Surprise!

Amidst intermittant internet connection while here on holiday in China, I find myself pleasantly surprised by a long awaited preview sampler from Wildfilms! After several years of filming on our shores, finally, a sneak preview aptly named "Singapore Surprise" was released on youtube!



Nothing cheered me up more by the familiar sights of the flora, fauna and even people of our shores! The music coordination was excellent and complimented the video better than a Charlie Chaplin movie soundtrack enhances the dramatic flair of the mime. Add some naration and it'll be the David Attenborough of Singapore!

It's definitely rated PG for sex and violence. Catch rare sights of coral spawning and dodgy liquid secretion during mating season and don't blink or you might miss scenes more exciting than the lion using the lynx in the African savannah!

Honestly, perhaps it is when one is away from home when one appreciates the beauty of what we have more so than ever. It's not that we have more or less but when this monkey met the live seafood trade along the shores of Northeast China, I fervently pray for the preserverance of our shorelife despite threats of reclamation and IRs. At the same time, I really wish Singaporeans would stop and rethink our ostentatious and mostly unsustainable seafood consumption level.


Naked and in a tub in China. Photo by Monkey

When I was in Lueshun, near Dalian city in Liaoning Province of Northeast China, a coastal town that cultivates kelp and pearl, I encountered a market that sells live seafood fresh off the fishing boats. You can find any and everything here. From sea urchin to crabs to fish to snails and all kinds of things I usually prefer seeing live and swimming in the sea. It is also here that I first encountered the first real naked hermit crab I've ever seen in my life. I honestly prefer to see my hermit crabs, not naked, and alive on the shore in Singapore. Sadly, here it is, naked and about to end up on somebody's dinner table.


Hermit Crabs about to end up on somebody's dinner table in China. Photo by Monkey

I really don't want my first time to be so traumatic but maybe that's when it really pushes the point home. I want my first time to be with a real hermit crab, with a home on its back and alive and happy on the shores of Singapore. So please, save the homes of our hermit crabs or so they'll all end up naked and maybe not on somebody's dinner table but just dead and lifeless, buried under a casino.

So join our aptly named guides, the naked hermit crabs, on a trip to discover, uncover and explore the homes of our hermit crabs and see them clothed and happy on our shores! I hope that you, like me, get a chance to see our wildlife alive and happy while you have a chance. I think that seeing them as I have on our shores is definitely a more treasured experience than when reality hits home and you see them as nothing more than a crustacean meant for your dinner table.

Quick details of the walk
Dates: 5 Jun 07, Tue (Family Trail) and 6 Jun 07, Wed (Adventure Trail)
Time: Starts 7.30am for both dates
Duration of walk: Family Trail=1.5 hours, Adventure Trail=2.5 hours.
Cost: $5 per person (does not include Sentosa entrance fees and charges)
Exact details on meeting point will be provided to those who register for the walks

How to sign up?
Just email nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com with "Sentosa Walk" in the subject line and these details
(a) Name and contact of lead person
(b) Number of adults
(c) Number and age of children
(d) Date of walk you wish to join
Please sign up by 25 May 07 (Fri) so that we can finalise details.

For more information, see Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Read full article here

Let's move beyond plastic bags

Ever since the launch of Bring Your Own Bag Day on 18 April 2007, there has been much public and media outcry on this tiny island city-state. On the day of launch, I heard my colleague complain about the lack of widespread implementation of the campaign while my sister and brotherinlaw called me up on a conference call to seek my "expert opinion" on the myopia and contradiction of the campaign. (Read my article on Bring Your Own Bag Day for more information)

To add to the latest foray, Andy Ho, a senior editor at The Straits Times wrote an editorial piece recently on 12 May entitled "Plastic bags are not the enemy".

"On average, Singaporeans use 625 bags per person per year. Research in several countries shows that the main problem with plastic bags is not their environmental impact per se but littering."

Of course, I have to agree that littering is the greater evil behind the plastic bags problem as the international coastal cleanup exhibition mantra is the "curse of the marine litter". The below poster shows how plastic bags and all plastic things really are killing our marine life!



