Singapore: April 22 declared as "Youth for the Environment Day"

Lois Calderon Channel NewsAsia 20 Apr 11;

SINGAPORE: The government has declared April 22 as the "Youth for the Environment Day", coinciding with the annual celebration of the international Earth Day.

The move is part of efforts to promote clean and green living, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA), a statutory board of the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources tasked to protect the city-state's air, land and water resources.

The NEA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, said April 22 will be marked in the national education calendar for all schools in Singapore.

The schools will observe the day by organising environment-related activities to promote energy efficiency, recycling, good public health practices, nature appreciation and a litter-free environment.

Over 130 schools are expected to observe the Youth for the Environment Day.

-CNA/ac

Schools to mark April 22 as eco-friendly day for youth
Straits Times 22 Apr 11;

CLASS, attention please. Schools will be observing an environment day every April 22 in a bid by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to encourage youth to be pro-nature.

Launched on Wednesday, the Youth For The Environment Day will be included in the National Education calendar for all primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and the Institute of Technical Education.

April 22 also marks Earth Day which is celebrated in many countries.

The NEA believes that schools are a good start to getting young people committed to caring for the environment.

Schools are encouraged to mark the April 22 event by organising environment-related activities, such as visiting incineration plants to get an insight into waste management.

Mr Andrew Tan, chief executive officer of NEA, said he believes there is a growing awareness among young people here not to take their surroundings for granted.

Youth For The Environment Day is intended to give them their own platform to celebrate and nurture 'this culture of environmental ownership'.

At the event's launch, which was attended by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, NEA also handed out the EcoFriend awards to 11 individuals, of whom six are young people.

The awards, launched in 2007, recognise outstanding environment champions.

One recipient is Mr Chua Ang Hong, 21, a first-year student at Nanyang Technological University's Nanyang Business School.

Last year, he organised an anti-littering campaign in Aljunied GRC where he is vice-chairman of the Ci Yuan Community Centre Youth Executive Committee.

The six-month campaign included house visits that saw his team reach out to 12,000 residents to educate them about the danger of killer litter.

Mr Chua, who is also business manager in Earthlink NTU, the school's environmental club, said: 'All of us have a part to play in conserving the environment because we are also taking resources from it.'

To find out more about the Youth For The Environment Day, visit www.yed.sg

LIM YI HAN