Singapore switched on for Earth Hour

Lynda Hong Ee Lyn Today Online 25 Mar 11;

SINGAPORE - It is touted as the best invention ever, especially for humid Singapore.

But the air-conditioner consumes a lot of energy and Golden Village (GV) Yishun said that, after adjusting its air-conditioner temperatures to between 23°C and 24°C - from between 20°C and 21°C - its energy usage has dipped by a third.

Leading GV's green efforts, Mr Roger Lim, its chief information officer, said it is easier to justify the temperature hike at its Yishun multiplex, which is now certified green after being awarded a BCA Green Mark Gold Award when its three-month refurbishment ended in November.

Air-conditioner temperatures will remain at between 20°C and 21°C at its other eight multiplexes. Mr Lim, who is overseeing GV's technology and facilities operations, said this is because "... people are very used to having it cold in the cinema halls".

"In GV Yishun, we position ourselves as a green cinema, so it's easy to convey the message across to patrons that we are adjusting the temperature."

Some patrons like 18-year-old Samuel Tee are uncomfortable with the change at Golden Village Yishun. "I sweat like mad," he said.

But Mr Daniel Ng, 21, welcomed the warmer temperatures. "It was quite cold before the refurbishment, I had to bring a jacket."

His view echoed that of the 52 per cent of 462 respondents in a poll who found cinemas to be the coldest, followed by offices and schools.

The poll was conducted in a lead-up to Earth Hour in Singapore by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which is advocating a one-hour light switch-off on March 26 at 8.30pm in addition to raising temperatures to 24°C or above.

Another major cinema operator, Cathay, has yet to confirm it will increase air-con temperatures to 24°C or above during Earth Hour.

The two integrated resorts - Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa - have also pledged their support by increasing the air-conditioning temperature to 24°C.

Offices, too, are doing their part. Today, 70 per cent of CDL tenants in 13 buildings will support their landlord's call to turn off the air-conditioning during lunchtime from 1pm to 1.30pm. Temperatures average about 24°C in CDL buildings.

CapitaLand will raise temperatures from 24°C to 25°C in over 30 properties.

Earth Hour's main event will be held at The Promontory @ Marina Bay tomorrow, from 5.30pm to 10pm.

Changi Airport goes green
Besides switching off decorative lights and dimming non-critical operational lights, Changi Airport will also do its part to raise awareness about the significance of the global sustainability movement.

Exhibition panels were set up yesterday at the Terminal 2 Departure Hall, which aim to educate passengers and visitors about Earth Hour and also "provide green tips on what individuals can do beyond Earth Hour", says Changi Airport Group (CAG) executive vice-president (Corporate) Tan Lye Teck.

Mr Tan added that CAG's ongoing "Changi Goes Green" programme includes initiatives such as the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the Budget Terminal and motion sensors to conserve electricity, as well as the use of Newater for irrigation.

Stretching Earth Hour beyond a mere 60 minutes
Local groups are doing more for green effort besides turning off lights
Yuen Sin Straits Times 25 Mar 11;

SINGAPORE is not in the dark about Earth Hour's global push to go 'beyond the hour' this year.

Businesses, retailers and even religious institutions are rolling out more green initiatives in addition to turning off the lights to support the movement.

The event, which will be officially observed from 8.30pm to 9.30pm tomorrow, began in Sydney as a one-city initiative in 2007 to raise awareness about energy conservation.

This is the third year that Earth Hour will be marked in Singapore, along with a record 130 other countries and territories.

A plus sign has been added to the bold logo imprinted with the world map this year. It now reads '60+'.

Among the notable landmarks that will dim their facades and non-essential lights are the Merlion, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Flyer, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Suntec Singapore and The Fullerton Heritage properties.

Though scepticism over Earth Day being merely symbolic persists, observers see it as a launch pad for long-term change.

Mr Howard Shaw, executive director of the Singapore Environment Council, said: 'Earth Hour demonstrates that one small action from an individual multiplied across the collective can make a significant impact. The plus sign in the logo this year urges you to think about what you can do outside of the 60 minutes.'

Some organisations are extending their lights-out hours, with 34 properties under CapitaLand switching off their lights from 8.30pm tomorrow till 6.30am the next day. The lights at Evangel Family Church will be turned off one hour earlier, at 7.30pm.

The cafeteria in the Wearnes Group headquarters will operate without electrical lighting from 11.30am to 2pm today. From next Monday, CB Richard Ellis' Singapore staff will be encouraged to 'Turn Off at Lunch' - alluding to the dousing of corridor lights and computer monitors while employees are away at lunch.

Corporations and ordinary Singaporeans are also being urged to turn up their air-conditioning to 24 deg C and above.

City Developments will not only support this call, but will also turn off the air-conditioning of 70 per cent of tenants in its 13 buildings from 1pm to 1.30pm today.

Public educational efforts will also be stepped up. Exhibition panels will be set up by Changi Airport at Terminal 2's Departure Hall to educate passengers and visitors about Earth Hour and provide tips on what individuals can do to protect the environment. The campaign will run from tomorrow until next Friday.

In the run-up to the event, sponsor Credit Suisse has a voluntary personal tree-adoption programme that has seen some 1,300 trees being adopted by 500 staff since last September.

Individuals at events across the island will be spurred to pledge their commitment towards adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle. From 3pm to 9.30pm tomorrow, the public will be invited to sign on a giant Earth Hour banner outside Hall 5 at the Singapore Expo.

They can also choose to light a tealight from 8pm onwards at the Celebrate Earth Hour@Orchard Road event, and pledge to use public transport, turn off electrical appliances when they are not in use and turn up their air-conditioners. Ten thousand of these tealights will adorn the shopping strip as more than 100 establishments along the stretch dim down at 8.30pm.