Green Day

QUEUING UP AT THE LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE THE OTHER DAY, the customer in front of me told the cashier that she had no need for a plastic bag as she could carry her purchases in her own tote. Hands paused mid-packing, the cashier shot her a dirty look, then proceeded to unpack the two small items with a theatrical sigh. So when it was my turn to pay, I was quick to tell the cashier not to bag my buys, as I assumed that she was annoyed at having to pack and unpack for the previous customer. To my surprise, I heard her mutter, "Another strange one" just loud enough for me to hear. She couldn't understand why anyone would refuse a free bag (or a free grumpy packing service). I guess that just about sums up the mindset that many people still have towards "going green" - why bother when it will only inconvenience you? (Especially when you are in a convenience store to start with?) After all, most of us probably won't live to see apocalypse now.

Now, I've always fancied myself some sort of closet environmentalist, even way before it was trendy to do so. As a kid, my favourite cartoon was Captain Planet (I still know all the words to the theme song). In school, I joined the Greenlink club and spent hours emptying smelly recycling bins (into which people haphazardly threw their half-finished coke cans and chicken rice packets, instead of recycling correctly). At work, I believe in the little things like printing on both sides of the paper, or not printing unless absolutely necessary (which is an excuse I use for my poor filing habits). I have even bugged my colleagues not to use styrofoam cups and plates unless absolutely necessary, earning myself the rather unflattering reputation of being a "crazy green lady".

Nonetheless, I have to admit that I am sometimes just as guilty of using the ubiquitous paper cups displayed so enticingly next to the coffee machine instead of using my own mug (well the pantry is about 20 long steps away!).

So it is heartening to see that many government agencies are doing their bit to lead the way and make up for all us lazy souls out there. From offering financial initiatives and encouraging the development of environment-friendly buildings to improving energy efficiency through funding and research, much is being done under MEWR's National Climate Change Strategy. Next time you go to the National Library at Victoria Street or visit one of the new flats in Punggol, be sure to look out for the design features which have won HDB and NLB awards for energy efficiency.

But these initiatives are at best a good start. Singapore is lacking behind many countries in terms of environmental consciousness and initiatives. So much more can be done to drum up awareness and more importantly get citizens in on the action of recycling, reusing and reducing.

And in our efforts to go green and save the trees, Challenge will now be produced as a bimonthly magazine, and we will be looking into introducing more content and contests online. So watch this space (or cyber-space rather)!