Why did you decide to hold Earth Hour 2012 on Orchard Road?
Ranked as the world’s top shopping strip, it is the perfect location to showcase Singapore to create awareness of eco-sustainability.
Earth Hour celebrations have been held in Singapore for the last three years. How is this event different?
This being the fourth year of Earth Hour in Singapore, we wanted to celebrate in a special way with the “60+ Singapore” human formation. The “60” stands for the 60 minutes in an hour and the “+” emphasizes the importance of going beyond the initiative of just switching off the lights for one hour. It’s a showcase of support for nature conservation by individuals of all ages and from all walks of life. This year we have also issued a “I Will If You Will” challenge—if 3,000 people sign up as Earth Hour Ambassadors, WWF Singapore and our supporters will collect 3,000 plastic bottles for recycling.
Have you got some big names involved in the program?
Yes. Our Earth Hour Ambassador, model, Nadya Hutagulung will cycle to the event in line with the “I Will If You Will” theme. She promised that if six of her husband’s friends went vegetarian for a month, she would cycle to the site on Orchard Road. She also issued a challenge on her twitter feed—her hubby, Desmond, will cycle to the event if 60 of her followers go vegetarian for a month. Other celebrity supporters like Pan Ling Ling, Huang Shinan and Dong Soo Hua will join us for the celebration. Participants can also look forward to an eco carnival and concert where popular local bands such as Jack and Rai will perform.
What other events will be part of the eco carnival?
There’ll be an array of activities offered at 14 booths, including face and body painting using environmentally friendly paints, and windmill making workshops. Also expect booths to educate the public on energy efficient products as well as well as sustainable living.