However, it's wrong to say that plastic bags are not the enemy but it is merely not our ONLY enemy. Yes sadly, we have more. Unfortunately, Andy Ho goes on to say:

"But littering is generally not a problem here. In countries where it is, discouraging their use might be justifiable."

I think that Andy has yet to see the above ICCS poster but we shall let that past. However, it really does not justify him questioning the purpose of the whole campaign at all. What more, he brings up all the evils of the ALTERNATIVES of plastic bags. Regarding the cotton bags, I think he simply has not heard of organic cotton yet.


Organic Cotton at the Eco Product Fair 2006

Admittedly, the whole campaign has become a very myopic one. We are only focusing on plastic bags as if it's the be all and end all to all our problems. Do people not realize that this is only the beginning?

To give the people behind the campaign some credit, I must confess that a big part of this "myopia" is created from years of campaigning Singaporeans but we are so stubborn that it's become such an impenetrable wall to break. Over time, people have become focused on the most minute detail to campaign and change the consumer lifestyle in Singapore.

Unfortunately when something "revolutionary" in singapore's standard swing around, they start to pick on the myopia of the campaign and lament the lack of holistic approach to tackling the problem. But what is the REAL problem?

Most importantly, let us NOT divert attention away from or deny the existence of the problem or even presenting it as if its an unsurmountable task?

Are plastic bags our Inconvenient Truth?

There needs to be change, not just a little change but a full overhaul. but unfortunately we need to start somewhere, a baby step. So while taking the baby step, try to look up and far ahead of you instead of complaining about having to take any step at all and saying how you should be leaping forward when you cannot even take on this one step. This step is somewhat symbolic and possibly doesn't make a real chip in the whole journey you have ahead of you. But that's why it's called the first step. You need to start somewhere and this is it!

Perhaps as I have said on my post on metblogs, it is important for the government and state agencies to map out clearly the long term plan for all to see so they know what is ahead of them and not use the myopia of the first step as an excuse to criticize the government. Or perhaps it is not the government's myopia but our own convenient amnesia of past efforts.

Making a big hoo-haa about plastic bag is tiring, passe and it's time we move BEYOND plastic bags. There's a whole climate change crisis ahead of us and we are building dykes to combat this global problem?! Come on!

Let's not act like certain world leaders who try to deny the existence of a problem by means of diversion like saying climate change plastic bag is not the problem or perhaps there is no problem at all. This is NOT how we solve problems!

After all, as Andy Ho said, plastic bags are not the problem as much as littering is! But we have been having littering campaigns for decades and nothing come of it. Well, we are cleaner than many other countries but why compare? We should be setting the standard instead of placating ourselves by only measuring up to others! Who will innovate if all thinks the same?

This is a call to all Singaporeans.

Take on the challenge. If you cannot even overcome a little change like taking on less plastic bags, how much better do you think you will fare when it comes to more unsurmountable challenges?

Read full article here

Taking waste to a higher level

Ironically or not, in my most recent travels to Germany, I find myself noticing more environmentally sustainable practices in the everyday households than I did when I was on an official tour of waste management facilities as part of my Bayer sponsored trip. Whatever their reasons, the point is they are doing it.

What more, these are not individual initiatives, limited to the confines of one household but widespread neighborhood-, community-, city-, state- and nation-wide initiatives, some even mandated by law!

For example, the above photo was taken in the courtyard of my apartment block in Berlin, near the Savignyplatz area near downtown Berlin. Here, we see the usual recycling bins for the residents of the apartments but lo and behold, there is even a bin for "Bio Gut" which is essentially for all things organic. In other words, this is a separate bin for all organic products or "wet waste" as we call it. Not quite a community compost yet but it's a start!

The waste sorting here is so meticulous that it would not allow you to even mix your organic waste with your other papers or packaging waste. Of course the others beside it includes plastic, glass, paper and sometimes packaging waste is even distinguished from your usual plastics. In fact, in all waste bins at the airports and train stations in Germany, rubbish bins don't just come in one but they come in a connected threesome everywhere you go. There is especially one for packaging waste.

