Environment sustainability
Environment
Objectives:
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As part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, all MOE schools have embarked on the Eco Stewardship Programme (ESP) since 2021. It adopts a whole-school approach to integrating environmental sustainability, in nurturing stewards of the environment and aims to reduce carbon emissions by two-thirds as a school sector by 2030, with at least 20% of our schools to be carbon neutral. The Eco Stewardship Programme builds on current environmental efforts in schools. This will be done holistically through the 4Cs:
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Whole School Approach for ESP@Peicai
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In Peicai Secondary School, the ESP was officially rolled out in 2023 where environmental programmes and activities are designed to meet the different needs of the students with support from various stakeholders. Below shows a summary of the whole school approach for ESP@Peicai.
Every Peicaian will have the opportunity to learn and participate in environment programmes through Tier 1 experiences such as the mass celebration of environmental days such as World Water Day and Earth Day, assembly programmes as well as exhibitions in the foyer. They can also participate in school-wide recycling programmes such as “SembEnviro Plastic Recycling League” and the “Pass-it-on Bazaar”. There will also be customised programmes for different levels in Tier 2 experiences, such as curriculum links and activities on environmental-related topics in Geography and Science. For Tier 3 experiences, Environment Heads are elected as part of the class committee. They would have opportunities to hone their leadership skills through leadership training as well as running of schoolwide programmes. In 2023-2024, selected Environment Heads also had the opportunity to propose and implement a community e-waste project in Serangoon. |
Key Programmes:
2024
World Water Day 2024
World Water Day is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. This year’s theme centers on addressing water scarcity, a critical issue affecting millions of people around the world.
Educating on Water Scarcity
Water scarcity refers to the lack
of sufficient and safe water supplies to meet the needs of a growing population.
Factors such as climate change, over-extraction of groundwater, pollution,
and inefficient water management contribute to this problem, leading to
droughts, food shortages, and health risks. During World Water Day, students
became more aware of water scarcity’s causes and effects, emphasizing the
need for conservation and responsible water use.
Innovative Water Solutions
As part of World Water Day commemoration, focus is placed on exploring
innovative solutions to tackle water scarcity. These solutions include
advancements like desalination technologies, rainwater harvesting systems,
wastewater recycling, and smart irrigation methods that optimize water
use in agriculture. Our environment heads shared a few innovative solutions
that they had found with their class.
Student-Led Research and Solutions
Students were also encouraged to further research and present solutions
to specific water scarcity issues through their self-produced documentary
or TED talk. They could also choose to write a shape poem to advocate more
about the various Innovative Water Solutions.
Earth Day 2024
Earth Day serves as a reminder to protect our planet and raise awareness about environmental challenges. A major focus of this year’s commemoration is addressing microplastic pollution—a growing concern that affects ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
Educating on Microplastic Pollution
Microplastics are tiny plastic
particles, often less than 5mm in size, that result from the breakdown
of larger plastic waste or are intentionally manufactured in products like
cosmetics and clothing. These particles pollute oceans, rivers, and even
the air we breathe, posing a threat to marine life and eventually entering
the human food chain. Educational initiatives during Earth Day highlight
the dangers of microplastic pollution and encourage reducing plastic use
and supporting policies that limit microplastic release.
Plastic Audits
Students also conduct plastic audits, where they
assess their plastic consumption and waste generation. This process helps
identify where single-use plastics can be eliminated, guiding efforts to
adopt reusable or eco-friendly alternatives and raise awareness about personal
plastic footprints.
Upcycling Projects
Upcycling projects offer a creative way to tackle plastic waste. By repurposing
used plastic items, such as bottles, containers, or packaging, students
created new products like planters, storage bins, or even art. Upcycling
not only helps divert plastic waste from landfills and oceans but also
fosters innovative approaches to sustainability by encouraging people to
see the value in reusing materials.
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Environment Heads Ashley & Xander raising awareness during assembly about microplastic pollution. |
Examples of creative upcycled items done by students in commemoration of Earth Day. |
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Singapore Youth Water Conference 2024
Peicai Environment Heads participated in the Singapore Youth Water Conference 2024, organized by Raffles Institution. Titled “Singapore’s Water Future: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Generation,” the forum emphasized the importance of water sustainability and management practices, such as desalination and NEWater, which Singapore uses to address water scarcity. The conference also highlighted future challenges like climate change and the need for proactive solutions to ensure water security. Key topics included the role of community involvement, youth engagement, and the use of technology, such as drones and AI, in achieving water conservation goals.
Following the conference, our Environment Heads shared these insights with their schoolmates during an assembly. They called for students to adopt new water-saving practices and facilitated discussions on how the school community can improve its water conservation efforts.
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Environment Heads representing Peicai at the Singapore Youth Water Conference 2024 Dialogue Session |
Environment Heads Ashley & Xander addressing the school about their takeaways from the Singapore Youth Water Conference 2024 |
Commemorative activities held during World Water Day and Earth Day
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School-wide recycling projects - “SembEnviro Plastic Recycling League” & “Pass-it-On Bazaar”
Students collected plastic waste for recycling, and donated used textbooks to their juniors, with leftover books being donated to “NTUC Share-A-Textbook Drive”.
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