It’s impossible to ignore the environmental issues the world faces today. With the global population skyrocketing and the effects of climate change beginning to take hold—while the oceans continue to be filled with plastic—it’s clear that the time for action is now. Fortunately, the future is still in our hands, and you can start your sustainability journey at MINI Extraoddinary. Taking place at Chinatown from Nov 22 -24, 10am to 7pm daily, the second edition of the event will take you on an exploratory trail through 16 stations to discover how each of us can play a part in saving the planet through our everyday choices. Here are five things the trail will inspire you to do.
Take up urban farming
It’s estimated that 66 percent of people on earth will live in cities by 2050, making food security a prime concern. Singaporeans will know this issue well, with only a fraction of our food produced on the island. We’re starting to rethink how we can best utilize urban spaces, however, and this is a movement that is spreading around the world. At the “Veggie Might” station, an installation in collaboration with ComCrop will inspire you to put your green thumb to work as an urban farmer.
Make better choices when it comes to clothing
It’s an oft-repeated fact that the textile industry is among the world’s largest sources of pollution, and the dyeing process is responsible for a significant portion of this, causing toxic chemicals to be released into rivers and seas. At the “Changing Room” and “Verte Couture” stations, you’ll learn about natural fabrics and dyes made from plants with Arane—and you’ll get to try your hand at dyeing at scheduled workshops.
Reduce your consumption of meat
Plant-based burgers are sweeping across the world, with establishments ranging from artisanal burger bars to fast-food restaurants all trying out meat-free patties. That’s a big deal—livestock use up a significant amount of resources and are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. But surely something like bak kwa can’t be replaced with a meatless alternative? Or can it? Find out for yourself at the “Meatless Packing District” station, where Brawn & Brains will be showcasing their recipe for a bak kwa without the bak.
Learn about the potential in upcycling and recycling
We all know the three R’s—reduce, reuse and recycle—and while many of us are already taking steps to reduce our use of things that are harmful to the environment, not all of us are aware of the many ways how plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill for centuries can be reused and recycled. At the “What Goes Around” station, you’ll get to see stylish homeware from Robries Gallery, all made from discarded plastic. At “Wits vs Waste”, you’ll play Chinese chess with game pieces made of upcycled plastic trash. And at “All I Got Was This Trashy Souvenir”, you’ll check out more from Robries Gallery—this time, it’s keepsakes made entirely from recycled trash.
Use eco-friendly plastic alternatives
Another scary stat based on our current trajectory is that the plastic in the oceans will outweigh the fish in them by 2050. If you want to ensure the Great Pacific Garbage Patch doesn’t keep growing, it’s essential that you cut or eliminate your use of plastics. Enter Evoware. They’ve created a form of packaging made from seaweed that can dissolve in water or be eaten with the food it carries. See it in action at the “Soup for the Eco-Soul” station.
For more information, head to the MINI Extraoddinary website.