In another example in our rented apartment in Dresden, the capital of Saxony and former East Germany, the rubbish bin in the apartment, when you open the cover, you will find it is divided in 3 color-coded compartments! One for paper, one for plastic and the rest for miscellanea.

Perhaps this is why a rubbish chute in each home is not such a good idea after all. When you have to take all of your rubbish out to a central deposition area which comes with carefully indicated bins, it makes waste sorting so much easier.

This is really not about recycling. Nope, waste sorting and waste minimization goes far beyond mere recycling. It's about reducing the need for landfills which even incineration, to a point, cannot help reduce.

That's why in Germany, there is also a Container Deposit Legislation which "require that a deposit on carbonated, water or alcoholic beverage containers be collected when the beverage is sold. When the container is returned to an authorized redemption center, or the original seller in some states, the deposit is partially or completely refunded to the consumer."


This is called the Reverse Vending Machine. After digging around on the web for a really long time I finally found it because I was so enamored by it I didn't take any photos. This is taken from a UK website so it is widespread in Europe. The one in Germany is not quite the same but the feeder and receipt spitting out part as pictured is the same.

This really makes it very fun for the monkey when we go to the supermarket in Hamburg, the highlight of the trip was not shopping but popping plastic bottles into a giant plastic-eating machine which shreds up your bottles and then pay you for it. However, it does not directly pay you cash for your bottles but instead it prints out a receipt for your amount of refund and you can use this refund to get a discount and rebate off your purchases at the supermarket! What I find is more interesting is that it shreds the plastic which I suppose makes it easier for transportation and also as an alternative to melting down the plastic before remoulding, nowadays they pop these bits into a giant tumbler and let the heat do the work, or something to that effect.

They also have a Green Dot system that marks sales packaging in Germany since 1990 that from my poor understanding of babelfish-translated german, is more or less a system that includes the environmental cost of taking care of the lifecycle of a product packaging. It also indicates what can or cannot be recycled. Maybe somebody who understands German can explain this to me.

Technicalities aside, point being that there are tons of technology available these days and all that is lacking is the legislation and state-community effort to implement these legislation.


Sembcorp's new recyclable chutes project

So perhaps HDB flats are of a much higher density than the apartments in Germany which would result in logistic problems if everybody have to step out of their homes to put out their waste and sort them at the same time. But is it just laziness talking? Sembcorp wants to build built-in recycling chutes in addition to our usual rubbish chute and perhaps that is an alternative and a beginning step. Another popular argument is that our tropical climate do not allow for organic waste to contribute to compost bins in homes as it would smell and vectors would develop. Honestly my sister's compost on her balcony in Hamburg, Germany see hosts of flies everyday but for some reason they never enter the house. Sure she claims it smells when she opens the box but I personally never smell it. What more, Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang has a very successful vermiculture (read: compost) project on campus! How is it that we could not?

But sometimes I feel Singaporeans don't even know how to dispose of their rubbish properly, much less talk about waste sorting or even composting. No wonder we worry about vectors.


Just look at how much of that is packaging waste alone!

Read full article here

UN Global Compact Singapore Network Launch

Originally written for the Toddycats Project Manager Moblog, published on 5 October 2005. Transfered here due to a revamping of the Moblog.

September 16, 2005 (Friday) saw the launch of the United Nations Singapore Compact, which is essentially the Singapore network or branch of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) which launched in Singapore in January 2005. The UN Global Compact is an initiative first proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to promote corporate citizenship in the global economy. This marks an important establishment of a cross-sector initiative that seeks to encourage voluntary membership amongst the world’s business sector to adhere to the 10 universal principles in human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption declarations that have been endorsed by the United Nations and specified by the UNGC committee.


UNGC Brochures

The local champion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is Ms Claire Chiang, the president of the Singapore Compact network. She is passionate in emphasizing the importance of local companies to join the network, not only because CSR and corporate governance is important in today’s local economy but also that it makes business sense. It is noted during the launch that consumers are now increasingly conscious about their consumption choices and would support companies who are known or seen to practice CSR.


