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  Straits Times 13 Jun 07
Youth Environmental Award for three champions of nature
By Eunice Quek

Channel NewsAsia 12 Jun 07
Five youth leaders awarded Youth Environmental Awards

SINGAPORE: More young people are taking part in green activities, but it will take time before environmentalism becomes widespread. This is according to youth environmental leaders presented with the Youth Environmental Awards on Tuesday by HSBC bank and the National Youth Achievement Award Council.

The whale shark was certainly no small fry for six young environmentalists from Singapore, who spent three weeks last June at Australia's Ningaloo Reef helping scientists with their research.

"I was experiencing real life scientific research coupled with conservation work. Besides that it was an example of how eco-tourism could work very well," said Choo Peiling, a participant, HSBC/NYAA Earthwatch Project 06.

"It doesn't have to be experienced overseas. For instance there's seagrass monitoring at Chek Jawa, and that is very hands-on."

Other youth environmentalists agree. They say there are now more green activities in Singapore that cater to all interests whether it is cleaning up riverways, or simply enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer.

The response has been encouraging.

Ramanathan Thurairajoo, HSBC/NYAA Youth Environmental Award winner, said: "During my days in Ngee Ann with the environmental youth society, we had to conduct the outreach... bringing in membership, and bringing youth to be involved in environmental activities. But these days, youth themselves volunteer."

But some youth environmentalists feel Singapore has some way to go with its green push, especially with older Singaporeans.

So it is important to relate broad ideas such as global warming to everyday actions, like using environmentally-friendly lightbulbs.

For their efforts, two youth leaders won a trip to Australia's Queensland state to study climate change in rainforests. The HSBC/NYAA Study Trip will take place between 13 and 27 June.

"Rainforests [are] really my thing, so I'm really looking forward to it. And when we come back, we're going to do projects with NParks and we're going to deal with reptiles, like monitor lizards, which are actually my favourite animal. They're more sensitive to climate change, so we can see how the changes in temperature affect them," said Chan Boon Wah, HSBC/NYAA Youth Environmental Award winner.

The two youth environmentalists and three others were presented with the Youth Environmental Award, by HCBS bank and the NYAA.

The other awardees were: Goh Hong Yi, 17, from National Junior College (winner); Chen Yann-Qi, 15, from Anderson Junior Secondary School (merit award); and Tang Yiu Sum, 16, from Raffles Girls' Secondary School (merit). - CNA/yy

Straits Times 13 Jun 07
Youth Environmental Award for three champions of nature
By Eunice Quek

THIS year's winners of the Youth Environmental Award certainly have a passion for saving the environment.

One of them, Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate Ramanathan Thurairajoo, 24, cuts out newspaper articles and sends e-mail to his friends to keep them informed about current environmental issues. 'Some get irritated with me, while others have become closer and approach me to discuss the changes in the environment,' he said.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim presented the awards - jointly organised by HSBC Bank and the National Youth Achievement Award Council - at the Environment Building in Scotts Road yesterday.

The winners were chosen based on their contributions, achievements and commitment towards environmental protection and nature conservation.

Mr Thurairajoo and his neighbour introduced the National Recycling Programme to their neighbourhood at Selegie House. They wrote to the public waste collector and National Environment Agency to obtain recycling bins for their neighbours to use. Then they distributed leaflets and posters informing their neighbours about the bins.

The other Youth Environmental Award winners are National Junior College (NJC) student Goh Hong Yi, 17, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) undergraduate Chan Boon Wah, 21.

The president of Green Link, NJC's environmental club, Hong Yi believes in setting a good example. 'When we use mahjong paper in class for discussions, instead of throwing it away, my friends joke that since I'm around, we have to recycle the paper.'

Adopting a more passive approach to increasing awareness, Ms Chan, who is the president of Earthlink, NTU's environment club, said: 'Simple actions like not taking a straw but drinking from the cup instead keep my friends mindful about reducing wastage.'

Chen Yann-Qi, 15, from Anderson Secondary School, and Tang Yiu Sum, 16, from Raffles Girls Secondary School, received merit awards.

As part of their reward, Mr Thurairajoo and Ms Chan, along with four other participants, will visit Queensland, Australia, to study climate change in the rainforest from today to June 27.

Enthusiastic about the opportunity, Ms Chan hopes to convince those sceptical about saving the environment.

'People don't see the impact of environmental changes on them. It's a great honour to go on this trip, so that with my experience, I can try to convince people to be socially responsible.'

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