Channel NewsAsia 11 May 08;
SINGAPORE: Getting Singaporeans to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle - that's what the South West CDC and National Environment Agency are doing.
They are starting a campaign which will feature a three month-long reality contest and $3,000 cash prize - in line with the nationwide 10% Energy Challenge.
Residents can participate in the 3M ECO Home Makeover @South West contest from June to September.
The contest will see the certain homes retrofitted with $3,000 worth of eco-friendly gadgets.
And the family which uses the least energy will be the winner.
Registration is open till the end of this month and residents can log on to their website to fill up the ECO Lifestyle Survey-cum-contest entry form.
Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West CDC, said: "In such a high fuel-price environment, this message about being able to reap tangible savings would have to be emphasised more and highlighted more, in order to create more awareness of our energy-saving drive." - CNA/de
Mayor shares green tips on blog
Tania Tan, Straits Times 12 May 08;
WANT to know what Mayor of South West District Amy Khor is doing in the fight against climate change? Just log on to her blog to find out.
Dr Khor is contributing her thoughts and tips on how to save the earth - while saving money - to www.3mecohome.sg, a community blog launched by the South West Community Development Council and the National Environment Agency to rally fellow netizens to go green.
'As a working professional and a mother, I too am trying to do my part to reduce energy consumption - by making simple changes in my family's lifestyle and habits,' she said.
For example, the Khor family's air-conditioner is set at 25degC and they use a pail of water to wash the car instead of a hose, she writes.
Launched at VivoCity yesterday, the site will also feature an online survey aimed at identifying the top 10 challenges Singaporeans face in adopting a more eco-friendly lifestyle, explained Dr Khor, who is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources.
Results of the month-long survey will help grassroots leaders develop 'more targeted and effective' programmes.
Feedback from some residents showed that some are simply not getting the green message. A different approach is therefore needed to show people how they can personally benefit, said DrKhor.
'We need to emphasise the tangible benefits of going green - like saving money,' she said.
For a start, five survey participants who live in the South West District will win a free 'green' home makeover.
Sponsored by technology company 3M, they will get $3,000 worth of energy-saving products and features, including light-filtering window film which blocks out heat-emitting ultraviolet rays and energy-saving light bulbs.
The five families' three-month 'green transformation' will be documented online. The five will also join Dr Khor in blogging about their energy-saving experiences.
This will, hopefully, make others realise how easy going green can be, said Dr Khor.
'Environmental sustainability is not just...a passing fad to pander to the conscience of greenies among us. It's something that affects us all,' she said.