Ms Claire Chiang

During this launch, ten pioneering companies, consisting of banks and oil companies and including Ms Chiang’s Banyan Tree resorts, signed to join the UNGC Singapore Network and in doing so, promises to publish in their annual reports ways of which they are making changes in their business operations to support the 10 principles.


The 10 signatories and witnesses at the back

The launch was attended not only by the representative from the business community in Singapore, but also from NGOs and representatives from the United Nations, Mr Andrew Toh, Assistant Secretary-General and Dr Uddesh Kohli who shared the UNGC India network’s experience. Minister from the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Lim Swee Say also graced the event as the guest of honor.


Panel Discussion Q&A
(l-r)Mr Jean-Louis Champseix (STMicroelectronics Director of Asia Pacific HR), Mr Andrew Toh (UN Asst Sec-Gen), Mr Thomas Thomas (Chair of Panel and Hon Gen of Singapore Compact), Dr Uddesh Kohli (Senior Advisor, UNGC India)

The committee hopes that this trend towards CSR will snowball into a prevalent attitude in Singapore and the world. CSR could truly be the first step towards responsible corporate practices. Perhaps, now we can have more effective communication in effecting change with the companies that have signed on with the UNGC. Who knows, soon we may have more companies offering refill packs for shampoos and bathing foams!

More photos of the event

Read full article here

European Travels

Photo (Right): A rambling leafmonkey on a particularly bad fur day spotted in Hamburg, Germany with her indispensable accessory.

For those wondering about my absence over the last 2 weeks, I have been absconded to Europe on a family trip to Saxony, Prussia, Bohemia and other Hansa cities.

If you are interested in reading about my travels, notes and sights can be found on travegerie.blogspot.com and my European flickr collection respectively.

Read full article here

Fastest or Most Impatient?

Have returned from Europe yesterday and could not resist writing about Singapore topping the charts for "world's fastest walkers". Read the report while in Europe where I was struggling to catch up with the Europeans and here they are, claiming that we are the world's fastest walkers.

We should hardly be happy for this latest No. 1 title because being world's fastest walkers come with a price and maybe it's really saying that we are merely the world's most impatient walkers.

Read the full article at "Singaporeans - world's fastest walkers?", Singapore Metblogs, 08 May 2007

Read full article here

Flickr's Photo Collections

My photos on Flickr are now organized according various themes called "collections" which enable easier browsing through my numerous photos and sets.



The themes are:

Singapore Shores - covering all my trips with beachfleas and others to various shores on the mainland and on our offshore islands
Singapore Greens - all other nature areas and green events, mangrove, coastal, terrestrial or even urban
Singaporensis - all things Singapore from election to PUB exhibitions and even food forays
Singapore Heartlands - covering the heartlands and the heart with friends and family
RMBR Toddycats - all T-cats events and some other treehuggery activities
Thai Travels - documenting all my trips to Thailand
Asian Travels - the many asian countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia that I've visited in the last 3 years
Americas Travels - some photos from my short stay on student exchange in USA

There will be more to come I am sure with European Travels for one. I am still in the process of uploading photos. I may be starting a new set on colonial buildings to separate that out from heritage activities.

Read full article here

Monkey on metblog

Monkey has recently made her first foray into the Singapore Metblogs. It would be interesting to be able to reach out to more people locally and globally using other channels. Exploring other media to talk about the treehugging matters and all things Singapore.

My first post is on the Bring Your Own Bag day. There are cool 1980s and 90s poster on there. It'd be interesting what one can dig out if one puts one mind to it.

Meanwhile, I'll be off to Europe tonight and will not be back for the next 2 weeks. If internet willing, I will be blogging on the travelling menagerie while there. Who knows, maybe a german 'holsum minute or two. :)

Good luck too all those having exams! See you in May!

Read full article here

Al Gore is in Singapore

The hero of climate change, the star of An Inconvenient Truth, is actually in Singapore this very minute!

