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Green Run
Earthlink NTU, in collaboration with Runner’s Club NTU, is excited to kick off its annual Green for Good event with the Green Run. This fundraising event aims to support the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGIS) biodiversity projects. The Green Run also encourages participants to adopt a healthier lifestyle while appreciating the wildlife on NTU’s campus.
Before the run began, participants received a brief overview of the route. The run starts at NTU’s Sports Recreational Centre (SRC), loops around Nanyang Crescent and Nanyang Drive, and finishes at the SRC. Participants were reminded about safety and potential road hazards. First-Aid Points were strategically placed along the route to assist participants who might feel unwell.
After the safety and route briefing, participants gathered at the SRC track for their warm-up. NTU’s Runner Club led them through a series of stretches, including hamstring, calf, and quad stretches, focusing primarily on their leg muscles to prepare them for the run and minimize the possibility of muscle cramps. Afterward, participants were ushered to the starting line of the blue track, forming up in preparation for the run.
During the run, participants enjoyed the lush greenery surrounding NTU, which provided a refreshing and scenic backdrop for their journey. As the evening approached and the sky began to darken, they were greeted by a stunning sunset.
As participants returned from the run, they were greeted with a wide array of refreshments, including packet drinks, wallet tissues, spectacles coupons, and coasters. These were generously provided by Earthlink NTU’s sponsors: NTU Alumni Club, CKL Food Industries, Sightonomy, Semula, and Boncafe.
During the donation ceremony, Earthlink NTU’s Vice President presented Mr. Shane Lee, the representative from JGIS, with a donation of SGD 652 raised from the event to support their wildlife preservation efforts.
With the success and strong support for Green Run, Earthlink NTU hopes that the Green Run will successfully kickstart the Green for Good initiative with great momentum.
Vegan Festival
With global temperatures rising due to climate change, Earthlink NTU has done its part by promoting vegan products that aim to mitigate one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions – animal products. As shown in the graph below, carbon dioxide emissions from most plant-based products are 10 to 50 times lower than animal-based products. Animal products with the biggest culprit being beef can produce up to 60 kilograms of carbon dioxide for each kilogram of beef. Besides having a lower carbon footprint, vegan diets also tend to be lower in calories and saturated fats and higher in fiber content, lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, certain cancers, and heart diseases.
On 11 March 2024, Earthlink NTU collaborated with numerous vegan businesses below to raise awareness of vegan and sustainable products in the market among the student populace.
- Bamboo Straw Girl: Vegan feminine products and household items
- Thoughtful Foods: Vegan Ready to eat & dry mix food products
- 13rushs: Animal-free makeup brushes
- Zeromultiple: Animal-free skincare products
- Petale Tea: Premium flower tea
- Greenhood: Organic vegetables
During the event, students mingled and engaged with booth owners to better understand their company’s vision for vegan products. NTU students were able to better appreciate the environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle and become more aware of how their dietary and consumer choices affect the environment. This has encouraged the student community at NTU to reduce meat consumption and purchase of animal-derived products.
Despite the stigma that vegan food and drinks are less appetizing and delicious than their meat counterparts, Thoughtful Food successfully introduced students to delicious and convenient vegan meals. These meals are more nutritious given their high dietary fibre, rich protein, and lower sodium & saturated fat content.
Earthlink NTU hopes that this event inspires lasting changes in the students’ dietary habits, fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly campus community.
S.E.A.A Discovery Tour
On March 17, 2024, Earthlink NTU had the incredible opportunity to explore the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore, the fourth-largest aquarium in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. Compared to the usual admission ticket price of SGD 41, Earthlink NTU offered its participants a remarkable discount, providing tickets for just SGD 10 with the added bonus of it being a guided tour. With 40 participants, Earthlink NTU aims to raise awareness among its participants on marine life and its ecosystem.
Throughout the guided tour, Earthlink NTU’s participants learned about the anatomy and living environments of various marine life such as sharks and manta rays. Our guide had numerous interactive Q&A sessions with us where we could ask questions and gain a deeper insight into marine life.
With the destruction of marine ecosystems and wildlife on the rise due to human activities such as untreated wastewater discharge from factories, illegal waste disposal, and overfishing, participants were able to gain a firsthand understanding of the severity and impact of these issues from the numerous booths in S.E.A aquarium. In light of the destruction of marine wildlife, it was heartwarming to see that the S.E.A. Aquarium is actively involved in rehabilitating sea life such as sea turtles.
Participants were also given the unique opportunity to hold a sea star, allowing them to directly interact with marine life and gain a deeper appreciation for these fascinating creatures. Participants were also transported on a conveyor belt through an underwater tunnel, providing them with a mesmerizing, up-close view of marine wildlife with a sunken ship theme. This immersive journey allowed them to observe a diverse array of sea creatures in their natural habitats, creating an unforgettable encounter with the ocean’s wonders.
Earthlink NTU hopes that through this S.E.A.A discovery tour, we can make a difference by raising awareness amongst our participants on the pressing issue of marine wildlife preservation.
