Green Transport Week starts on Sunday
-------------------------------------
By Joanne Leow Channel NewsAsia 17 Aug 06
full articles http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20060708/060818-1.htm

It's not that hard to be green - that's the message for Green
Transport Week which starts on Sunday.

Into its fourth year, the campaign advocates eco-friendly modes of
transport like taking the bus or train, cycling, walking or car
pooling. These are ways that can reduce carbon emissions that
contribute to global warming and climate change. The Singapore
Environment Council would also like to see more Singaporeans buying
fuel efficient and hybrid cars.

This year's Green Transport Week will see a contest to spot fuel
efficient cars on the road. Owners of cars with fuel economies of at
least nine kilometres per litre and who are under the Fuel Economy
Labelling Scheme will receive decals and stand to win fuel vouchers
if spotted.

And, SBS Transit will encourage more people to take public transport
next week, by handing out free drinks at selected bus interchanges.
It is also encouraging motorists to give way to buses to ensure a
smooth ride for commuters.

There will also be community activities beginning this Sunday, such
as an "Eco Chase" which will see teams racing round the island via
public transport. The first event on Sunday at Changi Village will
see the launch of the third edition of the Green Transport Guide
which contains useful tips to help motorists reduce fuel consumption
and save money.

To learn more about Green Transport Week, you can log on to
http://www.sec.org.sg/gtw.

Upcoming events
---------------
Key Green Transport Week events are
20 Aug (Sun): Green Transport Week Launch
and Leisure Cycle & Scenic Walk
27 Aug (Sun): Green Transport Week Carnival
and the Incredible Eco-Chase

Other events that touch on climate change and renewable energies
9 Sep (Sat): Facing our Environmental Challenges
with Science & Technology
20 Oct (Fri): Charity Movie Premiere: An Inconvenient Truth

Details about these events on the wildsingapore site
http://www.wildsingapore.com/events/upcoming.htm

How can you make a difference? ...

Rations? Lightbulbs? How to Fight Climate Change
------------------------------------------------
PlanetArk 18 Aug 06
full article http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20060708/060818-2.htm

FElectronic cards tracking personal quotas for greenhouse gases are
among the most radical ideas for getting citizens to cut use of
fossil fuels, widely blamed by scientists for fuelling global
warming.

Following are some links to Web sites of governments, climate
experts, environmental groups and companies with tips for lifestyle
changes to cut individuals' use of oil, coal and natural gas.

Most focus on suggestions such as installing energy saving
lightbulbs or using public transport -- far short of rationing.

UNITED STATES

The US Environmental Protection Agency advises citizens
with "climate smart tips to protect the earth":
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ActionsIndividualMakeaDiff\
erence.html

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The European Commission says: "You control climate change ... Turn
down. Switch off. Recycle. Walk. Change." Its site says, for
instance, that turning down the thermostat in a home by one degree
Celsius (1.8F) can save 300 kg (660 lb) of carbon dioxide per
household per year. West Europeans account for about 10 tonnes of
carbon dioxide each a year.
http://www.climatechange.eu.com/

CANADA

Canada's government provides a "greenhouse gas calculator" to make
people aware of how much energy they use and where they can cut
http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/calculator/english/

UNITED NATIONS

The UN Climate Change Secretariat says that changing lifestyles can
help. The "cultures and habits of millions of people -- essentially,
whether they waste energy or use it efficiently -- have a major
impact on climate change," it says.
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/feeling_the_heat/items/2907.php

PERSONAL QUOTAS

British expert David Fleming favours energy rationing, to include
allowances for all citizens, in a system he calls "tradable energy
quotas"
http://www.teqs.net/

Britain's Environment Secretary David Miliband also floated the idea
of personal quotas in a speech in July
http://www.davidmiliband.defra.gov.uk/blogs/ministerial_blog/archive/2006/07/19/\
1557.aspx

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

Greenpeace lays out what it calls "12 clever ways to save lots of
electricity and money (and by the way: also the planet)"
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/climate-change/take_action/12_\
steps

The WWF says "there's no need to wait for politicians to act" and
gives recommendations for slowing global warming
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/climate_change/what_you_can_do/index.c\
fm

COMPANIES

Some companies will help citizens invest in clean energy schemes or
plant trees to soak up emissions of greenhouse gases. They include:

http://www.carbonneutral.com/

http://www.climatecare.co.uk/

http://www.atmosfair.de/index.php?id=9&L=3

In Singapore?
-------------
The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources is conducting public
consulation on a National Climate Change Strategy.
http://www.mewr.gov.sg/nccs/index.htm

Check out the portion on "Singapore's Vulnerability and Adaptation
to Climate Change" which includes
=Land Loss and Flooding
=Water Resource Impacts
=Higher Energy Demand and Heat Stress
=Public Health Impact from Resurgence of Diseases
=Impacts on Island and Marine Biodiversity

You CAN make a difference!
Send your feedback to MEWR http://www.mewr.gov.sg/nccs/feedback_2.htm