He is here along with six other heros of our environment to receive the UNEP Champion of the Earth award. Unfortunately, from what the monkey understood, it's press invited only, in addition to relevant individuals. Of heros and champions, it'll be more exciting and locally involving if UNEP could actually arrange a public lecture by these champions to spread some enlightened vibes around singapore. Afterall, such a major environmental wave swept through Singapore yesterday with outcry of synthetic deprivation, a motivational talk is in order. In fact, my family called me up to "seek my expert knowledge" to understand what one should do with their garbage if they no longer take free plastic bags from NTUC to line their bins.

I wonder if the organizer, Singapore Tourism Board, saw past the greens for the trees.

----
Update @ 20 April 2007:
Eugene commented that Al Gore did not personally come to Singapore but was represented by actress Daryl Hannah. Apologies for not being updated as I have read about the UNEP champions almost 2 months ago. Oh well, maybe somebody should invite him specially to Singapore next time.

Name and shame, says green champ
Arti Mulchand
20 April 2007
Straits Times

That is how she tackled stubborn polluters in the Philippines

FORMER Filipino environment and natural resources secretary Elisea Gillera Gozun has a method for handling persistent polluters - name and shame them.

'In Asia, shame is something companies and people respond to... We don't want to be put to shame,' said Mrs Gozun, one of seven Champions of the Earth 2007 honoured last night.

She received the award for her environmental efforts in the Philippines, including introducing a pollution charges scheme and establishing a public disclosure system for companies.

She gave an example of a textile firm in Manila which made headlines for dumping untreated water into a river.

The owners 'woke up' and cleaned up only when their children refused to go to school out of sheer embarrassment, said Mrs Gozun, who leads seven non-governmental organisations in the Philippines.

Last night's other winners were honoured for achievements in fields ranging from chemical safety and sustainable waste management to the greening of sporting events.

They include the International Olympic Committee and its president Jacques Rogge.

Another winner, Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva, has fought for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and championed conservation while taking into account the concerns of those who depend on resources.

Also on this year's honour roll is former US vice-president Al Gore, who continues to make the environment a 'pillar of his public service'.

He was represented at last night's ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel by actress Daryl Hannah - herself an environmental champion and a bioenergy advocate.

A statement from Mr Gore said: 'It has taken too long for global leaders, especially in the United States, to wake up to this fact and respond, but I have hope...

'I have every confidence that when the nations of the world come together for the common good, we will regain our moral authority not only to tackle the climate crisis, but also to address the other major environmental threats we face today.'

United Nations Environment Programme executive director Achim Steiner said that celebrating the champions provides an 'antidote to what is otherwise a fairly bleak picture that we... share with the world in 2007'.

He was pointing to the dire report for the planet issued by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change earlier this year, the third part of which will be released in Bangkok on May 4.

The first part of the assessment report blamed human activity for the earth getting 'incontrovertibly' warm.

The second instalment last month envisaged more frequent and severe flooding, water shortages and pressure on coastlines.

Climate change and issues surrounding energy took centre stage also at the Global Business Summit for the Environment (B4E) here yesterday.

Mr Steiner urged the business leaders attending the meeting to 'bring the environmental and sustainability dimension into the marketplace' and get involved in the fight against climate change.

Also on the agenda, the rising trend of putting money into greener investments and financial products, and the risks and opportunities facing businesses in a carbon constrained environment.

On the sidelines of the event, another Champion of the Earth, Algerian Minister for Land Planning and Environment Cherif Rahmani, who was honoured for his work on desertification, called on Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

The Algerian minister noted the potential for Singapore to share its experience in town planning and water management.

'Champions of the Earth' honoured in eco-friendly event
20 April 2007
Straits Times

BUSINESS leaders, environmentalists, entertainers and government leaders - they all turned up to honour the Champions of the Earth at an awards ceremony last night.

The awards, given out to seven people this year, recognise those who champion environmental causes and effect policy changes.

This was the fourth instalment of the annual awards, presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The event opened with West African singer Angelique Kidjo cajoling some 700 guests to sing along to her song Afirika, which speaks of blessings for Mother Earth.

It was a pointer to the environmental theme which permeated the celebrations, graced by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and his wife.

