Latest news with #ITECollegeEast
Straits Times
2 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Field trip held to attract more donations to environmental and climate causes in S'pore
A lecturer and trainee at the automated seeding station in ITE College East's in HortiTech Hub. PHOTO: ST FILE Field trip held to attract more donations to environmental and climate causes in S'pore SINGAPORE - Donations to environmental causes in Singapore have lagged behind areas like social service and welfare, accounting for 4 per cent of giving here in 2023. Giving to environmental causes accounted for just $510,000, or about 1.78 per cent of grants dispersed between April 2024 and March 2025 by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), which pools and facilitates donations. Noting the low support, CFS on June 10 held its first trip for donors to learn – occasionally hands-on – about efforts in the environmental and climate space, in a bid to accelerate giving to these areas. More than 30 people comprising private and corporate donors , as well as CFS's partners, participated in the visit to ITE College East in Simei, where they attended talks and a tour of the campus' sustainability initiatives. Addressing current and prospective donors on the visit , NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions deputy director Adrian Loo said : 'I think the environment is like planting a tree. 'You don't plant it for this generation, you plant it for the next generation.' The former National Parks Board director recalled how visitors would take refuge in the coolness of Singapore's forests during the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of parks . It was a demonstration of the key role that nature can play for people. Dr Loo called on donors to support the centre's 'active work', which goes beyond research to help other communities in South-east Asia take stock of their biodiversity and earn revenue from biodiversity credits. Also among those looking to raise funds is chief executive of Waterways Watch Society, Mr Eugene Heng, who heads the volunteer group that patrols waterways in Kallang, Punggol and Jurong to ensure that they remain clean. Showing donors images of rubbish floating in these channels, Mr Heng said the non-profit's efforts to organise litter-picking programmes help people of all ages take ownership of Singapore's waters. He noted that pre-schools have in recent years subscribed to the group's activities more often than primary and secondary schools, even though they tend to lack the budget for these programmes. Mr Heng added: 'What we're looking for is sustainable donors, because it's very hard for us to plan for three to five years.' The non-profit, which has benefitted from CFS' grants, hopes to raise $147,700 for its waterways clean-up and learning trail, which teaches students about water conservation. As part of the June 10 trip, participants visited the campus' automated farming facility, solar panel farm and wormery. There, they had the opportunity to remove worms from nutritious compost converted from the cafeteria's food waste, and return the creatures to their artificial homes. These initiatives are part of ITE's environmental stewardship programme, which the foundation aims to fund. The programme's chairperson, Ms Catherine Soh, told participants that an interest in climate and environment typically ranks among the lowest priorities for students choosing extracurricular activities , as compared to other interests like sports and dancing. She said: 'Honestly, if I don't share about the environment and sustainability, v ery few will come (to these programmes).' CFS' chief executive Paul Tan said he sees potential in driving momentum in the climate and environment space, as while small, interest appears to be growing. He cited studies by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, which showed that 4 per cent of donations in Singapore went to environmental organisations in 2023, double the 2 per cent in 2021. Religious organisations received the most donations at 37 per cent. Said Mr Tan: 'Through (the trip), we hope to help donors connect the dots, showing how their giving can support critical research, community-led solutions and education that complement national efforts.' This comes amid Singapore's efforts to position itself as a philanthropic hub, driven by its flourishing wealth management sector and attractive tax incentives. Privately held companies here that manage the wealth of ultra-rich families have grown over the past four years. From just 400 of such single family offices awarded tax incentives in Singapore in 2020, the number had shot up to more than 2,000 by the end of 2024. Some of the richest people in the world have also set up charities in Singapore in recent years, including American hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio, Indonesian coal king Low Tuck Kwong and Brazil-born Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. They will be joined by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who announced plans in May to set up an office for his philanthropic organisation in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Growing Wild - Project Castaway: Floating Farm Ahoy!
