NUS participates in Earth Hour 2010

31 Mar 2010

NUS joined numerous other individuals and organisations worldwide in observing Earth Hour by switching off all non-essential lights in its participating halls of residence, offices and other premises around the campus on 27 March 2010. This is the second consecutive year that NUS participated in the global movement aimed at creating mass awareness of the need to conserve energy and take action against climate change. This time, NUS' initiatives in conjunction with Earth Hour went beyond merely creating awareness of environmental issues.

Our staff and students collectively produced a whopping 2668 origami lilies made from recycled paper to form a large iconic tree-shaped mosaic at the centre of NUS' Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC) field. Recognised as the largest display of origami lilies in Singapore by the Singapore Book of Records, this mosaic signified the vision of “Campus in a Tropical Rainforest”, an initiative of NUS Students' Union Students Against Violation of the Earth (NUSSU SAVE) to bring together staff, students and corporate organisations to develop a long-term roadmap for the greening of the NUS Kent Ridge campus. The initiative was unveiled along with the NUS Students' Sustainability Charter, which expressed the hope and commitment of the NUS Students' Union and its constituent clubs towards environmental conservation.

NUS Earth Hour 2010 was officially launched at 8.30 pm by Guest of Honour, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and Mayor of South West District, Dr Amy Khor. NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye hosted the event and representatives from various NUS departments were also present to show their support, including Director of Special Projects from Faculty of Science Prof Leo Tan, who was a special guest. During the one hour lights off, the Students' Sustainability Charter was signed by 15 NUSSU constituent club presidents, inking their commitment to the cause of a more sustainable campus. After the signing ceremony, the guests were treated to a series of musical performances by the Raffles Hall band and NUS CAC Voices at University Hall.

NUS Earth Hour 2010 was organised by NUSSU SAVE with support from the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Office of Estate and Development, Office of Safety, Health and Environment, Office of Campus Security, and six halls of residence in NUS.