Guests tucked into organic and sustainably farmed food at the Shangri-La Hotel's Island Ballroom, which was transformed into a lush tropical rainforest with plants and coloured energy-efficient bulbs.

Even the trophies given to the winners were made from recycled metal.

The former secretary of the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources Elisea Gillera Gozun, and Algerian Minister for Land Planning and Environment Cherif Rahmani were here to accept their awards.

The other winners, who sent their representatives, are:

Former US vice-president Al Gore;

Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva;

International Olympic Council president Jacques Rogge;

Swedish Ministry of Environment Ambassador Viveka Bohn; and

Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.

UNEP executive director Achim Steiner said environmental challenges have brought economies, societies, businesses and governments together into a 'world conversation that is long overdue'.

Read full article here

Tides

Deceivingly nondescript at high tide
Sister Shore shimmer with secrets
mocking us behind a veiled cover of artifice
laughing at our not-knowing, our folly
hugging its secrets close to its bosom
lulling us asleep with its serene beauty



As the clock struck in perfect timing
the swan turns into a beautiful princess
reveling in sunlight or moonshine
welcoming little beachfleas
that come out to play
on low tides across our shores



As the witch of time cast its spell
the tide menacingly encroach on
little beachfleas forced to flee
hiding in huts on the backshore
waiting and watching
bidding their time



Till the next time
the tide goes
and out they come
to play again!
Beachfleas to arms
Beachfleas to fun!

This has been an experiment at merging landscapes together with Photoshop's Photomerge automator function. Photo taken at Sisters on 3 January 2007. Pardon the bad merging either on my bad manual mendings or photoshop's bad stitching. For more photos on sisters, see my flickr set

Read full article here

One of those moments #080407

This photo was taken at sentosa on Sunday morning on 8th April 2007 during the romp on the beach with the naked hermit crabs and team seagrass.

This is not a set up shot but chanced upon on the beach, complete with opened can of beer.

Considering the proximity to rasa sentosa, some party goer the night before must have set up to have a nice relaxing beer in front of the sea.

We all know how inviting the surf can be in lulling our minds to sleep.

Please enjoy our beaches but let our beaches enjoy you just as well!

So you're invited to please clean up after yourself!

But, really whoever you are, thanks for the chair, it gave many a tired hermit crab some reprieve after a morning of recce. Schweet!

And no, we did not try to taste if the beer is still fresh.

Yes, really.

Read full article here

Counting Down

My thesis is
SUBMITTED


Still need to spruce up the looks and submit the hardcover by next monday but that's it. My fate is sealed. A not-so perfect piece of work representing me, with my name on it, has left my hands into the hands of those who hold my fate, hopefully gently within their palms.

Thanks to all who cared, commented and showered me with support. Thank you! *muak* the monkey feels the love :)

Read full article here

Who stole their shells?

Have you ever seen a naked hermit crab? Original image courtesy of MarEco

Today, a group of naked hermit crabs were born at Seah Im Hawker Center. They were seen roaming about with their butts hanging out. Hoping not to moon anybody, they tried to device ways of covering up their butts with giant buttons to appeal for help to save their shells.

But who took their shells?
Where has all our shells gone?

Stay tune for more!

Read full article here

Floppy 'Holsum Minute Ep 1

Floppy 'Holsum Minute, otherwise known as FHM, is now coming to the youtube nearest to you! Produced by this rambling monkey with the help of the star of the show - Floppy, the world travelling ball of fur donkey!

The first in many to come - wholesome 'holsum green tips all compressed in one exact minute!

This week, floppy tells us a bit about how to combat the heat in Singapore - in an environmentally friendly sorta way! This will come in handy in the el nino expected this year.

Please share with floppy your comments so we can improve for future episodes. For example, should we stick it to exactly 60 seconds?

If there are any topics or locations that you would like floppy to visit, drop us a comment!

Enjoy!

Read full article here

100 Days of East Asian Seas Youth Agenda

Dear Friends,

25th March 2007 marks the 100th day since we created and signed a Youth Agenda for the Seas of East Asia. You may not be aware but we do have shared seas across the region and it is very obvious, even for non-‘environmentalists’ to see the threatening effects of climate change, pollution and other abuses to Mother Earth’s generosity.