47:03 Min 11 months ago, Chris came up with an ambitious idea of constructing a floating farm at sea. Now it's make or break time - in 30 days, he has to get it up and running. Growing Wild About the show: Over two seasons of Growing Wild, urban farmer Chris Leow has been a man on a mission. Season 1 introduced us to growing edibles and brought nature into our personal spaces. Season 2 allowed us to imagine how we can not just grow food better, but also safeguard the environment at the same time. So where do we go from here? The answer is bigger, bolder, wetter! Growing Wild: Project Castaway is bigger in scope, bolder in execution. For one entire year, Chris dedicates himself to a whole new farming frontier - the ocean. He wants to build a floating farm that pushes the boundaries of self-sufficiency in food, energy and water. Is this a fool's gambit? Not everyone thinks so. Students from NUS Landscape Architecture, ITE College East are lining up to join Captain Chris. Instructions are not included and success is not guaranteed, but he's determined to sow the seeds for a better future.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Growing Wild - Project Castaway: All About Aquaculture
47:03 Min When it comes to agriculture, urban farmer Chris Leow is in his comfort zone. But when it comes to aquaculture, he quickly realises that he's a little out of his depth. Growing Wild About the show: Over two seasons of Growing Wild, urban farmer Chris Leow has been a man on a mission. Season 1 introduced us to growing edibles and brought nature into our personal spaces. Season 2 allowed us to imagine how we can not just grow food better, but also safeguard the environment at the same time. So where do we go from here? The answer is bigger, bolder, wetter! Growing Wild: Project Castaway is bigger in scope, bolder in execution. For one entire year, Chris dedicates himself to a whole new farming frontier - the ocean. He wants to build a floating farm that pushes the boundaries of self-sufficiency in food, energy and water. Is this a fool's gambit? Not everyone thinks so. Students from NUS Landscape Architecture, ITE College East are lining up to join Captain Chris. Instructions are not included and success is not guaranteed, but he's determined to sow the seeds for a better future.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Growing Wild - Project Castaway Behind The Scenes: Singapore
07:43 Min What does it take to design a floating farm? In this behind-the-scenes video, catch how Chris Leow and his team of students from NUS Landscape Architecture and ITE College East brainstorm, build and test innovative prototypes. Will they succeed or fail? Growing Wild About the show: Over two seasons of Growing Wild, urban farmer Chris Leow has been a man on a mission. Season 1 introduced us to growing edibles and brought nature into our personal spaces. Season 2 allowed us to imagine how we can not just grow food better, but also safeguard the environment at the same time. So where do we go from here? The answer is bigger, bolder, wetter! Growing Wild: Project Castaway is bigger in scope, bolder in execution. For one entire year, Chris dedicates himself to a whole new farming frontier - the ocean. He wants to build a floating farm that pushes the boundaries of self-sufficiency in food, energy and water. Is this a fool's gambit? Not everyone thinks so. Students from NUS Landscape Architecture, ITE College East are lining up to join Captain Chris. Instructions are not included and success is not guaranteed, but he's determined to sow the seeds for a better future.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Growing Wild - Project Castaway Behind The Scenes: Overseas
07:06 Min What happens when curiosity takes you across the globe? Go behind-the-scenes to follow Chris Leow and his team through Portugal, the Netherlands and Japan. From chatting with fishermen and farmers to learning from marine ecologists and environmental scientists, this candid cut captures the inspirations, challenges, and laughs that shaped Chris' ambitious plan to create a floating farm out at sea. Growing Wild About the show: Over two seasons of Growing Wild, urban farmer Chris Leow has been a man on a mission. Season 1 introduced us to growing edibles and brought nature into our personal spaces. Season 2 allowed us to imagine how we can not just grow food better, but also safeguard the environment at the same time. So where do we go from here? The answer is bigger, bolder, wetter! Growing Wild: Project Castaway is bigger in scope, bolder in execution. For one entire year, Chris dedicates himself to a whole new farming frontier - the ocean. He wants to build a floating farm that pushes the boundaries of self-sufficiency in food, energy and water. Is this a fool's gambit? Not everyone thinks so. Students from NUS Landscape Architecture, ITE College East are lining up to join Captain Chris. Instructions are not included and success is not guaranteed, but he's determined to sow the seeds for a better future.
