Bamboo Spirit and the Bamboo in you.

Excited to see what experiments emerge from these fantastic people in the ad-hoc Textile Paper Lab. (Adel, Veron, CY, Agatha) 

I have been busy getting the Bamboo Broadcast Studio for Alternative Ecology. As such, I couldn't hang out to see their pre-sessions. 

I missed the opportunity to meet with Eko this time. Ruobing invited us (Post-Museum) to activate the space that Eko built as part of Alternative Ecology. She shared that Eko wanted people to 'use' it. In that sense, he didn't see the structures he built as beautiful spaces but places for community, action and hope.   

While I may not know him, listening to the stories about him during the memorial (11th Jan), I felt I recognised him. I saw a human being who has lots to give to the world and a kindred spirit. I will be cheeky on this occasion and call this the "bamboo spirit". I recognised Eko because I have met others who had this "bamboo spirit" too. People with "bamboo" in them have always inspired me. They recharge my "hope-a-meter" because they had the "bamboo" in them to fight a good fight. 

I wonder who, with that "bamboo spirit", inspired and influenced Eko on his path. Do share your "bamboo spirit" story.

 

Fun with Wood

Been re-using for the wood from Survey for wood working projects. Having more fun than I expected. Building shelves and planter boxes so far.

Guide to spending more: Reaction to NEA new solutions

Sounds like a good initiative but the core problem is food wastage not wastage disposal. This is about spending more money - goes towards our GDP.

Only short paragraph on education of posters & games to educate the students on food waste. NEA needs more teeth! Spend money here... do a nation wide effort!

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/nea-launches-tender-for-food-waste-recycling-machines-to-be-placed-in-10?&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

NEA launches tender for food waste recycling machines to be placed in 10 schools

PUBLISHED

DEC 2, 2016, 3:31 PM SGT

UPDATED

DEC 2, 2016, 4:34 PM

SINGAPORE - School staff, students and canteen operators will be in the frontlines of the National Environment Agency's battle against food waste.

On Friday, the NEA issued an invitation for companies to submit proposals for the leasing, service and maintenance of food waste recycling machines for 10 schools across the country.

Such recycling machines typically use microorganisms to convert discarded food into compost that is used as fertiliser to grow plants.

It is all a part of a two-year project by the NEA to "spread awareness of proper food waste management and encourage schools to reduce the amount of food waste they generate and dispose of", the agency said.

The tender will close at 4pm on Dec 23, and the project is expected to be launched by the second quarter of 2017.

 

As part of the project, the vendor will train the schools' staff, students and canteen stall holders on how to segregate food waste properly for recycling.

Participating schools will also hold assembly talks to encourage students not to waste food, and work with neighbouring schools and community partners to further spread the word.

The Republic is facing a growing food waste problem. Singapore produced 

785,500 tonnes of food waste in 2015, which is nearly equivalent to two 

bowls of food per person per day. And this amount is expected to increase 

with our growing population and economic activity, said the NEA.

"When food is wasted, so are all of the resources used to produce and 

transport it. Food waste also contaminates recyclables and causes odour and 

pest nuisance if not managed properly," the agency said.

It added that the growing amount of food waste puts pressure on the

 Republic's waste disposal facilities.

The NEA will also support the schools in their organisation of food wastage 

reduction activities by providing educational resources such as posters, 

videos and games on food waste reduction.

Naomi Klein and Jeremy Corbyn: COP21 - Climate Emergency (Dispatch 5) | VICE News

Following COP21 progress ...

Archived below:

https://news.vice.com/video/naomi-klein-and-jeremy-corbyn-cop21-climate-emergency-dispatch-5

Naomi Klein and Jeremy Corbyn: COP21 - Climate Emergency (Dispatch 5)

December 13, 2015 | 4:05 am

As the COP21 climate talks reach their final crucial stages, outside of the negotiation halls in Paris environmental NGOs, grassroots organizations, climate justice activists and trade unions from all over the world have been uniting to form a new global green movement.

One of its driving forces is Canadian social activist Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything, Capitalism vs The Climate. She has been speaking at activist meetings and talking to UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who before being elected committed to a 100 percent sustainable energy transition in the UK by 2030.

The last week of the COP21 has seen the opening of the climate action zone, a space for civil society to mobilize and prepare its final protest showdown at the end of the conference on December 12, now known as "D12".

VICE News meets Naomi Klein and Jeremy Corbyn and finds out what this new international climate justice movement has in store for the end of the summit.

Watch "Police Clash With Protesters in Paris: COP21 - Climate Emergency (Dispatch 1)"

Watch "Climate Activism Under Attack: COP21 - Climate Emergency (Dispatch 2)"

Watch "Toxic Tours and Civil Disobedience: COP21 - Climate Emergency (Dispatch 3)"

Watch "Cop-Outs and Denial: COP21 - Climate Emergency (Dispatch 4)"

Read "With Protests Banned in Paris, Climate Activists Embrace Other Forms of Expression"

Chen Jian Bing sing haze song (funny )

Chen Jian Bing sings a haze song. I didnt really catch some parts of the song. My chinese not so good. Does he blame Indonesia and the Singapore companies?

From a friend, Ivy. She says he commented that the different authorities 'taichi' the responsibility.

Sure it is funny but from humour and comedy, we also critique these issues. In this case, Chen critiques the different authorities on the issue of haze. In the song, his anger burns ...

I was ignorant so I asked a friend if he remembered if the haze was around in the 60s. He couldn't remember it.

So I googled and to find out more about it. These came up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asian_haze

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Southeast_Asian_haze

In short, haze has not been around for so long. It is man-made and can be resolved.

Lastly, Minister Vivian said Singapore Government is going to take action on companies based in Singapore. All thanks to the new act. I am doubtful if fines can resolve the problem permanently. We await the outcome.