Last December 11 to 15, 2006, I was one of the fortunate delegates who were able to participate in the first East Asian Seas Youth Forum held in Haikou City, PR China and I did learned a lot of valuable lessons (aside of course from having fun with 44 other young people from 10 Asian countries). I really wished more young people could have participated, including you. Maybe in 2009 in the Philippines, you could also participate in the next Youth Forum, who knows?


Photo taken at Haikou, Hainan, by Monkey on Dec 15, 2006

But for now, I’d like to share our story to let you experience even in this way our journey and share the important lessons we’ve had. Most especially, I would like to encourage you to be more responsible towards our environment even in simple ways. By our small deeds, we can make big impacts and start some change.

May I invite you, even if just for today, to refrain from using plastic straw in drinking your favorite cola or juice and also to pick up just a few rubbish/garbage you can see scattered irresponsibly on any place they shouldn’t be, would that be okay? I have also attached the Youth Agenda [pdf, 215kb] which contains other simple ways we can save the environment. I hope you could take a minute to read through it, and if you can forward this to any of your young relatives or colleagues, much better. There’s also a simple inspiring story below that hopefully would inspire you. There are more at www.pemsea.org/ye if you would like to visit.

To read more about our experience at the East Asian Seas Youth Forum in Haikou, Hainan in December 2006, see our Youth Story [pdf, 786kb]

That’s it for now!

Cheers!

November aka The Rambling Leaf Monkey

- - - - - - - -

The Wise Man

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.

He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."



There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.


Above Photos of Knobby Seastar at Cyrene Reef by Budak, taken on 22 March 2007

Read full article here

Beautiful sunsets of our shores

(l-r) Labrador, Punggol, Punggol, Ubin

Never imagined our shores could be like something right out of a postcard or inspirational poster? That's because nobody we knew had the capabilities of capturing it in its utmost beauty before!

NoorHazmee.com will change your minds! Check out his photo. His latest of Sunset at Labrador Park was what prompted this post.



I first got to know of him when he captured a superbly surreal photo of an abandoned house on Ubin (above). The catch was that he made it look like something out of a European fairy tale!

Read full article here

Green House soft launches on 24 March 2007

Update on 21 March 2007:
The post entitled "Green House soft launches on 24 March 2007" was originally written for publication on Pulau Ubin Stories. However, due to technical difficulties, the news is published here instead until all technical difficulties are rectified.


Peek at the Green House on 16 March 2007.

Update on 22 March 2007:
The technical difficulties on Pulau Ubin Stories has finally been rectified!

We have now moved to:
http://puluaubinstories.blogspot.com

However, we can still be accessed via http://www.pulauubinstories.com and http://ubinstories.rafflesmuseum.net

You can find the post on GVN's Green House Soft Launch on 24 March 12noon on Pulau Ubin Stories.

Read full article here

One of those moments #130307

"So did you manage to find the other 3 numbers?", asked Chay Hoon and Ria.

Alas, I was not that lucky. One "lucky" 8 was all that floated by Monkey while traipsing St John one March Saturday.

Speculatively, it could be a piece of foam number from a childrens party on board a yacht cruising past the southern islands. Or who knows, it could be all the way from the mainland.

Either way, we were lucky to encounter it and this monkey did a bit of beach cleanup and thanks to Chay Hoon, we were able to "transport" it back to shore.



Photo taken on 3 March 2007 on St Johns Island, off Singapore.

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One of those moments #120307

The dichotomy of cats and dogs never cease even in the realm between the animate and inanimate!

Photo taken at Ayuthaya, Thailand on 6 March 2007.

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Survivor Maliau

Coming to your screens in 10 days.
SURVIVOR MALIAU
Sabah's Lost World

Outwit. Outplay. Outlast!

Will the rambling leafmonkey survive?
Find out on February 28 when I return!
Exclusively yours at the Traveling Menagerie.

The logo is an original creation by the rambling leaf monkey while the clipart is taken from Clipart Guide

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