With a growing population and ever-growing demand for food, water, space and other limited resources, the number of environmental issues we are faced with has skyrocketed in recent years. It’s hard to keep up with all the problems that our planet is plagued with and all the things we need to do to minimise the consequences we have on the environment. With that in mind, Greenfest 2016 was an event focused on not one, but many environmental issues, a hodgepodge of booths, games, and prizes to raise awareness on a variety of issues such as waste, energy, nature reserves, pollution, deforestation and many others.
A massive undertaking, Earthlink collaborated with numerous organisations in Singapore to raise awareness amongst NTU students about their part to play in environmental conservation and the overall improvement of our planet’s health. It also drew critical links between our actions and the problems we later find ourselves facing as a result of them (such as the haze). While this may sound like a dull, sanctimonious affair, it was quite the opposite. Hosted at the newly constructed Canopy K in NTU’s North Spine, the event featured music, games, and attractive (even somewhat unique) prizes, including mini cacti and reusable bamboo cups. Other features included a bicycle-powered electric blender, to highlight the importance of renewable energy sources, a leaf-bookmark making station, and a booth featuring herbs grown in NTU’s lesser-known herb garden.
NTU is continuously pushing green initiatives and raising awareness about the environment. With its dedication to its EcoCampus plan, it comes as no surprise that initiatives by Earthlink within NTU attract so much interest. The need for environmental consciousness may seem obvious, but with the ever-worsening environmental conditions, both in Singapore and globally, the message clearly needs reiteration. Simple measures taken by students can collectively make a huge impact. Conserving water through methods we have been reminded of for years in school, using reusable containers instead of disposable plastic, as well as sourcing and supporting sustainable industries whenever possible are all things we can do that may cause some short-term inconvenience, but will reap immeasurable benefits in the long term. It just takes some mindfulness and concern for the planet we are collectively responsible for. Greenfest aimed to show that this needn’t be a dreary, dull task, but can be fun, engaging and highly rewarding to us and everyone around us.