine Parade Town Council is therefore on a drive to help residents reduce energy use.

Switching to an energy efficient light bulb can save as much as S$15 per bulb every year as it uses 80 per cent less energy. It is also friendlier to the environment.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong helped spread the word to residents in Mountbatten on Sunday, hoping they can be more aware of how their actions affect climate change.

But more importantly, he wanted to let the residents know how they can play a part in reducing energy usage.

The key lessons are kept simple and easy.

MP for Marine Parade GRC Lim Biow Chuan said, "Once they set in, (habits) are actually quite difficult to change. I'm sure (for) many of us, when we leave our offices, we don't turn our computers off. (Our) computers are on standby mode and that consumes electricity as well."

By turning off appliances completely, as much as 10 per cent of electricity consumption can be saved.

Setting the air conditioner to a higher temperature may save about S$60 a year. Using a fan to cool off instead can mean spending S$360 less annually.

By switching to public transport, households can even save as much as S$2,500 every year.

While touring the Mountbatten Town Carnival, Mr Goh also officially opened the PAP Community Foundation kindergarten at Old Airport Road, which was built at a cost of S$230,000 and caters to some 150 children. - CNA/ac

Switch off, save $100
Heartlanders get tips on how going green can translate into cost savings
Jane Ng, Straits Times 21 Jan 08;

A FAMILY can save $100 a year just by switching off their appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

This and other green messages are going out to the heartland, as part of a campaign launched yesterday to show people how they can do their part to combat climate change.

The aim is to promote energy conservation in households and at the same time show residents how that can translate into savings on utility bills, said Mr Lim Biow Chuan, an MP for Marine Parade GRC.

'We want to keep the message simple, so it is easily remembered by all residents - that reducing energy usage will help them save on utilities cost.

'The message must translate into action for energy to be saved. We hope it will ultimately become part and parcel of their lives,' he said.

He urged residents to take public transport instead of driving, or use fans instead of air-conditioners.

The campaign was launched by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in conjunction with the celebrations of the Mountbatten Town Carnival 2008.

Residents joined in the festivities, which included a multi-generation lookalike contest and a cooking competition.

The opening ceremony of a new PAP Community Foundation kindergarten at Block 51, Old Airport Road was also held after the launch.

Over at South West Community Development Council, an event was launched designed to show residents how to cut down on their carbon emissions. It included tips like setting air-conditioners at 25degC and switching to energy-efficient light bulbs.

The event was attended by Dr Amy Khor, mayor of South West District, and guest of honour Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

Said Dr Khor: 'As individuals, we can slow down the devastating repercussions (of climate change) by taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and making a conscious effort to lead more sustainable lifestyles.'

At the event, residents saw first hand how energy can be saved.

Teachers Joan Chua, 51, and Kang Poh Sim, 50, who live in Bukit Batok, were commended for recycling 247.7kg of paper over six months last year. They said they kept their junk mail, old telephone directories and unwanted paper for recycling.

'Recycling comes easily to us, as we were brought up not to waste food and things,' said Ms Chua, who has recycled for more than 10 years.