AdveNTUre Nature Walks
Covering over 490 acres of land and being close to the western catchment area, NTU prides itself on having Singapore’s biggest university campus. Nestled near a lush forested area, the campus is rich in biodiversity, boasting an abundance of flora and fauna as illustrated in the wildlife hotspots below. Earthlink NTU is proud and honored to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the beautiful and diverse flora and fauna found on campus through its AdveNTUre Nature Walk event held on 20th March 2024.
In this guided nature walk led by Earthlink NTU Nature Guiding, 40 participants were guided across NTU’s campus to diverse wildlife hotspots. Equipped with binoculars provided by the organizers, participants had the opportunity to observe and appreciate the rich biodiversity up close.
Through the knowledgeable nature guide from Earthlink NTU, extensive knowledge about various species and ecological features in the surrounding forested area of NTU was disseminated amongst the participants. Throughout the walk, participants were encouraged to raise questions and engage in meaningful and insightful discussions with the nature guide. This has fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of wildlife and nature.
Besides spotting wildlife, participants were presented with numerous taxidermy displays of various insects such as butterflies, beetles and moths. Through a close look at the intricate details and structures of insect species that is difficult to observe in the wild, participants can get a better understanding on the entomology and niche roles that each insect plays in the environment. These displays highlighted the unique adaptations and behaviors of each insect, emphasizing their vital roles in the ecosystem.
By exploring the rich biodiversity of NTU’s campus and engaging with expert guides, participants gained invaluable insights into the intricate web of life that surrounds them. Earthlink NTU hopes that this experience will inspire participants to become advocates for environmental stewardship and continue their journey of discovery and appreciation of the natural world
Repair Hacks
In an era marked by technological advancements, the environmental and financial repercussions of electronic waste have become increasingly pronounced. This issue is exacerbated by the widespread use of laptops in daily activities, contributing significantly to the growing e-waste problem. With a focus on fostering awareness and practical skills, the Repair Hacks workshop was held on the 22nd of March to empower participants to understand the environmental and financial benefits of reducing e-waste through electronics repair. This workshop is led by Mr. Benedict Lee, a former NTU computer engineering graduate who currently helm the Head of Technical Team of SGBono which has since conducted numerous computer repair workshops.
The Repair Hacks Workshop is divided into two parts. The first part covers the e-waste situation, the benefits of repairing, and a safety briefing. The second part focuses on software troubleshooting and optimization. In the first part, Mr. Lee shared that repairing and reusing electronics is more cost-effective than buying new ones and has provided participants with information on avenues in Singapore where you can self-repair and optimize computers. Mr. Lee has also provided a safety brief for all participants on handling tools and components before attempting to disassemble a laptop.
In the second part of the Repair Hacks Workshop, participants will finally get hands-on experience and expert insights on upgrading and fixing laptop components. They will learn how to replace and upgrade common components such as the battery, RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage drives (both Hard Disk Drives and Solid State Drives).
Mr. Lee also emphasized the importance of data backup and tips for removing bloatware, disabling unneeded startup programs, and performing system optimizations to enhance performance. Additionally, he guided participants on basic hardware upgrades, troubleshooting, and functional checks for PCs that fail to start up successfully.
Earthlink NTU hopes that through this repair hack workshop, participants will gain vital skills in repairing electronics, from component upgrades to software optimization, promoting sustainability and cost-efficiency in tech usage.
Tree Planting
Significant portions of forests are transformed each year for agriculture, urban development, and industrial activities. While these changes support human progress, they also pose challenges to biodiversity, contribute to climate change, and disrupt natural ecosystems. In a bid to promote biophilia and appreciation of nature on our campus, Earthlink NTU has launched its annual tree planting event on 23rd March in line with NTU Biodiversity Week.
Before planting trees, participants received a concise briefing from the organizers on safety protocols and a demonstration of the proper usage of planting tools. This event aims to replace 23 deceased saplings at the Learning Vision plot with new butterfly-attracting species, enhancing the university’s butterfly population. Participants had the rare opportunity to get their hands dirty planting trees, an experience not often available in the concrete jungle of Singapore. Participants were guided on the appropriate amount of water needed to nurture the plants, as well as instructed on the proper techniques for burying saplings to ensure they thrive in their new environment. Each sapling was also tagged for identification and management purposes. Through a tiring hands-on tree-planting experience, participants gained firsthand insight into the manpower challenges involved in reforestation efforts.
In addition to tree planting, Earthlink NTU has also established a vibrant booth where passersby and participants can actively engage. This interactive space not only promotes Earthlink’s visionary goals but also aims to raise crucial awareness about pressing environmental issues. Through informative infographics, visitors gain insights into the diverse wildlife thriving on the campus grounds.
Furthermore, participants had the unique opportunity to examine meticulously preserved taxidermy specimens of butterflies, moths, and beetles. This hands-on experience allows them to appreciate the intricate details of insect anatomy, which are often overlooked in daily urban life. Such encounters foster a deeper connection to nature and encourage a greater appreciation for biodiversity conservation efforts.
Through Earthlink NTU’s tree planting initiative, we aim to cultivate a deeper appreciation for nature among participants by involving them in the hands-on work of reforestation. Engaging in the planting process allows participants to witness firsthand the dedication and challenges inherent in restoring and preserving natural habitats. This experience not only fosters a sense of stewardship towards the environment but also encourages a lasting commitment to sustainable practices within our community and beyond.
Written By:
Nigel Chok Kin Chun